PETRA – Petra [Girder / Curb Records remaster] (2024) *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// FLAC

Girder Music and Word/Curb Records presents this collaboration to release for the first time remastered CD’s of PETRA very early albums. Meticulously remastered by esteemed audio engineer Rob Colwell, the sound quality obtained on “Petra“, the band’s debut is really good, with a crisp sonic output.
Previous reissue (non-remastered) altered the album’s track list – this one respect the original LP sequence, as intended by the band.
It’s pretty cool to revisit Petra origins, as it was a completely different band. Musically “Petra” is Midwestern roots rock’n’roll and southern rock, which was the band’s trademark during its first years. It’s a quite straight-to-tape recording on a limited budget of $1,000 taking place during the span of two weeks.
Nevertheless, this first record displays remarkable guitar work with many dual guitar solos reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy, and other bands from the period who employed harmony leads. Unlike later Petra albums, lead vocal duties are shared by guitarists Bob Hartman and Greg Hough.

This is not the most known Petra, when there were flying guitars and spaceships on the album covers, and the music was glossy, with blazing guitars, keyboard splashes and huge choruses.
However this is good Seventies Classic Rock, very American, even with some Country Rock at places. There’s electricity too, raw, primal.

“Petra” it’s really benefited by modern remastering, as not only this is a vintage recording, it was recorded on a budget. The result is very good, crisp, and a nice chance to discover the band musical origins.
Highly Recommended

01 – Walkin’ In The Light
02 – Mountains And Valleys
03 – Lucas McGraw
04 – Wake Up
05 – Backslidin’ Blues
06 – Get Back To The Bible
07 – Gonna Fly Away
08 – I’m Not Ashamed
09 – Storm Comin’
10 – Parting Thought

Bob Hartman – guitar, vocals
Greg Hough – guitar, mandolin, vocals
Bill Glover – drums, percussion, bass on “Lucas McGraw”
John DeGroff – bass, guitar on “Lucas McGraw”

BUY
girdermusic.com/collections/petra/products/petra-petra-1974-cd-remastered