PIANIST PAUL
CARDALL RELEASES “CHRISTMAS” FEATURING GRAMMY WINNER CECE WINANS,
AUSTRALIA’S PATRICE TIPOKI, AND AWARD-WINNER SINGER/SONGWRITER AUDREY
ASSAD
Street Date November 2
There’s
something about a great Christmas album that transcends time and
becomes part of the soundtrack for holiday memories for years to come. Paul Cardall has crafted such an album with his stunning new collection Christmas, his first Christmas album in 13 years. Pre-orders begin tomorrow, October 5 on Amazon , iTunes, and PaulCardall.com, with an album release date of November 2. Fans participating in the pre-order will receive “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” in advance.
Cardall has a massive world-wide audience and is known for his expansive
musical performances that encompass multiple genres, including
classical crossover, contemporary Christian and new age, Cardall has
earned 4 No. 1 albums on the Billboard
charts, amassed more than two billion lifetime digital streams and
continually earns over 25 million streams monthly. His most recent
number 1 album was last week when “Sunday” hit the top of Billboard’s New Age chart.
Cardall, who generally produces his own albums, this time tapped Michael W. Smith’s longtime musical director Jim Daneker
as producer for the substantial project. “This is the first time in 20
years I’ve worked with a producer,” Cardall notes. “I’ve always been a
fan of Michael’s music, and the opportunity to work with Jim gave me the
moment to take my music to the next level.”
“When
I first took this on this project I thought it would be easy because
it’s a piano record,” Daneker adds. “But it’s not been easy. It’s been
one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. So much hangs on
every little note, every texture, every detail. We’re focused on the
centerpiece, which is Paul’s piano, but ideally we made something just
blossom out of that. This is one of the best-sounding, if not THE
best-sounding Christmas record I’ve ever heard.” Christmas was recorded at Nashville’s historic Ocean Way Studio.
“I
believe this is the first Christmas album in the classical crossover
genre that captures all of the emotions people experience during the
season,” Cardall says. “You’ll find 10 piano-centered classics embraced
by a symphonic soundtrack in the spirit of John Williams, one of my
favorite composers. The album runs the gamut of emotions. It is serene,
relaxing, peaceful and inspiring, while at the same time being
evocative, thrilling, powerful and breathtaking.”
Anchoring the project is CeCe Winans’ extraordinary
version of “O Holy Night.” “I’ve been waiting and working hard to find
just the right opportunity to give to my audience something
extraordinary, and CeCe performing ‘O Holy Night’ is unbelievable,”
enthuses Cardall. “CeCe is the best gift I can give my fans this
Christmas.”
Christmas includes ten of Cardall’s stunning instrumental
interpretations of such timeless classics as “Hark The Herald Angels
Sing,” “Joy to the World” and “Away in a Manger.” In addition to Winans,
Cardall invited two other vocalists to make appearances. Award-winning
singer/songwriter Audrey Assad offers an ethereal interpretation of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and Australian Broadway star Patrice Tipoki soars on Cardall’s original “Son Of God.” “This song is so much bigger than the notes on the page,” states Tipoki. “Paul and Jim and [mastering engineer] Michael Bishop have done a wonderful job in bringing new life to a song that has already touched so many people.”
Creating a memorable Christmas collection was a personal mission for
Cardall. “The heart of all my music is the whole reason we celebrate
Christmas,” he shares. “The holiday brings people together — strangers,
family. We all long to be with each other. This album speaks volumes
about those emotions. With all our differences, we come together, have a
meal, make a toast and celebrate joy, gratitude, the Christ child…all
of it. This is the purpose and mission of all my music.”
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