Vertical Expressions is the first studio release of the collaboration between former Petra

Petra (band)

Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...

 singer John Schlitt

John Schlitt

John William Schlitt is known for his career as the lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1986 until the band's retirement in late 2005. Prior to joining Petra in 1986, Schlitt was the vocalist for Head East....

 and guitarist Bob Hartman

Bob Hartman

Robert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs,...

, also known as II Guys from Petra. It was released on January 26, 2007.

Hartman was a founding member of legendary Christian rock

Christian rock

Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...

 band, Petra

Petra (band)

Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...

, in 1972, and worked with the band until its retirement in 2005. Schlitt was the lead singer of the band since 1986. The joint came to be after Hartman was asked to lead worship in a Christian gathering, and he thought of asking Schlitt to help him.

The album features a collection of ten popular worship

Worship

Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The word is derived from the Old English worthscipe, meaning worthiness or worth-ship — to give, at its simplest, worth to something, for example, Christian worship.Evelyn Underhill defines worship thus: "The absolute...

 songs, performed and arranged by Hartman himself. The album also includes two live bonus tracks from the Petra Farewell

Petra Farewell

Farewell is the last album released by Christian rock band Petra. It was released in 2005. A DVD of the concert was released in 2006.This is the second live album of the band and it was recorded during the bands Farewell tour in Franklin, Tennessee on October 4, 2005.The concert features guest...

 Tour.

Track listing

1. "Come, Now Is The Time"
2. "Trading My Sorrows"
3. "God of Wonders"
4. "Draw Me Close"
5. "Here I Am To Worship"
6. "My Redeemer Lives"
7. "Lord Reign In Me"
8. "We Fall Down"
9. "Blessed Be Your Name"
10. "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" (live)
11. "Judas Kiss" (live)

Musicians

• Jim Cooper
  Jim Cooper (musician)
  Jim Cooper is a Christian musician, songwriter, and producer.Cooper studied at Temple Christian Academy in his hometown. Jim Cooper got his feet wet with Jody Davis with the band Phos Also in the Band was a lead singer by the name of Gary...
  
   - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
• Joey Canaday - Bass
• Brian Fullen - Drums
• Greg Bailey
  Greg Bailey
  Greg Bailey was bassist in the Christian Rock band Petra since joining in late 2001. Before that, he played with several rock bands, including Stir and others.Bailey's first Petra show was in a Pethead Convention held at Wichita, Kansas on January 26, 2002...
  
   - Bass (live tracks only)
• Paul Simmons
  Paul Simmons
  Paul Simmons is an American drummer. Currently, he is the drummer for the Reverend Horton HeatHe is previously most well known as the drummer for Th' Legendary Shack Shakers from 2003 to 2005. He was also the drummer in Christian rock band Petra from 2003 until their retirement in 2005...
  
  - Drums (live tracks only)

External links

• II Guys from Petra MySpace Page
• Additional album information