Classic Petra Blog Mentions John Schlitt

[Shell]

In defense of Arnel...I actually think that in some respects he is a better singer than Perry (I know, blasphemy).

You are hereby sentenced to listen to Barney singing "I love you and you love me" 20,000 times.

Good post Eric.

[Shell]

All I want to know is, who was pestering them so much that they had to say something? I would be willing to bet that it was someone from this site that just can't leave it alone... JUST LET IT GO PEOPLE.

Good post too Shawn, but don't hold your breath when it comes to people letting it go....

[Dan]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the trouble makers on the zone... that's not hard to work out.

[fcollazo]

I agree with the Van Halen comparison. Both band's Singer trading happened in the same year. What a coincidence?

Also, can you people understand that the reason the CITAS line up has been called the classic one and original one, is because in the minds and memory of most Petra fans from the 80s till 2005, the Live image of Petra that comes to mind for all the fans that could never see Petra live until 2005, is the CITAS video. I could never see Petra live until the 1995 Joplin Missouri Show I recorded that you guys have now. I learned about Petra in 1987 in Puerto Rico, and I missed their This Means War show in Puerto Rico because my Youth Pastor thought they were too radical and would not let us go. So all I was left with for years was the CITAS video. Then I was able to get a copy of the audience recording of the San Juan show that I passed on to you guys. Now, that same thing has happened to all the fans that still have never seen Petra live, all they had officially released until 2005 was CITAS.

And for some dumb reason Bob told me that the reason that Petra did not have a live release on John's prime back in 1991 was quoting Bob: "Live records don't sell". I could never understand this since almost every mayor artist at the time and now would release several Live albums. Look at the bunch of live CDs and DVDS released by Guardian, White Heart, Newsboys, Delirious?, Third Day, Pillar, and: Casting Crowns that release one with each album.
What better time to have a Live Petra album than at John's Peak, they could not have been more successful at it. What a wasted oportunity!

[calicowriter]

Did it ever occur to any of you that they are using the term "Classic" Petra has more to do with time? Old cars and TV shows are called "classic." The same term would have worked if Hough, Degroff, Bob, et al had put together a tour.

But speaking of John, I think we should start a campaign to get him on "Dancing with the Stars."

[fcollazo]

Calico, you are cracking me up!!! Too much fun here!!!

[blayze5150]

I remember back in the day (when "Back to the Street" came out) I did not buy the album because I couldn't imagine anyone but GXV singing for Petra. That all changed when "This Means War" came out. Twenty something years later, I can't fathom Greg singing for Petra instead of John. Kinda ironic.

[CatNamedManny]

This is just more proof that anyone writing for the public on behalf of someone else either 1. better be a good writer and communicator or 2. run his work past someone who is.

There's nothing offensive in the sentiment of the post, but as written, it has all sorts of problems -- comparing Greg to Steve Perry (and thereby diminishing John's contributions), inaccurately calling the Classic Petra guys the band's "original members," and all the other things mentioned in the OP. Just not professionally written at all, which tends to coincide with some of the other things I've raised concerns about (putting logos designed for Schlitt-era albums on Classic Petra merch, the cheesy feel of the album art, etc.). I guess this is what happens when you don't have money for anything but recording an album.

[CatNamedManny]

Speaking of lead vocalist changes, I can't help but think that the Newsboys' shift from Peter Furler to Michael Tait is probably the biggest such switch in Christian music since Petra. Has to be.

[brent]

It is time for the Newsboys to RIP. They should have changed their name. The new stuff is good, but it does not have the same identity.

As far as Arnel being a better singer than Perry, I disagree 3000%. Perry has more emotion and precision. Arnel is a strong tenor for sure. But he lacks the texture, subtlety and control of Steve Perry. I don't know if the guy even understands all that he sings, since he was not the writer, does not know American lingo for that time period, and only gets the information from the jaded beasts of burden than had to keep working to pay the bills and give Steve Perry 50% of all revenues.

Singing someone else's songs, in this case STEVE PERRY's must not be easy. The guy cannot win IMO. The only guy that could compete is Steve Perry. He chooses not to because he doesn't have it anymore. He doesn't want to be remembered for what he can do now. Smart move. Some people know when to stop. Some other people taint the memory of the fans with disheartening releases and performances.

[Jan]

For some reason, I didn't really like Steve Perry's voice that much. I loved Journey's music...and he could sing high and loud, I just didn't like the way his voice sounded. Looks like I'm way in the minority here on that opinion. Oh well.

[rexreed]

Journey's situation does not really parallel Petra in the least. As mentioned earlier it closer resembles Van Halen. That being said Arnel is not a better musician than Perry. Arnel is not bad but he does not have the blues influence that made the Journey sound so unique. Consequently the new Journey material, while very good, lacks in the vocals dept. Arnel simply does not put the "polish" on his notes. It's just been one album so perhaps he will improve. Since this is a Petra fan site I'll switch gears. I honestly don't like the Petra material from GXV as much as the JS years. I still like it, but not as much. I can understand some folks preferring one lead over the other but I don't understand why you would complain about any reuinion. I for one, can't wait to hear the older tunes with better production values and better musicians. Yes, Petra has gotten better with age and they understand how to tweak riffs and hooks to make songs better. I really hope they blow us away with the new stuff. Whitecross rerecorded their first album a couple years back and it was spectacular! Here's to hoping for Petra.

[rexreed]

Speaking of lead vocalist changes, I can't help but think that the Newsboys' shift from Peter Furler to Michael Tait is probably the biggest such switch in Christian music since Petra. Has to be.

It may be the biggest single improvement to the band aside from teaming up with Steve Taylor. John James was a bad singer, but a great front man. Peter Furler was a slightly better singer but still not good and a decent frontman. Tait can have the flu, asthma, and bronchitis and still sing circles around PF and JJ. His songwriting is just as catchy and like the other DCT members he knows how to put on a good show. NB needs to hire a bassist and get those tours back in Houston.

[Preacherman777]

Newsboys is over as far as I'm concerned. No Aussie on vocals, it ain't Newsboys.

[Shell]

All those DC Talk dudes could sing. Especially Michael.