The Running Kind - Country-Rock Music for your listening pleasure


What pleases me about alt-country THE RUNNING KIND (named after a Merle Haggard ditty) is that their sound is just a bit off. On “The Girl For All the World” (Bossanova Music, c/o therunningkind.net), the vocals are shared by real-life Massachusetts-bred couple Leslie Ann Bosson and Matt Bosson (also on acoustic guitar), and their sounds are not what one would expect for the genre. Leslie Ann has a forced operatic (excuse the redundancy) tone that adds an unusual but effective element; Matt sounds a bit like he’s straining at times, especially on the Neil Young cover, “Don’t Cry No Tears.” When they sing together, it reminds me a bit of Rank & File – not in sound, but how two different and non-formulaic voices can blend and be idiosyncratically interesting. Along with some really fine originals, such as the outstanding “Old Girl” and “I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before),” there are a couple of noteworthy covers of Gram Parson’s classic “Return of the Grievous Angel” and the George Jones standard, “Life to Go.” The rest of the band holds Leslie Ann and Matt up with strong support. -- Robert Barry Francos, The Quiet Corner Winter 2011 - Jersey Beat http://www.jerseybeat.com/quietcorner.html http://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/
The Running Kind / The Girl For All The World This L.A. area band is a Country/Rock outfit, fronted by singer Leslie Ann Bosson. Their tunes tend to start out with acoustic guitar, but they do have drums, usually played with brushes, and bass & electric guitar. They’ve got a piano player too, and Leslie sings harmonies with her husband Matt, the acoustic guitarist, on several songs, and he sings lead on a few too. Of the 10 songs on their new CD, they wrote 7, but open on George Jones’ “Life To Go.” They close with Gram Parsons’ “Return Of The Grievous Angel” and Neil Young’s “Don’t Cry No Tears.” The addition of pedal steel on 6 songs, and dobro on one, gives the proceedings a more Country feel, and I like the laid back two step of “A Okay” especially. “Don’t That Make No Sense” has a two-beat feel with the mandolin and dobro, more old-timey than the rest. Lead guitarist George Alexander sings “Seemed Like A Good Idea,” which has Matt on trombone, just briefly for comic effects here and there, pushing that tune slightly in a Dixieland direction. They do feature both upright and electric bass, but I think those last two tunes probably show their direction. The runningkind.net -MB www.bluesuedenews.com
If you like your country mid-tempo, sugared with camp-fireside pedal steel and dotted with tinkling piano, The Girl For All The World from Los Angeles quintet THE RUNNING KIND won't disappoint. A touch rough and ready in places, but Leslie Bosson's thick, red-wine-gravy voice proves curiously compelling. --R2 Magazine (UK) - 2010 November http://www.rock-n-reel.co.uk/
THE RUNNING KIND – The Girl For All The World (Bossonova Music Records) Twang vocals well done; a great bunch of musicians but I have to say I like the covers better – George Jones, Gram Parsons, Neil Young… The George Jones cover is really top notch – I listened to it more than twice, tell you what. The Running Kind, BTW, is a Merle Haggard song. Anyway the rhymes in their original stuff are a little forced, a little too pat. Still, all in all a great listen. -- STUBBLE MusicZine #47 http://stubblemusiczine.com/
THE RUNNING KIND AT THE ECHO It's ironic that the Running Kind named themselves after the Merle Haggard lament about wanderlust, because the local country-rock band is the very portrait of domestic bliss. Lead singer Leslie Ann Bosson and guitarist/songwriter Matt Bosson are married, and the rest of the group — lead guitarist George Alexander, drummer Neil Fukasawa, bassist Frank San Filippo and pianist Kevin Smith — fit in comfortably like members of an extended family. On the Running Kind's new CD, The Girl for All the World, Leslie Ann's operatic purity and Matt's down-home counterpoint twist together into some nice harmonies, while Alexander lights things up with judicious honky-tonk sparkle. Matt is a pleasantly tuneful writer, but he's more interesting when he gets deeper and darker, exploring the bittersweet contradictions of love and wanderlust on the title track and "Old Girl," which fit in best with the sextet's low-key covers of George Jones' "Life to Go" and Neil Young's "Don't Cry No Tears." The Running Kind precede former Continental Drifter Gary Eaton's country-rock combo Kingsizemaybe with an early-evening set at the no-cover, all-ages hoedown Grand Ole Echo, 6:30 p.m. (Falling James) -- LA Weekly Music Pick of the Week for Sunday, September 12 at the Grand Ole Echo http://www.laweekly.com/content/printVersion/1052377/
