BLUE BISHOPS
''DEEP''
2002
50:52
1/Stop Breaking Down
Robert Johnson
2/Nothing To Say
Sellins, Grange, Fisher, Turner, Burrett
3/No Religious Man
Grange
4/Words Left Unsaid
Grange
5/I Remember You
Sellins, Wheatley
6/Road Of Love
Sellins, Wheatley
7/Vinyl Heart
Wheatley, Burrett
8/Lonely Riverside
Grange
9/Hip Shake Boogie
James Moore
10/Bar Room Blues
Burrett
11/Bishop's Finger
Burrett
12/Highway 61
Dylan
Bass Guitar – Bob Sellins (tracks: 4 & 5), Martin Turner (2)
Drums – John Fisher
Engineer – Bob Sellins, Martin Turner (2)
Engineer, Mastered By – Mark Tucker
Guitar – Bob Sellins
Guitar [Acoustic Guitar] – Simon Burrett (tracks: 10)
Guitar [Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic] – Simon Burrett (tracks: 11)
Guitar [Manson Acoustic] – Martin Barre (tracks: 11)
Guitar [Slide Guitar] – Simon Burrett
Guitar [Spanish Guitar] – Geoff Grange (tracks: 3)
Harp [Blues Harp] – Geoff Grange (tracks: 2, 8, 9, 10 & 12)
Keyboards – John Fisher (tracks: 4)
Percussion – John Fisher (tracks: 5 & 8)
Piano – John Fisher (tracks: 8)
Producer – Bob Sellins (tracks: 4-5 & 8), Martin Turner (2) (tracks: 1-3, 6-7 & 9-12)
Resonator Guitar [Dobro] – Simon Burrett (tracks: 4)
Tambourine – John Fisher (tracks: 3)
Vocals – Bob Sellins (tracks: 5), Simon Burrett (tracks: 7 & 10)
Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bob Sellins (tracks: 6 & 8), Geoff Grange (tracks: 2, 4, 6 & 8), John Fisher (tracks: 8), Martin Turner (2) (tracks: 2 & 8), Simon
Burrett (tracks: 8)
Vocals, Harmonica – Geoff Grange
The Blue Bishops album DEEP was well thought of, gaining a highly rated 9/10 review from ‘Blues in Britain’ and nominated as one of the best albums of 2002. It featured ex-Wishbone Ash founder and bassist Martin Turner who played with the band for 9 years in all, and who co-produced the album alongside legendary engineer Mark Tucker. Martin Barre from Jethro Tull made a guest appearance too. At this time in the band’s history Bob Sellins, had the lead guitar slot which he occupied for around 10 years. A role that Geoff and Simon now share between them.
An impromptu live album called “Bootleg”, made up of un-mixed tracks recorded “off the desk” in a series of gigs has been a hot favourite with Blue Bishops fans, in the period between ‘deep’ and the release of ‘In the Red.’
THE BLUE BISHOPS
Martin Turner toured and recorded with The Blue Bishops during a busy eight year period between 1998 and 2006.
The Blue Bishops are a UK based band with a musical style firmly rooted in the hard edged British blues/rock idiom. The band had been in existence for a number of years and, following the departure of their original bassist in 1998, the Bishops enlisted the services of Wishbone Ash's Martin Turner.
The nucleus of the Blue Bishops has always been guitarist/slide player Simon Burrett and lead vocalist/harmonica/guitar player Geoff Grange.
Simon has been a figure on the London Rock scene for many years. A founder member of the Blue Bishops he started his career making singles with ex-Blue Horizon session man Vaughan Rees [Chicken Shack, Tony Macphee, Duster Bennet, Jo Ann Kelly sessions...]. After charting in Europe he went on to play the UK pub rock circuit when it was at its 70s peak, with a number of his own bands, teaming up at various times with a different members of the 60s and 70s cult band 'Principal Edwards Magic Theatre', Nick Pallet, Geoff Nicholls and [now Al Stewart's keyboard and guitar collaborator for many years] Pete White. Simon continues to write and produce music for TV and radio soundtracks and has recently guested on Jethro Tull guitarist, Martin Barre's latest solo album, Stage Left. Simon is an amazing slide guitarist; he really gets the crowd going and always gives a great performance.
