Sissel Kyrkjebø holds the Norwegian record for most albums sold, and now she's ready with a new solo album. 

By Elisabeth Bie, translated from Norwegian by Robert A Jones.

"Everyone" knows that Norway's goldthroat from Bergen could be an international superstar, right up there with Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. With the right song. With the right launch. 

Because Sissel owns the most delicious, crystal-clear soprano. She is beautiful, charming, and radiant. She commands several genres with the greatest self-confidence, gladly works together with the likes of rapper Warren G as well as the tenor Plácido Domingo. And appeals to those of us who find ourselves somewhere between the womb and the grave. We have known this since Sissel broke out as a 17-year-old. Now she's 31. 

Of course, we know that Sissel is married to the Dane Eddie Skoller and that she lives in Copenhagen with him and their two small daughters Ingrid and Sarah, respectively ages four and almost a year and a half. But still, we say. Think of downplaying a great career in this manner! With such a talent! With such possibilities! 

Over six years have gone since Sissel released her last solo album, "Innerst i sjelen." In the meantime she has, among other things, participated on the best-selling film soundtrack of all time, "Titanic," which has sold 26 million copies. And we've heard a great deal about Sissel's American album project. The one that would strike while the iron was hot in the wake of Titanic, which would give Sissel the international breakthrough she deserves. "All Good Things" is not that album. 

Composing Self
But Sissel doesn't regret anything. 

"I will have my family throughout my life. That I've chosen in the past few years to make my family my priority before career has both been natural and necessary for me. The choices I've made, I stand behind. I would have done exactly the same again. But I love to sing, and I like success," said Sissel. 

But now. Today. "All Good Things" is available in Norwegian record stores. After Christmas it will be released in Denmark. And after that? What about the rest of the world? 

Sissel smiles. 

"I have no idea. We'll see how the album is received in Norway and Denmark first," Sissel said. 

After a hectic week promoting in Norway, Sissel travels back to her family in Copenhagen this morning. In the beginning of December, she'll sing during this year's Festival of Lights in Bergen. That's it. No plans for TV appearances. No touring now. But perhaps in the summer, if "All Good Things" is well received. 

The work on "All Good Things" began first in February-March this year, after Sissel had decided to drop the American project. 

"Clearly it wasn't easy to call the producer Rick Chertoff and tell him that the work we'd done together would be trashed. At the same time, I couldn't stand 100 percent behind it. I had grown apart from it. After the unpleasant phone call, I felt an incredible relief. I left it behind me and went forward. That's what I always do," said Sissel. 

But "All Good Things" Sissel stands behind fully and completely. 

"It's become a very personal album. Full of atmosphere, very fine!" said Sissel enthusiastically. Who for the first time in her life has recorded a song she herself helped to write: the ballad "One Day." 

"It was an experience which made me want more!"
Morten Abel, Lene Marlin and Espen Lind are all contributors on the album as songwriter. Espen Lind also sings a duet with Sissel. 

"I asked Morten Abel and Lene Marlin myself if they would write songs for me. Because I'm a great admirer of both of them, and I like their expressions. The songs were written especially for my voice. So even though they have put their songwriting mark on them, I've made the songs my own through my interpretation," Sissel said. 

Title Track From Morten Abel
"All Good Things" contains 11 tracks. One has Norwegian lyrics, the rest are in English. 

"Because it feels natural for me to sing in English now," said Sissel. 

Altogether Sissel has recorded nearly 40 songs through the working process. 

"So, I have more than enough material for several albums, but it's not so easy. I'm a perfectionist, and I want to stand 100 percent behind what I do. So, we'll see," Sissel said. 

Morten Abel's contribution on the album is the title track, which was recorded at the studio at Huset Vårt in Sandnes. 

"I think because it's the beginning of the proverb which ends 'come to the one who waits,' it suits me very well," laughs Sissel. 

Is there a great difference between releasing an album now and when you were younger? 

"Absolutely. I have more experience with everything now. Not to mention more control over my own finished product. And I feel that I have more than enough time to work, because I am better at setting boundaries. It's wonderful!" said Sissel. 

elisabeth.bie@
stavanger-aftenblad.no