Jim Kirkpatrick has been an even busier man than usual this year- with FM’s acoustic tour, new album and further tour, in between helping out The Sweet as Andy Scott got back to full fitness. Now a brief run of dates saw him revive his solo activities, and the Cavern got the nod in the South-East as it has become a regular haunt of his – indeed he was the very first act I saw when Covid restrictions started to be lifted.

Sad to report therefore that despite a reasonable admission charge, the attendance was very disappointing. As on his last trip here, he fronted a full band with FM bandmate Jem Davis on keys, Leon Cave, ex of Status Quo (can we now talk about them in the past tense?) and Ollie Collins on bass.

His set was drawn largely from his two recent solo albums, beginning with ‘Ballad Of A Prodigal Son’, then ‘Never Make A Fool of Me’ where Jem’s Hammond organ added to a very soulful feel.

As you would expect from someone whose busy schedule also includes appearances with Band of Friends, Rory Gallagher is an obvious influence on Jim’s work, not just his guitar but also his gritty, unvarnished vocal delivery and even in some cases songwriting style. ‘Ain’t Going Down Alone’ was a prime exhibit, reminding me of the great man’s ‘Do You Read Me’ in places, Jim’s slide guitar playing only adding to the comparisons.

Both ‘No Such Thing As A Sure Thing’, featuring a harmonica intro from Jem, and the Robert Johnson inspired ‘61 and 49’ were prime slices of blues rock. After a typical dryly humorous anecdote about a fan at a recent show wanting to know in advance if he was going to play rock or blues, the latter side of his repertoire was shown by a lengthy cover of the old Eddie Boyd standard ‘Five Long Years’. It definitely received the seal of approval from one of the Cavern’s resident dogs who chose that moment to howl excitedly! ‘Dead Man Walking’ finished the first set, reminiscent of the bluesier moments of FM in his day job.

The second set started in equally lively fashion as ‘Full Time Occupation’ saw he and Jem trading guitar and piano solos. In contrast ‘Brave New World’ was a long atmospheric workout with Jim making full use of his effects pedals – I was clocking a Robin Trower vibe but he reported Pink Floyd was the main inspiration. ‘The Journey Home’ which apparently is rarely played live had a refreshingly different song structure before the more conventional blues rock of ‘Road Of Bones’.

He and the band did full justice to a cover of ‘Ain’t No Love In the Heart Of the City’, popularised, if not written by, his much-missed friend and mentor Bernie Marsden, then ended a set which had flown by in rocky fashion with ‘Always On The Road’, featuring an unexpected synth solo from Jem, the two of them relishing the greater musical latitude compared to FM’s slickly delivered songs.

For the encore, Jim appeared a little taken back at what he thought was a mixed reception to doing a Rory number, but ‘I Fall Apart’ was superb both in its unique melody, and Jim’s epic solo, cheekily ending with the closing bars of ‘Stairway To Heaven’.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening of quality musicianship, and better still, this busy man’s year is not finished yet as in December he is appearing together with FM singer Steve Overland at a special charity fundraiser in Brentford, just ten minutes walk from my home!

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.