Stephen Dale Petit, Live on the Ace Cafe Stage At High Voltage, London 2010

Some music has a life force and quicksilver energy that nothing else can provide. Such music has developed across the years and binds its devotees like disciples to a religion. It creates armies of passionate believers, devoted to the cause and like a religion, it Messiahs are rare, precious and beautiful. The Prophets who carry this magic are chosen - they do not choose. In secret, the dark baton is passed, and then in its full glory, this music we love returns, driven by power, passion and mystery, channelled through the next young gunslinger with the dust of Crossroads on his shoes, a lightning conductor for the Devil's bargain…

Sometimes we are fortunate enough to witness the birth of a new Prophet, and the Epiphany of an emerging generation. On a blazing hot summer's day at the High Voltage Festival, such an Epiphany took place. On the small, kicking', religiously funky Ace Cafe Stage, defiantly outlawed between The Wall of Death and the hard-core Harley misfits, Stephen Dale Petit came of age. Somewhere in the dark past, this recovered addict, with the dead pan stare and the faraway eyes was chosen - the baton was passed… And the rest will be history. Who knows where it came from - maybe one of his heavy friends or famous admirers - Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Jeff Beck - they all know this kid's in town, but he needs no superstar endorsement. The music does the talking in the world of new blues… but he got that baton from somewhere…

It's been a long, long time since we had a new blues guitar hero, but now we do… S.D.P, with his Firebird, hidden Mojo and disturbing presence has arrived. Fronting a violently aggressive band, comprising of Dick Taylor - Ex Rolling Stone and present day Pretty Thing - on bass and Jack Greenwood, The Pretty Things baby-faced killer on drums, this show was a revelation. The ancient, tattered back line - clattering 50's Trixon flower pot drums, thundering vintage Vox bass amps, and a screaming '66 Marshall Bluesbreakers combo propelled this band to heights of performance and sonic magic that haven't been heard for many, many years. The blues is back - and more relevant than ever. The King is dead - Long live the King.

And, for once, you didn't have to be there… This iconic performance was recorded in glorious analogue on the most famous mobile studio in the world - The Ronnie Lane Mobile - home to Zeppelin, The Stones, The Who, The Faces, Marley, and now, ladies and gentlemen, the new, true Messiah of the Blues Guitar - Mr Stephen Dale Petit - "El Presidente".

Mark St. John

Thanks and gratitude to Mark St. John and Paul Madden without whom this album simply would not have happened. Thanks also to Dennis Weinrich, Bobby Whelan, Mark and Linda Wilsmore, Carl Garner and all at the Ace Cafe, Phil May, Sarita Mohapatra, Andy King, Thom Fowle and Phillip Whorton at Gibson Guitar Custom Art & Historic Division. Special thanks to Dick Taylor, Jack Greenwood and Laurenzo Mouflier.