Various Artists

Item: Never Say Dinosaur
Author: Ian Muttoo

Never Say Dinosaur

(1996)

Reviewed by Ian Muttoo

Discogs YouTube

Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseOctober 1996

alternative rock hard rock rock

My first real introduction to Christian music was Petra's More Power To Ya, released on Star Song Records in 1982. It was a birthday gift from a friend and, to me, at that time, it opened up a new world of musically-relevant, great-sounding, Bible-based music. This was quite a revelation to me-to discover Christian music as a viable musical option. Greg X. Volz had one of the greatest voices in rock 'n roll. Bob Hartman's songwriting and Jonathan David Brown's production values produced some of the best recordings the still-young Christian music industry had seen.

Fast forward to 1996. Petra is still around. My More Power To Ya LP wore out long ago, ignominiously replaced by a CD. Today, my idea of musically-relevant, great-sounding, Bible-based music is much different-but I still enjoy where it all began.

When I first heard that Star Song was getting today's Christian artists together to cover Petra songs, I was intrigued. Which bands would be involved? What songs would they choose to cover? Never Say Dinosaur brings some great bands together, exposing a new audience to some old Petra songs that deserve to be remembered, and giving some others an excuse to listen to the originals, again.

The CD opens with Audio Adrenaline's take on "Taste And See," originally recorded on Petra's Washes Whiter Than in 1979. While staying true to the song's basic structure, Audio Adrenaline adds a bit of an edge, lots of attitude, and a great groove. The Walter Eugenes' version of "Judas' Kiss" is one of the standout songs on this compilation. Strings are used to great effect, giving the chorus a somewhat haunting feel. A la Bono, Walter Paul Robinette adds a little wailing for good measure. For passion, and momentum, this song reminds me of Chagall Guevara's "Tale O' The Twister," available on the Pump Up The Volume soundtrack. This isn't surprising considering that Dave Perkins and Lynn Nichols, who produced and played guitar on this song, were members of Chagall Guevara.

It's a treat to see "Not Of This World" included on this project. Galactic Cowboys retain the spirit of the original in their much heavier interpretation. John Slick's classic "Visions (Doxology)" introduction is replaced by a cool heavy metal groove. Ben Huggins' vocal performance is excellent, and Kemper Crabb's recorder doodlings, way back in the mix, add interest, and contrast. This is one of the more adventurous songs on the project, with interesting variations in tempo and texture. New artist Sarah Jahn does a lovely version of "Yahweh Love." The selection of this song surprised me. I've always considered it one of Petra's songs that haven't aged well. This version proves me wrong. Jahn's voice is breathy and engaging, and the arrangement has lots of open space. While a bit long at over five minutes, this song is a gem.

Brent Bourgeois does a great job producing Jars of Clay's version of "Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows." One of the best sounding songs on the CD, all the trademark Jars of Clay elements are here-interesting, acoustic pop, an offbeat, "underwater" arrangement, well-crafted harmonies, and strings. The oddest and one of the most interesting songs on Never Say Dinosaur is a Kevin Smith/Passafist original, "Louie's Solo." Using samples from a Louie Weaver drum solo recorded on Petra's live Captured In Time And Space, a wild tale is told, loosely based on Homer's Odyssey.

Other songs of note are Sixpence None The Richer's "Road To Zion," and Caprill Champion and My Sister's Garden's "The Coloring Song." "Pied Piper" by The Stand is the only disappointment. Why does everybody want to sound like The Rembrandts?

Never Say Dinosaur ends up being a lot of fun. For the most part, these are very good interpretations of excellent songs. Most of these artists, like me, were positively affected by these songs in years past. Sharing them with everyone else is a very good idea.