Jim Kirkpatrick-Dead Man Walking-Album Review-Planetmosh

Recently released via US One/Proper Distribution, Dead Man Walking is the sophomore studio album from Jim Kirkpatrick that follows Ballad Of A Prodigal Son, released in 2020. Normally known for his guitar duties in FM, he’s once again been let off the leash! It’s slightly more melodic than his debut album but still packs a punch for a both feet kicking good time and he’s even produced it to.

Opening track ‘Promised Land’ is a short but sweet opener that soothes the soul for a gospel tinged delivery and picks up the pace midway with vocals from Jim and doo wop like handclaps.

‘Dead Man Walking’ is a gritty, dirt under the fingernails mean and moody toetapper that muscles up in the fiery choruses.

The main riff to ‘Razor’s Edge’ adds verve to laid back grooves, backed by a sturdy drum pound and backing vocals in the sugar sweet choruses herald a guitar solo outro flourish.

The earworm riff to ‘Life On The Run’ caught my attention immediately as it jabs like a prizefighter but takes a breather for dreamy choruses and a snare driven outro.

The journey for ‘The Journey Home’ takes you on a tear jerking trip of sublime balladry to melt the coldest of hearts.

‘Union Train’ (first single released from the album) excites on all levels as it’s a party starting and finishing five minutes of raunch and roll peppered with sleazy guitar solos for the air guitarists out there.

‘Road Of Blues’ is the heaviest track here as a monstrous main riff is a force of nature, backed by incendiary fretboard burning guitar solos.

More cowbell is greatfully welcomed for ‘Heaven Above’ in this fiesty but also feelgood song that ascends with ease on a slow but sure riff and more gospel tinged choruses.

Jim pushes his voice to a higher level in ‘Hold On’, a hard rocker pinned down by a powerful main riff that surges along to ignite any crowd its played to.

My album highlight is closing track ‘I Fall Apart’, a Rory Gallagher cover. The silence is almost deafening as Jim puts his stamp on it by pouring out his soul in this piano lead ballad. It’s a quivering performance that hits the spot with gently picked notes, ending on a full on guitar masterclass outro and sweeping orchestral strings.

Purchase links to Dead Man Walking and other info are here :- http://jimkirkpatrick.com I https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwpHXf8dApPWoRwx0OQ1Bg

Dead Man Walking album track listing and personnel :-

Promised Land –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion/Harmonica.

Dead Man Walking –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

Chris Cliff – Bass Guitar.

Razor’s Edge –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

Life On The Run –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

The Journey Home –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

Ollie Collins – Bass Guitar.

Union Train –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion/

Clare ‘Fluff’ Smith – Fiddle.

Alex McLlquham-Jones – Backing Vocals.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

John ‘Rhino’ Edwards – Bass Guitar.

Road Of Bones –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Davis – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

Heaven Above –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

Hold On –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Bass Guitar/Percussion.

I Fall Apart (Rory Gallagher cover) –

Jim Kirkpatrick – Vocals/Guitar/Percussion.

Leon Cave – Drums.

Jem Davis – Keys.

Ollie Collins – Bass Guitar.

Orchestration – Charlie Olins.

Ollie Collins – Bass Guitar.