Stephen Dale Petit – The Crave
Review by Jack Foley
BUOYED by the success of his last album, Guitararama, California native and guitar aficionado Stephen Dale Petit releases the gargantuan-sized The Crave, a 17-strong song collection of blues and rock classics as re-interpreted in his own inimitable style.
Containing some ferocious, rocking New Blues monsters alongside updated classics by the likes of Robert Johnson, Fleetwood Mac, Little Willie John and Albert King, the album has been produced with the help of Ian Grimble (of Travis, Clash and Manics fame) and the the Chapel Studios, Lincoln hit factory team behind recent Arctic Monkeys, Editors and Kaiser Chiefs successes.
It’s little wonder, then, that Petit seems poised to enjoy his biggest commercial success yet. The Crave, like its name suggests, possesses a thirst for the classic style of song-writing that’s informed as much by Petit’s roguish lifestyle, as well as his passion for indulging in cracking guitar solos, whether in rock or blues format.
Petit is, though, a veteran of the music scene, having been weaned on ‘60’s and early ‘70s UK Blues-influenced rock, acquired his first guitar at the age of eight and since played with the likes of BB King and Albert King (not to mention ‘falling in’ with Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Dave Gilmour).
The ensuing album has a very lived in feel… as though it’s born from the experiences reflected in the lyrics (even though they may be borrowed, or shared, along the way).
There are plenty of moments to savour among the 17 songs on offer. A rollicking version of the more contemporary hit California is one example, as is his gospel soaked take on Let There Be More Light.
Soul Survivor is also fantastic, a pure blues rocker of immense quality and featuring some blistering solos, while the strings-backed blues footstomper Crossroad Blues is also great fun, especially once the slide guitars kick in.
But Petit really kicks loose and has fun with the riffing on Open, especially during the rousing opening, while he gets down and husky on the stripped back, blues-soaked Lookin’ For Trouble – a really gutsy offering that actually allows his voice to take centre stage.
The slide guitars return to absorbing effect on the appropriately named Slide, which also contains some great piano arrangements, Sunnyland Stomp drops some more mesmerizing open guitar work, and It’s All Good offers a real good time, dirt on the floor, party record that evokes the spirit of the good times.
Voodoo Blues, meanwhile, places some excellent mellotron riffage over a snappy bassline groove and some good Hammond organ and mouth organ. It’s another good time record, which is almost sung-spoke.
No matter what style he’s adopting, though (be it gospel, blues or classic rock), or who he’s covering, Petit is clearly having the time of his life – and that sense of enthusiasm translates well to the listener. The Crave ought to be craved by all lovers of old school rock values.
Download picks: California, Soul Survivor, Voodoo Blues, Sunnyland Stomp, Lookin’ For Trouble, Crossroad Blues, Open
Track listing: