The 'Rock Power Praise' project is the brainchild of the world renown brother team - John & Dino Elefante. 'Rock Power Praise' saw its conception back in the late 80's early 90's in order to breathe new life into classic traditional church hymns. For this project, the Elefant brothers have enlisted a number of artists with the intention of not only capturing the magic of the 80's golden years but also reimagining church hymns so that they hold the attention of both the Rock & Metal fan.
Over the years, there has been a number of bands that have taken ordinary traditional hymns and rocked them up by adding heavier vocals, electric guitars, and poundin' drum lines. What we are talking about is the kind of arrangements that are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of the 80's era Rock/Metal fan with enough edge to cause hymnal purists to roll over in their graves. Some additional bands that have been successful in this area include Petra with their 1989 album 'Petra Praise-The Rock Cries Out', the 1992 'Metal Praise' project, the South Africa band Tree63 with their 2005 'Worship Volume One I Stand For You', and the 'Scandinavian Metal Praise' 2015 album 'Glory & Power: Part 1'.
Over the years, there has been a number of bands that have taken ordinary traditional hymns and rocked them up by adding heavier vocals, electric guitars, and poundin' drum lines. What we are talking about is the kind of arrangements that are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of the 80's era Rock/Metal fan with enough edge to cause hymnal purists to roll over in their graves. Some additional bands that have been successful in this area include Petra with their 1989 album 'Petra Praise-The Rock Cries Out', the 1992 'Metal Praise' project, the South Africa band Tree63 with their 2005 'Worship Volume One I Stand For You', and the 'Scandinavian Metal Praise' 2015 album 'Glory & Power: Part 1'.
In 1990 John & Dino Elefante released the 1st album of their 3-part series titled 'Rock Power Praise Vol. I...The Hymns' on Pakaderm Records. Vol 1 features vocals from some well known artist such as Mike Lee(Barren Cross), Jamie Rowe(Guardian), Scott Springer(HALO), and John Elefante(Mastedon). Vol 1 was produced by John & Dino Elefante and received rave reviews from around the world. This project contains some of the most recognizable hymns including "Amazing Grace", "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus", and "The Old Rugged Cross" just to mention a few. From track to track the listener is going to find themselves drawn into the AOR arrangements with plenty of hooks and guitar shred to merit hitting the replay button over and over again. This was one of my top 10 go-to-albums back in the day and it still sounds as good today as it did back then. I believe it's arguable that 'Vol. I...The Hymns' was the strongest release from the band's 3-part series and should be in every Rock fan's collection.
The track-list for 'Rock Power Praise Vol. I...The Hymns' includes 1.The Old Rugged Cross(Gregg Lancer),
2.He's Got The Whole World In His Hands(Jamie Rowe-Guardian & John Elefante-Mastedon), 3.A Mighty Fortress Is Our God(Sara Tennison, Petra, Rick Cua), 4.We Need Jesus(Scott Springer-Halo), 5.Holy, Holy, Holy(Jamie Rowe-Guardian),6.Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus(Mike Lee-Barren Cross), 7.Amazing Grace(Mike Hadley), 8.Go, Tell It On A Mountain(Russell Painter), 9.When We All Get To Heaven(Mike Lee-Barren Cross), 10.I Have Decided:To Follow Jesus(Gregg Lancer).
Musicians:
Lead Vocals - Gregg Lancer, Jamie Rowe, Mike Lee, Sara Tennison,
Scott Springer, John Elefante, Mike Hadley, Russell Painter
Guitars - Rock Lobster, T-Mex
Bass - Ba Ba
Drums - Artemus Crowe, Jack Mac
Keyboards - Jack Mac, John Andrew Schreiner, John Elefante
Saxophone - Greg Vail
Backing Vocals - Barney Dunn, Gregg Lancer, Sara Tennison, Terry Stratton
The track-list for 'Rock Power Praise Vol. I...The Hymns' includes 1.The Old Rugged Cross(Gregg Lancer),
2.He's Got The Whole World In His Hands(Jamie Rowe-Guardian & John Elefante-Mastedon), 3.A Mighty Fortress Is Our God(Sara Tennison, Petra, Rick Cua), 4.We Need Jesus(Scott Springer-Halo), 5.Holy, Holy, Holy(Jamie Rowe-Guardian),6.Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus(Mike Lee-Barren Cross), 7.Amazing Grace(Mike Hadley), 8.Go, Tell It On A Mountain(Russell Painter), 9.When We All Get To Heaven(Mike Lee-Barren Cross), 10.I Have Decided:To Follow Jesus(Gregg Lancer).
Musicians:
Lead Vocals - Gregg Lancer, Jamie Rowe, Mike Lee, Sara Tennison,
Scott Springer, John Elefante, Mike Hadley, Russell Painter
Guitars - Rock Lobster, T-Mex
Bass - Ba Ba
Drums - Artemus Crowe, Jack Mac
Keyboards - Jack Mac, John Andrew Schreiner, John Elefante
Saxophone - Greg Vail
Backing Vocals - Barney Dunn, Gregg Lancer, Sara Tennison, Terry Stratton
In 2020 'Rock Power Praise Vol. I...The Hymns' saw the light of day once more when it was re-issued by Girder Records. Rob Colwell re-mastered the album at Bombworks Sound and the re-issue features a Jewel Case CD, 6-Panel fold, and includes the album's Lyrics.
