Video : Carola & Paul Potts singing "O Holy Night"

Carola and Paul Potts on TV4 tonight

Don't miss Carola singing "O Holy Night" in a duet with Paul Potts on TV4 tonight during the charity show "Faddergalan - barn har rätt!" at 8.00 pm. The event is an annual event to make people sponsor children in developing countries. Other performers include Takida, Melody Gardot, Sarah Dawn Finer, Markus Krunegård , Martin Stenmarck and EMD.

Link: TV4's website

Link: Plan Sverige's website

Tour reviews : Norrköping

Updated: Tonight (Sunday November 29), Carola performed her Christmas Concert "Nya Jul i Betlehem - Carola med vänner" in Norrköping. Her guest for the evening was Daniel Mitsogiannis (also the choreographer for the tour) who competed in the Swedish Song Contest in 2008 with "Pame" (see video), and the rapper Blues.

Malin Dyrager from Norrköpings Tidningar gives the concert 4 stars (out of 5) and Mikael Mjörnberg from Folkbladet gives 3 (out of 5). Here are excerpt from their reviews:

"Most everyone has some kind of faith, and this time of year brings it out in many. Many tears were shed among the audience and the concert became intensely emotional when when Carola sang own song 'Allt kommer bli bra mamma'. A beautiful voice and a warmth that is hard to define was spread in the concert hall."
—Malin Dyrager, Norrköpings Tidningar

"The most brilliantly shining song of the evening is 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' with its groovy gospel feeling backed by a choir under the direction of Lisa Tilling, which is suddenly standing up on one of the balconies. Earlier we also got to see Daniel Mitsogiannis on stage in a lively number. When Carola gives her voice some chance to shine, the concert is really great. But I would have needed more up-tempo gospels and less tedious preaching from Craola to be able to sing her praises."
—Mikael Mjörnberg, Folkbladet

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read the review in Norrköpings Tidningar

Link: Read the review in Folkbladet

SVT to show "DR's Juleshow"

Good news for the Swedish fans, the DR's Juleshow" (the Danish TV's Christmas concert) that is filmed at Aalborg Congress & Culture Centre tonight and tomorrow night will air on Swedish TV this Christmas.

SVT1 will air the show on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 9.00 pm.

December 20 - DR1, Denmark, 8.00 pm
December 24 - SVT1, Sweden, 9.00 pm

The show includes such artists as Michael Bolton, Melody Gardot, Jamie Cullum, Aqua, Malena Ernman, and others.

Photos from TV-show in Denmark

Photographer Torben Hansen / NordJyske

These photos are from the dress rehearsal of "DR's Juleshow" in Aalborg, Denmark this afternoon. Read more here and here.

Swedish Album Chart (w 48)

"Christmas in Bethlehem" climbs one spot on the official Swedish album chart this week to no 7.

Week 47: No 8
Week 48: No 7

Link: Sverige Topplistan's website

iTunes European Christmas album charts (Nov 27)

I will continuously follow Carola's "Christmas in Bethlehem" on the European iTunes charts. These are the positions for the Holiday album charts from a number of countries:

Finland: No 1
Norway: No 1 (+1)
Sweden: No 2
Belgium: No 10 (+1)
Denmark: No 10 (+6)
Greece: No 18 (-1)
Portugal: No 19 (new)
Luxembourg: No 22 (-11)
Holland: No 40 (-11)
Italy: No 42 (+13)

The album climbs well in Denmark (up six spots to no 10) and in Italy (up 13 spots to no 42). Visit back for updated chart information...

Exclusive : Photos from album signing in Stockholm

Copyright Peter Karlsson / Click to enlarge

These photos were taken at Carola's album signing at Åhléns City in Stockholm this afternoon by Peter Karlsson (thank you for emailing me the photos). Carola looked stunning as she was signing autographs for about two hours.

Next album signing is in Ulsteinvik in Norway on December 15.

Don't miss the album signing today!

This is a friendly reminder that you can meet and greet Carola today at Åhléns City in Stockholm, where she will have an album signing starting at 5.00 pm.

iTunes European Christmas album charts (Nov 25)

The industry website Musikindustrin have taken notice that Carola's "Christmas in Bethlehem" is doing exceptionally well on the American Amazon.com sales chart (as reported earlier), and in a statement X5 Music Group mentions that the album also has been doing well on the iTunes Christmas album chart in Scandinavia, Holland, Italy and Spain. After doing some research I can reveal that the album is doing well in more countries still—Belgium, Luxembourg, and Greece. See today's positions on the Christmas album chart from all countries below:

Finland: No 1
Sweden: No 2
Norway: No 2
Belgium: No 11
Luxembourg: No 11
Denmark: No 16
Greece: No 17
Holland: No 29
Italy: No 55
Switzerland: No 157

In many countries, the individual songs are also selling well—Sweden has ten songs on the chart, Norway and Finland have nine, Denmark, Belgium and Luxembourg have six, and Spain has five. Carola comments the success of the album like this

"It's enormously inspiring to see such positive results and success on the web so quickly. I'm thrilled and thankful that my international audience finally can get hold of my music in English. It's very inspiring!"

