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Christian music news: Reconnecting With ... John Schlitt
Latest christian music:
The illustrious career of singer/songwriter John Schlitt has been filled with many unexpected twists and turns. Though he first found fame as a member of secular superstars Head East, the classic rock legend later became a born again Christian and jointed the pre-existing Petra lineup as front man in 1986. He continued that highly sought after position through the band’s break-up in 2006, amassing four Grammy Awards, countless Doves, two gold albums (Beyond Belief and Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out), plus sold out tours from coast to coast.
All the while, the versatile vocalist also engaged a solo career, starting with 1995’s Shake and the following year’s Unfit For Swine, backed by occasional shows when he wasn’t tied up with group duties. He chalks up the dozen year gap between that last project and the new The Grafting to the band’s ongoing popularity on the road, though there’s much more free time these days in the wake of Petra’s retirement.
“It’s funny because I played the new project to a record executive friend of mine, and he said, ‘John, I hear hints of Head East, hints of Petra and you singing in styles you haven’t done in a long time,’” says Schlitt via phone from his home in Nashville. “He went on to say it was very fresh sounding but recognizable at the same time, and I took that as the ultimate compliment! It’s, of course, gonna sound a little Petra-ish no matter what, but the production brought out different styles as well.”
Schlitt had his son-in-law, Dan Needham, behind the boards. Needham’s a major name in country music, plus a session player with Amy Grant. The result of their collaboration yields a mixed bag of refined rockers, acoustic expressions and contemporary ballads, bathed in a lyrical framework that finds the former front man exactly in the present tense.
“I realized I’m not 16 anymore, and I wanted this record to relate to where I’m at right now in my life,” he offers with a laugh. “My family is my life, and the fact that I now have five grandkids—all of whom are adopted—is a real celebration. So one of the topics I talk about is adoption instead of the abortion cycle, which is addressed in the title cut as a tribute to the brave women who choose life over death.”
Other topics tackled include divorce (“Stand”) and the power of forgiveness in the aftermath of that unfortunate occurrence, along with reaching out to the less fortunate (“Face of God”). Schlitt makes even bolder social statements on “Only Men,” which discusses God’s fading presence within a secular society and our need to defend Him at all costs. Not only does that varied topical base cover remarkably fresh ground, but Schlitt also credits the extended gap in-between solo recordings as a sonic asset as well.
“I actually saw the 12-year distance in between albums as an advantage because of the different perspectives it’s given me on life,” he confirms. “After so much time, this project doesn’t sound like the first two, either in subject or style, but it catches people up with my thoughts and tastes now that I’m older.”
Even though he’s locked in today, a conversation with the living legend can’t be complete without asking about his fondest memories of Petra, which surprisingly have nothing to do with the accolades or attention garnered throughout two influential decades. Sure, there were secular events, like performing at Farm Aid and getting video airplay on the MTV equivalent of Canada, but it’s always been about ministry for the entertainer.
“I will probably say touring with Josh McDowell [throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s] because of all the outreach that took place,” he ponders. “I remember playing a venue in California that had unusually wide aisles with about 6,000 people in the seats, but after Josh gave an altar call as we were standing behind him, every square inch of the placed was packed! So we and all the prayer warriors who volunteered ministered to them. Those are the kinds of things that get stuck in your head!”
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All the while, the versatile vocalist also engaged a solo career, starting with 1995’s Shake and the following year’s Unfit For Swine, backed by occasional shows when he wasn’t tied up with group duties. He chalks up the dozen year gap between that last project and the new The Grafting to the band’s ongoing popularity on the road, though there’s much more free time these days in the wake of Petra’s retirement.
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“It’s funny because I played the new project to a record executive friend of mine, and he said, ‘John, I hear hints of Head East, hints of Petra and you singing in styles you haven’t done in a long time,’” says Schlitt via phone from his home in Nashville. “He went on to say it was very fresh sounding but recognizable at the same time, and I took that as the ultimate compliment! It’s, of course, gonna sound a little Petra-ish no matter what, but the production brought out different styles as well.”
