According to his website, Paul Cardall discovered his talents on the piano as the result of the tragic death of a friend.  The development of that talent has led to a wonderful album "Hymns II."  There are 12 tracks on the album, the last one is an original composition by Bro. Cardall while the other eleven are hymns that any member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would easily recognize.  According to Bro. Cardall, the songs that appear on the album were chose because "(e)ach piece…represents the great atoning sacrifice of the Savior, Jesus Christ."  All 12 tracks on the album are piano solos by Bro Cardall and he has done a wonderful job with each piece.

The 11 hymn tracks on the album are creative arrangements by Bro. Cardall of the different hymns.  For me personally, this is my favorite kind of piano music and his arrangements are beautiful. He has carefully arranged each hymn to truly bring out the beauty of each one.  Bro Cardall's talents on the piano are obvious on each track.    More than once I was amazed at how much he could do with the piano.  At times, I was truly amazed that only one person was playing the song.  Often times it seemed as if more than one piano must be in use even though that is obviously not the case since the album was recorded live.  With this album, Bro. Cardall truly made the most of his talents.

One of the things that I love about the arrangements on this album is while they are creative, and not a standard playing of the hymns as sung in church each Sunday, each hymn is easily recognizable.  From, the moment the song plays you know what song is being sung.  Too often, when a hymn, or any song for that matter, is creatively arranged you can longer tell what the song actually is.  The only clue comes when you look at the list of tracks on the album.  I am happy to say that is not the case with this album.