Geoff has worked with many international artists. His previous band, 'Sons of Heroes', was managed and produced by Bill Wyman, and during his tenure with the Bishops Geoff has worked as a long term collaborator on harmonica and vocals with Bill’s band, the Rhythm Kings, appearing on several of his albums. Other famous names he has been associated with include Phil Collins, Terence Trent Darby, wizard keyboard player Patrick Moraz and Free drummer, Simon Kirke. He really has a great voice and a great personality on and off stage, and in addition to his lead vocals and harmonica playing; he plays some really good lead guitar solos.
Martin Turner joined the Blue Bishops in 1998. With the Bishops working at the harder end of the R and B spectrum, Martin's gutsy 'wring its neck' bass playing, along with his role as a performer and producer perfectly fitted the balance of the band. Martin played a key role in the recording of the band's 2002 album release 'Deep', which was recorded both in London and also at Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre’s studio in Devon. The band's line-up at this time was completed by long serving members Bob Sellins (guitar/vocals) and John Fisher (drums) and in addition to regular UK touring, much of the band's playing time was spent in Europe, where the harder, rocky edge of their blues style has a wide cross over appeal. They appeared regularly in Holland and Belgium and notable appearances included the Swing Festival in Wespelaar, the Blues Parade in Peer and the world renowned Ghent Festival. In 1999 the Bishops also opened the Bishopstock festival in the West of England - the UK’s premier blues festival to critical acclaim from both the audience and the international media.
Shortly after the release of "Deep", John Fisher and Bob Sellins departed and the band continued as a four-piece completed by drummer Justin Hildreth - a world travelled performer with a career that spans many famous artists and many different drum disciplines. His track record speaks for itself, and includes working with such luminaries as Joan Armatrading, Thomas Dolby, Nina Hagen, Lene Lovich, Blancmange, M, and Roogalator…….the list goes on.
2006 saw Martin Turner announcing his departure from the Blue Bishops to concentrate fully on Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. The departure was entirely amicable and both parties were keen to wish each other well.
Speaking about his time with the Bishops, Martin said: "I have always enjoyed working with the Blue Bishops. After initially being interested mainly in recording the band, I started 'guesting' with them and after quite a few years, I feel I owe them a 'thank you' for having got me back into playing live. Having always wanted to return to Wishbone Ash in some form, I feel I now have left the launchpad and look forward to an interesting journey. I would like to wish Geoff, Simon and Justin of the Bishops every success for the future."
By return, the Bishops stated "while we are sad to see Martin go, we wish him loads of luck and understand his need to complete a project that's been close to his heart for a long time."
Martin, who played his final date with the Bishops at a prestigious appearance at Colne blues festival in September 2006, has been replaced in the band by veteran musician Jim Rodford (Argent, Colin Blunstone, etc).
The Blue Bishops have made many new friends and fans through Martin Turner's involvement in the band and we are sure that many people will wish to continue supporting the band.
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
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 current line-up brings together:
Geoff Grange, ever present lead vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player who has had a long collaboration with Bill Wyman and Nicky Hopkins, among many others.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jim Rodford on bass, formerly of Argent, the Kinks and the Animals, and currently combining a role in the Zombies with his Blue Bishops commitments.
Justin Hildreth on drums, whose world touring track record includes periods with Joan Armatrading, Thomas Dolby and Nina Hagen
Blue Bishops Founder, Simon Burrett on guitar and slide guitar and vocals, who started recording with Mike Vernon associate and Blue Horizon artist, Vaughan Rees in the late 60s, and went on to record and play in many bands on the London Rock scene, including seminal psychedelic folk rock outfit , Tony, Caro and John whose rare, collectable recordings are celebrated as some of the very best of their genre . Simon has recently guested as a vocalist on Martin Barre’s acclaimed solo album, ‘Stage Left’.
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.
Stuart’s career has embraced a 20 year period with Elton John, and numerous hit albums with such artists as Twisted Sister, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, Paul Rogers, Chris Rea, Kiki Dee and many others.