Schlitt had his son-in-law, Dan Needham, behind the boards. Needham’s a major name in country music, plus a session player with Amy Grant. The result of their collaboration yields a mixed bag of refined rockers, acoustic expressions and contemporary ballads, bathed in a lyrical framework that finds the former front man exactly in the present tense.
“I realized I’m not 16 anymore, and I wanted this record to relate to where I’m at right now in my life,” he offers with a laugh. “My family is my life, and the fact that I now have five grandkids—all of whom are adopted—is a real celebration. So one of the topics I talk about is adoption instead of the abortion cycle, which is addressed in the title cut as a tribute to the brave women who choose life over death.”
Other topics tackled include divorce (“Stand”) and the power of forgiveness in the aftermath of that unfortunate occurrence, along with reaching out to the less fortunate (“Face of God”). Schlitt makes even bolder social statements on “Only Men,” which discusses God’s fading presence within a secular society and our need to defend Him at all costs. Not only does that varied topical base cover remarkably fresh ground, but Schlitt also credits the extended gap in-between solo recordings as a sonic asset as well.
“I actually saw the 12-year distance in between albums as an advantage because of the different perspectives it’s given me on life,” he confirms. “After so much time, this project doesn’t sound like the first two, either in subject or style, but it catches people up with my thoughts and tastes now that I’m older.”
Even though he’s locked in today, a conversation with the living legend can’t be complete without asking about his fondest memories of Petra, which surprisingly have nothing to do with the accolades or attention garnered throughout two influential decades. Sure, there were secular events, like performing at Farm Aid and getting video airplay on the MTV equivalent of Canada, but it’s always been about ministry for the entertainer.
“I will probably say touring with Josh McDowell [throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s] because of all the outreach that took place,” he ponders. “I remember playing a venue in California that had unusually wide aisles with about 6,000 people in the seats, but after Josh gave an altar call as we were standing behind him, every square inch of the placed was packed! So we and all the prayer warriors who volunteered ministered to them. Those are the kinds of things that get stuck in your head!”
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Christian music news: The Grafting
Latest christian music: NEW CD BUILDS ON FORMER LEAD SINGER’S LEGEND OF ROCK
Twelve years have passed since John Schlitt released his last solo recording. Since then, the infamous rocker, best known as Petra’s front man, added a fourth GRAMMY to his collection, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Hard Rock Café and released six more Petra records before adding his farewell to the band’s final stand in 2005. A mainstay in Christian rock since his debut with Petra in 1986, Schlitt has remained uncharacteristically quiet since the band’s retirement, leaving fans to wonder if his absence from the industry he so carefully helped define was permanent. Fortunately for fans, a classic rocker rarely stays silent. Picking up where 1996’s Unfit For Swine left off, Schlitt releases The Grafting, soaring through 10 new recordings that service the legacy he began over 20 years ago.
In “Only Men,” Schlitt demonstrates the heavy-hitting power ballad that has become synonymous with his musical persona. “Stand” and “Gravity” pack the heaviest punch, while “Face of God” and modern worship standard “Lord Have Mercy” play less rock more pop, the latter paying homage to Petra Praise, the band’s worship trilogy and biggest commercial success. Surprisingly, the title cut, a laidback acoustic comment on adoption, provides the album’s highlight, shuffling through a refreshingly easy four minutes of melody and lyric.Produced (and largely written) by his son-in-law and drummer extraordinaire Dan Needham (Katinas, Steven Curtis Chapman), The Grafting’s tracks are sonically cogent. The most distinctive ingredient remains Schlitt’s trademark vocal, a wonderful throwback for an entire generation of Christian music fans.Though the record is strong and Schlitt has nothing to prove, it would be enjoyable to hear something truly progressive from the rock vet, perhaps taking a cue from last year’s monumental Robert Plant/Alison Krauss collaboration, stepping outside his own nostalgic sound while staying true to the musical inclinations that have made him a rock legend. –Andrew Greer
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Twelve years have passed since John Schlitt released his last solo recording. Since then, the infamous rocker, best known as Petra’s front man, added a fourth GRAMMY to his collection, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Hard Rock Café and released six more Petra records before adding his farewell to the band’s final stand in 2005. A mainstay in Christian rock since his debut with Petra in 1986, Schlitt has remained uncharacteristically quiet since the band’s retirement, leaving fans to wonder if his absence from the industry he so carefully helped define was permanent. Fortunately for fans, a classic rocker rarely stays silent. Picking up where 1996’s Unfit For Swine left off, Schlitt releases The Grafting, soaring through 10 new recordings that service the legacy he began over 20 years ago.
