2007-11-14

"I denna natt blir världen ny" - Swedish release

Today the album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II" is released in Sweden. Carola will make an in store appearance to sign the album at Åhléns City in Stockholm at 5.00pm. Don't miss it! Carola International has everything you need about the album. Tracklisting, audio, info and lyrics. Just follow the links below. Link: Open audio player Link: Buy the album from CDON Link: Album page Link: Download lyrics

Photos: Aftonbladet

Yesterday Carola coached the "Idol" participants and rehearsed the song "Go Tell it On the Mountain" that she will perform with them during the live show on Friday.

Link: Read the article

The Swedish reviews for Carola's album "I denna natt blir världen ny" are quite different from the excellent reviews she got in Norwegian media, although not all of them are bad. Lars Andersson from Norra västerbotten writes that the album has "brilliant interpretations" of some Christmas songs that we should be tired of by now.

Norra västerbotten

"No one in Sweden could make this kind of album better. Carola will probably be the Swedish artist who tops Kent on the charts."

- Lars Andersson

Svenska Dagbladet (2 out of 6)

"Appearantly many love Carola's Christmas albums. Personally I have a hard time with the sweetened arrangements, the extremely soft singing, and often too obvious Christian references."

- Stefan Malmqvist

Aftonbladet (2 out of 5)

"Carola has a powerful voice. But in her popular Bethlehem franchise the approach is timid and respectful. Sometimes it sounds overly emotional. And childlike."

- Markus Larsson

Expressen (2 out of 5)

"It is a peaceful album. Too peaceful and traditional for my taste. The title track would have been perfect on Carola's lullaby album, because it tends to put you to sleep - and 'Go Tell it On the Mountain', that is great live, has lost all its energy. The arrangements are simple and the focus is on Carola's voice. But she does sing like an angel."

- Anders Nunstedt

Sydsvenskan (2 out of 5)

"Erik Hillestad and Carola follow up their successful album 'Jul i Betlehem' by once again recording spiritual Christmas songs. Clinically clean and pleasant. But in the title track and 'Go Tell it On the Mountain' there is at least some passion."

- Maria G Francke

(Translation by Carola International)


Link: Read the review in Norra västerbotten
Link: Read the review in Svenska dagbladet
Link: Read the review in Aftonbladet
Link: Read the review in Expressen
Link: Read the review in Sydsvenskan

Carola tells Swedish newspaper Expressen that she lost her cell phone a month ago. But more importantly, on her cell phone Carola stored ten new songs she was working on.

"It was verses, choruses, parts of new songs. Good stuff. I can only congratulate the person who found it..."

The paper asks anyone who knows anything about the lost phone to contact them with the information...

Link: Read article

Carola and Erik Hillested held a press conference in Oslo yesterday, November 12.
Photos: Aftonbladet / Expressen / Aftenposten

Aftonbladet (read the article):

- On the album, we have tried to express a feeling of how Bethlehem is today, and at the same time tell the story of Christmas. The church is truly a holy place where the gospels are ever present, Carola says.

What is hard with being Carola?

- I will talk about that in the book I am planning to write. When you travel abroad, you notice that many wants to know my history.

Have you and Andreas found a song to perform in the Swedish song contest?

- I am writing a lot of songs with Andreas. He's so nice.

And you are going to perform in the Swedish song contest?

- Let's talk about that in the spring. This is not the right time.

Expressen (read the article / read the article)

- I am very proud and pleased with this album. It also made me start planning for the English version, which will be fun.

The album was recorded in Bethlehem during the spring, in the place where it all began:

- It was amazing to be there. We were just guests, but since we had honest intentions and treated them with respect it all worked well. They really accepted us there, Carola says.

Aftenposten (read the article / view video)

– This day, we celebrate a child being born. Our child of labor that is this Christmas album, she says to the journalists when she presented her album on Monday.

- This is from my heart. Christmas is a christian holiday which feels good to celebrate with the message of love. We have already received the gift of Christmas, and we can receive everyday if we want, Carola said.

(Translations by Carola International)

Link: Article in Aftonbladet
Link: Article in Expressen / GT
Link: Article in Expressen / GT
Link: Article in Aftenposten
Link: Article in Vårt Land
Video: Interview with Carola (from Aftenposten)

Carola continues to get great review for her new album "I denna natt blir världen ny".

Svein Kristiansen gives the album the grade 5 (out of 6) and in the Norwegian paper Fredrikstad Blad, and writes:

"Carola is at her best when she sings emotionally charged songs that require that she puts her heart into them. "I denne natt blir världen ny" carries the peace and joy of Christmas in a simple and touching way. (...)

