Rick Bishop

Rick Bishop: What 4 CD Review by Lucky Clark- Rick Bishop Offers Topnotch Jazz CD Reviewer: Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel More than 10 years ago I brought a new album by an old favorite to your attention when I interviewed Rick Bishop about his then new release, "From The Inside." It's with great pleasure that I bring his latest CD, "What 4," into the spotlight. This jazz album is aliberal helping of various styles presented in an accessible way with Bishop's tasteful, tasty bass augmented with guitar (Tom Hoffman, Steve Blum, Larry Vigneault, Bishop),sax (Marshall DeMott, Will Bartlett, Chris White), piano Terry Eisen, Chris Houston)and drums (Tim Osborne, Peter Runnels, Bob Bilideau, Tim Gaynes). It's that rich variety of sounds and styles that keeps the 12 tracks interesting and exciting- I love it when you don't know what is going to come out of your speakers next. In my humble opinion, that's what makes a great album, and it also shows he depth of Bishop's talent and compositional poise. From a swinging live track("Tony Bologna") to a delightful introspection (Jean's Dream') to the haunting epic closing track ("Improv"),this album definitely deserves an in-depth listening- especially if you enjoy challenging, yet entertaining jazz. Now hopefully, we won't have to wait another 10 years for the next installment from this soft-spoken musician.Record Label: P.E.P Records Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic Review: An associate at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, composer Rick Bishop plays fretted, fretless and 12 string bass, as well as guitar on this collection. This is his second release • his first released way back in 1995. Bishop sports many different hats on this recording; from swing, to blues, to post-bop to traditional, and does so with straightforward openness, but also with a lighthearted sense of wonder and imaginative adventure. The sound is simple and soft for the most part, which reveals the intrinsic emotion and candor within his bass and guitar playing. On “Improv” he embarks on a floating, sailing wave of exploration that gently meanders along as it travels wispy, winding paths. There are some stellar solos throughout, also. Track one, “The Love in Her Eyes,” features a shrill and thrilling horn solo. “Closets” starts nervously, then stops short, becomes a bit pensive, and then jerks forward with a sense of surging importance and substance. Bishop offers quite a unique and captivating musical perspective, here. “Wills Apple” is thoroughly charged with piano and “For Jake’s Sake” contains a few exceptional drum solos.

I’d like to hear more from Bishop and hope his next release is far less than a decade away. Tracks: The Love in Her Eyes, Orbeth, Carpe Diem, Said and Done, ‘Nuff Said, Portrait of Bette, Tony Bologna, Closets, Jeans Dream, Wills Apple, For Jake’s Sake, Improv Record Label Website:http://www.rickbishopmusic.com Reviewed by: Veronica Timpanelli Click here for printer-friendly version of review. Send this page to a friend.