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read article from Musikindustrin

Link: Read article from Aftonbladet

Norwegian Album Charts (w 48)

"Christmas in Bethlehem" makes a humble entrence on the official Norwegian album chart this week at no 36. Just like I did with the Swedish charts, I have gathered the entry positions for all Carola's Christmas albums so you can compare how the new album is doing:

No 12 JULEFRID MED CAROLA (1983)
No -- CAROLA JUL (1991)
No 36 JUL I BETLEHEM (1999)
No 21 JUL I BETLEHEM II - I DENNA NATT BLIR VÄRLDEN NY (2007)
No 36 CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM (2009)

Link: VG Listan's website

Exclusive : Carola on Danish TV

As reported earlier, Carola will join Michael Bolton, Melody Gardot, Jamie Cullum, Aqua, Malena Ernman, and others to perform at "DR's Juleshow" (the Danish TV's Christmas concert) at Aalborg Congress & Culture Centre on November 27 & 28. The show is filmed by Danish TV and will air on DR1 on December 20. The show will air in other Scandinavian countries as well, check back for complete TV-schedule.

Link: Buy tickets

Reviews of the "Nya jul i Betlehem" tour

Photo: Tomas Leprince / Expressen

Updated: Read four reviews of the "Nya jul i Betlehem—Carola med vänner" tour that started in Malmö on Saturday night. Click the links at the bottom to read the reviews in their entirety or read the translated excerpt below.

"With the risk of sounding as your nagging math professorin primary schools—sometimes I wish Carola would sing more gospel. Why is the cover version of 'Go, Tell It On The Mountain', one of the few exceptions? It's then she sings gospel that her voice and the music have the same burning intensity. The American South's soul, blues and gospel should be the basis of her concert. Then her Christmas in Bethlehem tour would become something bigger and more profound."
—Markus Larsson, Aftonbladet

"Carola's brings back Christmas to its roots. It lacks elves and trees, and instead show us shepherds from the West Bank and Palestinian olive trees on the large video screen. Her Christmas is serious and sacred. (...) And my God how she sings."
—Anders Nunstedt, Expressen

"Among the songs she sings during the concert, Carola has written quite a few. For example the beautiful 'Heaven In My Arms' and this year's Christmas hit 'Find My Way To Bethlehem'. You have to admit that when Carola is good, she is exceptional, even as a song writer. It would be interesting to hear more of her own music. Isn't it time for the next chapter for Carola? Perhaps a tour in a few years with only her own original material?"
—Yvonne Erlandsson, Skånska Dagbladet

"From Bethlehem to Vegas and on to Gingerbread Land—when Carola invites us to her Christmas party, she covers the entire map. No place is unknown to us when the show is over, neither the Church of the Nativity nor the place for her mother's funeral where she invites us for her intimate soul-pop-ballad 'Allt kommer bli bra, mamma'. Maybe a bit cheesy, but that's part of the season. Carola is giving us unlimited access to her person. When other artists go through the Christmas' standards, let the bells jingle and think that makes it Christmas, Carola takes this seriously, and it's always personal. Hymns? Gospel? Readings from the Bible? Talks about the Virgin Birth and the Holy Spirit? Most sing this repertoire only at Christmas, but for Carola this is a part of her life."
—Håkan Engström, Sydsvenskan

(Translation by Carola International)

Video: Watch a video from the concert (Aftonbladet)
Link: Read the review in Aftonbladet
Link: Read the review in Expressen

Link: Read the review in Skånska Dagbladet

Link: Read the review in Sydsvenskan

First Danish review

The first Danish review of "Christmas in Bethlehem" is a good one. Martin Koster gives the album 4 stars (out of 6) in Fyens Stiftstidende. Below you can read a translated excerpt from the review.

"Within the genre of Christmas music, the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest winner Carola has made an excellent album titled 'Christmas in Bethlehem'. An advantage with Christmas albums is that we basically know all the songs before we put the disc in our CD-player, so it's the interpretations of the songs that decide the outcome. And here Carola is winning in fine style."
—Martin Kloster, Fyens Stiftstidende

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read the review in Fyens Stiftstidende

Christmas tour kicks off

This year's Christmas tour "Nya Jul i Betlehem - Carola med vänner" starts right now (8 pm Swedish local time) in Malmö. Good luck, Carola & co!

Listen to "P4 Premiär"

If you missed the interview with Carola on the radio show "P4 Premiär" earlier today, click the link below to listen online. Besides the interview conducted by Annika Jankell, you can also listen to "From Heaven High" from the album "Christmas in Bethlehem".

Link: Listen to the program
Link: P4 Premiär's website

Amazon Charts (Nov 21)

Today, for the first time, "Christmas in Bethlehem" enters the Top 100 Chart for mp3 albums on the American Amazon.com site. Its current position on the chart is no 53 (up from no 127), which must be considered just amazing for an unknown Swedish artist on an American sales chart. The album is no 1 on the mp3 Christmas Album Chart and no 37 on the Movers & Shakers Chart with a sales increase of 139%. It would be interesting to hear how many copies the album sold on Amazon since its release on November 6.

Link: Buy the album from Amazon

Exclusive : The tour truck

After having a dress rehearsal at Radiohuset in Stockholm last night, all instruments, stage sets, sound and light equipment were packed into this truck that will transport Carola's Christmas concert on the upcoming tour. The tour begins tomorrow night in Malmö.

Thanks to Jessica Jäger for emailing me the photo.

Radio interview on "P4 Premiär" tomorrow

Annika Jankell attended the release party for the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" yesterday at Radiohuset in Stockholm. She recorded an interview with Carola that will air on "P4 Premiär" starting 1.05 pm tomorrow Saturday.

Link: P4 Premiär's website

Mix Megapol interview this morning

Carola was interviewed over the phone on the radio show MorgonGänget on Mix Megapol Malmö this morning. Click the link below to listen to the interview, choose the clip "09.00-10.00".

