25 f 12 shots from the fRoots Rocket Launcher a dozen leading questions to fire at Benji Kirkpatrick

If you were given the funds to organise a concert bill, who would the artists be?

Jimi Hendrix, obviously, would have to top the bill. I’d also have The Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, ’70s era Ry Cooder, The Meters, ZZ Top, Gjallarhorn, David Munrow’s Early Music Consort of London, Larkin Poe, So period Peter Gabriel, Chuck Berry and Abigail Washburn. And if I’m allowed a touch of nepotism, Battle Of The Field line- up Albion Country Band.

Which totally obscure record do you most treasure and would like more people to know about?

Difficult. It’s not particularly obscure but

there’s an album called Let it Die, by Feist, which I completely love and find very mov- ing in places. I’m a big fan of Finnish band Gjallarhorn too and think their album Sjofn is fantastic, they should have had more exposure in this country.

What was the best live gig you ever saw?

Really can’t choose on that one, differ- ent gigs have been the best for different reasons. For one of the most impressionable (and at an impressionable age) it would be seeing Sting at the NEC touring his first solo album. That album, The Dream Of The Blue Turtles, was very popular in our house and my mum took me and my older brother to see him, it was quite mind-blowing at age nine! Also at a key point in my life, seeing the Levellers in 1992 at their height (NEC again…). More recently I was rather blown away by Larkin Poe at Beautiful Days festi- val a couple of years ago, a collection of seriously brilliant musicians.

And what was the worst?

This may be controversial, but Bob Dylan. Hop Farm festival, maybe 2012, Bel- lowhead had had a good set, followed by Joan Armatrading, Patti Smith then Dylan. Many of us in Bellowhead were keen to see the croaking legend so had hyped ourselves up for it; he came on and had obviously requested the cameras that had been film- ing for the stage screens stop rolling, so being back in the understandably massive crowd we could hardly see a thing. Then he started singing. Although you couldn’t real- ly tell that’s what it was. I know he has a cer- tain reputation when it comes to his voice but I found it ridiculous, I could barely make out a word and he was half way through Like A Rolling Stone before I realised which song it was. Or maybe I was just pissed. The worst gig for disappointment levels.

What was your own best ever gig?

I’m hoping I haven’t done it yet! A stand out gig so far was supporting Seth Lakeman in 2007 at Shepherds Bush Empire.

And what was your worst? Maybe I haven’t done that one yet,

either…

What’s the professional achievement you’re most proud of?

Well, I’d have to say my recently released album, Hendrix songs! I’m very pleased with how it’s come out. I was also very proud of my last solo record, Boomerang.

What’s the most embarrassing thing you ever did in public?

Vomited.

Which song or piece of music would you most like to have written yourself?

Happy Birthday. It’s the highest earning song ever.

Who was the first musician or singer you were inspired to emulate?

Jimi Hendrix. Before that, though, I tried being Chuck Berry.

Who was the last-but-one musician or singer you lusted after?

Why not the last one?! Rebecca Lovell, of Larkin Poe.

If you had a rocket launcher, who or what would be the target, and why?

George Osborne. No explanation need- ed. And if Donald Trump happened to be standing next to him, that would be just great.

Benji Kirkpatrick is busy with the farewell touring of Bellowhead and other ongoing teamings including Faustus and a new duo with Janie Mitchell. He’s currently on tour promoting his new solo album of original acoustic versions of the songs of Jimi Hendrix. www.benjikirkpatrick.com F

root salad

Photo: © Judith Burrows