Seth Walker Reimagines Michael Kiwanku’s ‘I’m Getting Ready’

Seth Walker Reimagines Michael Kiwanku’s ‘I’m Getting Ready’

“I’m Getting Ready” is the second single to be released in advance of Walker’s new album Why The Worry due April 4 on Royal Potato Family. The graceful, acoustic-based reimagination of Kiwanuka’s modern classic also features Walker’s classically trained father Scott Walker on strings.

“I discovered this song on a Michael Kiwanuka’s Home Again record, and immediately found myself inside it. I love Michael’s rooted, imaginative and fearless music,” says Walker. “I started singing the song around the house. It always seemed to suit me. The ‘I’m getting ready to believe’ theme resonated after losing faith in many realms in my not too distant past. I love the idea of one’s quest for faith as much as the arrival of it. It’s all in the journey.”

“I’m Getting Ready”

 
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“I’m Getting Ready” speaks within the context of a larger narrative present on Walker’s forthcoming Why The Worry. Its message of faith in something bigger than one’s self came deeply into focus when Walker was forced from his home in the mountains just outside of Asheville following the devastation caused to his community by Hurricane Helene in late summer 2024. Walker was tempted to scrap the album as he tried to find his bearings amid the destruction. Ultimately, he accepted the idea that music serves a higher purpose than himself as songs come in service.

Co-produced by Jano Rix (The Wood Brothers) and Brook Sutton, Why The Worry is Walker’s 12th studio album. Among five songs penned by Walker, the album’s title track was co-written by longtime collaborator Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers), while “Midway Girl” was a joint songwriting effort with Ed Jurdi (Band Of Heathens). The album’s first single “Up On The Mountain” was released in February. Walker also offers renditions of six songs by prime musical influences both modern and vintage. In addition to Kiwanuka’s “I’m Getting Ready,” album opener “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh,” is a gently funked reworking of the Bill Withers’ deep cut. Walker taps J.J. Cale for two songs:”Hey Baby” and “Magnolia,” delivered with a sanguine saunter of amble and ease. Also on the program are fellow Southern artists Al Green whose soul classic “Take Me To The River” is delivered with a distinctly reclined groove and Bobby Charles’ seminal ode “I Must Be In A Good Place Now,” which closes the record.

​Why The Worry follows a string of critically acclaimed albums from Walker, garnering praise from NPR to The Washington Post. The Asheville-based artist has toured with The Mavericks, Kat Wright, Ruthie Foster and Steep Canyon Rangers among others. Also an in-demand songwriter, he recently co-wrote “Moon & Stars” with Raul Malo – the title track to The Mavericks’ 2024 album, sung as a duet with Sierra Ferrell. Having just finished a support run with Marc Broussard, Walker gets back on the road later this month for headline dates throughout the spring.

Seth Walker–Tour Dates

​​3/14 – Jacksonville, FL – Blue Jay Listening Room
3/15 – Safety Harbor, FL – Safety Harbor Music Center
3/16 – Sarasota, FL – Fogartyville
4/4 – San Francisco, CA – Hotel Utah
4/5 – Sacramento, CA – The Side Door
4/6 – Petaluma, CA – Polly Klass Community Center
4/10-13 – Napa, CA – Songwriters In Paradise
4/16 – Eugene, OR – Tsunami Books
4/17 – Bend, OR – The Annex
4/18 – Portland, OR – Jack London Revue
4/19 – Olympia, WA – Traditions Fair Trade
4/22 – Seattle, WA – The Tractor Tavern
4/26 – Jasper, IN – Astra Theatre *
4/27 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre *
4/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall *
4/29 – Evanston, IL – Evanston Space *
4/30 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House *
5/1 – Green Bay, WI – Meyer Theatre *
5/3 – Denver, CO – Swallow Hill
5/4 – Boulder, CO – Chautauqua Community House
5/23 – Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse ^
5/29 – New York, NY – Cafe Wha?
5/30 – Northampton, MA – The Parlor Room
5/31 – Norwood, MA – Fallout Shelter
6/6 – Doylestown, PA – The Barn
6/7 – Lancaster, PA – West Art
6/20 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
6/21 – Durham, NC – Blue Note Bar & Grill
6/22 – Greensboro, NC – The Crown @ The Carolina Theatre
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* w/ Oliver Wood
​^ w/ Ed Jurdi
 
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