Rivers

Patrick Leonard

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 18, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B000003P0G
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  DVD Audio
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #137,602 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lewis/Shosphone

2. Slough

3. Lamar Valley

4. Boy Scouts/Cutthroats

5. Livingston D.C.

6. Missouri

7. Floating with Amos

8. Madison

9. Spring Creek

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Imagine an album of slow, jazz-tinged reveries about fishing in Wyoming, played by a chamber ensemble of piano, cello, and bass. Then imagine the composer of these reveries as the cowriter of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and "Live to Tell." That's the case with Patrick Leonard, a pop producer and composer who has obviously been leading a secret life as a contemplative modern instrumentalist. Leonard brings the same unerring melodic sensibility he gave Madonna to these subtle, nuanced meditations. Playing with the bass-and-cello duo of John and Sachi Patitucci and percussionist Luis Conte, Leonard creates the kind of spacious, evocative music you might associate with George Winston. But Leonard has more of a jazz sensibility, and the pairing of bass and cello gives his music a darker hue. I'm always suspect of these "musical postcard" albums, but Leonard carries it off, complete with a faux-leather book cover and hand-written diary entries about his fishing excursions in Wyoming and Montana. Ultimately, however, the music creates its own pictures. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Relaxing, acoustic representation of the play of rivers., March 27, 1999

By A Customer

What happens when a musician is also a fly fisherman? How does the flow and play of a river, sunlight on the water, or the sound of the boat sliding through the current translate into musical rhythms?

"Rivers" is a relaxing, acoustic representation of all these things. Using only piano, bass, cello and gentle percussion, Leonard creates a sound that takes you out of your home or car and puts you on a river. The nine tracks are based on a journal that Leonard kept during a fishing expedition in Montana.

I gave this disc to a flyfishing friend, but find that I enjoy it just as much as he does -- and I'm not a fisherman. But I do love smooth rhythms and acoustic instrumentation, and this album has plenty of both.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Rembrandt Played Piano, July 9, 2000

By	tad (Georgia) - See all my reviews

Patrick Leonard is one of, if not the finest composer on the planet today. Why? Because he is truly different in his approach to composing music. One listen to Rivers clearly showcases his unique style, and just like a newly traveled river, you never know what is around the next bend sonically. Where the instruments are predictable for each tune (piano, upright bass, percussion, and some cello), as is the general tone of music (laid back, very thought provoking), the progressions and melodies are completely unique and quite unpredictable. The style is very difficult to describe, very catchy yet takes many listenings to pick up the full essence of each tune. Leonard is also one of the great producers of our time and the production on Rivers is unique in its own right. And the playing? If you want to learn how to play with feeling, I can think of no better recording in any genre to learn from. I am really picky about my music and thus only own 15 or so CDs, and Rivers is one of the best!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Serenity., August 6, 2005

By	Kaelri - See all my reviews

"Rivers" seems to be one of those albums that grows on you every time you listen.

It isn't really deep or ambitious - I don't think it tries to be. It's background music, something to put on while you're working or just relaxing, to calm you and clear your mind; I find it quite perfect to listen to when I'm writing, for example. It's not a must-have but I think it's well worth the price, and I'd recommend it for anyone feeling stressed or discordant. You'll simply feel a little better when you play it; not unlike Enya or early The Corrs but in a completely different way.

For fifty minutes of serene ambience, I say hang the four dollars.