My favorites are "Mariavise", "I denna natt blir världen ny" and "När det lider mot jul". It would really surprise me it this won't become the big Christmas album in Scandinavia this year."

Arne Guttormsen says "She's done it again!" in his review in another Norwegian paper; Vårt Land:

"The title track has lyrics by Erik Hillested an describes Bethlehem of today as "deserted and gloomy". While hearts have become hard, the angels and shepards are gathering and hope lives by the concrete wall. The lyrics are accompanied by a melody that has hit potential.

The highlight of the album is Hans Olav Mørk's new "Mariavisa" that goes straight into your heart. Tore Aas' melody is simple and effective. If you would learn just one new Christmas song this year, this would be good choice."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read the review in Fredrikstad Blad
Link: Read the review in Vårt Land

As Carola International reported on November 9, there has been speculations that Carola would not only be a guest judge on Swedish "Idol" this Friday, but also perform something from her new album. Today it was confirmed; she will perform "Go Tell it From the Mountain" together with the show's contestants.

Today, Carola is having workshops and rehearsals with the contestants.

The Norwegian label Kirkelig Kulturverksted, has released a promo single of "I denna natt blir världen ny". The single is only released in Norway. The promo single cover looks like the album, but reads "Fra CD-en 'I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II'" ("From the CD 'I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II'").

Carola's new album "I denna natt blir världen ny" is the album of the week on CDON.

Link: Buy the album from CDON

The official webiste carola.com reports that Carola made a big success during her visit last weekend. She performed five songs; "Invincible", "Captured by a Lovestorm", "Autumn Leaf", "I Believe in Love" and a Christian song of praise.

The CD's and merchandise sold out quickly and Carola was welcomed back...

2007-11-12

"I denna natt blir världen ny" - Norwegian release

Today the album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II" is released in Norway. The album has so far received excellent reviews and is the follow up to the 1999 best-selling album "Jul i Betlehem". Carola International has everything you need about the album. Tracklisting, audio, info and lyrics. Just follow the links below. Link: Open audio player Link: Buy the album from CDON Link: Album page Link: Download lyrics

Carola International proudly presents ALL the songs from the upcoming Christmas album "I denna natt blir världen ny".

Click below to open the audio player

Link: Open audio player

The Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet is the first to review Carola's album "I denna natt blir världen ny" that is released in Norway on Monday.

Anders Grønneberg gives the album the grade 5 (out of 6) and writes:

"This is beautiful, full of atmosphere and emotions. Carola has no doubt a powerful voice full of conviction. (...) The production is like a quality port wine, sweet and full of spice".

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read the review

After the confusion about Carola's participation as a guest judge on the Swedish "Idol" show, it is now reported that she will be on the show NEXT Friday. The theme of the show will be gospel and there are speculations that Carola will perform during the show.

The show airs on Swedish TV4 on Friday November 16 at 8.00 pm.

As we reported back in September (go to News Archives), Carola has been invited to perform at the City Harvest Church in Singapore. Today the official website carola.com announced that these performances will take place this Saturday (5.00pm) and Sunday (10.00am).

Link: City Harvest Church's website

In an email from Kirkelig Kulturverksted we get more information about the upcoming Christmas album.

The song "Lyss till änglasångens ord" is a translation of "Hark, O Hear the Angels Sing", the song "Vid Betlehem en vinternatt" is a translation of "The First Noël".

Also included is a description of the project by Erik Hillestad and Carola.

Thanks to KKV for the info.

Title: I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II

01. Stilla natt
02. Lyss till änglasångens ord (Hark, O Hear the Angels Sing)
03. Gläns över sjö och strand
04. I denna natt blir världen ny
05. Her kommer dine arme små
06. När det lider mot jul
07. Vid Betlehem en vinternatt (The First Noël)
08. Ett barn är fött på denna dag
09. Mariavisa
10. Jul jul strålande jul
11. Marias vaggsång
12. This Child
13. Go Tell it On the Mountain
14. Nu tändas tusen juleljus

Bethlehem - the place where history is still happening. Once upon a time, in a simple stable in this town something happened that gave the world hope and changed history in such a way that we counts that year the start of our calendar.

Eight years after the first "Jul i Betlehem" album, we went back to this important place where earth embraced the heavens. Once more we wanted to find inspiration there for new versions av the songs of Christmas. And we really got to experience a deeper level of music with new melodies and oriental atmosphere.