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Christian music news: Petra Frontman John Schlitt To Release Third Solo Album..
Latest christian music: (NASHVILLE, TENN.) -- John Schlitt, multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist, announces his signing with the Franklin, Tennessee based Fused Management. Schlitt will release his third solo album, The Grafting, in January through TAG Artist Group - his first solo effort in more than ten years.
Best known as the voice behind the four time Grammy Award and ten time Dove Award-winning group PETRA, Schlitt continues with a solo career following the band’s retirement in 2005. In his role as Petra’s lead singer, Schlitt wrote the #1 hit “Just Reach Out” and earned RIAA-certified GOLD status for the albums Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out and Beyond Belief. Schlitt also earned a third Gold album (Flat as a Pancake) as the front man for the ‘70s classic rock band Head East. With PETRA, Schlitt has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and was the first Christian group to be celebrated by Hard Rock Café.
During his tenure with PETRA, Schlitt released a solo album, Shake, in 1995 that included the radio hits “Show Me the Way,” “Inside of You,” followed by the sophomore release “Unfit for Swine” and the single “Can’t Get Away.” Ricky B. Rogers, vice-president and co-founder of Fused Management, is looking forward to working with Schlitt on this new chapter in his career. “I am excited and thrilled to have John on board with Fused. I see a new energy being breathed into John’s career with our partnership, because we’re in this as a team. Our goal as a company is to help create new careers, infusing life and energy into an artist who has been there and back. John is one of those artists. His track record and longevity in the Christian music scene is something you just can not ignore.” ”I believe in talent - and John is loaded with it," adds Rogers. "He is a man with many amazing gifts - and he has an incredible record that’s just waiting to be heard. It’s very different from what he has done in the past, which just goes to show John’s versatility. Great music rises above genre and John is one those who can prove it." ”I’m very excited to be working with Fused Management," says Schlitt. “My career is going in a whole new direction with new management and a new album. The music itself is going down a whole new path; the fact that my interests have changed as I have grown older is reflected in The Grafting.” ”The subject matter on this project is just as important as the music," explains Schlitt. “The songs cover a variety of adult-themed topics including adoption, divorce, taking care of third world children, among other issues of importance in today’s world.” The Grafting has a unique family connection which contributed to the creative and emotional evolution of the project. ”My son-in-law, Dan Needham, produced the album," adds Schlitt. “So, ultimately I felt a lot more comfortable going places subject-wise that were really personal to me. There were actually some moments during the process of recording when we all got choked up and had to stop. That was a new experience for me.”
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Best known as the voice behind the four time Grammy Award and ten time Dove Award-winning group PETRA, Schlitt continues with a solo career following the band’s retirement in 2005. In his role as Petra’s lead singer, Schlitt wrote the #1 hit “Just Reach Out” and earned RIAA-certified GOLD status for the albums Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out and Beyond Belief. Schlitt also earned a third Gold album (Flat as a Pancake) as the front man for the ‘70s classic rock band Head East. With PETRA, Schlitt has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and was the first Christian group to be celebrated by Hard Rock Café.
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Christian music news: II GUYS FROM PETRA (John Schlitt & Bob Hartman) Seminar..
Latest christian music: Relying on their vast experience, Schlitt and Hartman relay a wealth of information in an entertaining yet professional manner.
"Bob and I have been involved in nearly every aspect of music; leading worship, songwriting, recording, production, stage presentation, speaking - the list goes on and on” says Schlitt. “We want to share our knowledge in an exciting way in order to assist the music leaders in the church - as well as those who are simply interested in music - in obtaining their goals and objectives so they can be more effective within their own congregations."
Schlitt continues: "We do this by customizing our seminars to fit the specific needs of the individual group. If they are interested in a certain aspect of music, we’ll design our format accordingly. We are here to serve the church, not to be served, which is where the seminar title comes from.”
