No Part Of Nothin' by Runaway Planet

The group, made up of Greg Alexander (Guitar and vocals), Steve Brauer (Banjo and vocals), Ben Ellis (mandolin), and Michael Proveaux (Bass and vocals), has the makeup up a traditional bluegrass band. Their sound is dead on. The name of the project is "No Part of Nothin'", and this is one of those CDs that makes you proud of the fact you are a bluegrass fan, and it makes your dad proud too. The talent of these musicians runs deeper than just picking and playing. Alexander, Ellis, and Proveaux all wrote songs for the project. The CD opens (and closes) with 45 second reminder of their roots. A mando/banjo version of "St. James Infirmary Blues". Then it jumps right into the up tempo "Here I go"' . The song is lyrically pleasant, but the playing is superb. Here's the best part, it's just a preview of what's to come. Track 2 is the lead single from the CD called "Who's Gonna Work The Farm" and it is as near perfect as any bluegrass song cares to be. While listening to the CD, I had to keep reminding myself that this was indeed, a debut recording. The harmony vocals are perfect and the sound was amazing. For bluegrass fans who like a newer sound, there are tracks for you as well. Track 5 "Herbal Tea" sticks out as my favorite of the newgrass selections, followed closely by "Long Way to Memphis". The other track I wanted to be sure to mention, was the song titled "Movin' On". It's bluegrass meets ballad rock. It conjures up images of the Eagles, but with a banjo. Oh yes, in my minds eye, I can see Henley singing this song. Yup. It's just that hard to classify. If I were managing this group, I would release this song as a single to soft rock/top 40 stations. It is nice to hear bluegrass musicians who can expand their horizons and stay true to their roots at the same time. Over all, this is a must have CD for any collection. Some day these boys will be a household name, at least in bluegrass circles, and it will be nice to own their first release. My suggestion? Go out and get this CD. - Mark Bee - Program Director and Host of the internationally syndicated bluegrass radio program 'Blades of Blue" Independent Country Universe Blades Of Blue Syndicated radio productions of Boulton Beach Studios www.greenmountainmusic.com www.bladesofblue.com

"From the school of Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers and Flatt & Scruggs comes bluegrass combo Runaway Planet from Little Rock, Arkansas. "No Part of Nothin'" (independently produced) is their first album and it has make quite an impact. On fourteen songs Greg Alexander (guitar, vocals), Steve Brauer (banjo, vocals), Ben Ellis (mandolin) and Michael Proveaux (bass, vocals) demonstrate that they understand the laws of bluegrass quite well. This means that the genre lover can enjoy cutting songs with the sounds of many strings - the solos on banjo, guitar and mandolin follow each other very quickly - with superior vocal harmonies. Although deeply rooted in the history (of the music) this quartet sounds considerably contemporary, yet not as alternative as The Hackensaw Boys, but much less harsh. An extra compliment for Runaway Planet, is that aside from the short, instrumental, traditional piece "St. James Infirmary Blues", which starts and ends the album, the band wrote all the song material themselves. Therefore no covers and public domain-stuff such as is common in bluegrass-land, but a completely original repertoire. A dramatic song - concerning the destruction of the farmer's lifestyle (tip: Who's Gonna' Work The Farm?), a road song (Long Way To Memphis, with the point of the song: "Long way to Memphis if you ain't from Arkansas") and even a love song (tip: Red Barn, girl goes into a barn with another guy) The drama, road and love songs are characterized with a lot of speed and edgy tones. Not until Movin 'On does the band slow down which makes the song unusual compared to the rest of the album. But the musicians swing their sorrow away just like their heroes once did."

* Bart Ebisch, altcountry.nl

"The foremost bluegrass band in Little Rock, this quartet has performed with such bluegrass heroes as Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs and Sam Bush. Runaway Planet's brand of bluegrass takes a modern spin to what is often considered an antiquated genre, playing what many call "newgrass".

* Little Rock Monthly

"Bluegrass played exceptionally well, and with attitude ... These boys can play."

* BIG Magazine

"Grab your dancin' shoes."

* Fayetteville Free Weekly

"Bluegrass rockers ..."

* Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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