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Bread and Bones is a Vermont-based acoustic trio performing original music with a strong traditional-roots foundation. They are Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron. Ruane 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. The sound of Bread and Bones is characterized by imaginative two- and three-part harmonies over solid guitar and bass work. Richard Ruane's warm baritone voice blends seamlessly with Beth Duquette’s expressive alto. Ruane plays guitar and also ukulele, mandolin and banjo. Mitch Barron adds his wonderful presence on fretless, fretted and upright bass and vocals. Recent reviews of Bread and Bones have said: “entertainers of the first order;” “gorgeous harmonies, captivating lyrics, and witty banter;” “music with substance and intelligence;” “Duquette’s and Ruane’s voices weave delightfully through each other and the music;” “superlative guitar work;” “finely crafted songs;” “a sound that is very confident and mature;” “their words are strong with a wealth of quotable lines.” Terry Lickona, the producer of Austin City Limits said: “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.” 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. Ruane's songwriting has been compared at times to Richard Shindell, Richard Thompson and John Gorka. Between them they have shared the stage with Pete Seeger, Phish, Brooks Williams, Lynn Miles, Louise Taylor, Robin Williamson, Slaid Cleaves, Jennifer Kimball, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen. Ruane and Duquette are also music presenters. They are on the board of directors and the selection committees for the Ripton Community Coffee House and the Middlebury Festival on the Green. |
