So, Christmas is coming! And regular readers of this site will know that the Scandinavians LOVE their festive albums. On today’s chart in Sweden, the first two releases out of the blocks have made their impact. And they’re both from schlager legends!
First up is Carola’s ‘Christmas In Bethlehem’ – a deeply religious affair that sees her co-write a few new tracks, and perform duets with the likes of Paul Potts and Gladys from Afro-Dite! It’s her first English language Christmas album after releasing of them in Swedish! It enters at number 8 on the Swedish album chart. Here she is performing ‘Find My Way To Bethlehem’ from the album, on Swedish television last week.
From the sombre to the fun now! And if Carola soundtracks the spiritual side of Christmas, Lotta Engberg’s effort is the soundtrack to the party season! She manages to duet with dansband schlager favourite Christer Sjogren, plus Jill Johnson and Nordman. But the album is best summed up by her ridiculous cover of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ – which she performs with a gent young enough to be her grandson – Alexander Rybek! The album got to number 17 this week.
In next week’s chart however, there should hopefully be a high new entry for Magnus Carlsson’s Christmas package! He’s already released two yuletide albums before, but this is the definitive box set – ‘Christmas: Deluxe Edition’. It contains special editions of two previous Christmas albums, with bonus tracks, and also a new EP containing 7 new festive songs. That’s 44 CHRISTMAS SONGS IN TOTAL!!! Amazing. And this is the second time in as many years that Magnus has released an album with over 40 tracks on it, after he released his ‘Re:Collection’ Greatest Hits album last year. And go on then, while we’re at it – here’s one of his Christmas hits to get you in the mood!!!
