“Stephen Dale Petit has come a long way since his first album Guitararama was released a couple of years ago. I first saw him supporting Darren Neundorf at the Half Moon in Putney and he impressed with the intensity and the aggressiveness of his ‘New Blues’ and I then kept bumping into him outside gig after gig as he was handing out flyers for his next gig at the 100 Club or for the next single release – he always seemed to be supremely confident of himself and sure that the message would get across. So I have been waiting a long time for The Crave and, truth be told, rather looking forward to it as well. Well, it is here and I can honestly say that it was worth waiting for. He has expanded his playing to encompass Mod Blues, Rock, Country Blues and even some poppy ‘stuff’ and there really isn’t a wasted moment on the album. His guitar playing has always been good but he could have been accused of being flippant about his approach to songs but with The Crave he has developed his song writing and really delivered some fine numbers. Right from the opener, 3 Gunslingers (based on a day spent driving around London in the company of Ron Wood and Eric Clapton in the same car), his playing is dynamite and his vocals are exultant. Following up with a Tupac Shakur and Dr Dre classic in California – the next single – shows that he has no inhibitions about the music that he plays and it comes over with real brio in his own style but with due homage to the original. He moves from there into Let There Be More Light – gospel and a huge, anthem feel to it. Gun Song then shows us yet another side of SDP with a hugely aggressive and harsh vocal plus some stunning guitar and a feel of a drive by shooting set to music. The title number is a complex and dense piece that seems to encapsulate so many of the things that make him tick but every track has its own character and what comes through is the sound of a supremely able and confident performer who is arrogant enough (in a positive sense) to ignore the prevailing trend and make an album that is completely a depiction of his character and style. This is absolutely the most personal album that has been released this year and possibly one of the most important – simply brilliant.”
Next: California
Previous: As The Years Go Passing By
Tracks
3 Gunslingers
Lyrics ↴
Early evenin’
Early evenin’
On a hill
On a hill
In a car
Rocky had shotgun
In the back God and a Rock ’n’ Roll star
I was drivin’
I was drivin’
But my mind was
You know my mind was
Somewhere else
Well the rules of the road
Make you pay more for cheatin’ yourself
Well, well, well
Helicopter
Helicopter
Get inside my
Get inside my
Bird’s eye view
Sometimes it takes a lot of sky to see
Exactly what’s in front of you
The way I’m riding
The way I’m riding
You know I need my
Yes I need my
Mojo hand
Gotta have some Gris-Gris
‘Cause I’m doin’ everything that one man can
Three gunslingers
Three gunslingers
Talkin’ through the
Talkin’ through
The London night
Well the gutter blues will get you
Doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or if it’s right
Early evenin’
Early evenin’
On a hill
On a hill
In a car
Rocky had shotgun
In the back God and a Rock ’n’ Roll star
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "At High Voltage" (Live Version) © 333 Records Ltd
Early evenin’
On a hill
On a hill
In a car
Rocky had shotgun
In the back God and a Rock ’n’ Roll star
I was drivin’
I was drivin’
But my mind was
You know my mind was
Somewhere else
Well the rules of the road
Make you pay more for cheatin’ yourself
Well, well, well
Helicopter
Helicopter
Get inside my
Get inside my
Bird’s eye view
Sometimes it takes a lot of sky to see
Exactly what’s in front of you
The way I’m riding
The way I’m riding
You know I need my
Yes I need my
Mojo hand
Gotta have some Gris-Gris
‘Cause I’m doin’ everything that one man can
Three gunslingers
Three gunslingers
Talkin’ through the
Talkin’ through
The London night
Well the gutter blues will get you
Doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or if it’s right
Early evenin’
Early evenin’
On a hill
On a hill
In a car
Rocky had shotgun
In the back God and a Rock ’n’ Roll star
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "At High Voltage" (Live Version) © 333 Records Ltd
California
Let There Be More Light
Lyrics ↴
I went down to the station just the other day
To see an old friend of mine
This is what he said
