“Cracking The Code” vinyl available exclusively from our online shop
“What would have been simply an excellent modern blues LP bears a dose of poignancy that will perhaps call attention to it in a way that it might not otherwise have enjoyed: this contains the last recordings made by the legendary Hubert Sumlin, Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist. Even so, had that not overshadowed the release, the other guests would have been enough to let you know that this is gonna be a fiery, kick-ass session: Petit is respected enough to attract Dr John, ex-Stone Mick Taylor and Chris Barber. Rocking blues in the idiom that embraces everyone from Johnny Winter to the Fabulous Thunderbirds, it proves the genre’s not just alive, but vibrant, too.” – Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News & Record Review
“The fifth album from fiery guitarist Stephen Dale Petit, Cracking The Code is a sizzling collection that delivers eleven all original songs with raw assurance. Recorded at Nashville’s storied Blackbird Studio with three time Grammy award winner Vance Powell (for Jack White’s The Raconteurs, Buddy Guy and Jars Of Clay) the music is both sonically adventurous and highly addictive. Petit’s legendary prowess with a Gibson guitar has earned him accolades from the likes of Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood and here is turned to the service of deftly crafted, lyrically rich songs which Petit sings with searing passion and melodic grit.
Musical guests Dr John, The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, Rolling Stone Mick Taylor and Chris Barber join forces with Petit’s impossibly young band (average age 20) and the album also features the last music ever made by Howlin’ Wolf’s master guitarist Hubert Sumlin, recorded days before his death.
Though strong characters all, the guests never overshadow proceedings; as the UK’s premier Classic Rock magazine pronounced: “Trowelling on the stardust doesn’t always work, but this sounds as fucking great as you’d imagine”.
Highlights include the strutting irresistible opener “Holla” (with Messrs. Taylor, Sumlin and Carney) and “Wonder”, a fresh take on sexual desire that boasts one of the best guitar solos of the decade. The giant swampy riff of “Get You Off” (Dr John and Sumlin) is complimented by the incendiary swagger of “Muzzle” and “Riot City” whilst the filthy blues quotient is raised to fever pitch on the menacing “Slideway”, sung in full blues howl and brandishing a new language in guitar solos.
“Shotgun Venus”, a hard charging hat tip to Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” was co-written with Cream lyricist Pete Brown. Like hidden gems, acoustic “My Friend Bob” and tribute-in-song “Hubert’s Blues” (Taylor, Dr John and Chris Barber) display a finesse and lightness of touch that add a depth reminiscent of timeless great rock albums. Or as Classic Rock magazine would have it: “A killer album. Hats off.”
You got a funny way of showin’ me
And I know you want me
But there is somethin’ that is throwin’ me
Got no keys for this door
On my knees on the floor
I know you really need me
It ain’t the kick you get from knowin’ me
You only give a holla when you wanna scream
Then it’s a "hold on caller", I’m the first on the scene
Holla! Holla! Holla! Holla!
I know you play for nothin’
But the moment that is pleasin’ you
And you know it’s somethin’
To crack the code of what it frees in you
Got no place for this pain
All my days are in vain
You know I’d give anythin’
To be the only one that’s pleasin’ you
But baby when you holla ‘cause you wanna scream
It’s "come on caller", yeah I know the routine
Holla! Holla! Holla! Holla!
