The Petra Zone

What would Back to the Street have been like if Greg had stuck around for 1 more album? I wondered for a long time if that album was written for John or if it was meant for Greg. I think about it way to much because thats my favorite.

Would the tempo be different? Would Greg have done better on songs like "Whole World" or "Alter Ego?" Imagine Thankful Heart done by Greg...

What do you guys think?

I think that it was totaly writen for John -or at least revamped for him. I love Greg (almost as much as John) but I think BTTS suits John perfectly, more so than Greg.

I could not imagine Greg singing any of these songs. These songs were not made for his vocals; they had more of an edge to them. BTW BTTS was recorded without vocals in August-September 1985 even before CiTaS was recorded.

What if John had been around earlier? Say for More Power to Ya?

They have different voices suited for different types of music. I think John did a good job with Judas' Kiss. And I think Greg could handle Thankful Heart.

I don't know if Bob had anyone in mind when he wrote the songs. He knew Greg was leaving and John wasn't called until most of the record had been recorded, sans vocals.

However....the following is from the draft of the book John Schlitt: A Testimony of Rock and Redemption:

Although technically, John�s first album with Petra was Back to the Streets, John says that This Means War! feels more like his first album with Petra. Virtually all of Back to the Streets had already been written and recorded before he was even in the band. But the songs on This Means War! reflected the new attitude and direction the band was taking.
With this album, Bob also began to write more to suit John�s vocal range and style. John�s voice was more gritty and rockier than Greg X. Volz�s had been, and Bob wanted to take advantage of that to move Petra in a more raw rock & roll sound and further away from the more stylized, synth sounds of Beat the System.

How is that book coming along by the way?

How is that book coming along by the way?

It is coming along quite nicely. We are looking at a release this fall.

Cool. I'll be buying a few copies of it, one for me and several for gifts.

calicowriter wrote: However....the following is from the draft of the book John Schlitt: A Testimony of Rock and Redemption:

... Virtually all of Back to the Streets had already been written and recorded before he was even in the band.

Interesting --- I thought (at the time of BTTS) that BTTS was named BTTS after the song (obviously) but also that it was Petra was getting back into the work of being a Christian rock band after Greg had departed.

Always have really enjoyed BTTS; thought it was a great Greg to John transition album.

I know alot of people have felt that BTTS was a weak album, but I think it was one of their strongest albums lyrically. The guitar work also stood out on this album, so much more than the previous 2 albums. I felt it also showed that a band can lose a lead singer and actually get better and also more popular then before, which is unheard of in the music world.

Fall is a nice time for a book release... just in time for the Christmas buying season... just in time for the John & Bob Show....

Not to be overly picky here, but when you write a book, the devil is in the details. Isn't the name of the album Back to the Street (not Streets). BTW, I too look forward to reading a copy of your book.

Yep just like everyone said BTTS was written before John joined, but also before Greg left, even though they knew Greg was leaving.

How's that for confusing.

I've often wondered how Greg would sound on BTTS cause it still leans towards the synth style of BTS. Whereas, as stated, TMW has more of an edgier sound to it.

Looking forward to the book..

I find that when I listen to BTTS (or is it BttS? Certainly not just BS) I can very easily hear Greg's voice singing a lot of the songs. Especially the title track and You Are I AM. To a slightly lesser extent, songs like King's Ransom and Fools Gold as well. As for Shakin' The House, maybe not.