THE RUNNING KIND "The Girl For All the World" Bossanova The Running Kind is like a poppy, female-fronted Johnny Cash band, complete with fights and deceit, humor and longing. Many of the songs have a male singer along with the female voice, and unlike Johnny Cash, the band is hopeful rather than cynical. All of the songs on "The Girl for All the World" are originals. Guitar solos remind you of the 1970s, and a nice twangy sound is also reminiscent of the alt-country of the 1970s. A slow, plodding track here and there provide a counterpoint to more upbeat songs, but overall, the whole album is mid-paced and would be a nice, kick-your-feet-up-for-awhile listen. It could also provide some great tracks for throwing into a country-rock mixtape. -- John Shelton Ivany - Top 21 Reviews Issue #384 http://www.jsitop21.com
THE GIRL FOR ALL THE WORLD - Self released - Bossonova Music Records **** It is albums like this that get bands noticed and appreciated in the way they deservedly should be. Taking their name from the Merle Haggard song, this Los Angeles band are fronted by husband and wife Leslie Ann and Matt Bosson, with Matt writing the original songs featured on this ten-tune album. Theirs is quite a story, for they grew up together as friends in rural western Massachusetts and years later they reunited and married. Joing them on this album is six other musicians who bring to the table some exquisite playing on drums, mandolin, trombone, pedal steel, both electric and acoustic guitar and piano. Leslie provides the main vocals, with a voice which instantly grabs your attention and it takes something really special to stop you from paying every little bit off attention to what this band has to say. Consisting of three covers and seven original songs, A Okay is a perfect example of the latter. With a pure country opening, it has a different groove to it than the other song but this is merely a bonus and not a hindrance as it shows there are different stylistic settings to this band. The one song of theirs which isn't written by them is Return of the Grievous Angel. You can just imagine Gram Parsons' version when hearing this but as this interpretation is that good you picture this being the original due to the convincing style in which this band performs it. Theirs is a style which others may dare to copy, but when The Running Kind get into full swing it takes one mighty force to beat them. Be sure to watch out for them, for material such as this shouldn't wander off into the sunset and not be heard again. RH -- Maverick Magazine - UK, September 2010
California’s country music history is deep, from Buck Owens’ Bakersfield sound to the late ’60s country rock movement and on to modernists such as Rich Shea and Jenny Lewis. Now there is the Running Kind, a quintet named after a Merle Haggard tune and led by husband-and-wife team Matt and Leslie Ann Bosson. On The Girl for All the World the band shifts from honky tonk to country rock with assurance. Leslie Ann’s classically tinted voice has little twang, but her sweet Sandy Denny-esque style brings contrast to country cadences. Covers include George Jones’ prison lament “Life to Go,” a Linda Ronstadt-ish rendition of Gram Parsons’ “Return of the Grievous Angel” and an energized interpretation of Neil Young’s “Don’t Cry No Tears.” The best songs are originals such as tough-minded “Old Girl” and “Don’t Make No Sense,” where Matt and Leslie Ann duet like Richard and Linda Thompson, while Matt echoes Michael Nesmith’s comedic tone on swinging “Seemed Like a Good Idea.” Grade: B The Girl for All the World is currently available. By Doug Simpson -- Campus Circle http://www.campuscircle.com/review.cfm?r=11419&h=The-Running-Kind-i-The-Girl-for-All-the-World-i-
The Running Kind: The Girl For All The World (Bossonova Music) Having taken their name from a 1977 Merle Haggard song, the husband and wife team of Matt and Leslie Bosson cover songs by George Jones, Gram Parsons, and Neil Young on this, their second release. Alongside the three covers, there are seven originals with Matt and Leslie exchanging lead vocal duties throughout. Album highlights include the gorgeous title track and the galloping twang of "Old Girl," which showcases George Alexander's storming electric guitar. By Pasquale Iannone -- Under The Radar magazine (Summer 2010) http://www.undertheradarmag.com/issues/5359/
Original Italian: Nonostante in copertina risalti il solo viso di Leslie Bosson, The Running Kind è un progetto che vede coinvolta una vera e propria band formata con il marito Matt, entrambi transfughi dal Massachusetts e trasferitisi in California. Crescono nella piccola cittadina di Williamstown e frequentano le stesse scuole, sempre e solo sfiorandosi nelle passioni musicali: cantano nel coro del liceo ma prendono strade differenti, dato che a Matt piacciono le chitarre e il rock'n'roll mentre Leslie sembra più interessata al canto classico, mai dimeticandosi però della tradizione country ascoltata in famiglia. Dopo qualche esperienza californiana in band minori del circuito punk e non solo, tra cui Lonesome Pie e Beatrice, Matt ritrova Leslie quasi per caso ad una di quelle vecchie (e solitamente un po' malinconiche…) riunioni di compagni di scuola e scatta la scintilla: il brano galeotto è un vecchio