Link: Listen to the interview

Swedish Album Chart (w 47)

"Christmas in Bethlehem" enters the official Swedish album chart this week at no 8. In comparison, her previous Christmas albums entered the Swedish album chart as follows:

No 8 JULEFRID MED CAROLA (1983)
No 15 CAROLA JUL (1991)
No 35 JUL I BETLEHEM (1999)
No 1 JUL I BETLEHEM II - I DENNA NATT BLIR VÄRLDEN NY (2007)
No 8 CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM (2009)

Link: Sverige Topplistan's website

Album signing in Malmö

For those of you living close to Malmö, don't miss the chance to meet and greet Carola at the shopping mall Entré where she will be signing her new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" today at 5 pm.

Link: Directions to Entré

iTunes charts (Nov 19)

iTunes is promoting Carola's "Christmas in Bethlehem" in all Scandinavian countries, selling the album at special price and displaying graphics like the one seen above. This is how the album and the songs from the album is doing on the Scandinavian iTunes charts right now:

SWEDEN
Album Chart: No 6
Songs Chart: No 55
Christmas Album Chart: No 1
Christmas Songs Chart: No 1, No 2 etc (9 songs altogether)

NORWAY
Album Chart: No 11
Songs Chart: No 51
Christmas Album Chart: No 1
Christmas Songs Chart: No 1, No 2, No 7 etc (12 songs altogether)

FINLAND
Album Chart: No 23
Christmas Album Chart: No 1
Christmas Songs Chart: No 6 etc (4 songs altogether)

DENMARK
Album Chart: No 72
Christmas Album Chart: No 1
Christmas Songs Chart: No 9 etc (4 songs altogether)

It will be interesting to see how the album continues to move on the charts.

Review in Expressen

Critic Anders Dahlbom gives "Christmas in Bethlehem" 2 stars (out of 5) in the Swedish newspaper Expressen. Below you can read a translated excerpt from the review.

"If you five years ago would have said that the best track on the new Carola album was a duet with Hank von Helvete from Turbonegro, you would have been ridiculed. But it's true. When Carola celebrates her musical Christmas in English, this odd couple sings an airy 'Silent Night' that has the right feeling of children with sparkly eyes and grown-ups drinking mulled wine".
—Anders Dahlbom, Expressen

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read the review in Expressen

Norwegian reviews

"Christmas in Bethlehem" was released in Norway on Monday, and so far two newspapers have published their reviews of the album. Bergensavisen gives the album 4 stars and Dagbladet 3 stars (out of 6). Below you can read translated excerpts from the reviews.

"Carola has already made two of my favorite Christmas albums. When she now releases an English version, it is mostly for the international market. Her beautiful 'Himlen i min famn' is not as intimate in its English translation 'Heaven In My Arms'. The choices for duet partners on the album are strange."
—Ann Kristin Ødegård, Bergensavisen

"Carola's roots in gospel music, combined with intensely emotional vocals and an ambitious, Middle-Eastern flavored crossover production, keeps the typical Christmas clichés far away. In some songs, the lack of Christmas atmosphere becomes obvious, 'Find My Way To Bethlehem' has only the message of the Holiday in its lyrics. Musically it is a powerhouse blues/gospel/adult pop without any Holiday references."
—Sven Ove Bakke, Dagbladet

(Translations by Carola International)

Link: Read the review in Bergensavisen

Link: Read the review in Dagbladet

Album release in Finland

Today, "Christmas in Bethlehem" was released in Finland, which means the album has been released in all countries it was planned to be released as a physical album. The album is also available as a digital album in great many countries around the world.

Link: Buy the album from CDON (Finland)

Listen to radio interview

Today, Carola was a guest on the Swedish radio show P4 Extra, where she talked about her new album, the upcoming tour and tomorrow's album release party. She also said her clothes on the tour are designed by Lars Wallin (who did the "Evighet"/"Invincible" outfits) and include the outfit she wore on "Skavlan" and the dress she wears on the album cover.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info.

Link: Listen to the program

Carola Covers : More "Himlen i min famn"

As I reported a week ago, Carola's "Himlen i min famn" has been recorded by many Scandinavian artists over the years (read more), and now one more cover version can be added to the list. Elisabeth Andreassen and Rein Alexander sings "Himlen i min famn" on their new Christmas album "Julenatt" that was released yesterday.

Link: Buy the album from CDON
Link: Buy the album from Platekompaniet

1.8 million Swedes watched "Skavlan"

The power of Carola!

Friday's episode of the Swedish/Norwegian talkshow "Skavlan" when Carola was one of the guests, broke the shows record in number of viewers. 1.8 million people were watching Carola sing her new Christmas song "Find My Way to Bethlehem" in Sweden. Did you miss it? Click the link below to watch the show online.

Link : Watch "Skavlan"

Win tickets to concert in Stockholm

Åhléns.se is conducting a competition where you can win signed albums and two tickets to Carola's concert at Cirkus in Stockholm on December 21, including hotel for two. All you have to do is answer three easy questions.

Carola is scheduled to be at Åhléns City in Stockholm to sign albums on November 25.

Link: Enter the competition on Åhléns's website

Album release in Norway & Denmark today

"Christmas in Bethlehem" (read our review here) is released in Norway and Denmark today. If you haven't bought the album already, click on the links below to place your order.

Link: Buy the album from Platekompaniet (Norway)

Link: Buy the album from TDC Online (Denmark)

Win tickets to the release party

Just as I reported already on November 6 (read more), fans will be able to win tickets for the album release party that will take place on November 19 at Radiohuset in Stockholm (read more).

Now these tickets are available at Carola.com, but hurry—you can only enter until noon tomorrow Swedish local time.

