BILL LESLIE: Peaceful Journey

Bill Leslie

Peaceful Journey

© 2003 Capitol Broadcasting Company (788037031821)

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Music made on sunny day, a stormy night and a rolling wave. Music born of my love for North Carolina. An intriguing blend of contemporary Celtic music. Lush layers of instrumentation featuring acoustic guitar, piano, Celtic whistles, flute, cello.

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"Peaceful Journey" soared to number ONE on the world music charts (NAR) for December 2004 and has been named one of the Top Ten albums of the year by music critic R.J. Lannan of New Age Reporter.

My songwriting began in the stairwell of my Morganton home in the 7th grade with a cheap Sears guitar laden with brutal steel strings which made my fingertips ache. I can still hear the semi-sweet sounds of reverberation as I plunked the same three chords over and over until a melody emerged. My interest in music actually began a few years earlier with a tap on the shoulder at church. "Young man, you have such a nice voice. Why don't you sing in the choir?" No one could shut me up after that. I was on my way in music.

Choir. Singing in school plays. School band. Cornet. Baritone. Tuba. Guitar was the hardest. I felt so clumsy trying to change chords but eventually I got the hang of it. A used Gibson guitar became my best friend in high school. I'd break up with a girlfriend and write a song. Great therapy. There always seemed to be a new melody or lyrical idea in my head.

I joined a garage band called the Beggars and sang lead. We recorded a couple of my tunes at a studio in Charlotte. That was so exciting! Later in high school I joined the Cyntriks featuring a group of incredibly talented young musicians. Bill Covington who plays piano on "Peaceful Journey" was the keyboardist for the Cyntriks. It has been great to reconnect with Bill. While with the Cyntriks I penned a song about a girlfriend "Missy" which became a regional hit. "Rhythm of the Rain" composer John Gummoe of the Cascades became my pen pal and mentor. We are still great friends today.

In college I bought a Martin 12 string and teamed up with Tom Barrows for a coffeehouse folk duo called Augustus and Irvin. We were probably noted more for our humor than our music. Just after college John Tesh and I roomed together in Raleigh and worked at the same radio station. John encouraged me to take my tunes to Nashville. I had several songs published with April-Blackwood Music including "Laughing Girl Lately Sad." After marriage I dabbled in country music but struggled with the hook line lyrics. I wrote a lot of religious songs for my church, Cary Presbyterian and enjoyed singing there in the choir.

A trip to Scotland and a concert by the contemporary Celtic group Nightnoise paved the way for my music genre today. I heard someone play the Celtic whistle on the side of the road near Inverness and fell in love with the haunting sound. No one in Raleigh could teach me how to play the whistle so I taught myself using books, cassettes and videotaped instructions. I bought a multi-track recorder and began laying guitar tracks. I blended guitar with whistle and piano tracks. Soon I built a full-fledged studio at my home. I co-founded a Celtic fusion band Bragh Adair featuring guitar, whistle, violin, piano, bass and percussion. We played for nearly four years and produced two wonderful albums "Grace in Stone" and "The Hunt" which can be purchased on this website. We had some outstanding concerts at Meymandi Hall, Grandfather Mountain, Johnston County, Cary Academy and Red Springs.

Today I continue to write music and am working toward a vocal album and a Christmas CD. As most of you know I am the morning and noon co-anchor of WRAL News in Raleigh. I deeply appreciate Capitol Broadcasting Company's support of my music. I also enjoy the strong support of my family. My wife Cindy is a tremendous speech pathologist in the public school system. My daughter Lauren is a student at Appalachian State University. My son William is a student at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh.

reviews

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  • Lives up to the title
    author: Elizabeth Clare, author of "To the Ends of the Earth: The Last J

    This truly is a peaceful, pleasant journey. Bill Leslie is a talented musician with a feel for how the guitar and flute fit together. A few of the numbers were a bit bland, but the evocative nature of the others makes up for it. I'm pleased with this CD and I'm sure I will listen to it often.

