Such descriptions are ironically appropriate since the artist was born with essentially half a functioning heart. That life-threatening congenital defect as well as a series of difficult surgeries and heart-related illnesses have shaped Cardall’s musical style and inspired his dozens of popular melodic compositions and arrangements.
Notably, his thirteenth studio album titled New Life debuted as the number one Billboard New Age album in February, 2011 and held a position in the top five for more than 30 weeks. Radio stations reporting to Reviews New Age recognized New Life as the best album of 2011. Music critic Michael Debbage wrote, “There is no filler on this brilliant album that has even surpassed Yanni and Enya on the Billboard New Age Chart, hitting No. 1 without any major label support or media attention - Amazing!”
The aptly named album was Cardall’s first recording after undergoing a life-saving heart transplant in September 2009. It was during the 385 days of waiting on the organ donation list that a hospitalized Cardall turned to blogging as a means of maintaining perspective while facing death and sharing his experience with family and friends. Over a million people followed the blog and own one of his albums.
Cardall believes his music “has the power to heal and inspire others.” Indeed, audiences who attend a Paul Cardall concert or speech typically come away feeling more alive and grateful for all that is good in this beautiful, yet often chaotic world. One well-known fan, Fox News Anchor Bret Baeir, who has a son with a similar congenital heart defect, has said, “Paul inspires me and my family. He exudes optimism.”
Steinway & Sons Artist Manager Jenn Gordan said, "Cardall's commitment to excellence in his artistic and professional achievements make it most appropriate that he is included on the Steinway Artist Roster, a list of the most accomplished and discriminating artists in the world."
In addition to his recording career, Cardall founded his own record Stone Angel Music in 1999. He launched cellist Steven Sharp Nelson's (The Piano Guys) recording career with the popular "Sacred Cello Series" that debuted on the Billboard Classical Charts. Cardall also helped establish acoustic guitar virtuoso Ryan Tilby with a solo career. As part of his Stone Angel Music venture, Cardall owns a prestigious recording studio in the heart of Salt Lake City featuring a large orchestral live room, piano room, drum room, iso-booth, and two mix rooms; including offices for the record label.
In addition to his music, Cardall actively promotes various causes involving congenital heart disease and speaking out about what has been described as the nation’s number one birth defect. He created an endowment at Salt Lake Community College that funds scholarships for students born with congenital disease. His long-list of awards and recognitions includes an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Utah State Board of Regents.
Discography & Awards
2011 New Life #1 Billboard New Age Album / #3 Top Heatseekers / #28 Independent
2009 Sacred Piano #5 Billboard New Age Album
2008 Hymns Collection #4 Billboard New Age Album
2008 Living for Eden
2007 Songs of Praise
2005 Primary Worship #12 Billboard New Age Album
2004 Christmas Hymns Vol. 1
2003 Live
2003 Faithful
2002 Daily Devotions
2001 Miracles: A Journey of Hope & Healing
2000 Hymns II: Piano Solos
1999 Looking Glass
1999 The Christmas Box #23 Billboard New Age Album
1997 Hymns: Piano Solos
1996: Sign of Affection
Official Website:
www.paulcardall.com
(2) Contemporary jazz pianist Paul Cardall was born April 24, 1973; suffering from a congenital heart defect, he was given only days to live but defied medical expectations, enduring a series of surgeries and illnesses throughout his childhood. Finding comfort in music, Cardall began piano lessons at age eight but quit six months later, not playing again for a decade. While in high school, however, tragedy struck when one of his best friends was killed in a car accident; a grieving Cardall spontaneously composed a musical tribute, going on to write a dozen more songs and in 1995, privately pressing an album. Around that same time he took a job playing piano at a local department store during the holiday season, and selling his record to customers; one copy of the disc made its way to author Richard Paul Evans, the writer of the best-seller The Christmas Box, who invited Cardall to write and record a musical adaptation of the book. The resulting album, also titled The Christmas Box, was released in 1997; upon signing to the Narada label, Cardall reissued the album two years later in conjunction with a new effort, The Looking Glass, which, like its predecessor, drew inspiration from Evans' novels. Cardall issued two albums in 2002, Daily Devotions and Miracles: A Journey of Hope and Healing. Stone Angel has distributed many of his releases, including 2004's Christmas Hymns, Vol. 1 and 2007's Songs of Praise. His 2009 effort Sacred Piano began his relationship with Shadow Mountain Records, the label that released his 2011 effort New Life, which debuted at number one on the Billboard New Age Charts. In 2013 he composed the music for the LDS feature film Ephraim's Rescue. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Bethel
