Music Review: William Russell Wallace - Just a Little Joy (But it's a Real Big Deal)

Just a Little Joy (But it’s a Real Big Deal), the latest project from William Russell Wallace sees the artist dropping life lessons and endearing pep talks in a casual, calm tone much like you were both sitting on the front porch and absorbing all the freely-spoken, blunt wisdom he had to offer. Much of the songs here find the singer-songwriter relaying frank conversations as they happen, and edited to take the shape of lyrics and hummable melody. There’s no room for subtext, except for its central songwriting principle: everything is exactly what it seems and it’s downright disorienting to confront this level of transparency.

The music was recorded at Heavy Meadows in Idyllwild, CA, and included William Russell Wallace ( vocals, harmonica, guitar, bass, piano, organ, Wurlitzer), Travis Talbert (guitar, pedal steel), Charlie Woodburn (drums), Amanda Addy (vocals), and Brett Puryear (vocals). Each member certainly made sure to shape, prune, and manicure the surroundings of each song and by doing so, they ultimately made them satisfyingly audacious.

The opening track is best enjoyed at one’s own pace, headphones on in the encroaching summer heat. It becomes more than that as the music channels a wordless communication between strangers, a resolution to be less judgmental, a belief in small moments of kindness, and honesty as the only effective weapons we have left. It’s casual, faintly rustic, existing slightly out of time sound sets the atmosphere for the rest of the tracks with the instrumentation remaining fairly acoustic and slightly more earthy and expansive.

“Mormon Cocaine” is also enjoyable. Its spare and transparent songwriting, creates a warm and comforting mood while the singer’s curious musings dive on the minor pleasures that fill our lives. It’s no slight to say that the songs on Just a Little Joy (But it’s a Real Big Deal) often don’t feel like songs, but honest human interactions that just so happened to be set to music. William’s drawls and energy on “I Found A Reason” creates a desire to embrace the present, but without the exhausting urgency demanded by self-help books and futile New Year’s resolutions.

After writing his debut solo record “Dirty Soul” in rehab and playing more than 150+ shows, William’s finds solace on “I Found A Reason”, providing a reassuring belief that his on the right path. The production here is subtle to the point of peaceful and hazy, creating an intimacy that feels like sitting and staring at the artist in a low-lit darkened stage while he performs. Even thought it’s a cover song originally done by the Velvet Underground along with “No Second Thoughts” originally done by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, William still gives rein to his experimental instincts.

Switching over to a more upbeat track like “Faded Paradise (Don’t Mean A Damn Thing)”, the production takes its place behind the songs’ timeless melodies and William’s rock n’ roll vocals. Drama comes in small musical quirks as the singer possesses a voice of fiercely intimate power and texture. Nonetheless, the artist’s intuitive grasp of folksy sounds, combined with the way he plays with melody and sonic textures, would stand out in any context. But the lyrics make some of them even more remarkable. Just a Little Joy (But it’s a Real Big Deal) is intimate, heartfelt, and solemnly inviting, it’s also a wonderful project in its own right.