Scandinavian superstar Carola is an
artistic phenomenon. Constantly giving it her all whether
on-stage or in the studio, she's like a vocal blast
furnace. Through the years, she's made pop, hymns, rock,
ballads, disco, gospel, folk music, lullabies and AOR,
performing in musicals, TV shows, pan-nordic Christmas
specials and numerous sold-out concert tours all over
Scandinavia. In the hands of most artists, this
combination of styles could have ended up being too
diversified. But somehow every style of music ends up
sounding tailor-made for her and sounds unmistakably like
her.
As a testament to that, Carola's voice is rarely compared
to others. If pressed, one would have to describe her as
an amalgam between Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand and
rootsy rock singer Maria McKee. She has it all: range,
energy, sensitivity, presence and power. This also means
that she can sing a children's lullaby or an arena rock
song by U2 with the same charismatic conviction.
In her native Sweden, Carola is recognized by everyone.
She can hardly go anywhere without being approached by
fans. Like the true star that she is, she takes time to
write autographs, chat away and show her fans that she
knows that she wouldn't be anywhere without them.
If Carola enters the Eurovision Song Contest,
there's usually a collective sigh of resignation among
other contestants. In 2006 it was time again, and this
time with the song Invincible.
&mdash When I first heard the song Invincible I
really liked it and the combination of the song with its
strong dance beats together with the passion in my life
made me feel invincible. To be in the Eurovision Song
Contest gives you such a unique chance to reach so many
people at once. The spark was lit when I was in
Copenhagen for the celebration of the Eurovision Song
Contest's 50th anniversary. I felt thankful as it's where
I have my roots.
Carola did an amazing performance with Invincible in
Athens and ended up in 5th position in the competition.
This was the start for a very busy 2006, with extensive
touring and promoting the new album Från nu till evighet,
which was released in June 2006.
She also found the time to do a duet, Because we believe,
with the world famous Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, as
well as songwriting collaborations during a trip to
Nashville in November.
The first part of 2007 has been very exciting and busy
for Carola. In January she received a medal from the
Swedish king for "Appreciated and successful
contributions as a singer". She has performed both
in Belarus' and Spain's competions for
Eurovision Song Contest 2007 as well as
performing live around Sweden.
In November her third Christmas album I denna natt blir världen ny
is released and she does a pan-nordic Christmas tour. |
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In 2008 Carola will be celebrating
her 25th anniversary as an artist and here is the story
so far...
Carola's break-through came in 1983, when she received
the highest marks from every jury member in Melodifestivalen with the song Främling
and became a star over night. In 2006 she participated in
the contest for the fourth time, having finished in
second place with Mitt i ett äventyr in
1990, winning with Fångad av en stormvind
in 1991 and winning with Evighet in 2006.
Starting out in local rock bands, she was an immediate
superstar at the age of 16. Her first solo album and
single, both titled Främling, was sold in over one
million copies as Carolamania swept over Sweden. Mickey
(a Swedish version of the Toni Basil hit) and Säg mig var du står
were also huge. The two following albums (Steg för steg
and På egna ben) was sold in 700 000
units all together, spawning several major hits.
In 1985, Maurice and Robin Gibb of Bee Gees wrote and
produced an album with her called Runaway. The talented
twins were mightily impressed with her vocal prowess and
provided her with a tougher AOR sound which lead to the
title track becoming a hit. The album was released in
1986 and soon went double platinum.
In the years after Runaway album, apart from
participating in the two Eurovision Song Contest in the
early 90's, Carola &mdash never afraid to take
chances, musically &mdash released the gospel album My
tribute in 1993 (success followed &mdash once
again!), and a great AOR album entitled Much more in
1990. She also became the first Scandinavian artist to
release an album in China.
Always determined not to rest on her laurels, Carola took
on the role as Maria in the musical The Sound Of
Music in 1995, performing 425 shows and
receiving the prestigious Guldmasken Award
(the Swedish equivalent of a Tony). In 2002, the time had
come for a new musical, and this time it was the leading
role as Fantine in Les Misérables.
Carola was one of the first artists to do a full week as
"Special Guest" in London's West End.
Longing to be backed by guitars, bass and drums again,
Carola hooked up with rock producer Lasse Lindbom to make
an album in Swedish, Personligt (1995). It generated
several hits and demonstrated Carola's unmistakable ear
for song-writing.
To end the millennium with a hopeful statement, a
delicate Christmas album was recorded in Bethlehem, with
Swedish, Norwegian and Israeli musicians together with a
Palestinian children's choir. The album oozed class and
warmth and showcased Carola's maturity as a songwriter
and lyricist &mdash she co-wrote Himlen i min famn,
one of her best songs ever. Nobody could dispute the
quality of the album and it reached sales of more than
350 000 units in Sweden and was huge throughout the
whole of Scandinavia (with total sales around
600 000 units).
At the end of the year 2000, Carola performed in two
Christmas shows at The Globe Arena and Scandinavium
(Sweden's two biggest arenas). In 2001, Carola released
the modern pop album My show, showing every newcomer
out there that her voice was made for 21st century pop as
well &mdash as if anyone had doubted that. A
four-disc box set (a very rare treatment among Swedish
artists) and live-DVD hit the stores in 2003.
The album Störst av allt was released in April
2005 after Carola had lost both her parents within a
short time span. Containing songs for baptisms, weddings
and funerals, it included old classics with new
arrangements and some new songs written by Carola
herself. This album is certified platinum by now and was
also huge in the rest of Scandinavia.
Carola has always chosen her music to suit her feelings.
Every period has had its own music genre. Carola has gone
the whole way &mdash from pop music when performing
in the Eurovision Song Contest and accompanying
The Bee Gees in Miami, to rock, gospel, soul,
folk ballads and psalms.
She has also showed us that she is one of our biggest
musical stars, The Sound Of Music and
Les Misérables are just the beginning of this
career!
Carola has matured as a lyricist over the years and has
found her own niche, often with Nordic roots.
&mdash I have found my own way to express the Swedish
folk songs, she says, for example most of her own songs
on the best of collection Guld platina och passion
(2003) are very close to that.
Carola is a full blown pop star who drives a
Harley Davidson, enjoys Hang Gliding and water
skiing and finds her spirit in the church as well as
being very involved in helping children in need via her
own charity fund, Carola Care. |
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