Paul Cardall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me
You never gave up pursuing
I fell in love you stole my heart
Your hand ever near I hold to
I long for your heart to know you
Just to live in your fellowship
Just to walk next to you
This is my one thing
You are my one thing
Just to be close to you
Just to walk next to you
This is my one thing
You are my one thing
My eyes ever fixed upon you
To live like a child to trust you
I'll hold on to this treasured
Love
My life ever set at your feet
I give you my heart completely
To live this life always by your
Side
I have to know you
All that's within me
Cries out for your presence, God
Nothing compares
There's no one else
Jesus you're my one desire
The lyrics of Paul Cardall's song Bethel is essentially about the pursuit of God and the desire to be close to Him. The song is an expression of love from a devoted worshipper to God. The opening verse "Your voice ever close you called me, you never gave up pursuing" could be interpreted as God always being by the singer’s side, calling out to him and never giving up on him despite any failures or shortcomings. The singer feels loved by God and in turn, surrenders his heart to God. The chorus "Just to be close to you, Just to walk next to you, This is my one thing, You are my one thing" emphasizes the singer’s desire to be close to God and have Him be the sole focus of his life. The singer reaffirms his commitment to God in the last verse, "My life ever set at your feet, I give you my heart completely, To live this life always by your side" which shows complete surrender and a willingness to follow God.
The song was inspired by a story in the Bible where Jacob, the son of Isaac, fled his home after deceiving his father and brother. While he slept, he had a dream and saw a ladder that led to heaven, and God spoke to him declaring His plan for Jacob's life. Jacob then named the place Bethel, which means "house of God," and said it was the gate to heaven. Therefore, the song shows an innocent desire to be closer to God and to know Him better.
Line by Line Meaning
Your voice ever close you called Me
I feel your presence and your constant call to me.
You never gave up pursuing
You never gave up on me, even in my lowest moments.
I fell in love you stole my heart
I fell in love with you and you have become the center of my life.
Your hand ever near I hold to
I rely on your constant support and guidance in my life.
I long for your heart to know you
I have a deep desire to know you more and understand your heart.
Just to live in your fellowship
All I want is to be close to you and experience your presence.
Just to be close to you
My greatest desire is to be near you.
Just to walk next to you
I want to walk through life with you by my side.
This is my one thing
Having you in my life is the most important thing to me.
You are my one thing
You are everything to me and I place my trust in you.
My eyes ever fixed upon you
My focus is always on you and your ways.
To live like a child to trust you
I want to have complete faith in you and live with childlike trust.
I'll hold on to this treasured Love
I will always cherish and hold onto your love.
My life ever set at your feet
My life is surrendered to you and I place myself at your feet.
I give you my heart completely
I offer you my heart and my life, completely and without reservation.
To live this life always by your Side
I want to live my life with you always by my side.
I have to know you
I have a desire to know you more deeply and intimately.
All that's within me
Every part of me and everything I have is yours.
Cries out for your presence, God
I long for your presence in my life and desire to feel your love and guidance.
Nothing compares
Nothing on this earth can compare to the love and presence of God.
There's no one else
No one else can fill the void in my heart the way you do.
Jesus you're my one desire
You are my greatest desire and the source of everything that matters in my life.
Writer(s): paul cardall
Contributed by Claire W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.