successo di Patsy Cline, Who Can I Count On?, che Leslie intona a cappella. Da qui le rotte della country music e del rock si rincontrano dando vita ai The Running King: allargati a sei elementi, con la telecaster dal tipico twang sound di George Alexander e il piano di Kevin Smith in evidenza, The Running Kind propongono una formula in partenza imbattibile e quanto mai classica. Si tratta insomma di un country rock di origine controllata, anche se un po' scolatisco o meglio "prevedibile", con il cuore rivolto al passato e nella mente gli insegnamenti dei maestri del genere (il nome della band deriva da una famosa hit di Merle Haggard). In una alternanza di mid tempo e ballate rurali, il gruppo scopre il suo background con la scelta delle tre cover che arrichiscono la scaletta (sette per contro i brani originali): Life to Go di George Jones ad aprire il sipario, quindi nel finale l'accoppiata Return of The Grevious Angel (Gram Parsons, chi altrimenti a dare un impronta cosmic country?) e Don't Cry No tears (il brano di Neil Young è qui meno elettrico dell'originale e virato con una discreta personalità verso una ballata elettro-acustica). La coppia vocale richiama ovviamente il grande binomio Parsons-Harris, almeno a livello di suggestioni sia chiaro, poiché mi pare ovvio che i risultati in The Girl For All the World non siano paragonabili in termini artistici. Il sound comunque è cristallino, la produzione "fatta in casa" ma rispettosa dello stile adottato, così che la band si difende sul terreno della tradizione, spiccando per vivacità in Seemed Like a Good Idea e Old Girl, quest'ultimo un country rock dai tratti desertici che ricorda persino gli X di John Doe e Excene Cervenka quando andavano in gita per il campi del cosiddetto roots rock. Nel frattempo The Running Kind sono diventati una discreta attrazione nel circuito indipendente di Los Angeles, fra i locali dediti all'alt-country e dintorni: nulla per cui strapparsi i capelli, ma la loro musica è una gradevole certezza. By Davide Albini - Roots Highway, Italy www.rootshighway.it/outsiders/running.htm English translation In spite of the cover where there is only face of Leslie Bosson, The Running Kind is a project that seems to have involved into a true band, formed with her husband Matt. Both moved from Massachusetts and relocated to California. They grow up in the small town of Williamstown and go to the same schools, always and only touching each other’s musical passions; they sing in the same corridors of high school but took different courses since Matt likes guitars and rock and roll while Leslie seems more interested in classical songs, but one must not forget the traditions of country (listens?) in the family. After some California experience in smaller bands of the punk circuits, and not only among those, Lonesome Pie and Beatrice, Matt found Leslie almost by accident in one of those old (melancholic?) reunion of school friends and the spark happens; the song of guilt is an old success of Patsy Cline, Who Can I Count On?, that Leslie sings a capella. From this point the path of country music and of rock meet each other giving birth to The Running Kind: increased to six elements with telecaster of twang type sound of George Alexander and on the piano Kevin Smith in evidence, The Running Kind, they propose a formula which is in the beginning not billable and almost classic. It is in reality a country rock of controlled origin, even if a little scholarly or better, “foreseeable” with the heart toward the past and the blind teachings of the gender (the name of the band comes from a Merle Hagard hit). In an alternative of the mid-tempo and country ballads the group discovers its background with a choice of the three covers which enrich the scale (seven against the original pieces) Life to Go by George Jones to open the curtain, and in the final accompaniment Return of the Grievous Angel (Graham Parsons who otherwise to give an impromptu cosmic country and Don’t Cry No Tears (a piece by Neil Young that is less electric than the original, (verato? We can’t seem to translate this word) with a noticeable personality toward an electro-acoustic ballad). Obviously the vocal duo recalls the great pair Parsons-Harris, at least at the level of suggestion be clear, because it seems obvious to me that the resulting The Girl for All the World, though not comparable in artistic terms. The sound is crystal clear, the production “done in house” but respectful of the style that they wanted. In this manner the band can claim it is in keeping with that style of music, standing out for their liveliness are Seemed Like a Good Idea and Old Girl, the latest in country rock and is reminiscent of X di John Doe and Excene Cervenka when they were exploring the roots of rock, those two seemed like a good idea. In the meantime The Running Kind have become a pretty good attraction on the independent circle of Los Angeles clubs that go for high country and environs: nothing for pulling your hair out, but it’s pleasing and it sticks to the rules.
