Songwriter, vocalist and guitar slinger Jim Kirkpatrick announces the release date of his latest, eagerly awaited, 10-track solo album ‘Dead Man Walking’, which impressively showcases Jim’s multiple rock and blues talents and expands his variety and range into pastures and prairies new.
The album will be released on Friday 21st April, 2023. Jim will also be releasing the single ‘Union Train’ and its video on March 21st.
Dubbed “England’s equivalent to Joe Bonnamassa” by Blues Matters, Jim Kirkpatrick has built up over a quarter-century’s experience in Blues and Rock and earned a tonne of respect from his fans, peers and critics alike. Not only is he a gifted songwriter (who’s written numerous nationally UK playlisted songs) but he’s also a deft-fingered, multi-skilled, guitarist who’s famed for possessing both Bonnamassa-type energy and slide guitar and fingerstyle— worthy of the great Duane Allman — as well.
Jim is probably best-known as the lead guitarist of the legendary British melodic 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.
Striking out as a solo artist, Jim made a seismic and immediate impact, and earned well-deserved acclaim, as a songwriter, guitarist, vocalist (and live performer) 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.”
Now, Jim’s following up that triumphant solo outing with his forthcoming album of new material: ‘Dead Man Walking’, 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.
“‘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.”
“The tracks ‘Dead Man Walking’ and ‘Union Train’ are southern-tinged whilst ‘Promised Land’ is almost like a work song. There’s some out-and-out rockers like ‘Life On The Run’ and Heaven Above’, and some blues and soul with ‘Road of Bones’ and ‘The Journey Home’. There’s one cover on the album, which is Rory Gallagher’s ‘I Fall Apart’. It’s very different from his original version. There’s an epic orchestral score on it.”
“There are some great collaborators too including Bernie Marsden, the rhythm section of Status Quo (John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and Leon Cave), and FM’s Jem Davis also appears on keys.”
What Maximum Volume said of ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ holds true for ‘Dead Man Walking’: “A look at the special guests list on Jim Kirkpatrick’s [solo albums] tells you we are dealing with an A-lister. John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and Leon Cave… Bernie Marsden; Jem Davis (FM)…” and more besides. “And why? Well, the respect that Jim is held in probably, and rightly so.”
If you’ve a taste for fresh Rock and Blues, from an exciting latter-day master of the genres, aided and abetted by top-tier friends and peers, and plenty of variety, ‘Dead Man Walking’ has to be on your RADAR. Out on Friday 21st April, 2023 on all platforms. Pre-order the album now HERE
TOUR DATES
26 March, Eleven, Stoke-On Trent, (Album Launch Party)
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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