Usually when I review a new CD from an artist new to me, I need to hear the cuts a few times in order to get a feel for the artist and his or her performance. That was not necessary for the new CD from
Bonnie Bishop called
"Free".
Bonnie Bishop is a very special singer/songwriter/musician loaded with talent. When she sings her songs she paints pictures that our alive with emotion and truth. Only singers that have experienced the kind of stories in her lyrics could make them this believable.
Bonnie started touring in 2002 and released four regionally-acclaimed albums over a period of six years during which she received a nomination for
"Vocal Performance of the Year". She is simply a "great singer".
Bonnie's soulful and raspy voice contains parts of
Janis Joplin and her musical hero,
Bonnie Raitt and maybe a little
Adele also.
In 2008,
Bonnie moved to Nashville to focus on her songwriting career. This was an excellent decision because all the songs she has written on this album are outstanding. I could think of several singers who would have no problem turning any one of these songs into popular hits. According to
Bonnie, "My music evolved because I fundamentally changed. My experiences in the last few years, however painful, taught me humility and personal accountability." It seems that this life experience also taught
Bonnie how to sing and write music like a big time musical star!
Bonnie recently had the thrill of having her mentor,
Bonnie Raitt record a song she co-wrote with
Al Anderson, "Not 'Cause I Wanted To" on Raitt's new album
"Slipstream". According to
Bonnie Raitt,"
Bonnie Bishop is so talented, and very special. She's an amazing presence. I think she's going to be a big star." I join
Bonnie Raitt in stating that Bonnie Bishop's time has arrived. The release of this Album on October 9, 2012 will announce to the world that the next major singer/songwriter/musician to take center stage is
Bonnie Bishop.