Original Dutch: The Running Kind zijn Leslie Bosson (zang), Matt Bosson (zang, akoestische gitaar, trombone), George Alexander (elektrische gitaar, zang), Frank San Filippo (akoestische en elektrische bas, mandoline, zang), Mitsuru “Neil” Fukusawa (drums, percussie, mandoline, zang) en Kevin Smith (piano, keyboards), een vanuit Californië actief zestal, dat met “The Girl For All The World” na het in 2006 verschenen “Very Far” al aan zijn tweede cd toe is. Het naar een liedje van Merle Haggard vernoemde sextet brengt daarop met de hulp van gastmuzikanten Darlin’ Jim D’Damery (dobro) en John Groover McDuffie (pedal steel) zeven eigen liedjes van de echtelieden Bosson en covers van “Life To Go” van George Jones, “Return Of The Grievous Angel” van Gram Parsons en “Don’t Cry No Tears” van Neil Young. Samen met Hank Williams en Johnny Cash wellicht niet geheel toevallig als voornaamste inspiratiebronnen geciteerd door songwriter Matt Bosson, die drie. Met hun liedjes laten die van The Running Kind weer heel even de jaren zeventig herleven. Meer bepaald de toen redelijk succesvolle countryrockvariant. Gefocust wordt er daarin op de klassiek geschoolde stem van Leslie Bosson, de harmonieuze samenzang met haar wederhelft en diens door hoger vernoemde grootheden beïnvloede songs, de aandacht daarbij keurig verdelend over vrijwel ogenblikkelijk meezingbare ballades en mid-tempo rockertjes. Mooi weliswaar, maar al bij al nogal braaf allemaal en daar knelt het schoentje hier toch wel een beetje. Bovendien is het ons inziens zo, dat Leslie Bossons stem eerder geschikt is voor wat meer folkgetint materiaal. Daarin zou ze naar onze bescheiden mening met haar misthoorn pas écht kunnen excelleren. Ctl. Alt. Country Belgium E-zine http://www.ctrlaltcountry.be/Pagina1.htm Google translated version: The Running Kind Bosson are Leslie (vocals), Matt Bosson (vocals, acoustic guitar, trombone), George Alexander (guitar, vocals), Frank San Filippo (acoustic and electric bass, mandolin, vocals), Mitsuru "Neil" Fukusawa ( drums, percussion, mandolin, vocals) and Kevin Smith (piano, keyboards), an active six from California, that "The Girl For All The World" in 2006 after it appeared "Very Far" now in its second CD stand. It to a song by Merle Haggard mentioned sextet brings them with the help of guest musicians Darlin 'Jim D'Damery (dobro) and John Groover McDuffie (pedal steel) seven own songs of Mr and Mrs Bosson and covers of "Life To Go" by George Jones' Return Of The Grievous Angel "by Gram Parsons and" Do not Cry No Tears "by Neil Young. Along with Hank Williams and Johnny Cash may not be entirely accidental as the main sources of inspiration cited by songwriter Matt Bosson, who three. With their songs to those of The Running Kind again briefly relive the seventies. More specifically, the then fairly successful country-rock version. It is focused on the classically trained voice of Leslie Bosson, the harmonious singing with her spouse and his songs influenced by greats mentioned above, thereby neatly dividing the attention of virtually instantaneously catchy ballads and mid-tempo rocker voice. Nice indeed, but all in all pretty good all the shoe pinches here and there but a little. Moreover, we feel so that Leslie Bossons voice more suitable for some more folk tinged material. It would in our humble opinion, she with her fog horn can really excel.
This is shit kicker music. Country western, beer-drinkin’, cowboy-boot clankin’ music. Pull on those Tony Lamas and dust off those Lee Jeans. You’ll be hittin' the honky-tonks, cryin’ in your beer, hee-hawin’ with your horse, and all the time there will be guitars, bass, drums, mandolins, piano, dobro, pedal steel, even a trombone, a-playin’ to entertain you. You see, these boys can really get down. Leslie can sing a touch or two - so can George, Matt, Neil and Frank. You’ll be two-steppin’, a-waltzin’, box steppin’ and country swingin’. You will also be wantin’ to listen. So get yourself a cold one. Matt and Leslie Bosson sang together in the Mt. Greylock Regional High School choir. Later on they married and came up with this here band, Running Kind, named after an old Merle Haggard tune. They got George Alexander to break out his Telecaster, Mitsuru “Neil” Fukusawa to bang on the drums and pick a bit of mandolin, Frank San Filippo to thump the stand-up bass and play an electric Fender, and Kevin Smith to tickle the ivories. Darlin' Jim D'Damery adds a bit of dobro to Running Kind’s song “Don’t That Make No Sense” and John Groover McDuffie, from Rita Coolidge’s band, dropped in and played pedal steel on the songs “Two Roads,” “A Okay,” “Seemed Like A Good Idea,” “I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before),” “Return of the Grievous Angel,” and on “Don’t Cry No Tears.” Here in the US of A country music outsells metal, rap, latin, jazz, new age, classical, Christian and soundtrack music. It has a long domestic history - it is a true American art form. Generally, it consists of silly lyrics, story-telling and “woe is me” love songs. The twang-tinged musicianship can be awe-inspiring like a Doc Watson guitar pickin’ instrumental or a Flatt and Scruggs duet. All these ingredients are combined on Running Kind’s album - The Girl For All The World. Throughout this collection Running Kind taps into the various sub-genres of country. The song “Life To Go,” is a George Jones classic about a jailed woman doing a life sentence that tells her tale of woe and remorse. It is a ballad played in a style reminiscent of Marty Robbins’ hit song “The Chair.” The album’s title song “The Girl For All The World” is a story, unusual for country in that it could be interpreted as a lesbian love song, delivered in a mournful style akin to an Emmylou Harris slow ballad. The next track, “Two Roads,” is the only song on the album written