Cheshire-based master Blues and Rock guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick is delighted to premiere the video for ‘Brave New World‘ — arguably the most guitar-showcasing track on his storming 12-track solo album ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’.
Jim has earned his stripes and more both as a songwriter and as a skilled, high-octane yet eloquent guitarist. Best-known as the lead guitarist of the legendary British classic rock band FM, with whom he’s served since 2008, Jim has also worked with many other major names, several of whom guest on his blues-rock solo album.
‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ was Jim’s first solo album for 14 years (given that he released his solo debut ‘Changed Priorities’ way back in 2006). This time around, his new material is different in tone and balance: deep steeped in rock and blues and burning with both, yet the album also showcases Jim’s well-honed and storied skills as a songwriter.
“’Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ is a blues-rock outing with some songs co-written with friends and some fine contributions from many of my colleagues,” says Jim, “There’s a whole host of well-known guests playing and contributing to the album which is very rocky, bluesy and with LOTS of guitar playing! I’m hoping that my fans and audience will love it.”
Classic Rock made the album’s debut single — its title track ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ —one of their Tracks of the Week, where it won amongst those shortlisted. For Classic Rock, the album confirms “Kirkpatrick as an assured and able lead vocalist and, above all, an accomplished writer”.
When Jim was putting together ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ as an album, he made a point of giving more weight and emphasis to the guitar. That comes very much to the fore with ‘Brave New World’. Indeed, Jim even stepped aside and drew on the talents of another songwriter to focus on the guitar and music.
“’Brave New World’ is the big guitar track on the new album,” Jim explains, “It’s a tip of the hat to Pink Floyd, Robin Trower Jimi’s ‘Machine Gun’ and Free’s ‘Mr Big’: all mixed into one.
“I got the idea for the title when FM were travelling through The Mojave Desert earlier this year. I’d recorded the track, but hadn’t finished the lyrics. It crossed my mind that someone like ace songwriter Thea Gilmore could write an awesome and much better lyric than me for something like this, so I asked her if she’d be interested in helping out. I emailed her the rough mix with my melody and, unbelievably, she sent the finished lyric back two hours later! The result is what many people are calling their favourite track on the album.”
Check out the result for yourself; also, Jim’s whole, much-acclaimed album, ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’, which you can find on all digital platforms.