Link: Carola.com's ticket lottery

Amazon Charts (Nov 14)

I would say this is pretty remarkable! On the American Amazon.com site, Carola's new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" is no 38 on the Movers & Shakers Chart for mp3 albums. This means it has had an 181% sales increase and climbed 227 (!) spots on the mp3 Album Chart, from no 352 to no 125. The album is also currently no 2 on the mp3 Christmas Album Chart, which most be an amazing achievement for an unknown artist to the American audience.

Link: Buy the album from Amazon

iTunes Album Chart (Nov 14)

"Christmas in Bethlehem" stays at no 5 on the Swedish iTunes Album Chart today. The song Carola performed on "Skavlan" last night—"Find My Way to Bethlehem" climbs all the way up to no 21 on the singles chart. In Norway, the album is currently on no 15 and the song at no 43.

Update : Release party at Radiohuset

The release party for the new album was initially planned for November 11 at Nalen, but was later moved one week to an undecided location. Now, it is decided the party will take place at Radiohuset in Stockholm on November 19.

Some tickets for the party will be available for fans through Carola.com. Keep your eyes open...

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info.

Watch "Find My Way to Bethlehem"

iTunes - what a difference "Skavlan makes

Performing on the Swedish/Norwegian talkshow "Skavlan" really pays off. After Carola performed "Find My Way to Bethlehem" on yesterday's show, the song went to no 64 on the Swedish iTunes Singles chart and no 81 on the Norwegian iTunes Singles Chart, and "Christmas in Bethlehem" climbed to no 12 on the Norwegian Album Chart.

Watch "Skavlan" online

Click the link below to watch Carola on the Swedish/Norwegian talkshow "Skavlan" from Friday night, where she gives a great interview and sings "Find My Way to Bethlehem".

Link : Watch "Skavlan"

ESC Today writes about "Christmas in Bethlehem"

Carola is getting great promotion on the Eurovision Song Contest website ESC Today, that writes about the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem".

Link: ESC Today's website

Recent articles

Carola is once again everywhere in Swedish and Norwegian media, here are links to some recent articles:

Link: Article in Aftonbladet

Link: Article in Expressen

Link: Article in Verdens Gang

Link: Article in Se Her

Link: Article in Her og Nå

Link: Article in Dagbladet

Link: Article in Expressen

Carola in KK

Carola has given an open-hearted interview to the Norwegian magazine KK where she reveals that she was very much in love with Edward John that she dated some years ago, but that he hesitated towards her because she had previously been married (is that a problem?).

The magazine is released in Norway on Monday, but parts of the interview is published in the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet today (see link below).

Link: KK's website

Link: Read the article in Dagbladet

The first two reviews

Both Piteåtidningen and Helsingborgs Dagblad give "Christmas in Bethlehem" 3 stars (of five). Below you can read translated excerpts from the reviews.

"The album consists of five newly recorded songs and English versions of ten favorites from the two preceding albums. Needless to say the whole production is high quality, from the beautiful photos in the booklet, to musical arrangements and vocals. The music ranges from hymns, gospel, pop and folk music. In the duet with Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby (from Turbonegro) the difference between their voices is a bit too much, even if that feels better and more exciting than the slick, classical version of 'O Holy Night' with Paul Potts."
—Mari Gustafsson, Piteåtidningen

"Carola is just so much more skillful than her competitors to get the most and the best out of traditional, religious Christmas songs. She has proved that with her two previous 'Jul i Betlehem' album from where ten songs have been chosen and translated into English. 'Christmas in Bethlehem' also contains five new songs, among them 'Find My Way to Bethlehem' that Carola has co-written"
—Magnus Ransheim, Helsingborgs Dagblad

(Translations by Carola International)

Link: Read the review in Piteåtidningen

Link: Read the review in Helsingborgs Dagblad

iTunes Album Chart (Nov 13)

"Christmas in Bethlehem" drops back to no 5 on today's Swedish iTunes Album Chart. In Norway, it drops to no 48 and in Finland it drops to no 178.

Exclusive : Photos from "Skavlan"

Copyright: Peter Karlsson / Click to enlarge

These are pictures from Carola's appearance on the talkshow "Skavlan" on Thursday night. Carola is the first guest, which means she is in the entire program, and at the end of the show she sang "Find My Way to Bethlehem" (twice I might add). The show airs tomorrow, Friday on Swedish SVT and Norwegian NRK. Click here for show listings.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the photos!

Exclusive : More album signings

Carola International has already announced one album signing, at Åhlens City in Stockholm on November 25. I can now add that the signing will begin at 5 pm. Two other album signings, one in Malmö Sweden and one in Ulsteinvik in Norway has also been added.

20.11 Entré, Malmö, SWE approx 5pm
25.11 Åhlens City, Stockholm, SWE 5pm
15.12 Bok & Media, Ulsteinvik, NOR approx 5pm

The exact time has not been set, and more signings might be added, so check back for more information.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info.

Wanna be Joseph?

Are you a 20-30 year old man with darker complexion living close to Northern Norway? Do you wanna be Joseph in a Nativity Scene that Lofothallen is setting up in conjuncture with Carola's concert at the arena on November 9. They have already found a Mary and a baby Jesus. If you are interested, go to Lofothallen's website (link below) and contact Hilde Lillevold Håberg or Roger Larsen as soon as possible.

:)

Link: Lofothallen's website

iTunes Album Chart (Nov 12)

"Christmas in Bethlehem" climbs one more spot to no 3 on the Swedish iTunes Album Chart today. In Norway, the album climbed five spots no 28 and in Finland it's currently on no 171.

Exclusive : New video premiere

Carola's new video for "Find My Way to Bethlehem" will premiere on Carola.com on November 20. The video is filmed in Israel by Carola's niece Patrik Ekeberg.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info.