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.
''DEEP''
2002
50:52
1/Stop Breaking Down
Robert Johnson
2/Nothing To Say
Sellins, Grange, Fisher, Turner, Burrett
3/No Religious Man
Grange
4/Words Left Unsaid
Grange
5/I Remember You
Sellins, Wheatley
6/Road Of Love
Sellins, Wheatley
7/Vinyl Heart
Wheatley, Burrett
8/Lonely Riverside
Grange
9/Hip Shake Boogie
James Moore
10/Bar Room Blues
Burrett
11/Bishop's Finger
Burrett
12/Highway 61
Dylan
Bass Guitar – Bob Sellins (tracks: 4 & 5), Martin Turner (2)
Drums – John Fisher
Engineer – Bob Sellins, Martin Turner (2)
Engineer, Mastered By – Mark Tucker
Guitar – Bob Sellins
Guitar [Acoustic Guitar] – Simon Burrett (tracks: 10)
Guitar [Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic] – Simon Burrett (tracks: 11)
Guitar [Manson Acoustic] – Martin Barre (tracks: 11)
Guitar [Slide Guitar] – Simon Burrett
Guitar [Spanish Guitar] – Geoff Grange (tracks: 3)
Harp [Blues Harp] – Geoff Grange (tracks: 2, 8, 9, 10 & 12)
Keyboards – John Fisher (tracks: 4)
Percussion – John Fisher (tracks: 5 & 8)
Piano – John Fisher (tracks: 8)
Producer – Bob Sellins (tracks: 4-5 & 8), Martin Turner (2) (tracks: 1-3, 6-7 & 9-12)
Resonator Guitar [Dobro] – Simon Burrett (tracks: 4)
Tambourine – John Fisher (tracks: 3)
Vocals – Bob Sellins (tracks: 5), Simon Burrett (tracks: 7 & 10)
Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bob Sellins (tracks: 6 & 8), Geoff Grange (tracks: 2, 4, 6 & 8), John Fisher (tracks: 8), Martin Turner (2) (tracks: 2 & 8), Simon
Burrett (tracks: 8)
Vocals, Harmonica – Geoff Grange
The Blue Bishops album DEEP was well thought of, gaining a highly rated 9/10 review from ‘Blues in Britain’ and nominated as one of the best albums of 2002. It featured ex-Wishbone Ash founder and bassist Martin Turner who played with the band for 9 years in all, and who co-produced the album alongside legendary engineer Mark Tucker. Martin Barre from Jethro Tull made a guest appearance too. At this time in the band’s history Bob Sellins, had the lead guitar slot which he occupied for around 10 years. A role that Geoff and Simon now share between them.
An impromptu live album called “Bootleg”, made up of un-mixed tracks recorded “off the desk” in a series of gigs has been a hot favourite with Blue Bishops fans, in the period between ‘deep’ and the release of ‘In the Red.’
THE BLUE BISHOPS
Martin Turner toured and recorded with The Blue Bishops during a busy eight year period between 1998 and 2006.
The Blue Bishops are a UK based band with a musical style firmly rooted in the hard edged British blues/rock idiom. The band had been in existence for a number of years and, following the departure of their original bassist in 1998, the Bishops enlisted the services of Wishbone Ash's Martin Turner.
The nucleus of the Blue Bishops has always been guitarist/slide player Simon Burrett and lead vocalist/harmonica/guitar player Geoff Grange.
Simon has been a figure on the London Rock scene for many years. A founder member of the Blue Bishops he started his career making singles with ex-Blue Horizon session man Vaughan Rees [Chicken Shack, Tony Macphee, Duster Bennet, Jo Ann Kelly sessions...]. After charting in Europe he went on to play the UK pub rock circuit when it was at its 70s peak, with a number of his own bands, teaming up at various times with a different members of the 60s and 70s cult band 'Principal Edwards Magic Theatre', Nick Pallet, Geoff Nicholls and [now Al Stewart's keyboard and guitar collaborator for many years] Pete White. Simon continues to write and produce music for TV and radio soundtracks and has recently guested on Jethro Tull guitarist, Martin Barre's latest solo album, Stage Left. Simon is an amazing slide guitarist; he really gets the crowd going and always gives a great performance.