jointly by Matt and Leslie. Acoustic, electric and slide guitars, drums, keyboards and vocals all come together to form an excellent two-steppin’, twangy fandango about separation and reunion. It is followed by “A Okay” a warm, honky-tonk, love song featuring some stellar slide guitar work. Leslie’s voice on the track called to mind the vocal style of the late Nicolette Larson. A bluegrass lilt permeates “Don’t That Make No Sense,” a song about life and how it changes us. The music, not the words, harken to Mungo Jerry’s 1970’s hit “In The Summertime.” Running Kind follows “Don’t That Make No Sense” with “Seemed Like A Good Idea,” a comedic ballad, complete with trombone, that is in the tongue in cheek style of Buck Owens. In fact, it reminded me of Buck’s classic “Pfft, She Was Gone.” The album slows down for “I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before)” a “somebody done done somebody wrong” song. The lyrics are typical country western fare over music that echos the song “Anna (Go With Him),” written by the great Arthur Alexander, but, probably better known from the hit cover version by The Beatles on their 1963 album Please, Please Me. After “I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before)” the band plays “Old Girl,” a blockbuster of a country/folk/rock/alternative crossover tune that has more of a relationship to an Outlaws or Marshall Tucker Band song than it does to traditional country western. This one could play, and become a hit, on country, rock, alternative and folk radio stations. The last two songs on the album are covers. Gram Parson’s “Return of the Grievous Angel” is about as country a country ballad as you can get. Running Kind gives it an even greater yee-haw treatment, and a slightly more upbeat tempo, than Gram Parsons did on his album Grievous Angel. The song is about coming back to one’s love after time on the road. The album culminates with a cover of Neil Young’s “Don’t Cry No Tears” a short ballad about lost love. It is played in a more polished manner and in a traditional country style rather than in the folk-rock style of Neil Young & Crazy Horse on their album Zuma. Any old cowpoke worth their boots will tell you that there are two types of shit-kicker music - good and bad. Partner, this is the good shit. - Old School The Ripple Effect http://ripplemusic.blogspot.com/
Original German: The Running Kind "The Girl for all the World" Label: Bossonova Music Records 2010 Das Gesangsduo Leslie Ann und Matt Bosson (auch Akustikgitarre und Posaune) aus Los Angeles sind der Mittelpunkt der Alt-Country Formation The Running Kind. Gemeinsam mit George Alexander (E-Gitarren, Gesang), Mitsuru "Neil" Fukusawa (Drums, Perkussion, Mandoline, Gesang), Frank San Filippo (Bass, Mandoline, Gesang) und Kevin Smith (Piano, E-Piano) haben sie ihr zweites Album "The Girl for all the World" aufgenommen. Die CD beginnt mit einer Cover Version der traurigen Ballade "Life to go" von George Jones aus dem Jahr 1960, bei dem Leslie mit ihrer schönen Altstimme den Lead übernimmt. Das ist auch bezeichnend für die gecoverten und originalen Songs, die uns mit ihrem nostalgischen Sound in die 70er Jahre entführen. Wie der rhythmisch melodiöse Titelsong von Matt, bei dem die beiden mit tollem zweistimmigen Gesang überzeugen. Sechs der sieben Originalsongs stammen von Matt, nur den rhythmische Country "Two Roads" haben Matt und Leslie gemeinsam komponiert, die Hauptstimme singt hier aber Matt. Darlin' Jim D'Damery gastiert beim rasanten "Don't that make no Sense" am Dobro und John Groover McDuffie spielt bei einem Großteil der Titel die Pedal Steel. Für meinen Geschmack sind die meisten Lieder etwas zu sanft, daher ist mein Favorit auch der mitreißende Country Rock "Old Girl", bei dem die sechs ihre Qualitäten als Rockband zeigen. Mit Gram Parsons' Country Klassiker "Return of the grievous Angel" und Neil Youngs rockigem Americana "Don't cry no Tears" endet das Album mit zwei Songs aus den 70ern. The Running Kind bestechen mit wunderschönen Gesangsstimmen und gutem alten Country; für Freunde des Genres ein Leckerbissen. By Adolf 'gorhand' Goriup - Folkworld CD Kritiken http://www.folkworld.de/42/d/cds4.html#runn%3E English Translation by Jonathan Bach: The singing duo Leslie Ann and Matt Bosson (also acoustic guitar and trombone) from Los Angeles are the core of the alt country band The Running Kind. They have just recorded their second album, “The Girl for All the World” together with George Alexander (electric guitar, vocals), Mitsuru “Neil” Fukusawa (drums, percussion, mandolin, vocals), Frank San Filippo (bass, mandolin, vocals) and Kevin Smith (piano, electric piano). The CD begins with a cover version of the 1960 sad ballad “Life to go” by George Jones, with Leslie taking the lead with her beautiful alto voice. This is also indicative for the other covers and original songs, which seduced us with their nostalgic sound of the 70s. Like the rhythmically melodious title song by Matt, which satisfies with a wonderful vocal duo. Six of the seven original songs are by Matt, only the rhythmic country “Two Roads” is co-written by Matt and Leslie, though with the lead vocals by Matt. Darlin’ Jim D’Damery makes a guest appearance on dobro with the fast-paced “Don’t that make no Sense” and John Grover McDuffie plays pedal steel on the majority of the songs. For my taste most of the songs are a touch too soft, which makes my favorite the electrifying country rock tune “Old Girl” where the six musicians show their qualities as a rock band.Mit Gram Parson’s country classic “Return of the grievous angel” and Neil Young’s rocking Americana “Don’t cry no tears” the album ends with two songs from the 70s. The Running Kind captivates with wonderfully beautiful vocals and good old country: for friends of this genre it is a delicious morsel.
