Customer Reviews

On and On: The Hits of Stephen Bishop

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"Listen to many of his songs," someone writes, "and you might think you're privy to the innermost feelings of the world's champion hopeless romantic." (Here, all the time, I thought that was me). Stephen Bishop is one of only three people on Earth who can shake me to my foundations everytime I come in contact with them, taking me back to a darkened college radio station control room, where, prior to sign-on, I would listen over and over to "Never Letting Go" and swear that I wouldn't (though I did), or to any one of a now-nameless gaggle of mid-pubescent prom night heartbreaks through "On And On," or to thinking of the one one never gets over when "Madge" comes to call (love the little, wistful piece of "London Bridge" in there). THEN, what does he do? Gives us "Save It For A Rainy Day" or "Everybody Needs Love" (what kind of mind comes up with "...from the old man sleepin' in the corner/ to the baby smilin' in a hurricane"?) and it's sunshine and roses and a little bit of hope for love in the world all over again. This compilation, and the all-too-tough-to-find "Red Cab to Manhattan" are must-have CDs for the true student/fan of "Bish." Very well done.

This 1994 MCA Records compilation "On And On--The Hits of Stephen Bishop" is a superb collection of the recorded work of Stephen Bishop, a definitive hopeless romantic singer-songwriter. Containing 18 tracks & running well over an hour, this disc demonstrates that Bishop was one of those people who had seemingly a magic touch when it came to great songwriting, not to mention his beautiful and soulful vocals.

"On And On", "Never Letting Go", "Madge", "One More Night", & the solo performance of "Separate Lives" (which blows away the Phil Collins-Marilyn Martin hit version) are all terrific examples of his impressively tuneful & resonating acoustic guitar-based soft rock; "Losing Myself In You", which features Michael McDonald on backing vocals, is also a fine example. Stephen also did great with the ultra-catchy uptempo tune "Everybody Needs Love"; the wonderful & breezy "Little Italy"; the tender orchestrated ballad "Looking For The Right One"; and the pop-rock confection "Save It For A Rainy Day", included here in what I presume is its single mix (it is regrettably marred by the darn fade with Chaka Khan's obnoxious vocals). Another thing to point out is that Bishop enjoyed letting his hair down regularly, and you get a taste of that here with the fun, playful "Animal House".

That leads to another big thing with Bish: soundtracks. Bishop has a whole bunch of songs that didn't turn up on his albums/ were written specifically for soundtracks, and this disc nicely gathers a bunch of these including the aforementioned "Animal House"; the highly engaging, haunting uptempo tune "Somewhere Inbetween" (with superb electric piano work); the rather sappy but still nice "Only Love" (written by Burt Bacharach, Stephen Bishop, & Carol Bayer Sager), & the wonderful romantic ballad "It Might Be You" which Bishop didn't write but it suits him perfectly.

The disc also salvages the catchy feel-good tune "Walking On Air"--which features longtime Bishop admirer & friend Phil Collins--from Bish's overall weak 1989 'comeback' album "Bowling In Paris".

The only track here that hands-down does not belong on any Stephen Bishop "best of" CD is the closing track, "(You'll Always Be) My Heart And Soul", a song that Stephen didn't write and which features Andrew Gold on all instruments. It's a sappy, generic Adult Contemporary ballad that hints at the dullness of certain tracks on Bish's 1996 album "Blue Guitars" which Gold was a major part of.

However, the song choices here are overall very wise, & the extensive liner notes & performance credits for each track really go that extra mile to make this great collection even better & more satisfying.

All that said, there's definitely more to the Bishop story than what's on here. The only track here representing Bish's very strong 1980 album "Red Cab To Manhattan" is an alternate version (probably the single version) of "Send A Little Love My Way (Like Always)", a great inclusion since it's definitely one of his best songs--the version here has mind-blowing falsetto vocals from Bishop on the fade. A previous reviewer mentions the song "City Girl" which starts off as a dreamy ballad before switching into a cathartic rocker--it would have been a great inclusion here in the sense that there's really nothing even close to a bonafide rocker on this entire disc. Also, serious Bish fans shouldn't make the mistake of ignoring a 1988 Rhino disc called "Best of Bish" thinking that this disc makes it totally redundant--"Best of Bish" has 3 tracks from the never released "Sleeping With Girls" album including a full band version of "Separate Lives" & the haunting ballad "Fallin'", and it also has a couple more soundtrack tunes as well as the great title track from "Red Can To Manhattan".

In the end, "On And On--The Hits of Stephen Bishop" isn't all the Bish you need, but it's certainly a superb collection/ introduction to his work and a great disc for any fan/ serious listener to have.

On the surface, Bishop appears to be another in a string of soft rock singers from the late '70s whose only connection seem to be one or two big hits and a beard (see Andrew Gold, Rupert Holmes). Bish stands out because he made a lot of buddies over the years (Art Garfunkel, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton), and his music contains a healthy dollop of humor.

With his original major-label studio albums long out of print, this is the best representation of those early years ("20th Century Masters" omits six songs found here, with an alternate mix of "Looking for the Right One" the only other distinction). That's unfortunate, as the first three LPs show a natural progression in his work (the terrific "Red Cab to Manhattan" ranges all the way from the tender "Send a Little Love My Way" to the rocking "City Girl" to the goofball raveup "Sex Kittens Go to College"). Bishop has concentrated mostly on movie themes in the last few years, along with a book, "Songs in the Rough" (which, given I worked for the publisher for 13 years, you'd think I would have secured -- apparently it's due in paperback).

