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NEW CD (FALL 2008 Release) | Songs of Praise CD Journal
"Songs of Praise celebrates my love for God, life, and family, and it rocks." - Paul Cardall
Monday, November 25, 2006 - I went into Annex Recording Studios last week to begin the long process of recording my new cd, Songs of Praise. I'm working with my good friend Jonathon Shults who helped produce my "Faithful" record. He is a genius and since I've worked with him my music abilities have matured much faster than had I never met him. This project has great meaning to me.
Over the past decade I have been obsessed with the idea of doing a contemporary pop Christian album featuring several instrumental moments. So after recording 11 albums I feel I can get away with a cd that I really want to do. I am very passionate about my vision for this cd. I have lyrics inside of me that express my gratitude to God for all the great things He has blessed me with. There are things I want to sing. But, God never blessed me with the ability to sing so I began looking for the right person who could express vocally what is in my soul. I chose an Evangelical friend Steele Croswhite. I'm a Mormon. We both love music and we both love God. I want to do something that will appeal to all my Christian friends and neighbor. I think what we come up with will do that.
Songs of Praise will celebrate my love for God, life, and family, and it will rock.
Thursday, November 29, 2006 - My friend and singer Steele Croswhite visited the studio yesterday to lay down some scratch vocals for several of the tunes. He loves the music and is happy to work on the project as a guest artist. He is a gifted producer and songwriter. He's toured with Sheryl Crow, Maroon 5, and The Foo Fighters to name a few. His voice is raspy and powerful. If I could sing this would be my desired voice. He believes in what I am saying lyrically.
Today we brought in Randal Topper to lay down some drums for 3 tunes; Grateful, Breathe, and Agnus Dei. Steele thought "Grateful" was incredible and took me to that next level artists aim for. Breathe is a cover tune that I heard on a Michael W. Smith Worship album. Written by Marie Barnett, the tune won several Dove awards. It is beautiful and one of the tenderest Christian tunes I've heard. Agnus Dei is a power anthem that several people have recorded. The Latin for Agnus Dei means Lamb of God. It is a celebration of His life.
Overall, I can't be happier with the way things are going. I hope people will enjoy what I am doing. It is not the typical reverent piano cd that I love recording every other year but this is another part of me that I want to share.
Friday, December 1, 2006 - Today was a moving day in the studio. My good friend and songwriter Josh Waldron came in to help me write a few lyrics for one of my tunes. It's magic. The inspiration is running through our veins and ideas are popping up all around us in the studio. Josh also played a song for me about a "prodigal son" which I loved. It felt like the other tunes I had been writing. So, I'm working through that piece and it may be on the album. Of the 10-12 songs, 2 are cover tunes, a couple are Hymn arrangements, and the others are ones I've written. I'm really excited about my arrangement of "I know my Reedemer Lives" one of my favorite hymns. Also, "There is A Green Hill Far Away."
We also finished up the drum-work for the album. It's like building a home. Dig a hole, pour the concrete, frame the house, and go from there. Lay a scratch track, do the drum-work, and build it from them.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - Back in studio today working on a beautiful acoustic version of "There is a Green Hill Far Away" and a piano solo of "I Know my Reedemer Lives." I've been on the road with the band performing back east so it is nice to work with fresh ears on the album. Things are amazing and I am very happy with the direction we're going.
Friday, December 22, 2006 - Yesterday Jonathon Shults (producer) laid down some grestch guitar tracks for "God Above", "Grateful", and "Agnus Dei." Today we are working on the tune "Breathe". Engineer Rob Duffin is doing a fantastic job cutting and pasting. My studio time overlaps a good friend of mine, Cheri Magill. If you haven't heard her music check it out at: http://myspace.com/cherimagill or www.cherimagill.com
Saturday, December 30, 2006 - Giles Reaves added various percussion tracks to the tunes. Giles is a legend in Electronic music, sort of a grand-father or pioneer of the genre. Check out his website: www.gilesreaves.com
Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - Steele Croswhite was back in the Annex laying down more vocal scratch tracks. He really knows how to take the song over the top with the power and emotion in his voice. We re-worked some of my lyrics so that the message of what I want to say is more clear. Later we worked on more guitar elements and some bass parts. Yesterday was full of guitar work. It's coming along and I am excited about our results.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - Steven Sharp Nelson is busy working this week on the orchestral sections for several songs including a beautiful string arrangement for "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - My good friend Steele Croswhite is in studio today singing my songs. He is vocalizing what I would say if I could do it myself. His souful voice is amazing. He sings with such conviction about God, family, and the joy of life. Yesterday, we did some work at Jonathon Shults home recording bass.
Friday, January 19, 2007 - Today we are recording strings, arranged by Steven Sharp Nelson, at Counterpoint Studios. We're using violinists Melinda Bell, Melissa Price, Meredith Marsha. Our cellists are Emily Price and Steven Sharp Nelson. My upright bass string player is Doug Wright.
Friday, January 26, 2007 - We've put together a little choir for a couple of the tunes. Singer-Songwriter Cheri Magill is helping me structure the choir parts. Should be fun. Also, we're working on some back-up vocals, harmonies, and one other vocal tune with my friend Steele Croswhite. The album is coming along and we should be finished in the next couple of weeks.
Monday, February 5, 2007 - Today we added more voices to "Breathe." Jonathon Shults has begun mixing the album and should be sent to get Mastered in Nashville sometime next week.
Monday, February 19, 2007 - Jonathon Shults is finishing up with the mixes and sending the tunes off to Bob Ohlsson in Nashville for mastering. I am really happy with how things have turned out. The music is everything I hoped for. This project, for me, has been like the vacation you've always wanted to take but unable to do so because of life's busy routine. I love these songs and hope people will feel an appreciation for what we've put together. Listen to "Grateful" at http://www.myspace.com/paulcardall
Wednesday, March 7, 2007 - Waiting for Elite Marketing to duplicate the cd. . . Ahh . . I love the smell of a new cd!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - Songs of Praise is finished and off to the warehouse for distribution. Yee haw!!
