All Aboard! Jim Kirkpatrick Serves Up a Brand-New Video for His Storming Take on Quo’s ‘Gravy Train’

30th September 2020 0 By Jon Deaux

Jim Kirkpatrick is delighted to announce the release of his video for the blazing Blues-Rock ‘Gravy Train’, taken from his recent, 12-track solo album ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’.

In the Blues and Rock scenes, Jim is well-respected, both as a songwriter and as a deft-fingered, multi-skilled guitarist. Jim is best-known as the lead guitarist of the legendary British classic rock band FM, with whom he’s served since 2008. However, in his storied career he’s also worked with many other major names, several of whom guest on the album, as on this very track.

“’Gravy Train’ is an obscure Status Quo song written by John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and the late, great Rick Parfitt,” Jim explains, “Rhino is a really good friend of mine and I regularly play guitar for him in his band Rhino’s Revenge. ‘Gravy Train’ is one of my favourite songs that we play together. I thought a cover of it would fit great on my album. Rhino agreed to me covering the song, as long as he played bass. Who could refuse that offer?”

The album’s debut single — its title track ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ — became one of Classic Rock’s Tracks of the Week and won amongst those picked. For Classic Rock, the album confirms “Kirkpatrick as an assured and able lead vocalist and, above all, an accomplished writer”.

Reviewers have raved over ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ and awarded it much praise and high marks.

Maximum Volume awarded the album 9/10 and put it on par with the work of one particular rock giant: “I don’t say this flippantly… if Joe Bonamassa had made a record as good as this… Blues Enthused also made the comparison: “…if you’re sitting there waiting with bated breath waiting for the new Joe Bonamassa album, then stop it. Breathe. Relax. And get your order in for ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’. You won’t be disappointed.” Likewise, said Blues Matters, “What we have in Jim Kirkpatrick is England’s equivalent to Joe Bonamassa. This is the joint album of the year. Fact.”

“Jim Kirkpatrick’s a pretty unassuming bloke and not one to big himself up. Therefore I’ll do it for him,” said Fireworks, singing his praises.

Blues Rock Review particularly praised Jim’s songwriting: ‘“Ballad of A Prodigal Son’ is an album that shows Kirkpatrick as a prolific songwriter and riff maker…, ‘Ballad of A Prodigal Son’ is an album where Kirkpatrick put all his talent to serve and legitimize his path as a blues rocker.

“It’s the songs that really stand out,” agreed Powerplay Magazine, awarding Jim’s album 9/10. Sonic Abuse said “This debut solo effort is something pretty special indeed.” For Music News, “This album is absolutely top notch. 4/5” — “Oozing quality” agreed Blues In Britain, whilst Get Ready To Rock called the work “Pretty darn essential. 4/5”.