Bread and Bones

RICHARD RUANE
Things That Strangers Say
Riptone Records

The solo debut from Richard Ruane, formerly of Vermont bands Feast Or Famine and Sundog, is a collection of songs that quickly become like good friends upon first meeting. The evocative “Old Lovers”, the innocent joy of “A Heart That’s Wide Open”, the universal sentimentality of “Light Of The World”, and the hilarious honesty of “Well-Meaning Folks With Guitars” all share a common bond of life experience.

Ruane is adept at the fine art of storytelling put to song, whether it’s about the down-and-out, leaving one’s homeland, or a dark encounter in a Dublin park. His originals speak to different shades of love, joy, mystery and real life; the one cover, “Crazy Man Michael”, is a well-done tribute to an obvious mentor, Richard Thompson. Ruane’s voice has a soothing quality — at times plaintive, at times mirthful, but always expressive. The accompaniments are sometimes rich, sometimes stark, but add just the right texture — in particular, Patti Casey’s backing vocals.

If “folk” music as a category means acoustic, traditional, simple, personal, storylike, then this fits. But there’s more to it than that. Ruane plugs into his soul’s emotions to bring forth well-crafted songs that speak a universal language, and linger for a long time.

TERRY LICKONA, producer of Austin City Limits
- No Depression

RICHARD RUANE
Things That Strangers Say
Riptone Records

The solo debut from Richard Ruane, formerly of Vermont bands Feast Or Famine and Sundog, is a collection of songs that quickly become like good friends upon first meeting. The evocative “Old Lovers”, the innocent joy of “A Heart That’s Wide Open”, the universal sentimentality of “Light Of The World”, and the hilarious honesty of “Well-Meaning Folks With Guitars” all share a common bond of life experience.

Ruane is adept at the fine art of storytelling put to song, whether it’s about the down-and-out, leaving one’s homeland, or a dark encounter in a Dublin park. His originals speak to different shades of love, joy, mystery and real life; the one cover, “Crazy Man Michael”, is a well-done tribute to an obvious mentor, Richard Thompson. Ruane’s voice has a soothing quality — at times plaintive, at times mirthful, but always expressive. The accompaniments are sometimes rich, sometimes stark, but add just the right texture — in particular, Patti Casey’s backing vocals.

If “folk” music as a category means acoustic, traditional, simple, personal, storylike, then this fits. But there’s more to it than that. Ruane plugs into his soul’s emotions to bring forth well-crafted songs that speak a universal language, and linger for a long time.

TERRY LICKONA, producer of Austin City Limits
- No Depression

"Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron demonstrated their sophistication as performers Saturday at the Music Box. They shared a warm and spontaneous sense of humor that kept everyone entertained through their almost two dozen songs. Ruane is a skillful player of guitar, banjo, mandolin and ukulele with a classic folk singers voice, and he composed most of the tunes. Duquette has a particularly lovely, pure voice with fine enunciation. Barron provides an excellent foundation rhythm on his electric bass guitar and upright double bass. Ruane and Duquette harmonize well vocally, that male/female contrast enriching the melodic lines. Ruane's original songs had excellent melodies, combining imaginative lyrics with well-crafted tunes, frequently having demanding instrumental work. Three traditional folk songs rounded out the interestingly varied repertoire of this group." - David K. Rodgers, Hardwick Gazette

“Well-crafted songs, lyrically clear and vocally strong.” - Steve Lemke, Burlington Free Press

“Adroit guitar and mandolin playing. Lyrically, Ruane is a storyteller with a gift for place and character. Keenly observant.” - Pamela Polston, Seven Days

“He is a pleasure to listen to. He comes on stage with a wealth of original songs ranging from the wry and witty to serious and thought-provoking.” - Greg Pahl, Addison County Independent

“His strong voice with compassionate lyrics grabbed the audience throughout his performances. A polished performer.” — Carol & Harvey Green, After Dark Music Series.

“One of Vermont’s most versatile talents. He combines exceptional vocal and multi-instrumental skills, and does it all well.” - Jeff Miller, Burlington Coffeehouse
- As Listed

"Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron demonstrated their sophistication as performers Saturday at the Music Box. They shared a warm and spontaneous sense of humor that kept everyone entertained through their almost two dozen songs. Ruane is a skillful player of guitar, banjo, mandolin and ukulele with a classic folk singers voice, and he composed most of the tunes. Duquette has a particularly lovely, pure voice with fine enunciation. Barron provides an excellent foundation rhythm on his electric bass guitar and upright double bass. Ruane and Duquette harmonize well vocally, that male/female contrast enriching the melodic lines. Ruane's original songs had excellent melodies, combining imaginative lyrics with well-crafted tunes, frequently having demanding instrumental work. Three traditional folk songs rounded out the interestingly varied repertoire of this group." - David K. Rodgers, Hardwick Gazette

“Well-crafted songs, lyrically clear and vocally strong.” - Steve Lemke, Burlington Free Press

“Adroit guitar and mandolin playing. Lyrically, Ruane is a storyteller with a gift for place and character. Keenly observant.” - Pamela Polston, Seven Days

“He is a pleasure to listen to. He comes on stage with a wealth of original songs ranging from the wry and witty to serious and thought-provoking.” - Greg Pahl, Addison County Independent

“His strong voice with compassionate lyrics grabbed the audience throughout his performances. A polished performer.” — Carol & Harvey Green, After Dark Music Series.

