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Things That Strangers Say
Things That Strangers Say is a well-thought-out collection of songs exploring love, friendship, family and the question, “What happens when you ignore your mother and talk to strangers?” Some songs record those chance interactions: a fellow American telling her story over tea in a foreign hostel, a drunkard coveting a street musician’s coins, a band of youths looking for some easy money. Other songs focus on those things that make life worthwhile, including a paean to America’s favorite beverage, coffee. This is Ruane’s fourth recording (the first being Feast or Famine’s record Brecon Beacon, produced in the 1980s on Philo Record’s Fretless label), but it is his first solo one and is primarily of his own compositions. Things That Strangers Say was completed in part due to a generous grant awarded by The Vermont Arts Endowment Fund. Richard Ruane's CD Things That Stranger's Say was released in 2001. It features Mitch Barron on bass and includes Beth Duquette, Rachel Bissex, Patti Casey, Jennifer Kimball, Pete Sutherland, Louise Taylor, Moira Smiley, Michael Chorney, Michael Corn, Ron Rost, Peter Engisch, Viveka Fox, Susan Reit and Su White. You can listen to samples from it by clicking on Listen. It is available online from CDBaby.com as well as from many other online sources. The songs can also be individually downloaded from most mp3 sources. "Love the disc, very well done, some great backing talent, but what carries it for me is the writing, and your strong vocals! It will be getting some serious play. Thanks for sending your work, it's Great!" — Chris Darling, host of "Us Folk" on WMPG “I
think the thing that strikes me about your material is that it is not simply
written, but crafted, using not only the richness of the lyrics but also the
intricacies of the music to complement the songs.” — Wanda Fischer, host
of The Hudson River Sampler on WAMC “Do you know how good your CD is?” — Marilyn Rea Beyer, WUMB "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" writing in No Depression
Please click on the Listen link to hear some samples. Click on the Lyrics link to check out the words.
Here's the complete track listing.
All songs are written by Richard Ruane, copyright Okey Dokey Folkie Music (BMI), all rights reserved, except for Crazy Man Michael by Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick Warlock Music, Ltd. (PRS). All rights for the United States and Canada controlled and administered by Pubco (BMI).
1. Don’t You Trust Me (2:20) RR – vocals, guitar. Rachel Bissex – vocals. Mitch Barron – bass. 2. Old Lovers (3:10) RR – vocals, guitar. Louise Taylor – vocals. Mitch Barron – bass. 3. Milk, No Sugar (3:44) RR – vocals, mandolin. Moira Smiley – vocals. Michael Corn – guitar. Ron Rost – bass.
4. A Heart That’s Open Wide (3:34) RR – vocals, guitar. Pete Sutherland – fiddle. Mitch Barron – bass. 5. Light of the World (3:12) RR – vocals, guitar. Jennifer Kimball – vocals. Mitch Barron – bass. 6. Joy That Carries Me (3:45) RR – vocals, guitar. Moira Smiley – vocals. Su White – vocals. Beth Duquette – vocals. Pete Sutherland – fiddle. Peter Engisch – piano. Mitch Barron – bass. 7. Rapid City (2:48) RR – vocals, guitar. 8. Boston (4:13) RR – vocals, guitar. Patti Casey – vocals. Viveka Fox – fiddle. Mitch Barron – bass. 9. Bartender (4:57) RR – vocals, mandolin. Michael Chorney – vocals. Michael Corn – guitar. Peter Engisch – piano. Ron Rost – bass. 10. Behind the Houses (3:45) RR – vocals, mandolin. Olaf Fub – electric guitars. Mitch Barron – bass. 11. George (4:19) RR – vocals, guitar, mandolin. Michael Chorney – vocals. Pete Sutherland – fiddle. Mitch Barron – bass. 12. Not That Man (3:23) RR – vocals, guitar. Mitch Barron – bass. 13. Dublin (3:49) RR – vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo. Susan Reit – recorder. Mitch Barron – bass. 14. Crazy Man Michael (3:35) by Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick RR – vocals, mandolin. Patti Casey – vocals. Viveka Fox – fiddle. Mitch Barron – bass. 15. Playing the Label in Waltz Time (0:20) RR – Thorens TD 280 turntable 16. Well-Meaning Folks With Guitars (2:45) RR – vocals, guitar.
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