Album Review

Stephen Dale Petit – Cracking The Code

• 16th Sep 2013

American blues guitarist Stephen Dale Petit has long made his home in the UK, and his fifth album Cracking The Code was recorded between London, Nashville and new Orleans. With a supporting cast including Patrick Carney from the Black Keys and Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, production from Vance Powell (Jack White, Buddy Guy) and an album cover by Pattie Boyd, this is a very well put together collection of eleven excellent songs.

As you might expect, the guitar is very much the focus of most tracks. But Petit’s vocals are also strong and not every track relies purely on his undoubted instrumental prowess. And there is more variety on the album than might have been expected, with a good range of tracks all expertly delivered.

The album opens with lead single Holla, a fine up-tempo track with a shout along chorus. The guitars are set to heavy mode here, although some lovely lead work late on lightens the reverb filled mood. Wonder has a slightly more relaxed initial feel, the old school blues track giving an echo of Cream in its hook, before it explodes in great style. Get You Off, another fine modern blues track, features some fine piano work and a massive riff courtesy of guests Dr John and the late Hubert Sumlin in his last recording.

Hard To Love You keeps the temperature high before Approximately Perfect Heartbreak sees Petit let his guitar do the talking. A big, feedback heavy, rock opening gives way to a gentle blues guitar solo backed by organ and drums. It’s a lovely instrumental track, a modern take on the classic blues sound and a real stand out.

Muzzle and Riot In The City are solid blues tracks, matching powerful lyrics with some great guitar licks. Shotgun Venus at under two minutes long feels a little unfinished, more an idea than a fully developed song. But Slideaway soon gets things back on track as Petit sings in a full blown blues howl, his growling vocals dripping with emotion.

The album ends with two fine, and very different tracks. My Friend Bob is an acoustic gem about a cocaine addict. Petit shows a tender side to his vocals in a lovely song that stands out both for being so different and also for being a fine song in its own right. The closing Hubert’s Blues is a tribute to Hubert Sumlin. The great Mississippi guitarist, perhaps best known for his work with Howlin’ Wolf, made music up until shortly before his death aged eighty, and the mournful air to this track is emphasises by a trumpet. But the ending is upbeat, the guitar howling, making it more a celebration of a fine musician’s work and life.

Stephen Dale Petit is known as a fine guitarist and his work throughout this album can only reinforce that reputation. But Cracking The Code also shows off his songwriting and vocal skills to very good effect too. Overall it’s a high quality album and a must buy for anyone who listens to blues music.

Venue: Cracking The Code
Support Band: 333 Records