John Schlitt
The Grafting
4K Records
Grade – A

There are very few authentic legends in the Christian music world today and John Schlitt's one of them. Schlitt has accumulated over 30years on stage and behind the microphone. From his early beginnings with the secular rock band Head East to the formative years with Christian rock band Petra, John Schlitt has proven himself to be genuine and unrelenting. Additionally, Schlitt has released three solo projects leading up to the most recent solo project, The Grafting.

The Grafting was released late June (2008) following a successful tour of India and Mexico. The Grafting was chiefly written by producer (and son-in-law) Dan Needham. The connection between father-in-law and son-in-law must be very tight in this family. The song selection was perfectly fitting for Schlitt’s history and for his ongoing desire to use music as a means to speak the gospel.

The production however does not stray to far from Schlitt’s safe zone. The majority of the album is branded with a Petra-like retro style. However, the simplicity of the album is one of its finer qualities. The focus is the message of the lyrics and who better to deliver than the premier voice of CCM.

A few of the key tracks include the piano driven “Only Men,” the acoustic styling of the title track, “The Grafting,” and the upbeat “Gravity.” The songs deal with the heart and serious topics like divorce and more importantly adoption and taking care of children in need.

Producer Dan Needham has done well for his father-in-law and I can tell from speaking to John, if not from his history alone, that he is energized about this release and its potential. From singing to woodworking, John Schlitt gives it his all. Schlitt wanted to live the rock-n-roll dream so bad it nearly killed him, and when he surrendered that dream to God, the Lord blessed him way beyond his imagination. As his cup overflowed the rest of us have been blessed through Petra and now even more so with the release of The Grafting.

As a solo artist, John Schlitt was recently inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. In 2007 he was inducted as a member of the band Petra, but this year’s induction is as a solo artist. You can find more information on The Grafting on John’s official website http://johnwschlitt.com. Also, if you search YouTube.com you can find a few live performances of new songs from The Grafting.

- Ken W.