Back to the Street

Album cover

Back to the Street is the eight studio album from Christian rock band Petra. It was released in September 1986 by Star Song Records. It is the first album to feature lead singer John Schlitt.

Album history

After the departure of lead singer Greg X. Volz following the Beat the System Tour, Petra found itself without a frontman. Also, longtime producer Jonathan David Brown also left to work with Volz. Band founder Bob Hartman then approached John Schlitt who had previously served as singer of the secular band Head East. Star Song Records also approached the Elefante brothers (John and Dino) to serve as producers.

When Schlitt was hired, most of the music of Back to the Street had already been recorded. Schlitt then proceeded to add the vocals. The album was recorded and mixed at Pakaderm Studio in Long Beach, California. Recording was handled by producers John and Dino Elefante, and Mike Mireau.

Reception

Back to the Street was the third Petra album to be nominated for a Grammy Award. It was nominated in the category of Best Performance by a Gospel Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus.

Track listing

All songs written by Bob Hartman, except where noted.

1. "Back to the Street" – 4:14
2. "You Are I Am" – 3:08
3. "Shakin' the House" (Words by Hartman and John Lawry, Music by Lawry and John Elefante) – 4:28
4. "King's Ransom" (Music by Hartman, J. Elefante, and Dino Elefante) – 4:18
5. "Whole World" – 4:50
6. "Another Crossroad" – 3:50
7. "Run for Cover" – 3:15
8. "Fool's Gold" (Music by Hartman, J. Elefante, and D. Elefante) – 4:48
9. "Altar Ego" (Music by Hartman, J. Elefante, and D. Elefante) – 4:43
10. "Thankful Heart" (Words by Hartman and D. Elefante, Music by J. Elefante) – 3:17

Personnel

Petra

• Bob Hartman – Guitars, arrangements
• Mark Kelly – Bass, background vocals
• John Lawry – Keyboards, Fairlight programming, background vocals
• John Schlitt – Lead and background vocals
• Louie Weaver – Drums

Additional musicians

• John Elefante – Additional keyboards, background vocals

Recording and production

• John Elefante – Producer, engineer, arrangements
• Dino Elefante – Producer, engineer, arrangements
• Mike Mireau – Recording engineer

Art design

• Bill Brunt (Private Eye Studio) – Photography art direction
• Randy Rogers (Rogers-Design) – Cover design, concept, illustration, and art direction
• Dave Rogers (Rogers-Design) – Cover design, concept, and art direction
• Scott Bonner (Empire Studios) – Photography
• Ron Keith (Empire Studios) – Photography

External links

• Back to the Street on Wikipedia