I’m comin’ apart feels like my heart is fixing to break
People like me can only hope and pray
Let there be more light
Let there be more light
For everyone
Into the dark night
Lord let it shine bright
And it’ll be alright
For everyone
I went on to the river
To see if I could warn ya
They’ll just as soon drag you down as they will adorn ya
I wanted to say that come what may
I’ll be there for ya
The people all laughed and swore you weren’t around
Let there be more light
Let there be more light
For everyone
Into the dark night
Lord let it shine bright
And it’ll be alright
For everyone
Yeah, for everyone
Hard times all around
Everyone’s afraid
Trying to find a way to make the bad times good
I look out of my window at the forever people
I wonder what they’d say if they could
Let there be more light
Let there be more light
For everyone
Into the dark night
Lord let it shine bright
And it’ll be alright
For everyone
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music/Imagem Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "Let There Be More Light" (Single Version) © 333 Records Ltd
To see an old friend of mine
This is what he said
I’m comin’ apart feels like my heart is fixing to break
People like me can only hope and pray
Let there be more light
Let there be more light
For everyone
Into the dark night
Lord let it shine bright
And it’ll be alright
For everyone
I went on to the river
To see if I could warn ya
They’ll just as soon drag you down as they will adorn ya
I wanted to say that come what may
I’ll be there for ya
The people all laughed and swore you weren’t around
Let there be more light
Let there be more light
For everyone
Into the dark night
Lord let it shine bright
And it’ll be alright
For everyone
Yeah, for everyone
Hard times all around
Everyone’s afraid
Trying to find a way to make the bad times good
I look out of my window at the forever people
I wonder what they’d say if they could
Let there be more light
Let there be more light
For everyone
Into the dark night
Lord let it shine bright
And it’ll be alright
For everyone
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music/Imagem Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "Let There Be More Light" (Single Version) © 333 Records Ltd
Gun Song
Lyrics ↴
I took a walk outside your window
I didn’t wait that long
There’s somethin’ baby, that feels so wrong
I been lovin’ you so long, I can’t read the signs
Lately you’ve been twosin’ me
Lately I’ve been losin’ my mind
I woke up this mornin’, got myself a gun
I said I woke up this mornin’, I got myself a gun
When you see me baby, girl you better run, you better run, you better run
Oh, you better run!
Listen here, I’ve got somethin’ to say
I was hearin’ things, I had to take a look
I didn’t like the picture my mind took
It’s been haunting me each and every day
You know I can’t sleep, it keeps me awake
I bet ya thought you had your fun
I think I’m gonna get my gun
I gave my heart
Gave my soul
I gave you all my money and still you stole
Woke up this morning
I got my gun
When you see me baby, you better run
You better run
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
I didn’t wait that long
There’s somethin’ baby, that feels so wrong
I been lovin’ you so long, I can’t read the signs
Lately you’ve been twosin’ me
Lately I’ve been losin’ my mind
I woke up this mornin’, got myself a gun
I said I woke up this mornin’, I got myself a gun
When you see me baby, girl you better run, you better run, you better run
Oh, you better run!
Listen here, I’ve got somethin’ to say
I was hearin’ things, I had to take a look
I didn’t like the picture my mind took
It’s been haunting me each and every day
You know I can’t sleep, it keeps me awake
I bet ya thought you had your fun
I think I’m gonna get my gun
I gave my heart
Gave my soul
I gave you all my money and still you stole
Woke up this morning
I got my gun
When you see me baby, you better run
You better run
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Soul Survivor
Lyrics ↴
Soul survivor standin’
Don’t you hear me call?
Any rider shinin’
We kick it
Down they fall
I’ve got no divider
‘Cause I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
No horizon waiting
No place I need to go
Down to my zen
Workin’ on my own mojo
I’ve got no divider
‘Cause I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’ve got no divider
‘Cause I’m a Soul Survivor
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Don’t you hear me call?
