Paul Cardall Offical Youtube Channel

Story from the Deseret News

(Stuart Johnson)

Pianist celebrates life as he awaits heart transplant

By Carma Wadley, Deseret News, Sunday, Oct. 05, 2008

Paul Cardall loves life. That, he says, is the focus of his latest album. The two-disc set, titled "Living for Eden," is very autobiographical, he says, and it's all about the things he loves in life.

"I can look at each period of my life and the music I've done, and it's like a journal. I listen to it and it takes me back to that time."

Although he considers himself mostly a new age pianist, his music has spanned a lot of genres and has gathered him a host of fans around the world. His first big breakthrough came with a CD of music inspired by "The Christmas Box" book and movie. But he's done solo piano, vocals, orchestral pieces, jazz, pop, LDS hymns and Christian rock.

A recent CD of LDS hymns actually went to No. 4 on the Billboard New Age charts, he says. "It's probably the first time 'Joseph Smith's First Prayer' hit the Billboard charts. A lot of my fans didn't know exactly what they were getting, but they just liked the music."

But this latest CD is a little different. "I've never done a whole CD that is so personal. Music, to me, has always been a means to an end, a way to share emotion." This one does a bit more -- on several levels. READ THE REST OF THE STORY

Living for Eden | Stories Behind the Music

Each piece tells a story. They are about experiences in my life that challenged me and brought me closer to God and my family. The tunes 1986 and 1987 are about the difficult years I came close to death. I had a serious infection in my heart that required major heart surgery both of those years. These trials helped bind our family.

Other songs reflect my celebration for life, marriage, and having children.

Whatever the experience, I hope you feel the peaceful influence of God’s love as you listen to these piano solos.


DISC ONE - Music with the Band

Our Love
Dedicated to my wife Lynnette and based on my tune Grateful from the Songs of Praise album. “Some think of happiness as a glamorous life of ease, luxury, and constant thrills; but true marriage is based on a happiness which comes from giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing, and selflessness.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Past President LDS Church, June 1978 Liahona)

A Peace of My Heart
Take time to celebrate life and who you are.

Early Monday
For the little ones we’ve lost or who never made it.

Wasatch
Living in the Salt Lake valley I always know which direction I am facing because of our majestic Wasatch Mountains. Driving along the Wasatch front gives me great satisfaction and a sense of God’s beauty.

Late Afternoon
Reminds me of leaving work early on a gloomy day. I love going home.
(Written by Ryan Tilby)

Passing Time
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Living for Eden
The Garden of Eden was a place of happiness, an unspoiled place, a time of innocence, and of childhood. Written for my daughter Eden.

Searching
“Ours ought to be an unending search for truth - a search that must include spiritual and religious truth as well as worldly knowledge. And as we grow and progress, let us look for the good, the beautiful, and the positive.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Former President LDS Church)

Sunday Drive
Where I come from, people drive slower and enjoy the ride on Sundays. No matter where we are going, we love having the windows down while listening to music or talking. This song feels like that.

Hope
“I have wept as I have seen the poverty and the suffering of people. My heart reaches out to them. I do not know what the solution is, except the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it is the only thing that will help them and bless their lives. If they, even living in poverty and misery, can look to God with hope and faith it will sustain them in their hours of sorrow. . . They need a power greater than any earthly power to lift them and help them.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Former LDS Church President)

Forgiven
Where can I find peace? In forgiveness. In changing yourself for the better. In kindness and frienship. Surround yourself with family. Reflect on the past and plan for the future. Forgive and repent. Serve and love your spouse and children. Make time for your loved ones. Make their lives happy.

November
A song of celebration and thanksgiving to God. A celebration of family and friends. Also, for my daughter Eden who was born in November.


DISC TWO - Solo Piano Improvisations

Many of these tunes are improvisations based on songs from disc one.

Return to Eden
For my daughter Eden.

1986
This was the year when I became very ill as a young 13-year-old boy. I was in the hospital for a month. They thought they’d lose me. It was a powerful time in my life when I learned to love and appreciate each day as a gift from the Creator.

Searching for Home
Sometimes we lose our way and we need to re-evaluate our priorities.

Evening Falls
There is a peaceful feeling when the evening falls. When the kids our in bed and you have time with your spouse to talk and enjoy each other. I pray you have that same joy.

Monday Morning
We love children and have wanted more. I come from a family of 8 and my wife from 10. I guess it’s a Utah thing. But, we’ve struggled with 5 miscarriages. Our daughter Eden is a gift from God, a miracle.

Along the Wasatch
The most beautiful place on earth is along the Wasatch front. It’s not only the beauty of the mountains or the brilliant flow of green in our Salt Lake valley but for me it’s the memories and admiration for the people.

More Hope
This is my desire to be healthy and live to raise my daughter and enjoy my wife along with everything God has blessed me with. Even though there are many trials above all He has been so generous.

April Skies
Spring. Can I say anything more? My wife and I were married in April. And in my faith it’s a time to hear and reflect from many spiritual leaders in a conference event who move and inspire me.

Remember Our Love
For my wife

Sweet Hour of Prayer
Prayer is sweet. I thank God every day for life and all its challenges. He is proofing us faithful. He is the Father in the stands cheering us on and not the umpire or coach.

Twinkle Little Star
For my daughter

1987
This was the year I have reconstructive heart surgery which has now lead over a 20 year period to being listed on the Heart Transplant list. My faith in God and love of family and life began as I endured the trauma of this event.

Music is a means to an end for me.

Music is a means to an end for me. It’s a gift that allows me to share emotions that reflect my life’s philosophy. Johann Sebastian Bach said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

Life is full of surprises. There are ups and downs, happiness and pain. But, through it all there exists in my heart the comforting assurance that faith in a loving God and loyalty to family creates a Garden of Eden, or refuge, in our lives. I’ve learned that long-term happiness does not come from any accolades, money, or advancement in society but by putting our whole heart into love, sacrifice, and service to those in our home, extended family, and community.

My new album, Living for Eden, is a celebration of my 35 years. I love life. I’m reminded every day through my experiences of the gift of life. However, I think of the millions of people suffering in the world. Pain and loss is all around us. Poverty, disease, war, the list goes on. It’s overwhelming and devastating. My heart turns to these people. I believe we should trust in the message of Jesus who more than 2000 years ago taught us how to live and love all people.

We should focus all our priorities in actively building homes with love and aslo extend that love to our communities. And then, maybe, this world once again will become a peaceful place like the Garden of Eden.

- Paul Cardall