BILL LESLIE: I Am A River

Bill Leslie

I Am A River

© 2006 Greycliff Music (634479347030)

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15 original & beautiful Celtic/New Age orchestral melodies from Best New Artist in genre including 3 sensational vocals.

notes

Praised by Yo-Yo Ma as "one of the greats in modern Celtic music," Bill Leslie is back with another blockbuster album. “I Am a River” was voted one of the top five albums worldwide in 2006 by international radio hosts (NAR). "I Am a River" is a compilation of 15 new and original songs inspired by Bill’s love affair with rivers from the mountains to the coastal estuaries. Bill’s smooth, evocative and highly melodic songs are enhanced by swelling orchestral strings particularly on “Tall Ships,” the official song of the 2006 America’s Sail Maritime Festival. The overall mood of the album brims with nostalgia, sentiment, intimacy and anticipation. 12 tracks are instrumentals featuring Bill on Celtic whistle, acoustic guitar and grand piano along with Juilliard sensations Jennifer Curtis on violin and Susan Babini on cello. Three outstanding vocal tracks add a rich new dimension to this album including the title cut “I Am a River.” Back-up vocalist Marty Suttle Long and Bill’s son Will Leslie on percussion round out the rich reservoir of talent on this truly stunning collection dedicated to Bill’s musical mentor Mícheál Ó'Domhnaill (1951-2006) of Ireland.


I am a river flowing beside you,
I am a voice in your dreams.
Water like honey shimmering golden,
I am much more than I seem.


Bill describes the album as a lifelong labor of love: “Rivers flow with the lifeblood of civilization. They draw us near and nourish us with their sparkling waters, verdant vistas and soothing sounds. These songs were inspired by the remarkable rivers I loved as a child and later covered as an environmental journalist. My sincere hope is that we will all work diligently to protect the quality of our precious waters. Rivers also flow with rich romantic imagery. Water is the womb of visions, dreams and poetry. It invites us to dive into the subconscious and lay claim to our true selves. Come with me now and explore the brilliant light and the dazzling darkness of the deep and shallow waters.”

“I Am a River” is Bill Leslie’s fifth album in six years. He co-produced the two highly acclaimed CDs by the Celtic fusion band Bragh Adair “Grace in Stone” and “The Hunt.” As a solo artist Bill Leslie’s “Peaceful Journey” CD peaked at number one on the world music charts in 2005. Bill’s “Christmas in Carolina” CD was named Best Holiday Album of 2005 (NAR) and was number two on the international charts for two consecutive months. Bill’s website is www.billleslie.com Bill is also a veteran news anchor and environmental reporter at WRAL Television in Raleigh. His daily blog Tar Heel Traveler is the most popular on the WRAL website.

reviews

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  • I Am A River
    author: Kathy Gautier

    Wonderful, exceeds all my expectations ( and I had high hopes for this CD as I have been sooooooo pleased with all his prior works!! It is just so satisfying and relaxing to listen to his works whether just unwinding on the way home, reading or working in the office, or just trying to "put it all behind you and escape in your mind!" We watch the Channel 5 news every morning with Bill, Linda, Valonda, Elizabeth & Brian.......the day is just not right if I miss them!!

  • Simply Beautiful!
    author: Terah Tucker

    I have just 3 words for this CD, and all of Bill Leslie's music: Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!! If I could have given this album more than 5 stars, I would have. It's good relaxing music, good driving music, good when you're sad music, good ANYTHING music. Definitely a buyer...

  • Majestic Music
    author: Mark Valletta

    The majesty of your music brought back memories of back packing along the Appalachian Trail and even more fond memories of my four years spent in Boone while attending college. Most of all, your music reminded me of how pristine the State of North Carolina really is. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coast at Hatteras, this state has everything to offer that anyone could possibly hope for.

  • Mellifluous, soothing, peaceful.
    author: tarheel at heart

    Bill's music conjures up the majesty of the mountains, the tranquility of the valleys, the serenity of the rivers, the spectacle of the waterfalls and the rapture of the magnificant views of western North Carolina. Bravo!

