JIM KIRKPATRICK is perhaps best known for his work with the celebrated British AOR band FM. The guitarman released his wizardly blues solo album, “Ballad of a Prodigal Son” — a twelve-track “blues-rock outing” — in September 2021, via US One Records.
We’ve previously described Jim’s singing-voice as “demon-filled” and his guitar-play as the “hottest [you’ll find] this side of the Mason-Dixon line…”
And now Jim has unveiled his eagerly awaited brand new ten-track solo album ‘Dead Man Walking’, which impressively showcases Jim’s multiple rock & blues talents as it expands his variety and range into Americana and Gospel. The new album will be released on Friday 21st April, 2023. Jim will also be releasing a single from the album, ‘Union Train’ with a video on March 21st.
‘Dead Man Walking’ was recorded at Dale View, Brooklyn and Electric Pepperland Studios between September 2021 – February 2023. mixed and mastered by Jim Griffiths at Principal Audio, and produced by Jim Kirkpatrick himself.
The title track (video shared below) written by Jim with Bernie Marsden is a brilliantly plucky ‘n’ sliding railroad chitter of crackling leaves, rusted iron-smithery, and with the distant phutter of oncoming locomotive energy always close-at-hand. The vocal is compelling. The composition is impactive. And the musicianship is super-dazzling.
“‘Dead Man Walking’ is the culmination of the last couple of years’ hard work since ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’,” explains Jim, “I’ve been pretty much constantly on the road so this album took a little bit longer to finish than I’d hoped for but I’m really happy with the results.
“I think some of my strongest tracks ever are on this album. I’ve incorporated some country, Americana and gospel influences in with the usual blend of rock and blues. This is new territory for me…”
Jim’s Album Launch Party will be at Eleven, Stoke-On Trent, on 26th March 2023, with further shows planned including at Cavern, Raynes Park, (4th May) and the Rockers Reunited Blues Festival, Market Bosworth, 7th May.
File alongside: Seth Lakeman
Main photo credit: Jonathan Johnson
Pre-order link :https://www.jimkirkpatrick.com/shop