Bonnie Bishop

Photo by John Anderson

Bonnie Bishop

So you're not an A-lister and don't command the top of the marquee, but life has blessed you with talent, ambition, and a new CD that bubbles with potential. What's next? If you're Bonnie Bishop, you reach into your bag of tricks and throw yourself a release party. Bishop's wholesome blonde prettiness puts her in the easy-on-the-eyes songwriter bench, occupied by the likes of Sunny Sweeney and Terri Hendrix. That shouldn't diminish her (or their) estimable talents in any way – if anything, her way with folky country rock compositions on Things I Know puts her closer to Susan Gibson's level. Yet there's no mistaking Bishop is a woman of her own making. Starting the Saxon set with "Think I Will" and "Lucky Ones," the two songs that open her new CD, she wound through most of the album at an amiable pace. Surrounded by a fourpiece band and featuring a couple of guest appearances by friends, the spotlight nonetheless stayed on Bishop and her strong alto, pleasing the full house clearly there to support her. That palpable energy created a most charming atmosphere within a club already known for its intimacy and suited her glowing personality beautifully. By the time she got to set highlight "River of Joy," Bishop was basking in a glow of artistic accomplishment not measured by charts or sales. And isn't that what you really want?