The Running Kind -- The Girl for All the World (self-released) The Running Kind put three covers on this album, and while they're great (George Jones, Gram Parsons and Neil Young), it's obvious that this band's strength is performing its own material. Leslie Ann Bosson has a classic female country voice, and Matt Bosson provides a fine counterpoint. The team effort here, though, is what makes these songs swing and sway so nicely. Old school, and oh-so-good. by Jon Worley -- Aiding & Abetting http://www.aidabet.com/issues/318/318reviews.html#ALSO
Original German: Den Bandnamen RUNNING KIND hat sich das kalifornische Alt.Country-Quintett kurzerhand bei einem Song der Country-Ikone Merle Haggard ausgeliehen. Den sich damit selbst auferlegten höchsten musikalischen Ansprüchen gerecht zu werden, gelingt der Band mit ihrem zweiten Album The Girl For All The World aufs Allerbeste. Dort wo sich starkes, innovatives, aus der Tradition von Williams, Cash und Haggard gespeistes Songwriting mit dem countrifizierten Rock eines Gram Parsons oder den Flying Burrito Brothers treffen wird’s immer spannend und absolut hörenswert. By Max W. Achatz - Jukebox Flash -- Country Jukebox http://www.countryjukebox.de/pages/flash.htm English translation by Jonathan Bach: The California alt.country quintet "Running Kind" lifted their name from a song by the country icon Merle Haggard. In laying claim to this tradition they raise the musical bar high, and in their second album, "The Girl For All The World" the band succeeds at the highest level. There, where strong, innovative songwriting flavored with the tradition of Williams, Cash and Haggard meets the countrified rock of Gram Parsons or the Flying Burrito Brothers, you will always find exciting music that is absolutely worth a listen.
Gram Parsons’ Cosmic American music legacy is alive and well and continues to permeate it’s genius, getting soaked up and reworked by today’s alt-country purveyors, The Running Kind show their colours with an honourable version of Return of the Grievous Angel one of three covers on the bands ten track sophomore release, the others are Shakey’s Don’t Cry No Tears and George Jones’ Life to Go, if you factor in the band name you can take a good guess of what’s on offer on The Girl For All The World. The album is a solid mix of countrified rock, honky tonk and 70’s country radio, at the band’s centre are husband and wife duo Matt and Leslie Ann Bosson, Matt takes credit for the albums original songs and Leslie provides the lions share of the vocals, the pair are supported by band members George Alexander (electric guitar), Mitsuru "Neil" Fukusawa (drums, percussion, mandolin) Frank San Filippo (upright and Fender Bass, mandolin, Kevin Smith (keys) with added twang from Darlin’ Jim Damery (dobro) and John Groover McDuffle (pedal steel). The album is out officially next month, though you can pick up copies from the band at their gigs, the CD will be available through CDBaby, check the band’s Homepage for more information and updates. My pick: Don't That Make No Sense by Beat Surrender beat-surrender.blogspot.com
Everything your parents don't want you to get into as a teenager the Bossons capture on The Running Kind's "The Girl For All the World". That's what you hear. Everything you love about the night, about love and desire, sex and retribution, all those sides of us The Running Kind calls up. by John Shelton Ivany -- Top21 www.jsitop21.com
Original Dutch: Even dachten wij dat Diana Jones haar majestueuze vocalen geleend had aan de vanuit LA opererende altcountry groep The Running Kind toen we voor het eerst de groep zijn tweede cd “The Girl For All The World” beluisterden. Nader onderzoek wees echter uit dat het ging om Leslie Bosson, de leading lady van The Running Kind, die haar gouden stembanden ongetwijfeld dagelijks met hetzelfde natuurlijke, parelende bronwater smeert als Diana Jones. Bovendien is Leslie Bosson een geschoolde operazangeres en dat maakt van haar opvallende, krachtige zang meteen de sterkste troef van The Running Kind. Tweede troef is Leslie’s echtgenoot en songschrijver van de groep Matt Bosson, wiens schorre stemgeluid een verleden in plaatselijke punkrockgroepjes verraadt. En hoewel Matt zijn gehavende stem veel weg heeft van het ijzingwekkende geluid dat over een schoolbord krassende vingernagels maken, werkt de harmoniërende samenzang van het koppel wonderwel perfect. Leslie en Matt Bosson doen dan ook eerder denken aan dat andere zingende koppel Gillian Welch en David Rawlings dan aan June Carter en Johnny Cash. Matt Bosson is overigens geen veelschrijver, want hij leverde slechts 7 van de 10 songs die het album sieren. Die 7 originele songs zijn gelukkig van zo’n uitmuntende kwaliteit dat ze moeiteloos overeind blijven tussen de 3 covers die de groep brengt. Zo start het album vol zelfvertrouwen uit de startblokken met een afgestofte versie van het 50 jaar oude “Life To Go” van George Jones om een half uur later glorieus de