Stephen Dale Petit
Album: At High Voltage
Label: 333
Tracks: 7
Website: http://www.stephendalepetit.com

Here in all its glory is a stunning seven song set recorded in 2010 at the High Voltage Festival in London.

First released only on vinyl it is now coming to the digital age and what a treat is in store for blues fans who missed it first time around.

When first released it was described as electrifying and the passing years have done nothing do lessen its potency.

Petit is an American blues guitarist who moved to the UK in the 1990's and has worked with a veritable who's who of the rock establishment - Keith Richards, David Gilmour, Mick Jones and The Pretty Things to name a few.

For this gig he was joined by Dick Taylor (bass) and Jack Greenwood (drums) from The Pretty Things and Lourenzo Mouflier on harmonica.

Recorded on tape using Ronnie Lane's old mobile studio, this recording has the all the atmosphere of a live gig. Crank it up and you are almost there.

It's hi-octane stuff from the start as they kick off with 3 Gunslingers, a Petit original. His vocals are spot on and the guitar is on fire. The band sizzles, there's frantic drumming from Greenwood, throbbing bass from Taylor and scorching harmonica from Mouflier. The excitement of a live gig is well and truly captured - hold onto your seats we are in for quite a ride.

It difficult to pigeon-hole the sound but if you like Dr Feelgood and other such-like Rand B outfits , then this is for you.

The pace is relentless and we blast through a Petit original - It's All Good. You can almost smell the sweat as the band rip it up. Petit's guitar's barnstorming rough tone only adds to the overall feel but there's some light and shade provided by the excellent harmonica.

With Summertime Blues, the Eddie Cochrane classic, the intensity level is moved up a notch or two as the band rock and roll. Petit's guitar scorches through the song made famous by The Who at Live at Leeds. And yes this version is even better! Fantastic

Freddie King's Sidetracked is given the Petit treatment. The band is on fire and the guitar explodes into life, in a stunning performance, reminding me of when I first listened to those classic Clapton Bluesbreaker recordings.

On Little Walter's Juke it's Mouflier's turn to shine as he puts his harp through its paces. It's breathless stuff as he moves up through the gears and it's lapped up by the appreciative crowd.

People Talk, another Petit original, features more stunning harp-playing as the band build to a climax. Johnny Kidd and The Pirates' Shakin' All Over bring the set to an all too-soon close. Naturally the audience go mental!

This has to be one of the best live recordings out there - forget Live At Leeds or The Allman Brothers at Filmore East, this is seriously up there with the best. High Voltage captures a band that absolutely melt the stage.

Check it out and turn the volume up to eleven!

John Knighton