Geoff has worked with many international artists. His previous band, 'Sons of Heroes', was managed and produced by Bill Wyman, and during his tenure with the Bishops Geoff has worked as a long term collaborator on harmonica and vocals with Bill’s band, the Rhythm Kings, appearing on several of his albums. Other famous names he has been associated with include Phil Collins, Terence Trent Darby, wizard keyboard player Patrick Moraz and Free drummer, Simon Kirke. He really has a great voice and a great personality on and off stage, and in addition to his lead vocals and harmonica playing; he plays some really good lead guitar solos.
Martin Turner joined the Blue Bishops in 1998. With the Bishops working at the harder end of the R and B spectrum, Martin's gutsy 'wring its neck' bass playing, along with his role as a performer and producer perfectly fitted the balance of the band. Martin played a key role in the recording of the band's 2002 album release 'Deep', which was recorded both in London and also at Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre’s studio in Devon. The band's line-up at this time was completed by long serving members Bob Sellins (guitar/vocals) and John Fisher (drums) and in addition to regular UK touring, much of the band's playing time was spent in Europe, where the harder, rocky edge of their blues style has a wide cross over appeal. They appeared regularly in Holland and Belgium and notable appearances included the Swing Festival in Wespelaar, the Blues Parade in Peer and the world renowned Ghent Festival. In 1999 the Bishops also opened the Bishopstock festival in the West of England - the UK’s premier blues festival to critical acclaim from both the audience and the international media.
Shortly after the release of "Deep", John Fisher and Bob Sellins departed and the band continued as a four-piece completed by drummer Justin Hildreth - a world travelled performer with a career that spans many famous artists and many different drum disciplines. His track record speaks for itself, and includes working with such luminaries as Joan Armatrading, Thomas Dolby, Nina Hagen, Lene Lovich, Blancmange, M, and Roogalator…….the list goes on.
2006 saw Martin Turner announcing his departure from the Blue Bishops to concentrate fully on Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. The departure was entirely amicable and both parties were keen to wish each other well.
Speaking about his time with the Bishops, Martin said: "I have always enjoyed working with the Blue Bishops. After initially being interested mainly in recording the band, I started 'guesting' with them and after quite a few years, I feel I owe them a 'thank you' for having got me back into playing live. Having always wanted to return to Wishbone Ash in some form, I feel I now have left the launchpad and look forward to an interesting journey. I would like to wish Geoff, Simon and Justin of the Bishops every success for the future."
By return, the Bishops stated "while we are sad to see Martin go, we wish him loads of luck and understand his need to complete a project that's been close to his heart for a long time."
Martin, who played his final date with the Bishops at a prestigious appearance at Colne blues festival in September 2006, has been replaced in the band by veteran musician Jim Rodford (Argent, Colin Blunstone, etc).
The Blue Bishops have made many new friends and fans through Martin Turner's involvement in the band and we are sure that many people will wish to continue supporting the band.
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
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 current line-up brings together:
Geoff Grange, ever present lead vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player who has had a long collaboration with Bill Wyman and Nicky Hopkins, among many others.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jim Rodford on bass, formerly of Argent, the Kinks and the Animals, and currently combining a role in the Zombies with his Blue Bishops commitments.
Justin Hildreth on drums, whose world touring track record includes periods with Joan Armatrading, Thomas Dolby and Nina Hagen
Blue Bishops Founder, Simon Burrett on guitar and slide guitar and vocals, who started recording with Mike Vernon associate and Blue Horizon artist, Vaughan Rees in the late 60s, and went on to record and play in many bands on the London Rock scene, including seminal psychedelic folk rock outfit , Tony, Caro and John whose rare, collectable recordings are celebrated as some of the very best of their genre . Simon has recently guested as a vocalist on Martin Barre’s acclaimed solo album, ‘Stage Left’.
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.
Stuart’s career has embraced a 20 year period with Elton John, and numerous hit albums with such artists as Twisted Sister, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, Paul Rogers, Chris Rea, Kiki Dee and many others.
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.
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