2005 Best New Artist (NAR) and 2005 Best Holiday CD composer Bill Leslie is back with another blockbuster album. “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.

Meadowlark:

Legend of the Land

Pure Nightnoise

John Doan: Eire