Any rider shinin’
We kick it
Down they fall
I’ve got no divider
‘Cause I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
No horizon waiting
No place I need to go
Down to my zen
Workin’ on my own mojo
I’ve got no divider
‘Cause I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’m a Soul Survivor
I’ve got no divider
‘Cause I’m a Soul Survivor
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Need Your Love So Bad
Judgement Day
Lyrics ↴
I’ve been out on the road
Don’t you understand
I’ve seen every kinda trouble that’s been known to man
Built my house of cards
Restin’ on the sand
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Jump in the water with my friend Jesus
Jump in the fire with my friend Satan
Jump from the cliff
There’s no hidin’ place
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Ain’t what I wanted
Ain’t what I planned
There’s just one way that I can play this hand
Never gonna see me no promised land
Livin’ on Judgement Day
Jump in the water with my friend Jesus
Jump in the fire with my friend Satan
Jump from the cliff
There’s no hidin’ place
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Jump in the water with my friend Jesus
Jump in the fire with my friend Satan
Jump from the cliff
There’s no hidin’ place
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Don’t you understand
I’ve seen every kinda trouble that’s been known to man
Built my house of cards
Restin’ on the sand
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Jump in the water with my friend Jesus
Jump in the fire with my friend Satan
Jump from the cliff
There’s no hidin’ place
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Ain’t what I wanted
Ain’t what I planned
There’s just one way that I can play this hand
Never gonna see me no promised land
Livin’ on Judgement Day
Jump in the water with my friend Jesus
Jump in the fire with my friend Satan
Jump from the cliff
There’s no hidin’ place
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Jump in the water with my friend Jesus
Jump in the fire with my friend Satan
Jump from the cliff
There’s no hidin’ place
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Livin’ on a Judgement Day
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Cross Road Blues
Open
The Crave
Lyrics ↴
My tongue is hangin’ on the floor
I got to have a whole lot more, more of you
My brain is climbin’ up the wall
I got to have it now and have it all, I do
‘Cause when it all goes down
Ain’t ever gonna be enough to fill me up and go round
You say you might, you say you could
You say desire’s double good to stay with
You’re showin' off some crazy dope
Now baby give me just a little bit of rope to play with
When it all comes down
Got more than enough to fill your cup and go around
Howlin’ like a hurricane, slam it baby
Bust my brain to pieces
A supernatural, drop dead crave
The kinda sting only the crave releases
And when I’m coming down
Ain’t ever gonna be enough to fill me up and go around
I’m beggin’ you, you’re beggin’ back
Shake me till my body’s gone and cracked in two
You don’t need no third degree
Nothing’s as it seems, lookin’ through, yeah
And when the shit goes down
Ain’t ever gonna be enough to fill your cup and go round
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music/Sandylane Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
I got to have a whole lot more, more of you
My brain is climbin’ up the wall
I got to have it now and have it all, I do
‘Cause when it all goes down
Ain’t ever gonna be enough to fill me up and go round
You say you might, you say you could
You say desire’s double good to stay with
You’re showin' off some crazy dope
Now baby give me just a little bit of rope to play with
When it all comes down
Got more than enough to fill your cup and go around
Howlin’ like a hurricane, slam it baby
Bust my brain to pieces
A supernatural, drop dead crave
The kinda sting only the crave releases
And when I’m coming down
Ain’t ever gonna be enough to fill me up and go around
I’m beggin’ you, you’re beggin’ back
Shake me till my body’s gone and cracked in two
You don’t need no third degree
Nothing’s as it seems, lookin’ through, yeah
And when the shit goes down
Ain’t ever gonna be enough to fill your cup and go round
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music/Sandylane Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Lookin' For Trouble
Lyrics ↴
I had a friend
Least I thought I did
He kept his menace
He kept it well hid
Until one day
At the eleventh hour