Album promotion in Stockholm

This is an example of how the album "Christmas in Bethlehem" is promoted at Åhléns City in Stockholm where Carola will have an album signing on November 25.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the photo.

If you have any photos you want to share with other fans, please email them to carolainternational@yahoo.com.

Watch a new interview

TT Spektra has interviewed Carola about the new album and upcoming tour, and published both a video and a written article (the article is great, don't miss it). Plus, the newspaper Sydsvenskan has conducted a chat with Carola earlier today.

Link: Watch the interview

Link: Read the interview

Link: Read the chat with Carola

iTunes Album Chart (Nov 11)

Update: "Christmas in Bethlehem" climbed one more spot to no 4 on the Swedish iTunes Album Chart.

"Christmas in Bethlehem" is released today

Today, Carola's new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" is released in Swedish stores. The album is great (read our review here) and will hopefully bring Carola back to the top of the charts.

Have you bought your album yet? If not, here are some online stores where you can buy it...

Link: Buy the album from CDON

Link: Buy the album from Ginza

Link: Buy the album from Bengans

Link: Buy the album from Megastore

Link: Buy the album from Platekompaniet

"Christmas in Bethlehem" - our review!

After listening to “Christmas in Bethlehem” for almost a week, I can say this is clearly one of Carola’s best albums. Ever. In her 26 years as a Swedish superstar. Even though I wasn’t thrilled to find out she planned to release yet another Christmas album (the fifth of her career), I’m now very pleased she did. Even though “Jul i Betlehem” from 1999 is a great album, “Christmas in Bethlehem” is better in almost every way. Again: this is the best Christmas album Carola has recorded.

Carola has co-written four songs for the album, “Heaven In My Arms” has been translated to English by Terry Cox (who co-wrote “Love the World Away” with Carola and Arnie Roman), and she has done a great job. I think the song is even stronger in English, and Carola sings it with such depth and concern for the future of her newborn child.

“Heaven Turned Out to be a Child” is a sweet little song with lyrics by Erik Hillestad, performed as a duet with young and talented Julian Erlandsson.

Carola co-wrote “This Very Night the World Will Change” with Mikael Axelius, Stefan Almkvist, Peo Thyrén. The song was never my favorite (released in Swedish in 2007—“I denna natt blir världen ny”), and the English version, with lyrics by Erik Hillestad is no better. In fact, they should have asked Terry Cox to write the lyrics, where hers works perfectly in “Heaven In My Arms”, Hillestad’s is not as powerful…

And finally, Carola has co-written “Find My Way to Bethlehem” with Erik Hillestad, who also produced the album. This song is great and Carola sings it like there is no tomorrow. It’s a wonderful performance of a song that seems to be an instant favorite among her fans. Continue to write songs like this Carola, and your next album will be truly great!

This album contains so much sadness, but in a good way… Some songs (“Heaven In My Arms”, “Poor Little Jesus”) bring in the death that awaits the newborn Jesus and the atmosphere of the whole album (except for a few songs) is very somber. I love the middle-eastern sound that is consistent throughout the album, and Aygun Beyler and Mahsa Vahdat’s performances on “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” are breathtaking. The African rhythms of “O Sanctissima” mixed with vocals in both English and Latin sounds fantastic. A brave and creative choice.

So what about the duets? Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby is perfect in “Silent Night”. Their voices sound great together and his huskiness brings another depth to the song—great choice of duet partner. Calling “Poor Little Jesus” a duet with Gladys del Pilar is not fair, when she is doing more of backup vocals on the track. She sounds great doing it, but it’s backup vocals never the less.

And then there is Paul Potts… Sorry to say, I wish this duet never had happened! Carola sings “O Holy Night” better than ever, but Potts sounds just about awful! This is not pop nor opera… So what is it? This will be the one track I skip over when I listen to this album all Christmas.

“Go Tell it on the Mountain” is the only song that has not been re-recorded for this album, and I think it becomes obvious that the vocal problems Carola had a few years ago are gone by now. If you compare her vocals on this song and “Find My Way to Bethlehem” you will hear a striking difference.

One song that would have fit on this album is “I Wonder As I Wander” from “Jul i Betlehem”, I really wish they had included it, as it fits the mood of “Christmas in Bethlehem” perfectly, but I guess you can’t get it all…

Again, this is a great, great album! Carola has explained in interviews how she feels increasingly comfortable working with this material, and it shows. She sings these songs with such conviction and humility, and a new depth that makes her voice sound great.

But promise that next time, we’ll get that pop album you keep talking about!

Have you heard the album yet? What do you think?

Exclusive : "Heaven Turned Out to be a Child" - lyrics

This will be last lyric from the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" that I publish since the album is released today, and you all can hear the songs now... "Heaven Turned Out to be a Child" is a duet with a young boy named Julian Erlandsson.

HEAVEN TURNED OUT TO BE A CHILD

Carola:
Who believe the tales we heard?
Such a strange and mighty story
from an ancient sender
So illogical and wild
Still we value this old word
That when heaven full of glory
came to show its splendor
It turned out to be a child

Julian:
Shepherds, cattle, a stable poor
What a frame for kings, what a scenery
Far from all wealth on an earthy floor
This is how God tells us His love is free

Carola:
Then into my life He came
He was born in my heart's chamber
Rose from my horizon
like a sun so strong and mild
When He called me by my name
I awoke from my sweet slumber
And He became my wise man
I received Him like a child

Julian:
Life's so sinful and thoughts unclear
What a place for someone so true divine
Far from all power, from force and fear
This is how God tells me His love is mine

Carola:
Heaven came so strong and mild
It turned out to be a child

"Heaven Turned Out to be a Child" is a new song written by Carola (music) and Erik Hillestad. (lyrics).