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"Bob and I have been involved in nearly every aspect of music; leading worship, songwriting, recording, production, stage presentation, speaking - the list goes on and on” says Schlitt. “We want to share our knowledge in an exciting way in order to assist the music leaders in the church - as well as those who are simply interested in music - in obtaining their goals and objectives so they can be more effective within their own congregations."
Schlitt continues: "We do this by customizing our seminars to fit the specific needs of the individual group. If they are interested in a certain aspect of music, we’ll design our format accordingly. We are here to serve the church, not to be served, which is where the seminar title comes from.”
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Christian music news: John Schlitt Solo Release Preview Available Online
Latest christian music: NASHVILLE, Tenn. – John Schlitt, multi-Grammy winning recording artist and lead singer of Petra, announces the sampler release of his third solo project (as of yet untitled).
A montage of songs, complete with commentary by Schlitt, is available for download on JohnWSchlitt.com.
“This album has gone in a totally different direction for me and I’m very excited about that new direction. The fact that my interests have changed as I grow older is reflected in this album,” said Schlitt.
“The subject matter on this project is just as important as the music,” explains Schlitt. “The songs cover a variety of adult-themed topics including adoption, divorce, taking care of third world children, among other issues of importance in today’s world. It’s timely for me to do an album like this; not only from the standpoint of the subject matter, but also in the fact that the music itself is going down a whole new path.”
Source
A montage of songs, complete with commentary by Schlitt, is available for download on JohnWSchlitt.com.
“This album has gone in a totally different direction for me and I’m very excited about that new direction. The fact that my interests have changed as I grow older is reflected in this album,” said Schlitt.
“The subject matter on this project is just as important as the music,” explains Schlitt. “The songs cover a variety of adult-themed topics including adoption, divorce, taking care of third world children, among other issues of importance in today’s world. It’s timely for me to do an album like this; not only from the standpoint of the subject matter, but also in the fact that the music itself is going down a whole new path.”
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Monday, June 15, 2009
Christian music news: "I'm talking to YOU!"
Latest christian music: Those are the first four words of track #2 on John Schlitt's Unfit for Swine CD, and those four words sum up the fact that John had something to say when he made this album. It's clear that he had things on his heart to share. It's also clear that he felt comfortable using an array of musical styles to communicate his message... there's alternative-rock, conventional rock, pop, ballads, and even a song that sounds distinctly country. But no matter what genre of popular music John happened to be experimenting with on any given song, it's clear that he had no intention of just singing a few ditties and calling it a day. There is a sense of purpose that runs through the entire album.
The first track doesn't waste any time getting up to speed musically; "Save Me" is full throttle from the first riff. The verses, which remind me vaguely of Stryper's remake of the classic funk tune "Shining Star," compare the apostle Peter's experience of walking on the water but then needing the Lord's help to keep from sinking, to our own struggles every day to live our lives, a la good old Romans chapter seven. The second song, "God is Too Big," is musically an interesting contrast (more straight-ahead pop, as opposed to the alt-rock of the first track), but the first verse recalls the idea of life being like a "boat in stormy weather" from the first track. Living your life every day as Jesus commanded us to is a recurring theme on this CD which is well-represented in the first two tracks.
Track 3, "Can't Get Away," continues this train of thought, but comes at it from a different direction: the idea that no sin of ours can separate us from God's love. "In the closets of my mind, I have thoughts unfit for swine," John intones over the first of the weird sound effects with which the song is infused; the verses continue on to describe the many ways that we convince ourselves that it is OK to do something we know isn't right, but the chorus reassures us that we "can't get away, can't get away from [God's] love." The strangeness of the effects and the muted sound of the guitars do create a dark mood suitable for a song about flirting with something that is seeking to draw us away from Christ, but the song might have been better served with an all-out Alice Cooperesque creepiness instead of the 90's alt-rock ickiness. It's like it promises to rock out, but it never really does. It's a great song, though... maybe the coolest moment is when John wails, "THERE'S NO ESCAPING PARADISE!"... and the ending is positively eerie.
The most beautiful ballad on the CD is "We Worship You." It begins with a vaguely "Stairway to Heaven"-esque 12-string guitar intro, and continues on with lyrics that are reminiscent of Petra's song called "Prayer." The music builds slowly into a gorgeous worship song that would be welcome in just about any church service.