He pulled a blade
Down at the clock tower
That’s the way the cookie crumbles
That’s the way it goes
When the faithless stumble
A story that everyone knows
We’ve all heard it
You just don’t think it’s gonna happen to you
Well I saw it clearly
I saw it in time
Man it’s a low down feelin’
When there’s a dead cat on the line
You gots to feed your friends
With a long-handled spoon
Or you’ll be lookin’ at the coolin-board
Lord way too soon
That’s the way the cookie crumbles
That’s the way it goes
When the faithless stumble
A story that everyone knows
Watch your step
Now upfront I treat you right
But if you cross me
I won’t think twice ‘bout messing you up
Just like my man back there
I left all cut up and dyin’
I will make sure you wish you hadn’t crossed me
You lookin’ for trouble
You’ve come to the right place
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Least I thought I did
He kept his menace
He kept it well hid
Until one day
At the eleventh hour
He pulled a blade
Down at the clock tower
That’s the way the cookie crumbles
That’s the way it goes
When the faithless stumble
A story that everyone knows
We’ve all heard it
You just don’t think it’s gonna happen to you
Well I saw it clearly
I saw it in time
Man it’s a low down feelin’
When there’s a dead cat on the line
You gots to feed your friends
With a long-handled spoon
Or you’ll be lookin’ at the coolin-board
Lord way too soon
That’s the way the cookie crumbles
That’s the way it goes
When the faithless stumble
A story that everyone knows
Watch your step
Now upfront I treat you right
But if you cross me
I won’t think twice ‘bout messing you up
Just like my man back there
I left all cut up and dyin’
I will make sure you wish you hadn’t crossed me
You lookin’ for trouble
You’ve come to the right place
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Slide
Lyrics ↴
Slide, slide over here
Slide over here, baby, yeah…
It’s a lock down ’til you pass out
Slide over here
Well, John the Revelator had seven seals to break
They call me Mr. Richter ‘cause I always make ‘em shake
Slide over here
Slide over here.
It’s a lock down ’til you pass out
Slide over here.
I’m goin’ deep down in your connection
Gonna play with your wire
Gonna mash down on your starter, ’til your spark plugs on fire
Slide over here
Slide over here
Up and down my slider, baby
Slide over here
I’ll give you 99 reasons on a 4 day jag
You’re moanin’ and you’re screamin’
It’s the best you’ve ever had
Slide
Slide over here
Up down slider baby
Slide over here
Just like Mississipi John Hurt said
I’m a spike drivin’ man
Gonna nail ya to the bed
Slide over here
Slide over here
It’s a lock down ’til you pass out
Slide over here
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "The BBC Sessions" (Live Version) © 333 Records Ltd
Slide over here, baby, yeah…
It’s a lock down ’til you pass out
Slide over here
Well, John the Revelator had seven seals to break
They call me Mr. Richter ‘cause I always make ‘em shake
Slide over here
Slide over here.
It’s a lock down ’til you pass out
Slide over here.
I’m goin’ deep down in your connection
Gonna play with your wire
Gonna mash down on your starter, ’til your spark plugs on fire
Slide over here
Slide over here
Up and down my slider, baby
Slide over here
I’ll give you 99 reasons on a 4 day jag
You’re moanin’ and you’re screamin’
It’s the best you’ve ever had
Slide
Slide over here
Up down slider baby
Slide over here
Just like Mississipi John Hurt said
I’m a spike drivin’ man
Gonna nail ya to the bed
Slide over here
Slide over here
It’s a lock down ’til you pass out
Slide over here
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "The BBC Sessions" (Live Version) © 333 Records Ltd
As the Years Go Passing By
Sunnyland Stomp
It's All Good
Lyrics ↴
Waitin’ for a new God baby
Reachin’ out for you
Come and make my body shake with your sugar spoon
It’s all good
The hourglass is running, it’s a race against the clock
Mug me off, the penny drops, I’m off like a shot
It’s all good
It’s all good!
Oversexed in overdrive
I can’t be satisfied
Slavin’ just for readies ain’t it great to be alive
It’s all good
It’s all good
It’s all good…
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "The BBC Sessions" (Live Version) and "At High Voltage" (Live Version) © 333 Records Ltd
Reachin’ out for you
Come and make my body shake with your sugar spoon
It’s all good
The hourglass is running, it’s a race against the clock
Mug me off, the penny drops, I’m off like a shot
It’s all good
It’s all good!
