Album of the week: The Crave by Stephen Dale Petit (From Swindon Advertiser)

Album of the week: The Crave by Stephen Dale Petit

4:00pm Thursday 12th August 2010 in

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The Crave

by Stephen Dale Petit

out now on Universal Music/Absolute

Gunslingers kicks off this album with a ricochet of rock. As the name implies there is no gentle intro, simply straight shooting rock 'n' roll. So pull on your dancing shoes hang up your Stetson and let's have a hoe down!

Slide is a classic and timeless blues number from an impresario of the genre with lush harmonica layering Stephen's slick guitar.

Gun Song brings us right back to the blues rock that showcases Stephen's thunder road guitar in a glass shattering solo. It is a rip roaring number with some gorgeous gravely vocals telling a tale that is full of drama.

Lookin' For Trouble is a blues ballad with real guts and Open is back to a belter of a rock anthem.

California is a megablast interpretation of the song with full gospel backing singers and a pumped up guitar solo. Gospel follows through in Let There Be Light with some powerful vocals and keyboards with a stylish guitar fade ending.

Soul Survivor has that pulsing guitar beat that Stephen appears to capture effortlessly. In places it is thrash metal meets soul and mated with a rock melody.

The all time blues wail echoes through Need Your Love So Bad, done by so many artists in every which way but lose. But this is a reverent interpretation with glowing siren guitar.

Judgment Day retains the angel choir harmonies on backing vocals and emphasises all the force of faith.

Cross Roads Blues has a moody and majestic opener. A creative version of the guitar classic with orchestral backing.

The title track The Crave is bold and brassy with tons of attitude. The feeling is: "I'm a rock guitarist and good at it'' - no quibble there.

Again Stephen has come up with rock journey of an album from coast to coast in a true blue rockmobile.

Flicky Harrison