At age 53, pianist (and Brigham Young University graduate) Carolyn Southworth has fulfilled a dream by recording her first contemporary instrumental album, and it can stand alongside such new-age artists as David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani and Tingstad & Rumbel.
      In fact, the album was produced by Lanz's producer/collaborator Paul Speer, and woodwinder Nancy Rumbel is featured on the album.
      Southworth's piano is smooth, soothing and fresh from the opening title track to the reverent "Nocturne." Each work is melodic and catchy but also deep with emotion and musicality.
      Soundscapes form musical images of overcoming trials with "Silver Lining," of dreams in "Once in a Lifetime" and of birds of prey soaring on a thermal in "Where Eagles Soar."
      A three works follow the turbulence and peace during and after blustery rains provided by "Anchor in the Storm," "In the Wake of t he Storm" and "Island Sunrise."
      Southworth also tips her hat to her Scottish heritage with the Celtic-flavored "Highlander," and touches on her Mormon lifestyle with "In My Fondest Dreams."
      With "At the End of the Day," Southworth has created a CD that will appeal to fans of healing new-age music. But it also set the bar high for fans' expectations.
      It will be interesting to hear what the future brings.

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Playing: Silver Lining

E-mail: scott@desnews.com
   Carolyn southworth had wanted to make a contemporary instrumental album for years.

      "She would always tell me how much she wanted to make an album of her own music," said her husband Ron southworth. "This year the dream has come true for her. Here she is, a 54-year-old grandmother accomplishing this dream."
      Carolyn, a graduate of Brigham Young University, lives with her husband in Seattle, Wash. They were in town a few weeks ago, looking for a distributor for Carolyn's album "At the End of the Day," and attending the LDS Church General Conference.
      "This album isn't about religion," said Ron. "It's more in the new-age style."
      In fact, the album was produced by Grammy-nominated new-age producer/guitarist Paul Speer. And guest musicians include percussionist Matthew Burgess, saxophonist Richard Warner, bassist Douglas Barnett, drummer Steve Hill and oboist/hornist Nancy Rumbel (of the Grammy-winning duo Tingstad & Rumbel).
      "When I realized I could actually make this album, we got a hold of David Lanz," Carolyn said. "We talked awhile and he encouraged me to do a solo piano album. But he also told me that I was the one who needed to make the decision. We were encouraged to contact Paul."
      Speer was in the process of making his move from Seattle to Nashville, Tenn., but he agreed to listen to southworth's demos. "He told me that his move could wait," said Carolyn. "So my album was one of his last Seattle-produced projects."
      "Before I work with someone," Speer said during a telephone interview, "I take time to get to know them philosophically and musically. I went to Carolyn's house and talked with her, and she played some music for me. She also gave me a rough recording she made in her home studio."

      After hearing the material, Speer agreed to produce the album and told southworth that he wanted her to work with some other musicians. "That's when he came up with the list of names," said Carolyn. "My jaw dropped. And I didn't think my music was good enough to have these people play with me." But throughout the recording process, each musician took time out to complement the compositions.
      Rumbel said he was also impressed by southworth's open demeanor. "First off, she was extremely organized," Rumbel said by phone from Seattle. "She knew what she wanted but she was always open to suggestions.
      "I play mainly the oboe and English horn on the album, and we went back and forth between the two instruments. We would talk about which would sound better, and we sort of held auditions for each instrument and picked the one that sounded better."
      One of the major challenges of making the album, said Carolyn, was hauling the piano into the studio. "I have a 7-foot Baldwin grand piano. We thought about working with another piano, but Paul came up and listened to me play and told me that I had to use my own piano."
      Since recording an album was a new experience for Carolyn, it did take some time to get into the groove. "During the first three days I thought I was going to die," she said with a laugh. "Working with click tracks to make sure we were on tempo, and then making sure I was playing accurately, was nerve-racking."
      But Speer's guidance and know-how helped smooth out the edges for the session. "She had 25 strong songs that we had to choose from," said Speer. "It was difficult to pare them down to what's on the album."
      All of the tunes on the 11-track album — which can be sampled on www.carolynsouthworth.com — have special meaning for Carolyn. But two that stand out are the title track and another titled "Once in a Lifetime." "I remember composing 'At the End of the Day.' I was in the middle of the song when we had a storm and the power went off. I lit a bunch of candles and finished the song.
      "The other song, 'Once in a Lifetime,' was about my getting ready to make this album, something that I never thought would happen."
      Another that is very personal is "In My Fondest Dreams." "I had composed music for a church musical called 'Abinadi.' And this is one of the songs from the production, albeit without the lyrics."
      At present, the southworths are seeking a distributor for the album, but it can be ordered from www.cdb aby.com. "All in all it took about 15 days to complete," said Carolyn. "And it was an experience I'll never forget."