Review by Lindsay Smith for MPM
So how does a song written by Jim Kirkpatrick, Scott Ralph and Jem Davis sound?
Pretty damned good – that’s how! And this new mix of the song hits all the right notes and some.
The song is a tribute to Robert Johnson, the blues guitarist and singer who inspired generations of singers, songwriters and guitarists who died at just 27 years old in 1938. The location of Johnsons fateful meeting with the devil at the crossroads between Highways 61 and 49 is the inspiration for this song.
The blues slide guitar opening which develops into sludgier, fuzzier, heavier rock riffs , a strong blues vocal from Jim all combine to tell the story and draw you in but it is the sheer skill of the guitar work that stuns you, fused with slides but smacking you squarely on the chin with rock and roll. Ably supported by a stella cast of musicians, Neil McCalum on drums, Chris Bevington on bass, Jem Davis, keys and backing vocals from Sarah Millar.
The track is a good ‘un, go check it out and have a watch of the lyric video. And while your clicking, go and buy Jim’s album too – ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ is definitely a contender for album of the year.
aken from the vinyl edition of the ‘Ballad Of A Prodigal Son’ album available from www.jimkirkpatrick.com. You can also listen via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2P5LD1…… …and Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/61-4……
