‘Dead Man Walking’ — the eagerly awaited, brand-new album from Cheshire-bred and raised songwriter, vocalist and guitar slinger Jim Kirkpatrick. A 10-track tour de force that showcases Jim’s multiple talents in rock, blues and Americana, even adding a touch of gospel into the mix, expanding his range and reaching into new musical territory.
To rock lovers, Jim is probably best-known as the lead guitarist of the legendary British rock band FM, with whom he’s served since 2008. However, he’s also worked and toured with many other big hitters, worldwide, several of whom have collaborated with him on his solo material (such as the rhythm section of Status Quo: John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and Leon Cave; plus, Bernie Marsden; Jem Davis (of FM) and more besides.
Striking out as a solo artist, Jim made an immediate impact, and earned well-deserved acclaim with his critically-acclaimed, 2020, 12-track solo album ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’. Life Music Media called it “The most important British Blues-Rock album of recent years,” and proclaimed “Jim should be regarded as being right at the pinnacle of the world’s best Blues guitarist/vocalists.”
His latest solo album ups the ante and raises the bar, as Jim himself explains: “I’m really proud of ‘Dead Man Walking’. I feel it’s a definite step up from the last album, ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’, in terms of production and songwriting. It’s got the elements of blues and rock that I love, but there’s also some Americana thrown in.
“I’d been listening to ‘Copperhead Road’ by Steve Earle and really wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the songs. I think this has definitely worked with the title track and ‘Union Train’.
“The album isn’t a concept as such,” Jim adds, “but there’s a definite Americana theme running through it with songs about The Civil War, The Deep South and The Old West. I’ve spent a lot of time in the USA over the years and its history and themes have always fascinated me.”
“This is the best solo collection Jim Kirkpatrick has ever produced,” proclaimed Powerplay Magazine, who were wowed enough to award the album full marks: 10/10.
Classic Rock called the single ‘Union Train’ “A juicy barrelful of strutting, toe-tapping blues rock,” and said “its crowning glory is that sweetly harmonised chorus. Fans of Richie Kotzen and Kris Barras, as well as more old-school bluesers, will love this.” What’s more, ‘Union Train’ won Classic Rock Tracks of the Week.
‘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.
Looking for fresh Rock and Blues, with added top-notch Americana, from an exciting latter-day master of the genres aided and abetted by top-tier friends and peers, and plenty of variety? Check out ‘Dead Man Walking’, out now on all digital platforms.
TRACKLIST
Promised Land
Dead Man Walking
Razors Edge
Life On The Run
The Journey Home
Union Train
Road Of Bones
Heaven Above
Hold On
I Fall Apart
Live Dates
4th May, Cavern, Raynes Park
5th May, Blue Funk, Poynton
7th May, Rockers Reunited Blues Festival, Market Bosworth
7th July, Blues At The Bay, Cleveland
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