Carola sings on "Skavlan"

Carola will sing "Find My Way to Bethlehem" on the Swedish/Norwegian talkshow "Skavlan" that is recorded on Thursday and airs on Friday on SVT and NRK.

Other guests in the show are singer Roseanne Cash, footballer Henrik Larsson and scientist Hans Rosling.

We might also get to see an old video clip during the show, but let's keep that a surprise...

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info!

Link: TV schedule for the show

Video for "Find My Way to Bethlehem"

Carola has recorded a video for "Find My Way to Bethlehem" in Jerusalem during a trip there recently. When this video will become available is not clear, but I'll let you know as soon as I found out more about this...

Exclusive : Download two new photos

Click to download two gorgeous photos from the CD booklet of the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem".

New album available for download

At midnight, Carola's new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" became available as mp3 album from iTunes in most European countries. Shortly after, the album had climbed to no 14 on the iTunes Album Chart in Sweden, no 25 in Finland, and no 50 in Norway. It will be interesting to see how the album moves on the charts during the next couple of days...

The album is also available from Amazon USA and UK.

Link: Download album from iTunes Sweden

Link: Download album from iTunes Norway

Link: Download album from iTunes Finland

Link: Download album from Amazon USA

Link: Download album from Amazon UK

Exclusive : "This Very Night the World Will Change" - lyrics

The single "I denna natt blir världen ny" from the 2007 Christmas album "Jul i Betlehem II - I denna natt blir världen ny" has been translated into "This Very Night the World Will Change" for the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" that is released in Sweden tomorrow. Here is the English lyrics:

THIS VERY NIGHT THE WORLD WILL CHANGE

Bethlehem's resting so lonely and grey
Still angels will come to give praise and to play
Shepherds will wake up again they will say
Let's go to the stable to see
Night after night ancient soldiers have spent
Watching the place from a tower or a tent
But walls that surround the old town can't prevent
God's wonders from setting us free

This very night the world will change
In ways so wondrous and so strange
A song from earth will rise anew
When heaven's dreams come true

In a poor stable God's people will thrown
Right where God's peace and our freedom belong
Holy this moment and blessed our song
It rings from our faith and our love
Heaven now fills with a scent of the earth
God is embraced like a child after birth
No one can measure what this night is worth
Not even the stars up above

This very night the world will change
In ways so wondrous and so strange
A song from earth will rise anew
When heaven's dreams come true
This night the shepherds' laughs reside
Three wise men keeps this holy ground
As Bethlehem is ready found that all the world is new

From hill to hill a song rings tonight
From town to town a new hope has grown
Doors open up and walls are torn down
When Jesus is born in each and everyone

This very night the world will change
In ways so wondrous and so strange
A song from earth will rise anew
When heaven's dreams come true
This night the shepherds' laughs reside
Three wise men keeps this holy ground
As Bethlehem is ready found that all the world is new

Bethlehem's resting so lonely and grey
Still angels will come to give praise and to play
Shepherds will wake up again they will say
Let's go to the stable to see

The English lyrics are written by Erik Hillestad.

Extra concert in Stockholm

An extra concerts has been added to the "Nya Jul i Betlehem - Carola med vänner" tour. On December 21, Carola will perform to concerts at Cirkus in Stockholm, one at 4.30 pm and one at 8.00 pm. Paul Potts is a guest at the later concert, no word yet if he will be there also at the first concert. Now the tour includes 19 concerts (nine in Norway, five in Finland, and five in Sweden).

21.11 Konserthuset, Malmö, SWE 8pm (Tickets)
29.11 De Geer Hallen, Norrköping, SWE 8pm (Tickets)
2.12 Alandica, Mariehamn, ÅLAND 5pm & 8pm (Tickets)
4.12 Lappfjärds Kyrka, Kristinestad, FIN 8pm (Tickets)
5.12 Runebergssalen, Jakobstad, FIN 8pm (Tickets TBA)
6.12 Kulturhuset, Helsinki, FIN 7pm (Tickets)
9.12 Lofothallen, Leknes, NOR 8pm (Tickets)
11.12 IMI Forum, Stavanger, NOR 6pm & 9pm (Tickets)
13.12 Folketeateret, Oslo, NOR 4pm & 8pm (Tickets)
16.12 Sjøborg Kulturhus, Ulsteinvik, NOR 6pm & 9pm (Tickets)
17.12 Sjøborg Kulturhus, Ulsteinvik, NOR 6pm & 9pm (Tickets)
19.12 Konserthuset, Jönköping, SWE 8pm (Tickets)
21.12 Cirkus, Stockholm, SWE 4.30pm & 8pm (Tickets)

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the information.

Link: Buy tickets for the extra concert in Stockholm

Album signing in Stockholm

There will be an album signing at Åhléns City in Stockholm, but not at the day of the release - you have to be patient and wait until Wednesday November 25 to meet and greet Carola in the store.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info.

The new website is up!

Carola.com has launced their new website, hurry over and check it out! You can also listen to the complete "Find My Way to Bethlehem" and other songs from "Christmas in Bethlehem".

If you sign up as a new member, you can download the unreleased track "Away in a Manger".

Carola fans have been waiting for a new official website for a long time. Tell us what you think of the design and content by commenting and voting.