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
Your voice is softly smilin’ its embrace
I wonder what you sound like when you come
Feelin’ every part of you come undone
I wonder what it feels like in your Sun
I wonder what you sound like when you come
Floatin’ in the air that we both breathe
Your body is a prayer and I believe
I wonder what you sound like when you come
Comin’ like a freight train in the Sun
I wonder what you taste like cherry plumb
I wonder what you sound like when you come…
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
You really make me cook
I’m gonna get you off
I ain’t never gonna stop
I’m gonna get you off
I’ll make your cherry pop
I ain’t never gonna, never gonna, never gonna, never gonna, never gonna stop
I love the way you move
You really ride it smooth
I’m gonna get you off
I ain’t never gonna stop
I’m gonna get you off
I’ll make your cherry pop
I ain’t never gonna, never gonna, never gonna, never gonna, never gonna stop
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
And simple solid ground
Was a far and distant place, oh
I didn’t have a prayer
Or anybody, anywhere
Only searchin’ for a way home
You came along just in time
I was gonna lose my mind
Oh and now you’re my first destination
But you make it hard to love you
Oh oh,
No matter what I say
No matter what I do
You make it hard to love you
When nothing’s making sense
And all my confidence
Seems to slip right through my fingers
And when the world’s grown cold
All my fears taken hold
And hurt and pain are all that linger
Only you can do and say
All the things that take my blues away
Yes you know you give me extra sensation
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
Have whatever you please
I’ll cut the ground beneath you
While I’m keepin’ you sweet
Watching and besetting
I’m crossing and caressing it away
Sit yourself down this’ll take a while
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Show me a prize
But it’s a puzzle
It’s in disguise
It’s just a muzzle
I know all best for you
Gonna think feel say
I’m gonna tell you what to do
‘Cause there are things that you never should know
Take these chains and take them on
Carry the handcuffs to your grave, yeah
Sit yourself down this’ll take a little while
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You gotta lie
You gotta hustle
And all the while
It’s just a muzzle.
‘Cause there are things that you never should know
It’s in disguise
It’s just a muzzle
‘Cause there are things that you never should know
Things that you never should know
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
Save my soul
There’s a riot in my city
Save my soul
Cursin’, spittin’, black as coal
There’s a riot in my city
Save my soul
You’re shit outta luck
We don’t give a fuck
We’re pullin’ the strings now
London is swingin’ again
The streets of Gold are sleight of hand
In CC Television land
Cunt me off, spin my drum
Spangle me till kingdom come
The super dense crush load is here
Big Smoke burns on hate & fear
You gotta stand for somethin’ or you’re gonna fall for anythin’
We’re shit outta luck
We don’t give a fuck
We’re pullin’ the strings now
London is swingin’ again
London is swingin’ and don’t she look fine
All lit up like a Christmas tree
Technicolour
Burn it to a fuckin’ cinder
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
Let me tell you what she’s got
A double-barrel action when her hips slammin’ hot
She likes to buck and ball
She loves it when you’re skinnin’
Kicks it like a mule and she is only beginning
Her red dot chhkk chhkk boom
Is white hot chhkk chhkk boom
With her choke hold and her pistol grip
She is gunnin’ for me
Ah shotgun venus
Yeah she got it that way
Hammer on her firin’ pin
She’ll blow you away
She got a sunshine moan
Sounds just like she’s singin’
Grind & slide you know she’ll leave you shakin’ & stingin’
Her red dot chhkk chhkk boom
Is white hot chhkk chhkk boom
With her choke hold and her pistol grip
She is gunnin’ for me
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music/Sandylane Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
The Sun was risin’ from West to East
Spun out flat
Most to least
Lord above give me my release
Don’t you hear me cryin’
I’d sell the devil’s soul and leave mine to pay
Take me to the slideway
Years and years of a burnin’ thirst
A tellin’ lie
A blessed curse
Take me down from last to first
Give me your lust, blood and dirt
Don’t you hear me cryin’
I’d sell the devil’s soul and give mine away
Take me to the slideway
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
No he ain’t lazy
He’ll lend you five dollars
So that he can collar you for fifty more
My friend Bob is Ginsberg trippin’
His iceberg is slippin’
Into hot water you’d think that he oughta swim for the shore
He’s got a frayed cloth Guthrie hat
A back pocket full of excuses that
He’ll tender at a moment’s notice
He’s got a boot lace mandolin heart
Torn & tattered from playin’ the part
Of a dust-bowl clown livin’ on promise
My friend Bob
A vagabond genius
A little bit fiendish
Subscribes to the theory of Timothy Leary 1966
My friend Bob
A hobo icon
Yeah, he’s so right on
You’re thankful to be in the presence of his guru peasant’s hippy tricks
He’s got a frayed cloth Guthrie hat
A back pocket full of excuses that
He’ll tender at a moment’s notice
He’s got a boot lace mandolin heart
Torn & tattered from playin’ the part
Of a dust-bowl clown livin’ on promise
Copyright © 2013 Serious Delta Papa Music
Appears on "Cracking The Code" © 333 Records Ltd
Also on "The BBC Sessions" (Live Version) and "My Friend Bob (Radio Edit)" (Single Version) © 333 Records Ltd