  • UMMMMMMMM!
    author: Sue

    I have always loved Bill Leslie from the am news and I wake up with his crew every morning at 5AM. I am amazed at his remarkable talent. I have relived the Tall Ship Special over and over in my mind as I listen to the CD. All of the songs are wonderful. Bill, you are truly a person in love with North Carolina just as I am. I am a native of this great state also. The music is priceless.

  • "I Am A River"
    author: Bobbi Warmack

    I was lucky enough to find the link to Bill's CD on the WRAL Website. Being at work on a Saturday, I decided to listen to the CD. I found it to be relaxing and engaging. I ordered three cd's. One of which I played for my boss who is retiring as we toured around some of our jurisdictions. He loved it, I gave him one and the other one is reserved for my sister's birthday in February. Great Work Bill!

  • I bought the CD for my sister as a Christmas gift. She absolutely LOVES it! I c
    author: Christine Kilpatrick

    This CD was for a Christmas gift.My sister absolutely LOVES it! I am looking forward to listening to Bill's music.

  • Absolutely Stunning!
    author: MIchael Paris

    This is my fifth Bill Leslie CD and I am again transported to a very happy place when I listen to these song gems. His musicianship is impeccable as always and the melodies are exhilarating. His music is particularly inspiring to me as a musician. I can only try to approximate his ability to capture a place, a feeling, a time. One cannot listen to this music and feel at odds with the earth.

  • Wondrous music!
    author: R.J Lannan/ New Age Reporter

    Excellent!! One of the top ten albums of the year!! Bill Leslie’s music is pulse pounding, sometimes earth shaking and always heart touching. His pennywhistle is a silver songbird for the senses – sweet, melodic and ever bright. Bill’s wondrous blend of instruments always has a sweet melancholy flavor and it always tastes good.

  • Better than Windham Hill!
    author: Kevin Duffus/ Looking Glass Productions

    I'm quite a fan of Celtic music. When I include your CD among my Windham Hill compilations and put my CD player on random play, "I Am a River" fits in quite nicely, and your music and recording quality often exceeds the Windham Hill recordings. Congratulations on an amazingly creative endeavor!

  • Album blew me away!
    author: Pete Havey/Mystic Soundscapes Radio

    It is always great receiving your music! I have to say this album blew me away - wonderful work! We're adding Tracks 1, 2, and 6 over the course of the next several weeks, starting with Track 6 this weekend. Thanks so much for the music - your passion really comes through on this one! Take care ---

  • Outstanding!
    author: Barbara Thomas

    Love it! Especially "Tall Ships!" Thanks for giving the world such wonderful music

  • Brilliant Album!
    author: Dave Kent

    I'm listening to your new CD right now with headphones, and it's brilliant. Not just the songs, which are great, but the production is outstanding. And what I'm most impressed with is song placement. Just when I need something upbeat, you nail it. It's really a CD you have to flow with from beginning to end. I'm sitting here doing my work, and then fading into thought about life. Your vocals are terrific. You're really amazing, more now than ever!

  • I Am A River is one of the best releases of 2006 and marks the pinnacle of Lesli
    author: Bill Binkelman/New Age Reporter

    This is one of the best releases of 2006 and marks the pinnacle of Leslie’s musical career so far. Even his three vocal tracks stack up admirably when compared to the instrumentals, owing to his fine voice singing self-penned lyrics which are poignant and personal. Bill Leslie and his accompanists on cello, violin and percussion blew me away on I Am A River and each playing of the CD only increased my appraisal of the music and the talent of all involved. Special kudos belong to Leslie for writing all the songs. This is a very special recording and I recommend it without reservation to those who enjoy the music of Nightnoise or other purveyors of contemporary Celtic fusion music.

  • lyrical, evocative, contemplative. Celtic influence. Loved it.
    author: Susan Winner

    This CD is lyrical, evocative, and contemplative. Beautiful. One can hear the Celtic influence. I love the three songs Bill wrote and sang. He has a rich, melodic voice. When I was listening to it, before I read the insert, I pictured traveling on the river of life with its peaceful, difficult, joyful, sorrowful, and varied places: some stunning in their beauty; some quiet and soothing; others full of peril and fear. And in his songs, an invitation to let the river take you where you need to go to receive healing.

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