The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat show

The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat

Summary: A faithful-but-informal voice bringing music and interviews of interest to Latter-day Saints (Mormons / Mormon / LDS) and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry brings you the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat!

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Podcasts:

 'When I Can't Speak,' a retrospective album from Tyler Castleton | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 31:32

You've heard his songs for nearly two decades, but maybe you didn't know that songwriter, arranger, and producer Tyler Castleton was the man behind the music. This new 17-track collection album includes some of Tyler’s most requested songs, as well as a few brand-new offerings, performed by Tyler himself.  With performances from the likes of Gladys Knight, Hilary Weeks, Jericho Road, Jenny Phillips, Kenneth Cope, Cherie Call and many others, "When I Can't Speak," features music that closes the gap between heaven and earth. Playlist: When I Sing (Tyler Castleton) When I Can't Speak (Julie Yardley) Love Will Find You There (John McVey) Again (April Meservy) Just Like a Father Would (Mercy River) I Will Not Be Still (Kenneth Cope) Blessed Be His Name (Jenny Phillips) Sometimes He Lets It Rain (Katherine Nelson) For the Love Of a Woman (Jericho Road) You Can Change (Julie Yardley) You Give (Hilary Weeks) Walk With Me (Tyler Castleton) I Just Knew (Cherie Call) Sisters In Christ (Gladys Knight) Let Him Heal Your Heart (Dave Kimball) In the Meantime (Jessie Clark Funk) Shine On (David Osmond)

 'Be Still,' the new album of hymns from William Joseph | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 25:22

LDS pianist William Joseph is known for being a protegé of super producer David Foster, and his first two albums have wowed listeners and audiences alike with virtuosic performances.  Now his new release, "Be Still," features an entirely different approach. Filled with thoughtful, liquid-sounding piano and joined at times by cello and violin, "Be Still," is a collection of reverent interpretations of favorite hymns with a two original pieces which match the mood of the project.  In this audio interview you'll hear samples of the music and William's thoughts on choosing and arranging the pieces. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 The Inner City Project--a chance to serve from home | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 27:54

Whether you're finding an apartment for someone newly homeless, explaining to a foreign refugee what a flush toilet is, or connecting addicts with resources for recovery, the Inner City Project has something nearly anyone can do to fulfill Christ's call to serve "the least of these" right when it matters the most. Mike and Allene Ross—Elder and Sister Ross right now—are assistant directors for this innovative program which is changing the lives of both recipients and those who serve in downtown Salt Lake City.  In this audio interview they share amazing stories about this program which lets you serve for a number of hours each week while still living at home, sleeping in your own bed, and even before you retire. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull!

 'As a Child of God,' new music for children from Janice Kapp Perry | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 25:50

She's been writing music for decades, but never loses her enthusiasm for writing for children. Ever wonder what her favorite song is from her catalog? How she combines research and relaxing to create? In this audio interview about her new album "As a Child of God," Janice Kapp Perry talks about writing for kids, the song that came in a day, balancing life and writing, and answers questions from Facebook fans. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull!

 'Peace I give unto you," a Palestinian Relief Society President shares her story | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 27:39

What would you do if you were the only Latter-day Saint you knew in your entire country and the only way to attend sacrament meeting was to get over, around, or through a massive wall meant to keep you and your people out?  And how would you make peace with your situation and learn to forgive? Sahar Qumsiyeh, a Palestinian from the West Bank town of Bethlehem, found unorthodox ways to attend her meetings for 12 years until a job at a UN agency allowed her to pass through the checkpoints freely.  As Relief Society President in the Jerusalem District, she shares the same responsibilities as her counterparts throughout the world, but with an added challenge of a wall which prevents many of those in her care from ever meeting.  Through it all, she has learned to trust the inspiration and peace of the Holy Ghost, giving her the peace Jesus promised; a peace not of this world. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull—be sure and Click Here to listen.

 'Higher,' the new album from Mercy River | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 24:32

The popular all-mom trio, Mercy River, is back with a mix of well-known inspirational music and originals that reflect their own life experiences. In this audio interview Soni, Brooke, and Whitney talk about the usefulness of onstage humiliation, the good things about surrendering and letting go, plus introduce the LDS market to some of the best contemporary Christian songwriting from recent years. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull, be sure and take a listen! Playlist: Beautiful Life Better Than A Hallelujah It Might Be Hope With Him We Can Change In the Making Love Never Fails Let Go Blessings Beautiful For Me Surrender Just Like A Father Would

 'Make Known His Wonderful Works' - Video of the LDS International Art Competition 2012 | File Type: video/x-m4v | Duration: 35:06

A video presentation of the audio interview including visuals of all the various works discussed. Click Here to view.

 'Make Known His Wonderful Works' - 9th LDS International Art Competition | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 35:02

Rita R. Wright, Curator of Art and Artifacts at the Church History Museum walks us through the new exhibit featuring nearly 200 different works in a variety of genres.  Her enthusiasm for art and the gospel is infectious and you'll be glad for a guide who helps you see more deeply into these amazing paintings, sculptures, and yes, even a flannel board story. In this audio interview you'll hear what kind of support the Church gives to the arts, how learning to understand art an be helpful in understanding the scriptures, and I think you'll especially enjoy hearing Rita Wright get on her soapbox for a moment on the power of art and how it blesses our spirits. Click here to see a video version of this edition with photos of the exhibits.  And be sure to click here to visit the exhibit page itself and cast your vote for the Visitors Choice award. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 Utah's LDS Dems credit 1st Presidency letter for record-breaking caucus turnout | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:49

Utah State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Debakis was delighted with the soaring numbers of LDS Utahns who turned out for the Democratic Party's caucus meetings last Tuesday, and Craig Janis, head of outreach for the newly launched LDS Dems Caucus, talked about the increased interest in the organization just this week. With The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressing concern over a lack of political participation in the state and amid worries over the ways an increasingly one-party system of government in the state can be harmful to all citizens, Mormon or not, LDS Democrats were impressed to hear the following read over the pulpit in church meetings in a letter from the First Presidency of the Church in recent weeks: "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of the various political parties.  We encourage members to attend their precinct caucus meetings." In addition, the LDS Church directed local congregations to cancel activities on March 13 and 15, allowing church members to attend their Democratic and Republican caucus meetings held those evenings, respectively. The result? Record participation. That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull.

 'Glory!' the virtuosic new recording from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 30:08

This new album features masterworks, sacred anthems, a folk hymn, a song from the Broadway stage, and selections from some of the most eminent film composers of our day. Included are jubilant renditions of “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Ennio Morricone’s “Nella Fantasia” from The Mission, and one of the choir's most frequently requested anthems, “The Holy City.” In this audio interview director Mack Wilberg tells about the music choices, Tenor soloist Stanford Olsen, relates the most humbling aspect of working with the choir, and describes the joy of performing and recording some of the world's most enduring (and difficult!) works for choir and orchestra. That’s this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 Emily Thomas, bridging the worlds of the hearing and the deaf | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 21:55

For some deaf recipients of Cochlear Implants, it can take up to ten years to learn to distinguish sounds and to speak.  But for Emily Thomas, from Oklahoma, it was a miraculously short period of less than two years; years which coincided with her finding the Gospel and deciding that God’s gift of words to her was a sacred trust. In this audio interview with Emily Thomas, a professional counselor deaf since birth, you’ll learn three things deaf church members wish hearing members understood about them, hear a remarkable story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ bringing a family together after a decade, and generally bask in the glow of someone full of the light of the Lord. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 LDS athletes go downhill fast--and that's a good thing! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 30:19

Cody Reese and and Brandon Larson look like any other athletes until they slide up their pant legs to show off the high-tech prosthetic legs that keep them in the mobile mainstream of society.  What's not mainstream is their penchant for zooming down mountainsides at 70 mph. In this audio interview bobsledders Reese and Larson and their coach Jeremy Holm talk about the spiritual lessons learned from challenging yourself to do difficult things, whether able-bodied or otherwise, and why they do what they do. (Find them online here and on Facebook here.) That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 'My Rules,' 14 modern songs with a message for youth | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:00

Positive music can inspire, heal, uplift, and enlighten. That's what Craig Clifford and Aaron Edson have always believed and now they've released “My Rules,” a new album of 14 original pop, rock, and hip-hop songs that intend to prove it. In this audio interview Craig and Aaron talk about creating an album of modern music that encourages kids to live more hopefully, purposefully, and honorably, while enjoying the styles and beats they love.  You'll hear their philosophy of music and don't miss my favorite of the bunch, "Something Sacred," which, as Craig says, "I can't believe has never been written before." That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 'Simple Gifts' and 'Life Reflections' from Jason Tonioli | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 22:46

You might not know it from listening, but some of Jason Tonioli's hymn arrangements and piano pieces have come to him at unusual times and places; like while he was white-water kayaking or boarding a bus to leave a little town in Argentina he'd come to love. In every case though, they are heartfelt expressions of his life and what he feels. In this audio interview you'll hear what convinced him to keep practicing piano as a reluctant teenager (moms take note!) in Hooper, Utah, and why he posts many of his arrangements for free online.  It's a preview of two albums in one program. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

 James Conlee's voice soars on his new album, "Sunday." | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 25:42

Mixing classical influences with sacred hymns, James Conlee sings new interpretations of beloved melodies from both worlds. At times he combines actual pieces as with "Abide With Me" and "Pachelbel's Canon," "I Often Go Walking" with "Claire De Lune," and others. James has performed with the Broadway touring company of "Miss Saigon" and is a former BYU Young Ambassador.  In this audio interview you'll hear about the hymns and arrangement process, how recording with the City of Prague Philharmonic provided a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience, and why several of these hymns have a personal connection to a loved one. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

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