March 2000

Ronnie Wells/Ron Elliston and Guests
Here I Am: Songs by Ed Greenebaum
Jazz Karma Records

By Dave Burns

I had never heard of composer-lyricist Ed Greenebaum of Hilton Head, SC-and I bet you've not either. But he has mastered the songwriter's exacting craft: he tells stories in memorable melody and changes, with words that seem inevitable and sit lightly atop the notes. "Friends" on the fine Here I Am include James King, Mike Smith, the solid guitar of Steve Abshire, and great tenor by Bruce Swain. Ronnie Wells bravely took up the challenge to make these "new standards" come alive. These fine songs need more artists looking for new material in that good ol' groove.