The next song, "Need I Remind You," starts out with muted falsetto vocals, but any gentleness present in the verses, which describe someone slowly becoming complacent in their Christian walk, is obliterated by the in-your-face chorus, which aggressively and almost indignantly demands, "Need I remind you that He's comin' back again someday?" There is a (probably unintentional) Petra influence on the lyrics, where John says that "It's hard to stand for the creed" (Petra had recorded a song called "Creed" about the Apostles' Creed), and then again where he declares, "It's said that sometimes it's so hard to know/if strong conviction is the way to go" (Petra had recorded a song called "Strong Convictions"). I don't know if the influence was intentional or subliminal, but it's interesting to note that after John singing them again and again in concert, those phrases turned up on his solo CD!
"Take You On" sounds a little weird for a title, but actually it works quite well for an autobiographical song by a person who played with a lot of the stuff that Satan had to offer, and then turned his back on it all for Jesus. The part that always gives me a chill is the three words that appear near the end of the first verse: "My destination, suicide." Lyrically the song almost comes from a nervous place; John knows that without Jesus he hasn't got any hope in the battle with the Devil, but WITH Jesus... not "alone any more"... he has every hope of winning the fight.
In fact, he is so changed by the fact that he isn't alone with his sins any more that he is now willing to offer a "Helping Hand!" This song is kinda funky, with some sing-along-with-me Collective Soul-inspired guitar on the chorus. Unfortunately for me, the line at the end of the chorus, "don't turn away this someone who cares" always makes me think of the old tell-off, "Here's a quarter, call someone who cares!" which would of course be pretty much the opposite of what the song is trying to say! But even with all lyrical hallucinations put aside, I still haven't figured out exactly what John is muttering at the end... it's not in the lyric sheet. Maybe John doesn't even remember himself at this point!
"There Is Someone" is the closest I've ever heard John Schlitt go to singing country. In fact, the track would probably fit in quite nicely on a modern country radio station, slide guitar and all. It's a simple ballad, and judging from the few times I've met John face to face, this song's lyrics are straight from his heart. "There is someone," he says, "who loves you just the way you are!"
After this quick foray into country music, John goes rock and never looks back; "I Killed A Man" and "Don't Have To Take It" are real rockers (or at least they do their best with the thin 90's guitars they are presented with). The long-time Petra fan would expect "I Killed A Man" to be similar to the Petra classic "Killing My Old Man," but in fact they two really aren't anything alike. The Petra track talks about killing "the old man," meaning the old sin-enamored self that continues to try to assert itself in our lives (really, it resembles "Can't Get Away" more than this song); "I Killed A Man" is talking directly about how our sins are actually what killed Jesus on the Cross. Musically, this song has a bit of a Petra influence: the background vocals play tag with the lead vocals on the verses the same way they do on Petra's "Praying Man." The music could have benefitted from the same Alice Cooper-style guitarwork that would have helped "Can't Get Away" sound a little less thin; some parts of this song almost sound like a few guitar tracks got accidentally left out.
Until I took the time to read the lyric sheet, just about the only word I understood from "Don't Have To Take It" was "HEY!!!" The verses are just about as close as John has ever gotten to rap, consisting of John sort of mumbling some vague stories about young people who just need the influence of Jesus in their lives to get their acts together. There's even a rap scratch record just before the guitar solo! The vocals on the chorus are (sort of) doubled with a lead guitar line and also heavily-processed through something, and the whole package becomes very hard to understand. The music rocks, maybe harder than anything else on the CD, and once I read through them I realized that the lyrics are very strong, but the bizarre production of the vocals is a real barrier to getting the point across. Even now that I know what the song is about, the main point of it, in my mind, is unfortunately reduced to, "HEY!!!"
There are several important themes that run throughout this CD... the work of Jesus on the Cross, the work we are supposed to be doing on Earth, and the forgiveness we are entitled to in Jesus when we mess it up. I disagree with a few of the musical directions taken on the CD (although at the time, they gave this CD a very up-to-date edge, which I'm sure was the main idea), but I can't disagree with the lyrics. I think maybe those strange, thin 90's guitars may have put off some of John's, and Petra's, fans... but give it a chance. This CD isn't Petra... it adamantly REFUSES to be Petra... but it's a great CD, and it deserves a listen.
