Pop and Jazz Reviews : Bishop Mixes Songs and Quips

Singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop isn’t really a Paul Simon clone, but he’s close enough to invite comparisons. The specter of Simon loomed large enough to blunt the impact of some of Bishop’s material at his Cinegrill opening on Tuesday, but occasionally the connection really clicks: The crowning achievement of Bishop’s career, his gentle, wry, transfixing ‘70s hit “On and On,” has Simon written all over it--and it’s a terrific song.

Many of Bishop’s songs tend to be on the sappy side, bludgeoning you with sentiment instead of letting it flow naturally from the lyrics and mood. Still, some of his pop-folk ballads, which often unreel like mini-soap operas, can be involving.

Derivative or not, Bishop, who continues at the Cinegrill through Saturday, is an entertaining, occasionally riveting performer. He started out accompanying himself on acoustic guitar but mostly worked with a very capable quartet.

After some ‘70s success with the hits “Save It for a Rainy Day” and “On and On,” Bishop’s career as a singer has largely stagnated as he carved out a flourishing career writing and singing movie themes.

Surprisingly, though, singing and songwriting took a back seat at the Cinegrill to his comedy. Playing the self-deprecating yuppie, he devoted long stretches between songs to quips, quirky tales and sparkling ad-libs that had the audience howling. Don’t be surprised if you go to the Cinegrill to see Bishop the singer and wind up preferring Bishop the comic.