Real Music Corporate LogoVisionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit

Real Music Corporate LogoVisionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit

Pure Joy

Pure Joy by Russel Walder

CDs and digital downloads available for purchase at:

Pure Joy - Russel Walder

Pure Joy by Russel Walder on Amazon
Pure Joy by Russel Walder on Google Play

Oboe as the principal instrument sounded like it could be kind of awful, but it is instead rather awesome! All of the nine tracks are ensemble works that include piano, keyboards, guitar, vocals, and strings, but Walder’s oboe sings with and soars above them all in a marvelous mix.” —Solo Piano Publications

“Rarely does an album featuring oboe as the lead instrument land on my desk…a pure sound reminding me of carefree summer childhood days spent blowing on a piece of reed. Exquisite playing both joyous and tender, this music speaks a language I have so yearned to hear. From the first notes there was never another title considered, referred to from day one as Pure Joy.” —Terence Yallop, President, Real Music

 

Music for:
Rejuvenation
Instrumentation:
piano
keyboards
synthesizers
acoustic guitar
electric guitar
bass
mandolin
vocals

Tracks

1. Faith Embrace 5:15
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
2. State of Grace 4:40
0
No votes yet
3. This Moment Now 3:53
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
4. One 5:07
0
No votes yet
5. Through the Gates 5:30
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
6. The Road to You 5:04
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
7. Spark the Sun 4:54
0
No votes yet
8. Holding the Space 5:42
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
9. More than Words 5:06
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

Press Acclaim

Chris Spector
Midwest Record Recap

Quite frankly, it’s about time this guy got some props. Making some great chamber music at Windham Hill that didn’t fit the format once it started to gel, he was one of the first acts dropped after Linda Waterfall. From there it was an under appreciated stop at Narada. So, here we are 20 years later, he’s no longer a smart tyro and really flexes some great adult chops. Moving to the head of the  line as the oboe player that’s going to be a brand name, with this engaging, energetic release. If you’ve been overdosing on smooth sax but like the vibe, this is the diversion you’ve been waiting for.

Kathy Parsons
Solo Piano Publications

Russel Walder’s debut on Real Music is a wonderful surprise from many angles. Half of the very successful team of Ira Stein and Russel Walder, the piano/oboe duo had two hits on Windham Hill in the 80’s and a release on Narada’s Sonia Gaia label in 1990. They then parted ways, and pianist Ira Stein formed his trio. I hadn’t seen anything more about Russel Walder until this new release, Pure Joy. Oboe as the principal instrument sounded like it could be kind of awful, but it is instead rather awesome! All of the nine tracks are ensemble works that include piano, keyboards, guitar, vocals, and strings, but Walder’s oboe sings with and soars above them all in a marvelous mix. The pastel yellow cover art with a guy literally jumping for joy made me think that this might be a really fluffy album, but it is anything but fluff. With a multitude of influences, Pure Joy is expressed as the joy that comes from deep within and lasts — not a momentary burst of exhilaration. Drawing on faith, love, grace, and a sea of emotion, Walder paints his portrait of joy with tinges of sadness and melancholy, as joy never remains as an absolute. To weep tears of joy, one must experience tears of pain and sorrow, and Walder’s music conveys both with a profound depth of emotion. This is a great album, and I highly recommend it!