Source
The first track doesn't waste any time getting up to speed musically; "Save Me" is full throttle from the first riff. The verses, which remind me vaguely of Stryper's remake of the classic funk tune "Shining Star," compare the apostle Peter's experience of walking on the water but then needing the Lord's help to keep from sinking, to our own struggles every day to live our lives, a la good old Romans chapter seven. The second song, "God is Too Big," is musically an interesting contrast (more straight-ahead pop, as opposed to the alt-rock of the first track), but the first verse recalls the idea of life being like a "boat in stormy weather" from the first track. Living your life every day as Jesus commanded us to is a recurring theme on this CD which is well-represented in the first two tracks.
Track 3, "Can't Get Away," continues this train of thought, but comes at it from a different direction: the idea that no sin of ours can separate us from God's love. "In the closets of my mind, I have thoughts unfit for swine," John intones over the first of the weird sound effects with which the song is infused; the verses continue on to describe the many ways that we convince ourselves that it is OK to do something we know isn't right, but the chorus reassures us that we "can't get away, can't get away from [God's] love." The strangeness of the effects and the muted sound of the guitars do create a dark mood suitable for a song about flirting with something that is seeking to draw us away from Christ, but the song might have been better served with an all-out Alice Cooperesque creepiness instead of the 90's alt-rock ickiness. It's like it promises to rock out, but it never really does. It's a great song, though... maybe the coolest moment is when John wails, "THERE'S NO ESCAPING PARADISE!"... and the ending is positively eerie.
The most beautiful ballad on the CD is "We Worship You." It begins with a vaguely "Stairway to Heaven"-esque 12-string guitar intro, and continues on with lyrics that are reminiscent of Petra's song called "Prayer." The music builds slowly into a gorgeous worship song that would be welcome in just about any church service.
The next song, "Need I Remind You," starts out with muted falsetto vocals, but any gentleness present in the verses, which describe someone slowly becoming complacent in their Christian walk, is obliterated by the in-your-face chorus, which aggressively and almost indignantly demands, "Need I remind you that He's comin' back again someday?" There is a (probably unintentional) Petra influence on the lyrics, where John says that "It's hard to stand for the creed" (Petra had recorded a song called "Creed" about the Apostles' Creed), and then again where he declares, "It's said that sometimes it's so hard to know/if strong conviction is the way to go" (Petra had recorded a song called "Strong Convictions"). I don't know if the influence was intentional or subliminal, but it's interesting to note that after John singing them again and again in concert, those phrases turned up on his solo CD!
"Take You On" sounds a little weird for a title, but actually it works quite well for an autobiographical song by a person who played with a lot of the stuff that Satan had to offer, and then turned his back on it all for Jesus. The part that always gives me a chill is the three words that appear near the end of the first verse: "My destination, suicide." Lyrically the song almost comes from a nervous place; John knows that without Jesus he hasn't got any hope in the battle with the Devil, but WITH Jesus... not "alone any more"... he has every hope of winning the fight.
In fact, he is so changed by the fact that he isn't alone with his sins any more that he is now willing to offer a "Helping Hand!" This song is kinda funky, with some sing-along-with-me Collective Soul-inspired guitar on the chorus. Unfortunately for me, the line at the end of the chorus, "don't turn away this someone who cares" always makes me think of the old tell-off, "Here's a quarter, call someone who cares!" which would of course be pretty much the opposite of what the song is trying to say! But even with all lyrical hallucinations put aside, I still haven't figured out exactly what John is muttering at the end... it's not in the lyric sheet. Maybe John doesn't even remember himself at this point!
"There Is Someone" is the closest I've ever heard John Schlitt go to singing country. In fact, the track would probably fit in quite nicely on a modern country radio station, slide guitar and all. It's a simple ballad, and judging from the few times I've met John face to face, this song's lyrics are straight from his heart. "There is someone," he says, "who loves you just the way you are!"