finish te bereiken met fantastische versies van het Gram Parsons monument “Return Of The Grievous Angel” en de Neil Young classic “Don’t Cry No Tears”. Toch vormen deze eigengereide covers niet de hoogtepunten van de cd. Ze geven hooguit aan in welke hoek je de organische, warmbloedige altcountry van The Running Kind dient te situeren. De op een wondermooie, rondfladderende pianomelodie van titeltrack “ The Girl For All The World” had bijvoorbeeld niet misstaan naast “Sin City” op de elpee “The Gilded Palace Of Sin” van Gram Parsons’ legendarische groep The Flying Burrito Brothers. “A Okay” vleit zich met zijn zachtjes wiegende pedal steel klanken dan weer knus in de schommelstoel van ons gemoed en doet ons wegdromen naar de tijd dat Gram Parsons met The Byrds het meesterwerk “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” aan de wereld schonk. The Running Kind dankt overigens zijn naam aan de gelijknamige song van country legende Merle Haggard wiens invloed overduidelijk te horen is in de bloedmooie, onvervalste country tearjerker “I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before)” waarin zangeres Leslie Bosson zich terloops naast Patsy Cline en Loretta Lynn hijst. Matt Bosson mag zich vervolgens meten met drinkebroer George Jones in het beschonken, tot meezingen uitnodigende “Seemed Like A Good Idea”. Maar wat ons betreft is de groep pas écht op zijn best als hij de teugels laat vieren en aldus in Neil Young county terechtkomt middels het door vurige gitaren aangedreven tweeluik “Old Girl” en “Two Roads”. Het mag duidelijk zijn: met “The Girl For All The World” maakte The Running Kind een droom van een altcountry album. Precies het soort album dat je op tijd en stond doet beseffen waarom je zo van het genre houdt. by RoenHetZwoen - rootstime.be http://www.rootstime.be/ English Translation by Lennaart Van Oldenborgh For a moment we thought that Diana Jones lent her majestic vocals to an altcountry band operating from LA, when we first listened to the band's second CD “The Girl For All The World”. However closer inspection revealed that we were dealing with Leslie Bosson, who undoubtedly lubricates her golden vocal cords with the same natural, sparkling mineral water as Diana Jones. In addition Leslie Bosson is a trained opera singer and this makes her remarkable, powerful vocals the strongest trump card of The Running Kind. The second trump card is Leslie's spouse, and songwriter of the band, Matt Bosson whose hoarse raspy voice betrays a past in local punk rock bands. And although his damaged voice is reminiscent of the chilling sound made by nails scratching a blackboard, the close harmony vocals of the couple works miraculously well. So Leslie and Matt are more reminiscent of that other singing couple Gillian Welch and David Rawlings than of June Carter and Johnny Cash. By the way Matt Bosson is not a speedwriter because he contributed only 7 of the 10 songs on the album. Those 7 original songs are of such superb quality that they effortlessly stand up to the 3 covers the band presents. So the album starts confidently with a refreshed version of the 50-year old "Life To Go" by George Jones, and gloriously reaches the finish half an hour later with fantastic versions of Gram Parsons monumental “Return Of The Grievous Angel” and the Neil Young classic “Don’t Cry No Tears”. And yet these highly original covers are not the highlights of the CD. They merely indicate in which area (literally "neighborhood") to situate the organic, warmblooded altcountry of The Running Kind. The wonderfully beautiful, fluttering piano melody on the title track “The Girl For All The World” would not have been out of place next to "Sin City" on the album “The Gilded Palace Of Sin” of Gram Parsons’ legendary band The Flying Burrito Brothers. “A Okay” with its softly rocking pedal steel sounds cuddles up cozily in the rocking chair of our mood, and makes us daydream of the time that Gram Parsons and The Byrds bestowed the masterpiece “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” to the world. As a matter of fact, The Running Kind takes its name from the song of that name by Merle Haggard, whose influence is clearly audible in the gorgeous unadulterated tearjerker “I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before)” in which singer Leslie Bosson raises herself to the level of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn along the way. Subsequently Matt Bosson measures up to drinking buddy George Jones in the inebriated, singalong-inviting “Seemed Like a Good Idea”. But as far as we are concerned the band is only really at its best when it lets go of the reins and arrives in Neil Young country, driven by fiery guitars, with the diptych “Old Girl” and “Two Roads”. It should be clear: with “The Girl For All The World” The Running Kind made a dream of an altcountry album. Exactly the kind of album that makes you immediately realise why you love the genre so much. by Roen het Zwoen.