Link: Carola's official website

Carola covers : "Himlen i min famn"

Did you know that Carola's "Himlen i min famn" has been recorded many times by other Scandinavian artists? Here's a list of artist, album title, country and the year of release:

2004
Veronica Akselsen - Fattige var de som først fikk se (Norway)

2005
Åsne Valland Nordli og Kristin Skaare - Lille Messias (Norway)
Oslo Gospel Choir - Lys i mørkret (Norway)
Simone - On a Night Like This (Denmark)

2006
Marianne Juvik Sæbø - Min tanke går til Betlehem (Norway)
Katri Helena - Taivas Sylissani (Finland)

2007
Rebecca - När julen närmar sig (Sweden)
Ivar Kleive & Aage Kvalbein - Julemeditasjoner (Norway)
Anne Vada - Sacral jul (Norway)
Tore Ljøkjel - Medvandrer (Norway)
Anne-Marie Kvien - Barnet er født (Norway)
Frelsesarmeen - Dirridam (Norway)

2009
The Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces - Vol.33: Fairytale (Norway)
Sidsel - Deilig er jorden (Norway)

On Wednesday, November 11, Carola's English version of the song "Heaven In My Arms" will be released.

Exclusive : "Heaven In My Arms" - lyrics

The opening song on the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" is the English version of the 1999 song "Himlen i min famn"; "Heaven In My Arms". The translation of the song is just brilliant and Carola sings it even better than the original. Here is the English lyrics:

HEAVEN IN MY ARMS

Who has lit the starlight that shines so bright in your eyes?
Who has lit the darkness for the shepherds on this night?
Who has placed the straw crown that sits upon your small brow?
Who has brought the wise men to the stable, precious child?

Are you one of many more or the one they're waiting for?
You my little child so close to my heart
Have I given you in birth to be the treasure of the earth?
Are you truly heaven laying cradle in my arms?

Why the tears you're crying? What has made you frightened?
Why do your tiny fingers hold so tightly momma's hair?
See the dancing shadows, feel how soft the wind blows
It's following an angel that was only just there

Are you one of many more or the one they're waiting for?
You my little child so close to my heart
Have I given you in birth to be the treasure of the earth?
Are you truly heaven laying cradle in my arms?

May you greet all others as sisters and as brothers
And may you be received with only love and gentleness
Wherever time may take you I will not forsake you
Grant this mother's prayer that your days of mirth be blessed

Are you one of many more or the one they're waiting for?
You my little child so close to my heart
Have I given you in birth to be the treasure of the earth?
Are you truly heaven laying cradle in my arms?

Who has lit the starlight that's shining bright in your eyes?
Shining like a diamond over little Bethlehem

The album will be released in stores on Wednesday.

Exclusive : "Find My Way to Bethlehem" - lyrics

One of the new songs on the album "Christmas in Bethlehem" is the gorgeous "Find My Way to Bethlehem", a gospel-pop-blues song that Carola sings just fantastic! Here is the lyrics to that song:

FIND MY WAY TO BETHLEHEM

The lights are slowly fading
But I do not fear the dark
My faith is never dying
Cause with You I place my heart
Along the road I’m walking
To You I turn my prayer
Among the voices talking
Is Yours the one I hear

I will find my way to Bethlehem
Following the star like the three wise men
I can hear You calling out my name
And I know I’ll never be the same
Cause I know
Cause I know Your love can set us free
And I know that ol’ Bethlehem’s for me

Although my voice will sometimes
Break because of tears
Weak but still resilient
I sing for You to hear
The strength my song is bringing
Is given by Your grace
The song my heart is singing
No one can erase

And I will find my way to Bethlehem
Following the star like the three wise men
I can hear You calling out my name
And I know I’ll never be the same
Cause I know
Cause I know Your love can set us free
And I know that ol’ Bethlehem’s for me
Cause I know You are calling out my name
And I know that I’ll never be the same

To You I turn
To You I turn
To You I turn my prayer

And I will find my way to Bethlehem
Following the star like the three wise men
And I can hear You calling out my name
And I know I’ll never be the same
Cause I know
Cause I know Your love can set us free
And I know that ol’ Bethlehem’s for me
And I know You are calling out my name
And I know I will never never be the same

I will find my way to Bethlehem
Following the star like the three wise men
And I can hear You calling out my name
And I know I’ll never be the same

I will find my way to Bethlehem

More lyrics to come...

Album signing?

There might be an album signing at Åhléns in Stockholm next week, but this is not confirmed.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info.

MP3 album released on Amazon.com

"Christmas in Bethlehem" is now available as a mp3 album on Amazon.com for only $6.99 (each song is $0.89). On their website, you can listen to short clips of all songs of the album.

iTunes will start selling the album on November 10, and it will be available in stores in Sweden on November 11, Norway on November 16, and Finland on November 18.

Link: Buy the mp3 album from Amazon

Update : Release party

Update: The release party has been moved to November 19, location TBA, and there might be tickets available to fans via Carola's Facebook page.

Link: Carola on Facebook

Exclusive : Paul Potts at Faddergalan

An update on the TV-show "Faddergalan": Carola is one of the artists that will perform at TV4's charity event on November 30 at 8 pm. She is scheduled to perform "O Holy Night" from her new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" with Paul Potts, who also sings the duet on the album.

Other artists scheduled to perform: Melody Gardot, Takida, Martin Stenmarck, Sarah Dawn Finer, and many more.

Exclusive : Extra concerts

Two extra concerts have been added to the "Nya Jul i Betlehem - Carola med vänner" tour. On December 2, a concert has been added at 5 pm in Mariehamn, Åland, and on December 11, a concert is added at IMI Forum in Stavanger, Norway at 9 pm. This brings up the total number of concerts on the tour to 18 (nine in Norway, five in Finland, and four in Sweden).

