Showing posts with label Sofia Källgren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sofia Källgren. Show all posts

Monday, December 04, 2006

Eurovision Covers For Christmas

To get into the December spirit here's two Eurovision songs reworked with Christmas lyrics.

A Snowy Jingly bellsy Christmas version of 'Gente di mare' by Tozzi and Raf is as unlikely as Ms. Claus serving Reindeercarpaccio.

So a Christmas interpretation of the Italian song can only come from Iceland, where the sun won't be seen until late in the next Eurovision season, but the people are real 'Gente di mare'.
'Komdu um Jólin' by Gunnar Olason (Olafsson) is on VA Christmas CD Jólastemming and other compilations.


'Stad I Ljus', by Chess player Tommy Körberg is a different case. The monumental hymn lends itself perfectly for the Season to be jolly and depressed at the same time.
Sofia Källgren, MF star, turns the song into 'Spread your light' which has appeared on several Christmas compilations in Sweden (100% Jul 2 (1996)and Svenska Julklassiker (2002)).
More about Sofia at http://www.sofiakallgren.com/

'Stad I Ljus' has been recorded by several gospel and religious singers over the years, most notably Christian Rivel and Michael Järlestrand, who recorded both Swedish and English versions. (files wanted)

The youngest version of 'Stad I Ljus' was recorded by the ever lovely Fame Academy student, Emil Sigfridsson, MF star, on his latest CD 'Äntligen'. The CD also includes his 2004 MF song 'Innan mörkret faller' as a bonus track.
Find out more about Emil at http://www.emilsigfridsson.se/
On his 2003 CD Emil already covered another Tommy classic 'Anthem' (from Chess).

P.S. Another Icelandic Christmas reworking is 'Stjarnar mín' by 'Íslensku Divurnar'. Thanks for the tip Stelios.
This version of Swedens Se på mig (Jan Johansen, 1995) was released on 2002 Christmas album 'Fróstrosir'(2002) and is now re-issued on a compilation 'Fróstrosir - Bestu lögin'. (sorry, don't have the song).