Duffy Bishop

I’m Gonna Do What I Want!

‘Lil Spinner Records

Born in Redding, Ca. Duffy Bishop began performing in rock bands when she was sixteen. Roadside Attraction, Toulouse Lautrec and The Rhythm Dogs were but a few. In 1975 she moved to Los Angeles, and later to Seattle. She first formed the Duffy Bishop Band in 1985 with Christopher Carlson. She took the role of Janis Joplin in a play in 1991 and wound up touring Japan with Big Brother & The Holding Company.  The Duffy Bishop Band reformed and toured the world. She and Carlson married in 1994 and moved to Portland. Bishop has opened for Roy Orbison, John Lee Hooker, Lou Rawls, Chicago and Etta James. She has shared the stage with Ruth Brown, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Bo Diddley, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Shemekia Copeland.

The Northwest Area Music Association named Bishop Best Female Vocalist in 1989 and 1990, and Entertainer of the Year in 1991. The Washington Blues Society proclaimed her “Best Female Vocalist” in 1992 and 1999, and “Entertainer of The Year” in 1993 and 1995. The Cascade Blues Association, who hosts the Muddy Awards named Bishop “Best Regional Blues Act” in 1994, and “Best Female Vocalist” for five consecutive years beginning in 1995; in fact, the C.B.A. renamed the award the “Duffy Bishop Female Vocalist Award”. Bishop is a member of the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame, the C.B.A. Hall of Fame, and The Oregon Music Hall of Fame. A documentary on her life “Who is Duffy Bishop and Why is She Not World Famous” was released in 2010. Her last album was 2014’s “Find Your Way Home”. Bishop and Carlson currently divide their time between The Great Northwest and St. Augustine, Florida.

Vocalist Bishop is accompanied on “I’m Gonna Do What I Want!” by guitarist Carlson; keyboardist Alex Richman; bassist Rusty Springfield, and drummer Paul Unsworth. Additional musicians include Dave Fleschner, organ; Rob Ellis Peck, harmonica, and Greg Wier, saxes.

This is Bishop’s ninth recording. The nine tracks include five originals and four selected covers. Bishop opens with the title track “I’m Gonna Do What I Want” written by guitarist Carlson, and featuring Fleschner on sax; Richman on piano, and a fabulous solo from Carlson. Also written by Carlson is “One Time”. “Whistle Callin’” was written by Bishop; while the hysterical “69 Years Old” was co-written by them. “The New Song” is from drummer Unsworth. Bishop’s vocals are spectacular and one has to wonder why she never received a Blues Music Award nomination.

The covers include an absolutely beautiful performance by Bishop on Paul deLay’s “Love Grown Cold” recorded by deLay on his 2001 Evidence Records album “Heavy Rotation”. The late deLay is missed by The Great Northwest’s blues community and by everyone who knew him.

The other covers include “You Don’t Own Me” recorded by Lesley Gore in 1963; and “My Road Is Not Wide” from reggae superstar Lloyd Brown. “It Must Be My Fault” is from Tom Le Grand and appears to have never been previously recorded.

This is a fabulous recording which should bring Bishop some additional recognition.

Richard Ludmerer