I always scan a CD's song titles to get an idea what's what. Poring over the roster for The Girl for All the World, I noted The Running Kind's cover of Gram Parson's Return of the Grievous Angel and thought "Uh-oh, this one's gonna be trouble!", and, sure enough, it is. Not because it isn't good, it is, but because the album is so steeped in true country as a baseline, and I've always had difficulties with that genre. However, listening to Parsons years ago—not an easy task—I began to cultivate an appreciation for how difficult the task was to modernize the form while remaining true to its essence and heart. That's what The Running Kind is doing. This, folks, is country and there's no missing the fact, no bones about it. As far as my non-boot-scootin' rear end can tell, the group is picking up where Gram left off. While listening to The Girl for all the World, I kept peering over my shoulder, expecting some drunken redneck to say something snarky and throw a swozzled punch. Wasn't gonna happen—I was in my own home, after all—but that's how thick the atmosphere is here. Two Roads, just as one example, is prime 100% modern goat ropin', terbacky chawin', tequila guzzlin' material, heaped up with salted peanuts, sawdust, and leather saddles. Leslie Bosson sings in a voice lacking tremolo that nonetheless zeros in on everything looked for in this field: high, sweet, clear, and feminine. The band is tight and pure-dee prairie with John Groover McDuffie tossing a seductive pedal steel in on half the cuts. Seemed Like a Good Idea is a good ol' boy exercise in folky harmony vocals and light spiritedness, humorous in trailer park fashion. Oddly enough, while one might expect Texas residency, The Running Kind is a favorite band at a local alt-country dive in Culver City, just a few miles down the road from me, and with an ex-punker or two in the ensemble! Man, the things that go on in SoCal. by Mark S. Tucker for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p06355.htm
BOSSOANOVA MUSIC THE RUNNING KIND/Girl for all the World: Bubbling under SoCal alt.country crew that seems more like a throw back to the golden era of country rock than they do for what passes as classic Chicago alt.country or insurgent Nashville country. Deliciously right in the pocket, this sounds like a side project Emmylou Harris would have produced when Warners was giving her the freedom to do so. Super tasty genre set that hits all the high spots needed to make this a real winner. Check it out. --Midwest Record http://midwestrecord.com/MWR183.html
If positive energy translated to cash, The Running Kind would have more money than Bill and Melinda Gates. With the alt country band's new album "The Girl For All The World," The Running Kind offers a comfortable, heart warming sound that fills the soul with joy. In short, it's a big success. The album begins with the easy-going "Life To Go," which offers stellar vocals and a melodic beat. It's followed by the title track "The Girl For All The World." This Americana track is especially noteworthy because of the clever vocal performance of Leslie Bosson. She and her husband, Matt, formed the band. However, the album picks up the beat with "Two Roads," which is a traditional country gem with infectious harmonies and interesting lyrics. The biggest surprise on the album is the honkytonk cut "Seemed Like A Good Idea." The Running Kind also have a chance for a Texas country chart hit with the album's final cut "Don't Cry No Tears." The song offers a unique blend of alt country and hard-edge Red Dirt that works on all levels. It should be released immediately to Texas country stations. Other songs include the quiet "A Okay" and the bluegrass-infused "Don't That Make No Sense," "Old Girl," "I Still Love You (Like I Loved You Before)" and "Return Of The Grevous Angel." Many of the album's tracks could also find a home on Sirius-XM satellite radio, internet radio and specialized broadcast radio stations. Plain and simple, The Running Kind deserve media attention and radio airplay anywhere and everywhere. "The Girl For All The World" is a fitting title, because The Running Kind's upbeat brand of alt country seems destined to find a willing audience in America, Europe and beyond. -- CountryChart.com http://www.countrychart.com/2010/05/album-review-running-kind-girl-for-all.html