In any case, if you can find a copy of this particular greatest hits set, it's worth the investment. And if, like me, you're intersted in the original LPs... well, check out those used record stores!

I like Stephen Bishop and I like this Greatests hits CD, my favorite songs on this are On and On, It Might Be You, and Seperate Lives, and I also have to admit to liking Animal House it is a silly song but I just have always liked it I guess because I like the movie Animal House. I recommend this CD and also Careless which is also a great CD

Stephen Bishop is undoudtedly one of the worlds finest singer songwriters who has impressed a long list of musicians and fans over the past twenty years. His fans include Phil Collins who recorded Stephen's hauntingly beautiful: 'Seperate Lives'. A song Stephen Bishop never released - until this album. His version proves that if you are the writer of a song you REALLY know why it was written - he sings it with passion and warmth. He wrote it when he was left alone in a hotel room, with only his thoughts of a lost love. She called him up to see if he was ok: "You have no right to ask me how I feel......." he told her - and then the song was born!

This is just one track on a brilliant cd that includes all his classics; 'On And On', 'It Might Be You', (From the movie Tootsie), and many others. The best song on the album in my opinion is a song that tells the story of a man searching for a pecial person to spend the rest of his life with; 'Looking For The Right One'. This is quite simply the perfect love song. If you like ballads, passion and brilliantly crafted songs, performed by the most gentle voice in the world - this album must surely be on your list.

I never cared for the song, "On and On." It was so over-played, that John Belushi smashed a guitar over Stephen's head, while he was singing the song, "live", on the "Sat. Night Live" TV show! This tidbit is from the CD booklet/mini-biography, which is as fascinating as the superbly crafted songs on the CD! I was shocked to see how many successful movie soundtrack theme songs he had written. I thought he was just another,"1 hit-wonder," that soon disappeared, following his "Careless" album. Average songwriters and performers could never dream of attracting the likes of, Burt Bachrach, Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Marty Paich, Michael McDonald,... on,and on,... THEY wanted to collaborate with HIM, not the other way 'round! Joni Mitchell's producer co-produced an album with "Bish", as well as Hugh Padgham. Today's "loopologist"songwriters, will learn the art of using the "hook" of a song like a master chef sparingly adds the delicate spices, with out over-doing it. Loopers, stop repeating, on and on and on... Use the silence in music, like an artist uses blank spaces to create contrast, which further accentuates the focal point of the painting. Stephen places subtle pauses and silence in the proper places. Sub-consciously, the listener is drawn closer, anticipating the next sound, that surely must follow. That is when the artist has you prepared for his "Grand Finale", which can raise you to the heavens or break your heart with emotion. Don't miss this hidden gem from a "musician's musician." I think of him as a kind of, "Jimmy Webb-heir-apparent" from the late 1970's through the 1980's. He, like Webb had to pass through the then, "mandatory", pop-record-hit-factory portal. They both emerged, like the "Fabs", producing more complex & interesting material. Don't pigeon-hole this artiste' as a "Mr. E-Z Listening," "FM-elevator musicman." He has been touching you for years, through some of your favorite movie theme songs and soundtracks. This CD may soon disappear. Grab it, now.

It Might Be You theme to Tootsie is the perfect song for those looking to settle down, and finding that perfect mate. My husband and I fell in love with that song when we were dating, and it has become "our" song. I have his albums, and not only that song, but every song on the album will help you mend a broken heart or fall in love with that special person in your life. He is the all time best romantic singer I can think of. If you are thinking of buying this album. Relax to some really great and soothing love songs, that stay in your heart for years to come. This is not a fly by night singer/ songwriter. He is there for all times. A gifted artist singer and songwriter. You would be amazed at all the songs he has written for other artists. Don't take my word for it, listen for yourself and you will be hooked also.

Great compilation, although I still play my old, ratty "Careless" album. If you have one Stephen Bishop song stuck in your head, get this, and you'll be astounded that now, 30 years after that song got stuck, you can pick out some of the most fabulous musicians in collaboration with SB. Bet you didn't know about all his movie soundtrack work, either. This is just thoughtful, romantic and (Animal House) fun music. No bit social message, just a celebration of the heart.

This compilation of Stephen Bishop's music is a wonderful mix of love ballads and many of his more popular songs. I started listening to SB when Careless was released, before "On and On" was a hit. Personally enjoy so much of his music that I would not have wanted to have to make the selections for this CD.
Whoever did made fine choices that are a excellent examples of his work and sound. Thanks Stephen for many years of listening pleasure. Personal favorite:"Only the Heart Within You"

Of all the SB compilations issued, this one and the Rhino
one are the best. As fas as the others go, there are just
too many redundant compilations out there, excluding the
'demo' type CD's offered on his website.

That said, this compilation is a definite improvement in
the generous liner notes and listings of musicians.

But the bad part is that half the tracks here(mostly the
hits) are repeats from the Rhino CD. At least there are
some different album tracks and soundtrack songs included
this time around.

Maybe if both of the first two compilations had been
combined into one 2-CD set, it would've been THE
definitive overview.