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Many of you will recall Richard Paul Evans' blockbuster holiday book entitled The Christmas Box, which was released in 1994. That same year, Evans encountered Paul Cardall playing solo piano at Nordstrom's department store in Salt Lake City; Evans asked Cardall to produce a CD of seasonal music to accompany his book. As a result of this serendipitous discovery, Cardall's career as a superb new age recording artist began.

Christmas Hymns is Cardall's first full-length holiday CD, and it is a sparkling gem of rare quality. It features Cardall and his magnificent piano, but the album is more than that. In fact, the CD's cover announces that the music is "Piano & Small Ensemble," and the small ensemble is talented indeed: Steven Sharp Nelson (cello); Joshua Waldron (guitars); Jonathon Shults (bass); and Randy Herbert (percussion). The results are a treasure!

Christmas Hymns is a marvelous mélange of new age instrumental treatments of holiday standards. The artistic touch is gentle, but the palette overflows with color. The ten tracks are relatively well known holiday numbers, all rather somber and introspective (no "Frosty the Snowman" here!). This is not to say, however, that the mood is depressing; rather, the tone is thoughtful and conveys the intense wonder underlying the Savior's birth. The overall effect is actually uplifting; the album leaves the listener with an impression of warmth and compassion.

The production values are first class, and the musicianship is superb. The arrangements are outstanding; every track is meticulously presented. Given the consistently high level of craftsmanship throughout, it is virtually impossible to single out a few favorites. I will say that the cello's voice adds a particularly delightful dimension in many spots, beginning with the first track "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." In that number, the cello lays an earthy foundation, first edgy, then smooth, for the exquisite piano floating on top.

Such gentle beauty! For the holiday season, let us all take our hymnals in hand, open to the Paul Cardall pages, and raise our voices in praise of Christmas Hymns. Amen.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Executive Producer: David Layton
Produced by Jonathon Shults and Paul Cardall
Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by Jonathon Shults

The Players:

Paul Cardall: Piano, Keyboards, Programming
Steven Sharp Nelson: Cello
Joshua Waldron: Guitars
Jonathon Shults: Bass
Randy Herbert: Percussion

The musical sounds of the season are everywhere. Some reflect what Christmas has become in our stressful, commercialized world.

And then there are traditional tunes that remind us of the season's origins. Christmas hymns, in my opinion, are sacred songs offered to remind us of Him whose birth we celebrate.

Amidst the hustle and bustle and stress of last minute shopping and endless parties we need time to relax and remember why it is we commemorate the season.

It is a time to strengthen family bonds. It is a time to prepare for a new year. It's a time for growth and enjoyment.

Especially, though, it is a time to think about the loving example of the Babe of Bethlehem.

It's my hope this album may help you, as it has me, to feel the true spirit of the season.
--Paul Cardall

From the promotional materials:

Ten years ago Paul Cardall launched his music career with a Christmas recording inspired by Richard Paul Evan's #1, NY Times best seller, "The Christmas Box." Now Paul releases his first full length holiday recording "Christmas Hymns" featuring new arrangements of traditional holiday favorites, including Carol of the Bells, We Three Kings, and Silent Night.

In December 1994, Cardall was playing solo piano at Nordstroms in Salt Lake City. Evans heard Paul's music and approached him with the idea of producing music as a companion to his holiday classic. The resulting "The Christmas Box" CD became a billboard chart success

Because of their love for "The Christmas Box" music cd, fans over the years have asked him for a full collection of holiday songs. Cardall is pleased to deliver what he feels portrays the true heart of the season. He said, "The holiday season has become stressful and commercialized for many. I hope this album will help people remember why it is we commemorate Christmas. It is a time to strengthen family bonds, prepare for a new year, and a time for growth and enjoyment."

Paul Cardall

Christmas Hymns

Artist link

Track List