"Chris Roberts, the chief of Decca Records,
fell in love with Sissel and he's the reason why there is going to be a
USA release now. But we have a careful sales goal. The expectation is
to sell 100,000 copies of the album before Christmas. The plan is that this
album will establish Sissel as an artist in the USA and then hopefully we will
make a greater impact with the next album," said Sissel's manager Arne Svare to Bergensavis.
The new album "Sissel" consists of songs the Bergen singer has recorded previously,
but all the songs were recorded again with American musicians, in an attempt
to adapt the "sound" for the American market.
The new recordings were done in June and July.
"The American record company felt that the previous Sissel album 'All Good Things'
sounded a little bit too much like Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. This is a market
where people buy the known artists and where it is difficult for newcomers to break in," said Svare.
"With a more 'naked' sound on the same songs, it should be possible
to reach a different audience. I think this is smart of the Americans," said Svare.
Most of the songs on "Sissel" were also on her previous studio
album "All Good Things."
Three songs have been added. They are "Solitaire," which Sissel also did on
the "Gift Of Love" album, the folk song "Shenandoah," and Jan Garbarek's "Molde Canticle."
The new "Sissel" album is already presented on the American Universal Music Web site:
www.iclassics.com.
Here you can listen to the first minute of each track on the new Sissel
USA album and get a glimpse of Sissel's new more "naked" sound.
"There are no plans to release the USA 'Sissel' album in Norway.
The songs are already known here in other versions and for those
who are interested, it's not so difficult to get an album in the store
as an import," said Svare.
MORE SEXY
In connection with the USA recording, a new photo shoot was done
with Sissel, where she looks much more sexy than previously, in a spaghetti-strap dress.
"It was the Americans' idea. I think it works," said Svare.
Sissel is already underway choosing songs for a new studio album
with all new material, but doesn't plan to go in the studio before the new year.
She won't be traveling to the USA herself for the launch in October,
but will take part in promoting the album later in the Fall.
To break through in the USA is the dream of many artists.
Is it for Sissel also?
"I don't believe so. She tends to say that she'd be happy with Europe since it's closer.
But of course, she will do what it takes to support the release," said Svare.