After this quick foray into country music, John goes rock and never looks back; "I Killed A Man" and "Don't Have To Take It" are real rockers (or at least they do their best with the thin 90's guitars they are presented with). The long-time Petra fan would expect "I Killed A Man" to be similar to the Petra classic "Killing My Old Man," but in fact they two really aren't anything alike. The Petra track talks about killing "the old man," meaning the old sin-enamored self that continues to try to assert itself in our lives (really, it resembles "Can't Get Away" more than this song); "I Killed A Man" is talking directly about how our sins are actually what killed Jesus on the Cross. Musically, this song has a bit of a Petra influence: the background vocals play tag with the lead vocals on the verses the same way they do on Petra's "Praying Man." The music could have benefitted from the same Alice Cooper-style guitarwork that would have helped "Can't Get Away" sound a little less thin; some parts of this song almost sound like a few guitar tracks got accidentally left out.
Until I took the time to read the lyric sheet, just about the only word I understood from "Don't Have To Take It" was "HEY!!!" The verses are just about as close as John has ever gotten to rap, consisting of John sort of mumbling some vague stories about young people who just need the influence of Jesus in their lives to get their acts together. There's even a rap scratch record just before the guitar solo! The vocals on the chorus are (sort of) doubled with a lead guitar line and also heavily-processed through something, and the whole package becomes very hard to understand. The music rocks, maybe harder than anything else on the CD, and once I read through them I realized that the lyrics are very strong, but the bizarre production of the vocals is a real barrier to getting the point across. Even now that I know what the song is about, the main point of it, in my mind, is unfortunately reduced to, "HEY!!!"
There are several important themes that run throughout this CD... the work of Jesus on the Cross, the work we are supposed to be doing on Earth, and the forgiveness we are entitled to in Jesus when we mess it up. I disagree with a few of the musical directions taken on the CD (although at the time, they gave this CD a very up-to-date edge, which I'm sure was the main idea), but I can't disagree with the lyrics. I think maybe those strange, thin 90's guitars may have put off some of John's, and Petra's, fans... but give it a chance. This CD isn't Petra... it adamantly REFUSES to be Petra... but it's a great CD, and it deserves a listen.
Source
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Christian music news: JOHN SCHLITT TO APPEAR ON TBN’s “PRAISE THE LORD” TONIGHT
Latest christian music:
Legendary Rocker to Share Songs from The Grafting, Interview with Jason Crabb John Schlitt
Nashville, TN (May 15, 2009) - Legendary Grammy and Dove Award-winning recording artist John Schlitt will appear tonight on the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) flagship show, “Praise the Lord,” at 10:00 p.m. ET. Schlitt, renowned as a solo artist and as the former lead singer of both acclaimed Christian rock band Petra and mainstream classic rock band Head East, will perform two songs from his latest CD, The Grafting. Schlitt will also share his testimony with host Jason Crabb.
The award winning “Praise the Lord” program has been on each weeknight for over 30 years, presenting interviews and performances from an array of guests that includes well-known celebrities, evangelists, musicians and singers, as well as coverage of revivals and crusades from around the world. To watch a live stream, go to http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2.html or tune into your local television station (check for local listings at http://tbn.org/index.php/2/2.html).
The Grafting is available on 4K Records and is distributed nationally by TAG Artist Group and internationally by Go Global Entertainment, LLC. For more information on John Schlitt and The Grafting, visit www.johnwschlitt.com.
TBN is the world’s largest religious television network and America’s most watched faith channel, offering 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming a day. For more information on TBN or “Praise the Lord,” go to www.tbn.org.
Christian Music News Source
Legendary Rocker to Share Songs from The Grafting, Interview with Jason Crabb John Schlitt
Nashville, TN (May 15, 2009) - Legendary Grammy and Dove Award-winning recording artist John Schlitt will appear tonight on the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) flagship show, “Praise the Lord,” at 10:00 p.m. ET. Schlitt, renowned as a solo artist and as the former lead singer of both acclaimed Christian rock band Petra and mainstream classic rock band Head East, will perform two songs from his latest CD, The Grafting. Schlitt will also share his testimony with host Jason Crabb.