What once happened in Bethlehem is still touching people all over the world on a personal level. God came to earth as a guest, just like He comes to the once who are ready to accept him everyday. The miracle of birth in Bethlehem happens over and over, and every Christmas reminds of its wonder. Every Christmas is a celebration of joy, a proof that God is present in our lives. To sing the songs of Christmas at the place where everything started is like doing a pilgrimage in the wonderous and wonderful story of Christmas that's being told over and over, just like the shepards and wise men did the first time.

Since we were here the first time, many have left Bethlehem. The wall that's been built around the little town is a witness on how people need the return of the Prince of Peace. The walls we build in our own lives, and around us are another exampel. We wish that we all, each and one of us, will be touched by the miracle of Christmas, so the love of God can tear down the walls that seperates us from God and each other.

Erik Hillestad and Carola
(Translation by Carola International)

Information:
Producer: Erik Hillestad
Label: Kirkelig Kulturverksted / Universal Music
Album no: 06025 175 212-2

Release dates:
Norway: November 12 2007
Sweden: November 14 2007
Denmark: November 19 2007
Finland: November 21 2007

Musicians NEW:
Piano, keyboards, autoharpe, and arrangements: Torjus Vierli
Drums, percussion: Rune Arnesen
Bass: Jonny Sjo
Guitars: Hallgrim Brattberg
Oud: Issa Murad
Tar: Elchin Hashimov
Kamancha: Elnur Akhmedov: kamancha
Vocals: Aygun Beyler and Mahsa Vahdat
Duduk, zurna: Shirzad Fataliyev
Nagara: Elshan Gasimov
Bratsj: Stig-Ove Ose, Anders Rensvik and Bendik Foss
Contra bass: Marius Flatby
Cello: Audun Sandvik and Øystein Sonstad
Violin: Gjermund Larsen
Backup singers: Angela Holland, Johan Röhr, Micke Blomkvist, Per Øystein Sørensen and Marian Lisland

Link: Pre-order the album from CDON
Link: Pre-order the album from Bengans
Link: Pre-order the album from Ginza
Link: Album page on Carola International Discography
Link: Listen to "I denna natt blir världen ny"
Link: Download lyrics

Carola will be signing her album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II" at Åhléns City in Stockholm on the day of its release. The signing starts at 5.00pm according to the official website carola.com

Finally we can reveal the Norwegian release date for Carola's new album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II".

The album will be released in Norway on November 12, two days before its Swedish release. On the same day, Carola will hold a press conference in Oslo.

Thanks to Olav for the info.

Universal Music has released a promo cd for the upcoming album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II" that includes a 4 page booklet. The album will be released in Sweden on November 14, in Denmark on November 19, and in Finland on November 21. We have contacted Kirkelig Kulturverksted to find out the release date for Norway, but have not heard back from them.

The single "I denna natt blir världen ny" from the album with the same title is now available as download in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Yesterday the song became available on iTunes, CDON and PopLife. The single will not be released in stores. Link: Download from iTunes Link: Download from CDON Link: Download from PopLife Link: Download from Musikkonline Link: Download from MTV3 Link: Download from PopCity Link: Download from NetAnttila

Carola International can today reveal all 14 songs on the upcoming album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II".

Except the titles we have already revealed earlier, we find songs as "Gläns över sjö och strand", "När det lider mot jul" and "Marias vaggsång".

01. Stilla natt
02. Lyss till änglasångens ord
03. Gläns över sjö och strand
04. I denna natt blir världen ny
05. Her kommer dine arme små
06. När det lider mot jul
07. Vid Betlehem en vinternatt
08. Ett barn är fött på denna dag
09. Mariavisa
10. Jul jul strålande jul
11. Marias vaggsång
12. This Child
13. Go Tell it On the Mountain
14. Nu tändas tusen juleljus

Thanks to Maria for the info.

Link: Pre-order the album from CDON
Link: Pre-order the album from Bengans
Link: Pre-order the album from Ginza
Link: Album page on Carola International Discography
Link: Listen to "I denna natt blir världen ny"
Link: Download lyrics

On the same day that Carola's new album "I denna natt blir världen ny - Jul i Betlehem II" is released in Sweden, November 14, another album related to Carola is also released. Mathias Holmgren's album "Lejonhjärta" includes the song "Hör min röst" that Mathias co-wrote with Carola. Link: Pre-order the album

The latest reports suggest that Carola will NOT be a guest judge on the Swedish "Idol" show on Friday, November 9 as reported earlier. It might be the following week that has Carola scheduled to be on the show. We will report as soon as we know for sure...

The tickets for the concert at IMI Forum in Stavanger, Norway are now available online at BilletService. The concert starts at 6.30 pm and the tickets are 425 NOK.