Blue Bishops - While many bands in the genres of music the Bishops span
often depend on their versions of classic numbers, [The Bishops are not
averse to covering a classic either, if they can put a distinctive slant on
it] the majority of Blue Bishops material is original. This originality has
helped the band stand out among their peers and has been one of the elements
that allow them to be equally at home at rock festivals as Blues and R&B
events.
This has also been a factor in the latest exciting turn in the band’s
career, as world famous producer John Leckie, a friend of the band for some
time, has produced the new album ‘In the Red’, alongside another studio
legend, Stuart Epps, another long time pal. John Leckie brings with him a
fantastic track record of major productions, from working in Abbey Road,
producing anything from ‘All things must pass’ for George Harrison and being
‘tape op’ on Argent’s [with Jim on bass] ‘Hold your head up’, to ‘The Bends’
for Radiohead, and albums for Muse, Simple Minds, New Order and a host of
other world famous acts.
The appearances of Rod Argent [The Zombies and Argent] and John ‘Rabbit’
Bundrick [Free, The Who] on the album add a magical touch of quality and
rock and roll heart on keyboards.
The new album ‘In the Red’ underlines the defining style and sound that
gives The Blue Bishops their identity, and harnesses an energy that never
fails to excite in the context of live performances.
The Blue Bishops work at the rocky end of the R+B and Blues spectrum. Yet,
at the same time, they are acknowledged for the sensitivity and dynamics of
performances that can go from a whisper to a roar in just a few moments.
A career spanning over 12 years has seen them perform in every kind of venue
and situation, anywhere from Holland and Hungary to Belgium and the Bahamas.
Their last studio CD, ‘Deep’, just like the band itself, has made an
impression across the genre. On its release Blues in Britain awarded it a
rare 9/10, Blues Matters nominated it among the top ten albums of the year
and it’s had airplay in several different continents on stations varying
from the Classic Rock tradition to out and out Blues programmes.
This ‘straddling’ of different genres is in part due to the different
influences within the current and past line-ups and the effect this has had
on the band’s original material.
Past guests and members include Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash, Martin Barre
of Jethro Tull, Johnathan Noyce of Tull and Carmelo Luggieri, Kiki Dee’s
guitarist and co-writer and virtuoso blues guitarist Ben Smith.
The appearances of Rod Argent [The Zombies and Argent] and John ‘Rabbit’
Bundrick [Free, The Who] on the album add a magical touch of quality and
rock and roll heart on keyboards.