The Grafting

The Grafting is the third solo album by Christian rock singer and former Petra frontman, John Schlitt. The album was released on January 22, 2008 through TAG Artist Group. It was produced by Dan Needham, who is Schlitt's son-in-law.[1][2]

The Grafting
Studio album by
John Schlitt
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2008
Recorded2007
GenreChristian rock
LabelTAG Artist Group
ProducerDan Needham
John Schlitt chronology
Unfit For Swine
(1996)		 The Grafting
(2008)		 The Greater Cause
(2012)

The album release was marked by a premiere performance by Schlitt of the tracks "The Grafting" and "Only Men" from the album on the Celebration program, which was aired internationally by the Daystar Television Network.[3] The program also included an interview with Schlitt. The videos of Schlitt's performances of these two songs is available for download at his official website.

Background and production

John Schlitt hinted at a third solo album as early as 1999 during an interview for the Petra Rocks My World website. In the interview, which happened three years after the release of his second solo album, Unfit for Swine, Schlitt said "I don't know when, but I'd like to do it [release a third solo album] as quickly as possible. It'll be after I feel this new Petra has gotten back on their feet."[4] In a second interview for the same website, held in 2005 after Petra had announced its retirement, Schlitt confirmed that there were some tracks already mixed, and that "it will finally get finished."[5]

In 2007, Schlitt finished the recording of The Grafting, and also signed with Fused Management.[6] The new album was produced by Schlitt's son-in-law Dan Needham. Schlitt said about the album that "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 [it]." According to him, the album covers topics like adoption, divorce, and poverty, among others. Schlitt also described the album as "more personal and emotional" than his previous albums.[7]

Reception

Wayne Myatt, from Jesus Freak Hideout, gave the album 3.5 stars (out of 5) in his review. He wrote that although the album had an "inconsistent feel to it as though it was a project worked on over a period of time" it was worth a listen. He added that The Grafting "will definitely please fans of Petra who are longing for a substitute".[8]

Freelance writer Tracy Darlington praised Schlitt's vocals writing that although the album "could be considered a softer rock album than Schlitt’s first two solo endeavors, his signature vocals still bring the rock feel home."[9]

Track listing

All songs written by Dan Needham, except where noted.

  1. "Stand" (Mark Heimermann, Schlitt, Kevan Cajka, Needham)
  2. "Keep Your Light On"
  3. "Only Men"
  4. "Face Of God" (Cajka, Scott Faircloff, Needham)
  5. "The Grafting"
  6. "First Song" (Cajka, Needham)
  7. "Your Eyes" (Heimermann, Marc Martel, Cajka, Needham)
  8. "Lord Have Mercy" (Steve Merkel)
  9. "Gravity"
  10. "Carry On"

Personnel

Musicians
  • John Schlitt – vocals
  • Dan Needham - multiple instruments, programming
  • Gary Burnette - guitars on Tracks 1, 4, 7, 10
  • Mark Hill - bass on Tracks 1, 4, 7, 10
  • Joey Canaday - bass on Tracks 2, 3, 8
  • Jerry McPherson - guitars on Tracks, 3, 6, 8
  • Matt Peirson - bass on Track 5
  • Dave Cleveland - electric guitar on Track 5
  • Blair Masters - string arrangement and programming on Track 5

Background vocals
  • Kari Needham on Track 2
  • Dan Needham on Tracks 2, 3

Production and recording
  • Dan Needham - producer
  • Danny Duncan & Dan Needham - Tracks engineered, at Brownstone Recording[10]
  • Dan Needham - mixing, at Brownstone Recording[10]
  • Dan Shike - mastered at Tone and Volume Mastering.[10]

Art design
  • Erick Anderson - photography
  • Kari Needham - illustration
  • Stephen Boatright - graphic design

See also

References
  1. John Schlitt's Newsletter - 2007-10-01
  3. JohnWSchlitt.com - Videos
  4. Renaud, Josh (July 1999). "John Schlitt interview". Petra Rocks My World. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  5. Renaud, Josh (May 13, 2005). "John Schlitt: "I had a total peace"". Petra Rocks My World. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  6. Schlitt, John (October 18, 2007). "John Schlitt Newsletter 10-18-2007". John W. Schlitt website. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  7. "Petra Frontman John Schlitt To Release Third Solo Album In January". CMSpin. October 23, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  8. Myatt, Wayne (6/1/2008). "John Schlitt: The Grafting". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 22, 2014. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. Darlington, Tracy. "The Grafting by John Schlitt". TitleTrakk.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  10. JohnWSchlitt.com - The Grafting
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.