In 1991 John & Dino Elefante released the 2nd album of their 3-part series titled 'Rock Power Praise Vol. II: Christmas Hymns' on Pakaderm Records. This follow-up album saw the return of lead vocalists - Jamie Rowe, John Elefante, Scott Springer, Sara Tennison, along with a couple of newbies - Robin Kyle(Red Sea) and Ron Gollner. Vol. II was a strong sophomore release as it followed in the veins of their 1990 Vol. 1 recording. This release features solid vocals along with enough energy and hooks to keep one coming back for more. If you are looking for some traditional Christmas songs that are guaranteed to not put you to sleep, then give this album a spin and you'll be Rockin' to your favorite classics hymns in no time.
The track-list for 'Rock Power Praise Vol. II: Christmas Hymns' includes 1.Joy To the World(Ron Gollner), 2.Hark! The Herald Angels Sing(Robin Kyle-Red Sea, Die Happy), 3.What Child Is This(Sara Tennison), 4.God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen(Jamie Rowe-Guardian), 5.Little Drummer Boy(Emily Brink, Stephanie Brink, Nick Brink, Pak-A-Kids, Rochelle Rysdam), 6.O Come All Ye Faithful(Robin Kyle), 7.Silent Night(John Elefante-Kansas/Mastedon), 8.For Unto Us a Child Is Born(Sara Tennison), 9.O Holy Night(Scott Springer-HALO), 10.O Come, O Come Emmanuel(Jamie Rowe-Guardian).
Musicians:
Lead Vocals - Jamie Rowe, John Elefante, Scott Springer, Sara Tennison, Ron Gollner, Robin Kyle,
Guitars - Rock Lobster, Tex Mex, Glen Pearce, W.C. Jr.
Bass - J.R. McNeely
Keyboards - John Andrew Schreiner, Jack Mac
Drums - Danny Woods
Background Vocals - Sara Tennison, Sheryl Meester, Ronald E. Gollner
Musicians:
Lead Vocals - Jamie Rowe, John Elefante, Scott Springer, Sara Tennison, Ron Gollner, Robin Kyle,
Guitars - Rock Lobster, Tex Mex, Glen Pearce, W.C. Jr.
Bass - J.R. McNeely
Keyboards - John Andrew Schreiner, Jack Mac
Drums - Danny Woods
Background Vocals - Sara Tennison, Sheryl Meester, Ronald E. Gollner
In 2020 Girder Records re-mastered and re-issued the Elefante's 1991 classic - 'Rock Power Praise Vol. II: Christmas Hymns'. This reissue sounds better than ever and features a Jewel CD Case.
In 1992 John & Dino Elefante released the 3rd album of their 3-part series titled 'Rock Power Praise Volume III: Traditional Gospel Hymns' On Pakaderm Records. With this release, the Elefante Brothers moved away from their Original vocalists from their first 2 albums and brought on a number of unknown singers to handle lead vocals. In addition, the Elefante Brothers moved away from their hard hitting Melodic Rock sound to explore some other styles where they implement a number of different genres including Rock, Adult Contemporary, Jamaican, Blues, and soulful contemporary styles.
The track-list for 'Rock Power Praise Volume III: Traditional Gospel Hymns' includes 1.Oh Happy Day(Linda McCreary), 2.Going Up Yonder(Olivia McClurkin), 3.Joy Joy(Howard McCreary), 4.Soon And Very Soon(James Salters), 5.Amen(Howard McCreary), 6.Can't Nobody(James Salters), 7.Blessed Assurance(Kelli Reisen), 8.Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child(Sara Tennison), 9.I'll Take You There(Voncielle F.), 10.I Surrender All(Sara Tennison).
Musicians:
Lead Vocals - Sara Tennison, Linda McCreary, Olivia McClurkin, Howard McCreary,
James Salters, Kelli Reisen, Voncielle F.
Guitars - Rock Lobster, Tex Mex
Bass - W C Jr.
Keyboards - John Andrew Schreiner
Organ(Hammond) - Geary Lanier
Piano - Joe Van Gilder
Drums - Danny Woods
Backing Vocals - Geary Lanier, Sara Tennison, The Heard, Voncielle F.
Lead Vocals - Sara Tennison, Linda McCreary, Olivia McClurkin, Howard McCreary,
James Salters, Kelli Reisen, Voncielle F.
Guitars - Rock Lobster, Tex Mex
Bass - W C Jr.
Keyboards - John Andrew Schreiner
Organ(Hammond) - Geary Lanier
Piano - Joe Van Gilder
Drums - Danny Woods
Backing Vocals - Geary Lanier, Sara Tennison, The Heard, Voncielle F.
The Rock Power Praise series is for fans of Guardian, The Brave, Mastedon, Barren Cross, and Halo. If you are like me and have worn out your old copies of the 'Rock Power Praise' series and are looking to replace them then check out what Girder has done with their re-issues. Maybe your just kickin' around looking for some 80's style music to add to your collection then pick up an album or two and release the Rock to stomp once more!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links: