Then we travelled to Soularium Studio in Alpine, where I worked on a recording project with LDS singer Allyse Smith Taylor. It was great to be invited over to record two duets with Allyse. They will both feature on Allyse's CD, which will be available sometime in August and my own next album which is due for release in September/October of this year.
We all had a lot of fun at the Studio. My very good friend composer Sally DeFord was there (she wrote all of the songs on the Album). Also involved were LDS pianist Marvin Goldstein, Violinist April Moriarty and Wind and Reeds player Daron Bradford. I also had the pleasure of meeting and working with vocal coach and talented performer Sam Payne and the owner of the studio Dan Carlisle, who has worked on such projects as "The Work and the Glory."
Also on a side note, between the restaurants 'Blue Lemon' and 'Kneaders', lunch time was a big hit. They both make fab soup and sandwiches!
I'll keep you updated on the albums, when they are to be released and where you can buy them. :)
Last year we visited a little eating place in Lehi called Porter's Place (a saloon type restaurant which tributes Orin Porter Rockwell, bodyguard of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young). Here we encountered drinks like "snake venom' and a burger like no other. We had to laugh at it's name (The Destroying Angel!) That was until we saw it and realised just how big this burger was. What was more concerning was just how easily I ate the whole thing, the potatoe wedges and it's side order of barbecue beans! When the waitress brought the burger over, she said "don't worry, I'll bring a box for you to take away what you don't eat" and when she returned: "wow, I don't think I've seen anyone eat the whole thing before!" So of course this burger is now to become a tradition. Below is a picture of the beast :)
As if the names of the meals in the menu weren't funny enough, the meal was brought to a unique finish when we stepped out of the door to a sight you don't see everyday... A man and wife walking their dog and... donkey! Ha! We couldn't help but laugh, to which the lady smiled and said "we're only walking the donkey"... brilliant!
Our final destination was with Jay Richards and his wife Carri in Logan. We had a lovely time visiting with our friend Jay who is a producer and director over in Logan with his own company Music Theatre West, who perform at the beautiful Ellen Eccles theatre. Jay gave us our own private tour of the theatre and rehearsal rooms. They really are fantastic, only strengthening my dream to one day own my own theatre. Back in October 2008, Jay produced and directed his musical production of the Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women. The songs are beautiful and his orchestrations are wonderful. I'm still hoping to direct a UK premiere of Jay's Little Women early 2010... so watch this space.
This time round we weren't able to fit a visit to the Salt Lake temple into the trip, so we were thrilled when Jay and Carri took us to see the Logan temple. It really is a wonderful building. It's castle like architecture holds such history and we were treated to some fascinating stories Jay and Carri recounted to us of the temple the couple were married in.
Utah was great. Watch out folks... we'll be back!
Dan Carlisle and Sam Payne at the controls in Soularium Studio, Alpine
Me in the booth!
Allyse Smith Taylor and I after recording
For a monster meal, vist...
Yum!
Walking the Donkey! :)
The beautiful Logan temple