The award winning “Praise the Lord” program has been on each weeknight for over 30 years, presenting interviews and performances from an array of guests that includes well-known celebrities, evangelists, musicians and singers, as well as coverage of revivals and crusades from around the world. To watch a live stream, go to http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2.html or tune into your local television station (check for local listings at http://tbn.org/index.php/2/2.html).
The Grafting is available on 4K Records and is distributed nationally by TAG Artist Group and internationally by Go Global Entertainment, LLC. For more information on John Schlitt and The Grafting, visit www.johnwschlitt.com.
TBN is the world’s largest religious television network and America’s most watched faith channel, offering 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming a day. For more information on TBN or “Praise the Lord,” go to www.tbn.org.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 7 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 6 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 5 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
John Schlitt To Kick Off European Tour With Adahl
Legendary recording artist John Schlitt -- solo artist, lead singer for GRAMMY Award-winning Christian band Petra and former lead singer for mainstream rock band Head East -- will be joining forces with Swedish soul/R&B group Adahl for a special European tour this summer. Adahl is comprised of brothers Frank and Simon Adahl, both formerly of award-winning Swedish contemporary Christian music group Edin/Adahl.
This summer's tour marks a special reunion for Schlitt and Adahl, who toured together in the early 1990s. Backed by a full band, the artists will introduce European fans to their new solo projects and take a nostalgic look back at their earlier hits. For tour dates and booking information for the John Schlitt/Adahl European tour, visit Frostic Booking's website at www.frostic.se or email booking@frostic.se.
With more than three decades worth of water under the musical bridge, John Schlitt has earned multiple Gold Records, GRAMMYs and Dove Awards. He has toured all over the world and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of Petra. After 20 years fronting Petra, one of the most successful rock bands in Christian music history, Schlitt released his third solo album, The Grafting, on 4K Records. Still passionate about the message of the Gospel and compelled to deliver it in his own inimitable fashion, he called on the multiple talents of rising star producer/songwriter Dan Needham (Amy Grant, Petra, Michael McDonald) to help craft his vision.
The result, a stunning collection of nine new songs and one old favorite, is an astonishing, multi-layered look into the very nature of love and life, lost and found in Christ. While the moods may be many, at their core, they are all pure Schlitt. "Dan is my son-in-law, and I had him produce it for me because I knew the sound he would bring would be exactly what the album should sound like," Schlitt says.
That close bond between father-in-law and son-in-law allowed for the creation of a uniquely new style for Schlitt--one that appeals not only to the Boomer Generation who has followed his music throughout the years, but one that is also relevant to younger generations. "I wanted it to be an album that would appeal to folks who grew up on Christian rock 'n' roll, an album for folks who want some tension in their music, but not too much," Schlitt explains.
The Grafting finds Schlitt exploring uncharted musical territory, while remaining anchored by his unmistakable voice. It is a combination that is sure to please his legion of fans and attract a new generation of adherents. At once intimate and accessible, The Grafting is without a doubt Schlitt's most potent solo album to date.
The Grafting is available on 4K Records and is distributed nationally by TAG Artist Group and internationally by Go Global Entertainment, LLC. For more information on John Schlitt and his latest project, The Grafting, visit www.johnwschlitt.com.
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, April 2, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 4 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, March 26, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 3 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, March 19, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 2 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, March 12, 2009
John Schlitt on TBN - Praise the Lord program (Part 1 of 8)
John and Dorla make their hosting debut together on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program, a half-hour television show out of Phoenix, AZ that aired statewide late February.
Watch as the couple shares their faith, their past and their life together along with John's performance of "Gravity," "The Grafting," "Only Men" and "Your Eyes."
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
John Schlitt: "Only Men" from "The Grafting"
Live performance of "Only Men," the single from the CD "THE GRAFTING" by John Schlitt. Air date: Aug. 15, 2008. Filmed at Cornerstone Television Studios, Pittsburg, PA.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
John Schlitt - The Grafting India tour May 08 : 10 Only Men
John Schlitt's performance of Only Men at the Chennai concert in India, May '08.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Alakrity & John Schlitt of Petra: Beyond Belief
Footage from the road, and Central Christian Church in Beloit, WI. Outdoor Outreach benefit concert with Alakrity featuring John Schlitt of Petra.
Christian Music News Source
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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