Oversexed in overdrive
I can’t be satisfied
Slavin’ just for readies ain’t it great to be alive
It’s all good
It’s all good
It’s all good…
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "The BBC Sessions" (Live Version) and "At High Voltage" (Live Version) © 333 Records Ltd
Voodoo Lover
Lyrics ↴
Ladies and Gentleman
I’m gonna talk to you about the Voodoo Lover
Now this is a man who possesses special powers
He has the ability to tune right in
A genuine lover man
Y’all know what I’m talkin’ about - yeah!
We ain’t talkin’ about no 2 minute man
He takes his lover to a place she’s never been before
Supernatural, Incredible, Spiritual…
Voodoo Lover
I’ll take you there
There is no other can compare
Your senses climb
No sense of time
I’ll leave you breathless
Floating on air
Oh, fading away
Molding you like clay
Oh you’re begging me you say
Keep on that way
I’ll take you there
I’ll take you there
Voodoo Lover
I’ll give you more
Than you have ever had before
Senses aflame
Don’t know your own name
I’ll leave you shaken to the core
Oh you swear and pray
Oh a triple play
Oh you’re beggin’ me you’re beggin’ me you say
Oh keep on that way
I’ll take you there
I’ll take you there…
Voodoo Lover
Voodoo Lover
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
I’m gonna talk to you about the Voodoo Lover
Now this is a man who possesses special powers
He has the ability to tune right in
A genuine lover man
Y’all know what I’m talkin’ about - yeah!
We ain’t talkin’ about no 2 minute man
He takes his lover to a place she’s never been before
Supernatural, Incredible, Spiritual…
Voodoo Lover
I’ll take you there
There is no other can compare
Your senses climb
No sense of time
I’ll leave you breathless
Floating on air
Oh, fading away
Molding you like clay
Oh you’re begging me you say
Keep on that way
I’ll take you there
I’ll take you there
Voodoo Lover
I’ll give you more
Than you have ever had before
Senses aflame
Don’t know your own name
I’ll leave you shaken to the core
Oh you swear and pray
Oh a triple play
Oh you’re beggin’ me you’re beggin’ me you say
Oh keep on that way
I’ll take you there
I’ll take you there…
Voodoo Lover
Voodoo Lover
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Hole In My Soul
Lyrics ↴
I swear I thought you were my saviour
That you had come for my relief
You walked in proud just like a solider
And you crept away just like a thief
I did not feel so bad, no, to see you go
It’s just you took everything but this hole in my soul
They say the devil’s in the details
So I double down and ball the jack
You’re still sending me those e-mails
You know I been to Hell and back
Satan told me no I had to go
After he took a good look at this hole in my soul
There was a time I thought that I
Could read every turn in the road,
Now I find that I’m going blind,
Except for this hole in my soul.
Subject to investigation
I guess that I’m the one to blame
I’d give another explanation
In the end it’s all the same
I’ll tell them all I know and make it snow
And then I’m travellin’ on a slow boat
Lookin’ for my grace note
I’m gettin’ along with this hole in my soul
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
That you had come for my relief
You walked in proud just like a solider
And you crept away just like a thief
I did not feel so bad, no, to see you go
It’s just you took everything but this hole in my soul
They say the devil’s in the details
So I double down and ball the jack
You’re still sending me those e-mails
You know I been to Hell and back
Satan told me no I had to go
After he took a good look at this hole in my soul
There was a time I thought that I
Could read every turn in the road,
Now I find that I’m going blind,
Except for this hole in my soul.
Subject to investigation
I guess that I’m the one to blame
I’d give another explanation
In the end it’s all the same
I’ll tell them all I know and make it snow
And then I’m travellin’ on a slow boat
Lookin’ for my grace note
I’m gettin’ along with this hole in my soul
Copyright © 2010 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "The Crave" © 333 Records Ltd
Next: California
Previous: As The Years Go Passing By