  • Emotional Inspiration
    author: Lonnie Bounds

    I have just received your CD.........Peaceful Journey.......and all I can say is thank you for sharing your gift of music and the emotional inspiration that comes from calling North Carolina home. The song "Mattamuskeet" really touched my soul because of my love for the wildlife there. Hearing the swans in your music brings the magic of the lake so close to me. I am thoroughly enjoying your music, and your talent is a blessing to us all. The music is beautiful, the melodies brings out a spirit in me that appreciates the time and devotion that you and your fellow musicians have put into this collection.

  • Great for running!
    author: Gary Galloway

    Hey Bill, I was training in the mountains for my latest marathon the past three days and listened to many of your songs off "Peaceful Journey." The flow and rhythm of that album blends perfectly with running at Moses Cone in Blowing Rock at dawn. It was a neat experience. Gary Galloway

  • Wonderful, very relaxing!
    author: Duane Everhart

    Such a peaceful and relaxing CD. I strongly recommend this for those stressful days and for long romantic weekends! Put it on, kick back, and relax!!

  • I've enjoyed my CD so much that I bought these as gifts for friends.
    author: Cassandra T Weaver

    I bought this CD for myself a year ago, and I really enjoyed the music, because the flute or Celtic whistle, whatever it is, is one of my favorite instruments. I am a North Carolinian, and the names of the songs brings a lot of thoughts of NC to mind, so much so, that I bought it for two friends as gifts for Christmas this year who enjoy this type of music as much as I do. I would highly recommend this CD.

  • Mom Loves This CD!
    author: S.B.

    A wonderful CD! Bought it for my 79 year old Mom, and she finds it so relaxing! Thanks for producing such great music!

  • Great Album! So relaxing and easy listening!
    author: Kent Whitfield

    Great Album! So relaxing and easy listening!

  • author: Patricia Libby

    Great music! i bought the whole set ; cd's and dvd for my mother's 81st birthday...she remember's meeting bill in the post office in cary! she didn't know that he was so talented...she has really enjoyed the history and the music. thank you

  • Absolutely wonderful!!!
    author: Monica Buchanan

    My brother and I took a road trip to D.C. recently, and played this several times over during much of the trip. It got better every time! This cd is absolutely wonderful, and is now one of my favorites.

  • Very calm and peaceful music
    author: Pamela

    The CD was filled with very calm and peaceful music, very good to listen to after a long, stressful day at work

  • Great Album
    author: Pinner

    I'd recommend this album to anyone who like Celtic music or just relaxing music in general. I was attracted to it because I am from North Carolina where Bill Leslie is from. But his music is definately world class.

  • Beautiful and inspiring!
    author: EW

    This CD is very beautiful and inspiring. It brings to mind wonderful images from North Carolina and is a great way to relax.

  • "Peaceful Journey" is an accurate description of this CD
    author: Carol Hicks

    The title for this CD says so much about it. The first time I listened to this I was in my car and I could just feel myself begin to relax. Great Job Bill Leslie!!! This is the kind of music we need more of.

  • The most wonderful CD I have ever heard. My 2nd graders love it!!
    author: Twyla Southerland

    It is the best CD I have ever found to play in the classroom as background music while the students work!! My 2nd graders love it and have connected to the artist as well on the morning news!!! Thanks, Bill!

  • Hometown boy still sounds great !!
    author: Bo Cash

    This is a work that I will use while riding down the roads that gave rise to the songs......... and in the home as well. Bill was a student at Morganton High School as I was................ a great guy and great music ! He has only gotten better over the years. "Bo" Cash, Morganton, NC

  • Wonderful CD...What a great talent!
    author: Nicole Trail

    Wonderful CD! Bill Leslie is obviously a great talent. Very peaceful and soothing, yet light and uplifting as well. This CD is a perfect representation of the beautiful state of NC, and goes to the top of my stack of favorite CDs.

  • Great selection of music, soothing, easy to listen to - a great CD.
    author: Elizabeth Edens

    I was very impressed - this is the only "new age" or Celtic music I have ever purchased, but was drawn to it when I listened to a sample. Now it is on in my car, when ever I am driving! What a selection and talk about soothing, easy listening. A GREAT CD.

