Description
Tracks
1) A Good Life
2) Prelude
3) Together
4) Sailing Through
5) Ellen Claire
6) I Still Remember You
7) Becoming The Sun
8) Innervoice
9) St. Louis In One More Day
10) What Am I To Do?
11) Norah
12) An Aging Sailor's Dream
13) Our Little House(hidden track)
Artist Profile
"Acoustic Music that feels like an Island Breeze," best describes the direction of Elliott Ranney. With thirty plus years of playing finger style guitar, he has acquired a distinct style that easily fuses Jazz and Folk into a mellow groove that matches his equally smooth voice.
Elliott has always played some sort of acoustic guitar, beginning with the now nearly extinct Montgomery Ward "sunburst" model to his Alvarez Yari classical and 1971 vintage Martin D-18.
Song writing took off for Elliott after viewing the (now) classic film, "The Graduate," featuring songs by Simon & Garfunkle. This mind-blowing experience of film and music gave this young teen a glimpse of possibilities writing music can have. He began to learn S&G songs and to write simple progressions based on his heroes. During a brief tour in the US Navy, Elliott began writing what was to be the title track to his debut CD, "An Aging Sailor's Dream," on the Wildstone Audio label. Here is one of his favorite lines that conjures an image of the Caribbean: " An amber sun glowing ripe is swallowed by the sea."
After the Navy, Elliott studied music in Florida where he started to play jazz in the guitar ensemble. Moving to St. Louis in the late 70's, Elliott began to incorporate jazz 'figures' into his music. The ten year High School reunion brought Elliott together with Latin Percussionist - Pat Rodriguez. Both Kirkwood, Mo. class of '71 graduates began to work on their original music and are still performing today.
The most important person in Elliott's life is his wife, Ellen Claire. Along with their three sons, they are a family of talented musicians and songwriters. Ellen co-wrote the bossa-nova influenced song, "Together," with Elliott on Aging Sailor CD. Ellen is also a published songwriter, writing the title track for the cd, "2000 Reasons to Celebrate," Wildstone Audio, to help raise dollars & awareness for Breast Cancer. Eldest son, Bryan is a songwriter in Chicago working on his first cd of original songs; Stephen is an accomplished jazz bass player (electric and upright); Will is taking piano and has a wonderful voice.
With the support of his family, Elliott is performing throughout Missouri and Illinois. Elliott has also given concert performances with Brewer & Shipley, Shawn Phillips and Jonatha Brooke. The CD, "An Aging Sailor's Dream, has been featured in web broadcasts from far flung places in Brazil, Germany, and recently in Japan. "When you need to get away from the stress in the world around you, the music of Elliott Ranney is your ticket to a Tropical Vacation." At the end of the evening, Elliott safely navigates the listener home to port, refreshed and reenergized.
Credits
Billy Engel: bass guitar, lead guitar, b/u vocal, engineer, co-producer
Vince Corkery: bass
Bill Murhpy: keyboards, accordion
Pat Rodriguez: percussion
Ellen Ranney: vocals
Dave Farver: tenor saxaphone
Connie Fairchild: accordion
Angus McDonnel: acoustic upright bass
Sandy Weltman: harmonicas
Tom Murphy: mandolin, acoustic guitar
Elliott Ranney: classical guitar, lead vocal
Executive Producer: Dan Randant
Published by: Lucky Dog Music/BMI
All songs by Elliott Ranney except: Together: Elliott Ranney & Ellen Ranney
Arrangements: Billy Engel, Elliott Ranney
Label: Wildstone Audio