Dick Bishop

Subject: Dick Bishop
From: Doctor John
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:38 PM

RtS. Thanks for the information: can find the web site tho. Yes I remember he did Gypsy Davy as lead. Can't recall the others tho. The title he did with Chris Barber (memory just returned) was We Shall Walk Through The Valley. Very good too. Records unfortunately long gone now. Dr John

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: Doctor John
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 03:30 PM

I remember now there were two Lonnie Donegan EP's with Dick Bishop on: a gray one called Backstairs Session with LD in sillhouette and a blue one with LD in monochome blue. Can't recall all the titles yet. The versions were all Guthrie, Lead Belly stuff - except DB's Jesse James which was the standard version. A little while ago Bear Family released all these early titles on lots of CD (Wife just checking lottery to see if I'll order it - not this week!) I think the LD/DB combination was really superb: it's a great pity it didn't continue. Any other memories. Dr John

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:52 AM

Checked Brian Rust's old Penguin jazz discography last night: He mentions DB & Johnny Duncan sharing the vocals on the post-LD Barber skiffle group with DB leading on
Line 'em and Gypsy Davey- old Pye-NIxa EPs.
RtS

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 06:44 AM

...and I forgot to mention, Dickie's own group, formed in between gigging with others was usually billed as Dickie Bishop and his Sidekicks. Great name! (Great backing to Ottillie Patterson on "Weeping Willow BLues", too - or was that Stu Morrison?)
RtS

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: Doctor John
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:09 PM

RtS. Yes that was it: The Sidekicks! I remember that now; and that EP: a profile of Dick Bishop with beard on the front and JD with mandolin. Glad to see DB just didn't copy WG version verbatim but used verses from here and there. How much I wanted to grow a beard but not allowed at school nor possible at about 12! Wish I'd kept those old EP's, together with the first edition of the Eagle!

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: Doctor John
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:45 PM

...and JD sang "Where Shall I go" on that EP...and (sudden flash) "Doing My Time". Dr John

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: GUEST,Ian M.
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 05:16 PM

Hello there,

I have several of these records. On "Backstairs Session" the tracks are Midnight Special, When The Sun Goes Down, New Burying Ground and Worried Man Blues recorded in May 55. DB is referred to as Dick "Cisco" Bishop and the personnel includes Bob Watson(voice) and Pete Korrison(mandolin). In the sleeve note LD writes of DB "...who sings in typical unflustered Guthrie style..."

"Skiffle Session", recorded in Jan and Apr 56 has Railroad Bill, Stackalee, The Ballad of Jesse James and Ol'Riley.

I have another Nixa EP "Lonnie Donegan Hit Parade". DB is on the first two tracks, Lost John and Stewball. Thereafter he was replaced by Denny Wright.

I also have the old 10" CB LP's. On "CB Plays Vol 2" DB sings We Shall Walk Through The Valley and on "Vol 3" he replaces LD. Describing his accompaniment of Monty Sunshine on Petite Fleur Brian Rust says "there is a neat bridge passage for DB's guitar, sounding rather like a zither and lending a wistful air to the performance."

I am glad to see that DB is still remembered. One of my treasured possessions at school was his songbook.

Enough nostalgia.

Good Luck.

Ian M.

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: Doctor John
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 11:31 AM

Thanks Ian, It all comes back to me now. I wish I still had those records. Dr John

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 03:47 AM

...to answer my own question (hangs head in shame) it was LD on banjo behind Ottillie on Weeping Willow Blues. I should have known that!
RtS

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: GUEST,Tony Freer
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 02:12 PM

On the subject of Dickie Bishop. does anyone know how to contact Don Wilson who was a member of the group. Thanks, tony


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Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 02:21 PM

I have mentioned it before but the late Pete Hicks (Slats, here), who is survived by his widow the jolly Dilligaf (also here) was "hired gun" guitar for DB and the Sidekicks, inluding on the B-side (Nobody's Baby) of their 1957 No 7 UK hit.

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: folkwaller
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 03:31 PM

Great stuff, I have the records. Set me off into the folk world, I'm still there.

Subject: RE: Dick Bishop
From: GUEST,Mike UK
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 03:06 PM

Does anyone recall an EP with DB and Nancy Whiskey who sang a bluesy type number. I think thi was with stackalee and jessie james. I can't seem to find it anywhere?