Bill Leslie’s new album ‘Storyteller’ features songs about his life
By Bill Leslie
CARY, N.C. — I like to call it “my autobiography in song.”
Storyteller is a throwback to my coffeehouse days in college complete with my Martin 12-string guitar and a folder full of folk songs.
This new CD marks a major change for me. My other albums have been mostly instrumental. This one is vocal-driven. My previous releases have been in the Celtic genre. Storyteller is Retro Folk.
I sing on all 14 tunes covering my life as a child struggling to play a $17 guitar to my career as a TV journalist cracking down on polluters for WRAL.
I’ve been yearning to do this album since college.
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I wanted to re-capture the joy I felt living in folk music’s golden era, marveling at the melodies and lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot.
As a teenager, I was also a fan of The Cascades and became a pen pal and friend of the group’s lead singer.
John Claude Gummoe, who wrote the huge 1960s hit “Rhythm of the Rain,” makes a guest performance on Storyteller singing lead on “Caramel Kiss.”
Storyteller is a compilation of love songs, lullabies and lessons from history and heroes.
“Life Is Beautiful” describes my battle with perfectionism and the practice of mindfulness that set him free.
I have two lullabies on the album. One is titled Elizabeth. The other is called Ava.
“Moments of Grace” is an anthem to the holy things that can happen in ordinary daily life and features the singing and strings of The Hall Sisters from Garner.
“Cast Iron Heart” is the humorous lament of a hopeless romantic. “Love At First Bite” is about falling in love with my future wife at a restaurant and how she would eventually propose to me at Dairy Queen!
“Laughing Girl Lately Sad” is a song I penned in college, had published in Nashville and re-worked for Storyteller.
“Matt Green” is about my nomadic nephew who walks instead of working at a regular job. “Mountain of a Man” is the story of Watergate hero Sam Ervin.
“America Is Calling” is a salute to my ancestors who helped win a crucial battle in the Revolutionary War.
My favorite song, “Echoes of My Heart,” covers the tragic death of my father, finding solace in music and learning to the emulate my journalistic heroes.
Seventeen outstanding musicians play on Storyteller. I put together a behind-the-scenes video of people who played on the album.
The project was recorded and co-produced by John Plymale and me at Overdub Lane in Durham and mastered by the legendary Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, New Jersey.
The easiest way to purchase my new Storyteller album is through my newly revamped website.
You can also find Storyteller at CD Baby and iTunes. Amazon will also be selling it soon, and I hope to have it on the shelf at Quail Ridge Books in a few days.
My email is bleslie@wral.com, and I would love to get your feedback.
We officially released the CD last Sunday at The Cary Theater with a sold-out concert and album signing. I am looking forward to scheduling more concerts.