  • Just Beautiful!
    author: Janet Cunningham

    The music is clear and pure, with all the instruments providing a wonderful mix. Definitely a beautiful experience.

  • A true North Carolina treasure!
    author: Patti Wilkinson

    Bill Leslie's compositions are true visionary works of art. The music takes you to all the places Bill has envisioned for you. As a native North Carolinian, the music has inspired me to visit or revisit the favorite places of Our State. A must have for any Tarheel state fan.

  • A truly beautiful recording...
    author: Bruce Rogers

    exhilarating, uplifting, relaxing all at the same time. and very professionally executed and recorded as well. expect i'll often have this in the cd player both at home and on the road. timeless...

  • What a great spiritual journey!
    author: Ginger Pate

    Bill Leslie's cd is truly a peaceful and spiritual journey! Thank you for sharing your musical talent with us!

  • author: Sallie Russ

    I LOVE Bill's CD! Peaceful Journey is a perfect name. What a relaxing way to unwind! I am from North Carolina and familiar with many of the areas in the song titles, so it creates an even more wonderful and nostalgic feeling when I am listening to it. I can think of 5 friends who will probably be receiving a Peaceful Journey CD for Christmas!!

  • A truly relaxing experience!!
    author: Pat Williams

    I listened to this cd for the first time while driving. I could not believe how mellow-to-the-core I felt! No other relaxation tape/cd has given me such a peaceful feeling!! The sound effects of the water, birds, rain put me right into the mountains, which I love. Great job!!!

  • I loved it!.
    author: Toni (Brown) Dills

    I loved the CD! I enjoy the instrumental music for relaxation. It was extra special for me because I'm from Morganton, Bill's "inspiration" for writing it! I bought one for a friend. She loved it as well.

  • author: John Lawson

    (see previous)

  • Marvelous new melodies and musicianship. Wow! What an incredible new talent!
    author: John Lawson

    Marvelous new melodies and musicianship. Wow! What an incredible new talent! Rich yet ethereal at times. Soothing yet also exciting.

  • excellent
    author: Debra Owens

    I thought it to be very peaceful and restful. When the kids and husband are on my last nerve I can put that behind me and go on a journey especially a winty walk in the middle of a heatwave.

  • Let this music take you away...

    This CD truly takes you on a peaceful journey. It has been the best selling CD we've had all year! Truly a North Carolina favorite. The Museum Shop at the North Carolina Museum of History

  • author: Elaine

    Peaceful Journey is one of the greatest music experiences you could have. The music is beautiful and relaxing. The story behind each song is also very interesting and has real meaning. It is truly great stuff!!

  • Unique music the whole family can enjoy together- WOW!
    author: Shirley Hinton

    Our whole family enjoyed the appropriately named Peaceful Journey. Soothing, warm, rich arrangements of music - even North Carolina sounds in the background - flowing water, etc. make this CD the perfect stress-reliever after a busy day. Incredible detail woven seamlessly throughout makes this a timeless treasure, and a "must-have!"

  • If life feels overwhelming, this is the respite you need!
    author: Barbara Hemphill

    Think of every adjective you know that warms your heart and soul, and it describes this incredible musical experience. Every time I listen to Peaceful Journey, I hear something wonderful I missed the last time! A perfect setting for meditation to start or end your day. Be blessed by Bill Leslie's North Carolina journey to create a journey of your own.

  • author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    Allow us to recommend an easy and smart action for your to-do list today: start with "Peaceful Journey" as a bright, warm addition to your Celtic/New Age collection. This all-instrumental album floats upon the hearty voice of the cello, energized by the wind-like song of the whistles and is supported by the buzzy strumming of the guitar and a fine, diverse backup. This isn't the type of new age album that wanders aimlessly and it isn't the type of Celtic album that bombards you with dulcimer and sawing fiddle. These are warm, heartfelt ballad and air-like songs with a balanced amount of sensitivity. Put away the Loreena McKennit and Enya for awhile and try a kind of Isle soft-rock.

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