Bread And Bones March 19, 2009

Bread and Bones is a Vermont-based acoustic trio performing original music with a strong traditional-roots foundation. The members of Bread and Bones are Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron. Ruane is the primary songwriter and has been an award-winner or finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition in Kerrville, Texas, the Great Waters Music Festival Songwriter Contest in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (sponsored by the Songwriters Association of Washington, D.C.), the Plowshares Coffeehouse Singer-Songwriter Competition in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and the SolarFest Songwriter Showcase in Tinmouth, Vermont.

Their new CD, I Know Stories, is primarily original music written by Richard Ruane (and one song co-written with Beth Duquette), but it also includes the traditional song Fair and Tender Ladies and a reworking of the traditional song Walking Cane, with some additional lyrics and an added bridge.

In performance, in addition to their original music, they will also perform some traditional songs from America and the British Isles, songs by other songwriters and a few jazz standards. Richard Ruane's warm baritone voice blends beautifully with Beth Duquette’s expressive alto. Ruane plays guitar, ukulele, mandolin and banjo. Mitch Barron adds his wonderful presence on fretless, fretted and upright bass and vocals.

The sound of Bread and Bones is characterized by imaginative two and three part harmonies over solid and well thought out guitar and bass work. Ruane's songwriting has been compared at times to Richard Shindell, Richard Thompson and John Gorka.

Members of Bread and Bones are veterans of a number of different Vermont bands, honing their skills at many clubs, coffeehouses, festivals and colleges throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Between them they have shared the stage with Phish, Pete Seeger, Brooks Williams, Lynn Miles, Louise Taylor, Robin Williamson, Slaid Cleaves, Jennifer Kimball and Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen.

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

Their recording "I Know Stories" was named Vermont's best traditional album of 2008 by The Times Argus newspaper of Montpelier, Vermont.

"They are entertainers of the first order, producing gorgeous harmonies, captivating lyrics, and witty banter. We are always thrilled to welcome them back to the Ball & Chain." - Barbara Ebling, Co-owner of the Ball and Chain Café, Brandon, Vermont

"Bread and Bones gives a great live show. Their gorgeous 3 part harmonies are the perfect compliment to the warm and heartfelt songwriting of Richard Ruane. In their show, they created a playful, warm environment for the audience and kept us all engaged until the last song." - Anna Maria Tocci, Co-owner of the North Star Music Café, Portland, Maine

"(Ruane) possesses the three critical tools necessary to any writer in any genre – narrative sensibility, a poet’s ear, and a sense of humor. Their playing and singing are crisp and confident: Ruane’s work on guitar is full of finesse and creativity, yet he is too humble to dive into waters ruled by “hot flatpickers.” Similarly, Ms. Duquette’s harmony and lead vocals are clear and to the point but not overly adorned. And – to my ear at least – Barron’s sparse, deep backing on both upright bass and fretless electric puts the real stamp on this music as original, from-the-shoulder, and very much alive." - Jeff Trippe in MaineFolkMusic.com

"Bread & Bones is a trio which has a great variety of material. Many tunes are Richard's, and his music takes you from laughing to pondering. He is a multi-instrumentalist and his voice is decorated with the alto harmonies of Beth Duquette along with Mitch Barron's accomplished work on fretless and electric bass to round out the sound. Their great musicianship, tunes and lively stage banter has made them a favorite at The Music Box." - Lisa Sammet, Executive Director of the Music Box, Craftsbury, Vermont

“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.” - Terry Lickona, producer of Austin City Limits

"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. Traditional folk songs rounded out the interestingly varied repertoire of this group. Ruane's original songs had excellent melodies, combining imaginative lyrics with well-crafted tunes, frequently having demanding instrumental work." - David K. Rodgers, Hardwick Gazette

CDs and music downloads are available from CD Baby as well as many local independent providers and from Amazon, iTunes, Amie Street, Rhapsody, eMusic and many others.

Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/perkscoffeehouseproductions