frankhagan.com

So far in 2009, I have found one exceptional Christmas album to recommend: Christmas in Bethlehem by Swedish artist Carola.

Amazon.com is featuring the song Hark, the Herald Angels Sing [feat. Aygun Beyler and Mahsa Vahdat] as part of their free offerings this year. Hark is a wonderful rendition with a very middle-eastern sound and haunting vocals.

Carola is popular in Sweden, perhaps the most popular female singer in that country, but virtually unknown in the US. The album contains more songs arranged in a similar way to Hark, with complex rhythms, but also beautiful traditional arrangements. In all of them Carola’s voice speaks directly to your soul. I wasn’t surprised to find out she is a Christian; you can tell the music means something.

Frank Culture Amazon MP3, Carola, Christmas, music