21.11 Konserthuset, Malmö, SWE 8pm (Tickets)
29.11 De Geer Hallen, Norrköping, SWE 8pm (Tickets)
2.12 Alandica, Mariehamn, ÅLAND 5pm & 8pm (Tickets)
4.12 Lappfjärds Kyrka, Kristinestad, FIN 8pm (Tickets)
5.12 Runebergssalen, Jakobstad, FIN 8pm (Tickets TBA)
6.12 Kulturhuset, Helsinki, FIN 7pm (Tickets)
9.12 Lofothallen, Leknes, NOR 8pm (Tickets)
11.12 IMI Forum, Stavanger, NOR 6pm & 9pm (Tickets)
13.12 Folketeateret, Oslo, NOR 4pm & 8pm (Tickets)
16.12 Sjøborg Kulturhus, Ulsteinvik, NOR 6pm & 9pm (Tickets)
17.12 Sjøborg Kulturhus, Ulsteinvik, NOR 6pm & 9pm (Tickets)
19.12 Konserthuset, Jönköping, SWE 8pm (Tickets)
21.12 Cirkus, Stockholm, SWE 8pm (Tickets)

Link: Buy tickets for the extra concert in Mariehamn
Link: Buy tickets for the extra concert in Stavanger

Exclusive : Download new photo

This great new photo is gracing Carola's new MySpace page.

Click the image to get a larger image for download.

Listen to two new songs

Visit Carola's new official MySpace page and listen to full versions of "O Holy Night (feat Paul Potts)" and "Silent Night (with Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby)" from the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem".

Link: Carola on MySpace

Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter

Carola started a page on Facebook, and you can become a fan today! You will find photos, news, and "status updates" - her current status is "Just saw my new website for the first time. It'll be so good! /C".

You can also connect with Carola on MySpace, YouTube (no videos avaible yet) and Twitter (not available yet)!

Congratulations Carola! These are steps in the right direction!

Link: Carola on Facebook
Link: Carola on MySpace
Link: Carola on YouTube
Link: Carola on Twitter

Release party

Carola will celebrate the release of the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem" with a party at Nalen in Stockholm on November 11.

Swedish iTunes' Album Chart

Before the album is even released, "Christmas in Bethlehem" has entered the Swedish iTunes' Album Chart at no 26 based solely on pre-orders.

The album is available for pre-orders on iTunes in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy etc.

The album is already on sale in the Japanese iTunes, and short clips of each song is available to listen to.

DI Weekend download

Click each image to view bigger and download.

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the scans!

Release date for Finland

The physical album "Christmas in Bethlehem" will be released in Finnish stores on November 18 by Universal Music.

Scandinavian release dates:

November 11 Sweden

November 16 Norway

November 18 Finland

TBA Denmark

Pre-order the album from iTunes

"Christmas in Bethlehem" is now available for pre-order in the Swedish iTunes. See links below for various stores to pre-order the album.

Link: Pre-order the album from iTunes

Link: Pre-order the album from CDON

Link: Pre-order the album from Ginza

Link: Pre-order the album from Bengans

Link: Pre-order the album from Megastore

Link: Pre-order the album from Platekompaniet

Exclusive : First reaction to "Christmas in Bethlehem"

I have listened to clips from all the songs at the new album "Christmas in Bethlehem". Here are my reactions:

1. Heaven In My Arms: English version of "Himlen i min famn", and the production sounds very similar to the 1999 album version. Lyrics: "Are you one of many more / Or the one they're waiting for / You, my little child / So close to my heart".

2. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing: Original English version of "Lyss till änglasångens ord" from "I denna natt blir världen ny". Production sounds identical with back-up vocals by Aygun Beyler & Mahsa Vahdat.

3. Silent Night: Sounds like "Stilla natt" from "I denna natt blir världen ny" with Carola and Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby (great, husky voice) singing one line each.

4. Find My Way to Bethlehem: Brand new song. In the clip I heard, it sounds like a ballad. Lyrics: "Along the road I'm walking / To You I turn my prayer / Among all voices talking / Is Yours the one I hear".

5. Poor Little Jesus: Song Carola hasn't recorded before, a duet with Gladys del Pilar. Old spiritual song. Slide guitars make me think country music.

6. O Holy Night: Sounds like "O helga natt" from "Jul i Betlehem" where Carola and Paul Potts sing two lines each.

7. From Heaven High: I thought this could be a new song, but it's an English version of "Ett barn är fött på denna dag". Production sounds like the version on "I denna natt blir världen ny".

8. Good Christian Rejoice: Song Carola hasn't recorded before. Old Christmas Carol more famous in America. Sounds nice in Carola's version.

9. The Little Drummer Boy: Sounds identical with the version on "Jul i Betlehem", but the clip didn't include Blues' rap, so I don't know if he is rapping in English...

10. O Sanctissima: Song Carola hasn't recorded before. English version of a song often performed in latin. In Sweden we know it as psalm 53: "O du saliga / O du heliga / Nådebringande juledag".

11. Heaven Turned Out To Be a Child: I think this is a brand new song. Another ballad in a duet with Julian Erlandson, who also turned out to be a child...

12. O Little Town of Bethlehem: English original version of "O Bethlehem, du lilla stad" from "Jul i Betlehem". Production sounds identical.

13. Go Tell it On the Mountain: Sounds identical to the version on "I denna natt blir världen ny".

14. This Very Night the World Will Change: English version of "I denna natt blir världen ny". Production sounds identical. Lyrics: "Night after night ancient soldiers have spent / Watching the place from a tower or tent / But walls that surround the old town can't prevent / God's wonders from setting us free".

15. O Come All Ye Faithful: English original version of "Dagen är kommen", sound identical to the version on "Jul i Betlehem".

Overall the album sounds great, but I hoped for a few new versions of the songs previously recorded. Now we get the same versions one more time, although in English... Remember, this is only after listening to short clips of each song.