Swedish~ Stereo~

New Martin Stenmarck's album "Decembersånger" recorded with London Philharmonic Orchestra is out and already available to check here with Martin's own descriptions of songs here.
The album has turned to be mostly ballad and can it go wrong when you involve London Philharmonic Orchestra doing Christmas album?
Five new songs and five classic tracks have made a wonderful fairytale mood of the album keeping the listener intrigued with fresh music pieces of Christmas-Martin and warmed up with some beloved songs which just can't go dated. Just like visiting symphonic concert you don't think how many times you heard these melodies before, you just dip down into a magic atmosphere and enjoy the wold of music created by orchestra.
Duo with Hanna Hedlund "Besvärjelser" previously released by Hanna solo has become one of the most beautiful experiments of the album, reminding me Pernilla Andersson when she has appeared on Måns Zelmerlöw's Christmas album. Yes, right before she has performed at Melodifestivalen just like Hanna who is rumoured to enter MF-2013 according to Aftonladet. After many years together and three kids Hanna and Martin are finally going to get married which was recently reported in local media.

It's always heart-melting when huge artists make some charity activity releasing new music to help those who really need it. This Autumn Idol-show has made successful shot when show participants released song "All I Need Is You" that reached #2 of Swedish chart and a bit later we've got another release from whole bunch of the loudest names of Swedish pop - Ola, Darin, Alcazar, Jessica Folcker, Sarah Dawn Finer, Plura, Velvet, Hanna Hedlund, Martin Stenmarck, Lasse Berghagen, Anna Maria Espinosa, Claes Janson, Dolly Dolores, Jasmine Kara, Anna Sahlin, Kim Fransson, Promoe and Jakob Hellman. Something incredible? Whole project was initiated by Tess Merkel from Alcazar in collaboration with SOS Barnbyar organization to help kids who lost parents or who live in financialy especially problematic terms. The song "Ta Min Hand", very kind hopeful a bit funky and a bit gospel-breathing track, was written by Christopher Dominique and Mårten Edh and released physically and digitally.
Company around "Ta Min Hand" was also supported by big concert in Kungsträdgården and performances on TV and radio, so below you can watch official video for this song and performance in Efter Tio.

Yesterday annual tv-event "Allsång På Skansen" has started new season on SVT and audience from the very first show got the biggest names on the stage - three winners of Melodifestivalen - Carola, The Ark and Anna Bergendahl performed with some old hits singing karaoke with public and performed their own stuff. Carola was promoting her new programme devoted to Elvis Presley and Barbara Streisand with their songs (performance of "Woman In Love" deserves special attention!), The Ark performed their new songs "Take A Shine To Me" and "Stay With Me" and Anna was singing "This Is My Life" and "Have A Heart". But don't forget to check some old hits covers, for example Anna's "Båtlåt" turned to be very sweet one showing uniqueness of Miss Bergendahl's voice. Among other guests of the show you could see MozART Group, Thomas Järvheden and Hanna Hedlund. Watch whole show here.