“One of Vermont’s most versatile talents. He combines exceptional vocal and multi-instrumental skills, and does it all well.” - Jeff Miller, Burlington Coffeehouse
- As Listed

Seven Days – Review This
July 9, 2008
By Herb van der Poll

Bread & Bones, I Know Stories
(Riptone Records)

Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron have performed music together and separately as members of various bands, including Feast or Famine, Sundog, The Hibernators and Wild Branch. While I can claim only a passing familiarity with these ensembles, their coming together as the acoustic trio Bread & Bones strikes me as inevitable. Their dynamic perfectly suits their rootsy bluegrass sound.

The opening number of Bread & Bones’ debut album shares its name with the band. Straight away, the album’s strengths are clear. Ruane’s superlative guitar work drives the song. Barron’s nuanced bass line adds depth. Duquette’s and Ruane’s voices weave delightfully through each other and the music.

“Bread & Bones” also showcases the album’s two major lyrical trends, old-timey folk balladry and bleak or absent romance. The song’s narrator commits a crime, flees, and returns to be judged. Afterward, he or she laments having “no one to hold or be held to/no one to tell my secrets to.”

On "My Father Is Gone," a child recollects a father who died working on the railway. It's a fine song, effectively evoking a sense of death and loss, as well as the difficulty we have coming to terms.

Their words are strong with a wealth of quotable lines, such as the Duquette-delivered "You call to me / Why should I fear you? / I see your shape, / But you're not there."

I Know Stories is a solid album made by musicians who know and love traditional American music. Check it out if you're a fan or if you need a primer.

- Seven Days - Vermont's Independent Voice

Seven Days – Review This
July 9, 2008
By Herb van der Poll

Bread & Bones, I Know Stories
(Riptone Records)

Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron have performed music together and separately as members of various bands, including Feast or Famine, Sundog, The Hibernators and Wild Branch. While I can claim only a passing familiarity with these ensembles, their coming together as the acoustic trio Bread & Bones strikes me as inevitable. Their dynamic perfectly suits their rootsy bluegrass sound.

The opening number of Bread & Bones’ debut album shares its name with the band. Straight away, the album’s strengths are clear. Ruane’s superlative guitar work drives the song. Barron’s nuanced bass line adds depth. Duquette’s and Ruane’s voices weave delightfully through each other and the music.

“Bread & Bones” also showcases the album’s two major lyrical trends, old-timey folk balladry and bleak or absent romance. The song’s narrator commits a crime, flees, and returns to be judged. Afterward, he or she laments having “no one to hold or be held to/no one to tell my secrets to.”

On "My Father Is Gone," a child recollects a father who died working on the railway. It's a fine song, effectively evoking a sense of death and loss, as well as the difficulty we have coming to terms.

Their words are strong with a wealth of quotable lines, such as the Duquette-delivered "You call to me / Why should I fear you? / I see your shape, / But you're not there."

I Know Stories is a solid album made by musicians who know and love traditional American music. Check it out if you're a fan or if you need a primer.

- Seven Days - Vermont's Independent Voice

Times Argus
August 1, 2008

CD Review
Bread and Bones headed for the bright lights of folkdom
By Art Edelstein Arts Correspondent

It's rare that a reviewer gets an album that is flawless. The first CD from Bread and Bones has one flaw, albeit a minor one. The group should have a better name.

Bread and Bones is led by Richard Ruane, a fine singer/guitarist and superior songwriter. He is joined by Beth Duquette on vocals and Mitch Barron on electric and upright bass and backing vocals.

While this is a trio, the major talent (although they are all very talented) is Ruane. He's a performer to note. His credits include being an award-winner or finalist at the Kerrville (Texas) Folk Festival, Grassy Hill New Folk Competition, the Great Waters Folk Festival Songwriter Contest, the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, the Plowshares Coffeehouse Singer-Songwriter Competition and Vermont's SolarFest Songwriter Showcase. This is quite a resume, and from the songs on this CD, his songwriting awards are well-deserved.

Ruane also won a "Rachel Bissex White Light Fund" scholarship to the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference. The scholarships are intended for Vermont artists developing careers as performers and recording artists.

Ruane writes in a distinctly "folk" style; if you need a contemporary word then "roots" works well. This is music with substance and intelligence covering a variety of themes.

