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Pure Joy by Russel Walder
Surely joy is the condition of life. Self-esteem creates natural highs. Knowing that you're lovable helps you to love more. Knowing that you're important helps you to make a difference to others. Knowing that you're capable empowers you to create more. Knowing that you're valuable and that you have a special place in the universe is a serene spiritual joy in itself. The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with the joy of living are goodness, beauty and truth. Joy is not a thing, it is in us. Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the self-same well from which your laughter rises was often-times filled with your tears.
Song Titles
1. Faith Embrace
2. State of Grace 3. This Moment Now 4. One 5. Through the Gate 6. The Road to You 7. Spark the Sun 8. Holding the Space 9. More than Words Editorial Reviews Donna Jo Thornton - Music Director, KSBR "... the first time I heard 'Pure Joy', I knew I would be playing this CD 20 years from now." Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications, July 2002 "Russel Walder's debut on Real Music is a wonderful surprise from many angles." Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap, July 02 "If you've been overdosing on smooth sax but like the vibe, this is the diversion you've been waiting for." John Beaudin, SmoothJazzCanada.com Listening to this album reminds me of the best time in New Age music...feel good tunes with strong melodies. About the Artist Every member of Russel's Chicago family played an instrument and when he was ten, Russel heard the oboe and knew in his heart and soul that this was the instrument that was his. No matter that it is widely considered the most difficult classical instrument in the world to play. At 17, he joined the United States Youth Symphony for a world tour first appearing at Carnegie Hall. With a foundation of classical training and mastery of the instrument, he ventured into Jazz at 20. Walder has studied with the legendary group Oregon and performed with such diverse group as Afro-Celt Sound System, Yungchen Lhamo and Urban Tap from New York. Russel had a starring role in the New Zealand Film Commission's Lunatics' Ball, which won the prestigious "Golden Cup" award special jury prize at the 1999 Shanghai Film Festival. His role was also notable for his oboe playing, which was also performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of the soundtrack. In 1998, Russel founded Silent State, which is a platform for a soloist or in collaboration with distinguished guests. The music of silent State has become a language all its own and includes North African chants, Middle Eastern harmonics, ambient soundtracks and lush arrangements. Silent State performed to rave reviews at Peter Gabriel's 1999 Womad Festival in Auckland, New Zealand. In his continual search to stretch the boundaries of performance, Russel created Power Spot, a fully improvised tour de force of oboe virtuosity over a pre-recorded set of powerful ambient sound capes. As a New York Times critic put it, "At times you get the feeling that you are being hypnotized by a shaman with a sense of humor but you keep floating, flying and dreaming about distant deserts and nomadic tribes." Walder met Caroline Robinson, a New Zealand artist, when she was in San Francisco on her travels. She lured him to Auckland and matrimony, and Russel says, "When I put together everything I've done in New Zealand, I can see how being here has been absolutely necessary. "If the lush beauty of New Zealand helped provide the inspiration for this emotionally evocative and shining new album, we applaud the move. Product Description Russel Walder is a man of many passions - musician, actor, director, painter, writer and he pushes the boundaries in everything he does. The oboe is little known outside of classical music and rarely played to its full potential and yet Walder has toured the world as a soloist, and his discography includes a composition on the Germany nominated, double platinum album Winter Solstice. He has recorded three albums with pianist Ira Stein and guested with prominent new age artists Will Ackerman and Suzanne Cianni. On Pure Joy, Walder's debut album with Real Music, he has composed music featuring the oboe that is passionate and expansive, soulful, yearning, intimate, and filled with radiant joy. Pure Joy may well be the world's first pop album for oboe. |
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