Monday Norwegian radio stations begin playing Sissel's new single "One Day," which got a 5 (out of a possible 6) from VGs reviewer. On 20. November, her first studio album in nearly seven years will be finished and in stores.

"It is a very happy time. The last time I was out with my own album was February 1994. It has been a very long process which I'm glad has concluded. A long pregnancy," laughs Sissel (31).

Commuted to New York
And the "pregnancy" has been longer and harder and not the least more expensive than for any other Norwegian artists:

Three years ago, the plan was to launch Sissel in a big way in the USA. With help from super producer Rick Chertoff material was created for a finished album. VG has previously reported that this is the most expensive Norwegian album production ever. At least 15 million Norwegian crowns ($1.6 million US) were invested in the project. But in the end, Sissel didn't like the results.

"I grew away from the whole project. It took too long," explained Sissel.

She commuted to New York, was in the studio for two weeks and home for three weeks. When the recording period was finished, she gave birth to her youngest daughter Sarah (1), and let the material sit for half a year.

Frustrating
"So, it wasn't me any longer. It is irritating that such a joint venture should end in such a manner. I had to call the producer and say that I didn't think I could release the album. We had worked for two and a half years and it was frustrating to realize that we had gambled on the wrong horse," she explained.

She has not been lazy since she gave out "Innerst i sjelen" in 1994, either. Sissel was involved with the million-selling "Prince Igor" with rapper Warren G in 1997. Film music to "Titanic" sold an unbelievable 30 million copies.

But these days Sissel's voice echos among worn out walls in a back courtyard on Oslo's east side. In Jørn Dahl and Hans Olav Grøttheim's Disc-Lab studio they're working around the clock to finish the for-the-time-being nameless album.

"It has turned out exactly as I would have it: beautiful and melodious," said Sissel confidently.

Low-voiced
The desire to release an album was still strong, despite the blunder in the USA. So, in cooperation with Jørn Dahl--who has produced, among others, Lene Marlin--Sissel found her sound. And now the CD is essentially finished. When the album liner is printed, Morten Abel and Lene Marlin will be listed as contributors.

"They have never written for anyone else before and it was a compliment that they wanted to write for me," said Sissel.

Lene Marlin came on her own to Sissel and suggested that she would try and write some songs, and at least two of them are included in the finished product.

VG was able to listen to one of them, "We Both Know," a calm and low-voiced ballad characterized by Lene Marlin's own appreciation for the simple and melodious.

"It is beautiful. A "last dance" kind of song," Sissel said.

Monday the single "One Day" will be released to Norwegian radio. One listener is already converted. Sissel's oldest daughter, Ingrid (4), sings along enthusiastically when she hears her mamma's new song.

Verdens Gang and The Sissel Website -- 21. October 2000



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