The music is delivered tastefully with Ruane's acoustic guitar carrying the lion's share of the work and Barron's bass as the aural underpinning. Ruane's guitar work is crisp and emphatic rather than limply strummed. He gets a lot of sound from his often minimalist finger-picking and chord work. Barron is every Vermont folk group's bassist of choice. His work is solid and sensitive.

Duquette's singing should not be slighted although she often takes second chair to Ruane's lead vocals. Hers is a fine clear alto in perfect step with Ruane. Together the two can sing with the best on record. This is evident on "Fair and Tender Ladies," the old English ballad sung by many folkies, one of just two songs the group didn't write for this album.

What I enjoyed about this album beyond the finely crafted songs was the lack of pretension. With just guitar and bass, an occasional mandolin, ukulele, Dobro or accordion from cameo performers, this group held my attention throughout. There is no studio gimmickry. Instead, the voices are up front in the mix, the diction is clear, the music seems to pop out of the speakers and there is a lot of space in the aural landscape.

The members of Bread and Bones have each been in a large number of different groups over the years, including Feast or Famine, Sundog, The Hibernators, Wild Branch, the Rebecca Padula Band, the Michele Fay Band and Womensing.

Duquette and Ruane are also actively involved in presenting music in Vermont. Both are on the board of directors and the selection committees for the Ripton Community Coffee House and the Middlebury Festival on the Green.

Between them they have shared the stage with Pete Seeger, Brooks Williams, Lynn Miles, Phish, Louise Taylor, Robin Williamson, Slaid Cleaves, Jennifer Kimball, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen and Rachel Bissex.

All these various performing opportunities have honed a sound that is very confident and mature. Bread and Bones may be a new name to many Vermonters but if this CD is an example, this trio is headed for the bright lights of folkdom. They took several years to produce this first CD; I hope their next album is already in the planning stage. This CD is highly recommended.

© 2008 Times Argus
- Times Argus

Times Argus
August 1, 2008

CD Review
Bread and Bones headed for the bright lights of folkdom
By Art Edelstein Arts Correspondent

It's rare that a reviewer gets an album that is flawless. The first CD from Bread and Bones has one flaw, albeit a minor one. The group should have a better name.

Bread and Bones is led by Richard Ruane, a fine singer/guitarist and superior songwriter. He is joined by Beth Duquette on vocals and Mitch Barron on electric and upright bass and backing vocals.

While this is a trio, the major talent (although they are all very talented) is Ruane. He's a performer to note. His credits include being an award-winner or finalist at the Kerrville (Texas) Folk Festival, Grassy Hill New Folk Competition, the Great Waters Folk Festival Songwriter Contest, the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, the Plowshares Coffeehouse Singer-Songwriter Competition and Vermont's SolarFest Songwriter Showcase. This is quite a resume, and from the songs on this CD, his songwriting awards are well-deserved.

Ruane also won a "Rachel Bissex White Light Fund" scholarship to the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference. The scholarships are intended for Vermont artists developing careers as performers and recording artists.

Ruane writes in a distinctly "folk" style; if you need a contemporary word then "roots" works well. This is music with substance and intelligence covering a variety of themes.

The music is delivered tastefully with Ruane's acoustic guitar carrying the lion's share of the work and Barron's bass as the aural underpinning. Ruane's guitar work is crisp and emphatic rather than limply strummed. He gets a lot of sound from his often minimalist finger-picking and chord work. Barron is every Vermont folk group's bassist of choice. His work is solid and sensitive.

Duquette's singing should not be slighted although she often takes second chair to Ruane's lead vocals. Hers is a fine clear alto in perfect step with Ruane. Together the two can sing with the best on record. This is evident on "Fair and Tender Ladies," the old English ballad sung by many folkies, one of just two songs the group didn't write for this album.

What I enjoyed about this album beyond the finely crafted songs was the lack of pretension. With just guitar and bass, an occasional mandolin, ukulele, Dobro or accordion from cameo performers, this group held my attention throughout. There is no studio gimmickry. Instead, the voices are up front in the mix, the diction is clear, the music seems to pop out of the speakers and there is a lot of space in the aural landscape.

The members of Bread and Bones have each been in a large number of different groups over the years, including Feast or Famine, Sundog, The Hibernators, Wild Branch, the Rebecca Padula Band, the Michele Fay Band and Womensing.

Duquette and Ruane are also actively involved in presenting music in Vermont. Both are on the board of directors and the selection committees for the Ripton Community Coffee House and the Middlebury Festival on the Green.

Between them they have shared the stage with Pete Seeger, Brooks Williams, Lynn Miles, Phish, Louise Taylor, Robin Williamson, Slaid Cleaves, Jennifer Kimball, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen and Rachel Bissex.

All these various performing opportunities have honed a sound that is very confident and mature. Bread and Bones may be a new name to many Vermonters but if this CD is an example, this trio is headed for the bright lights of folkdom. They took several years to produce this first CD; I hope their next album is already in the planning stage. This CD is highly recommended.

© 2008 Times Argus
- Times Argus