From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)
| From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas) | ||||
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| Released | 17 November 2017 | |||
| Recorded | Summer 2017 in Caribbean | |||
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| Label | earMUSIC | |||
| Producer | Tarja, Jim Dooley, Tim Palmer | |||
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| Singles from From Spirits and Ghosts | ||||
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From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas) is the second classical and Christmas album, and the seventh studio album released by the Finnish soprano Tarja Turunen.[1]
On the 22 September 2017, earMUSIC released a video announcing the existence of the album. A music video was released on the 6th of October, with Tarja singing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".
With the album release comes also Tarja Turunen's first graphic novel, From Spirits and Ghosts (Novel for a Dark Christmas). The 40-page novel is about the world of dark Christmas with accompanying art by Conor Boyle.[2] The "novel for a dark Christmas" revolves around Tarja's two characters, the dark and light one, bringing together lonely souls during the festive season.
The album has been critically acclaimed by critics and fans alike, who have noted the dark twist Turunen achieved on the album and the combination of different languages; however, critics have commented that the album will be largely forgotten after the Christmas holidays.[citation needed]
Background
The album includes 11 Christmas classics combined with darker gothic influences. Utilizing the sound of a grand orchestra, traditional songs such as "O Tannenbaum", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Feliz Navidad" are included. Besides covering classic carols, "From Spirits and Ghosts" also features a 12th track, the original track "Together". This song continues the dark sound of the album and embodies the theme of ghosts and mysticism throughout.
On December 8, Tarja released a second, "charity" version of "Feliz Navidad" as a way to help raise funds for Barbuda, an island that was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma.[3] The track features guest vocals by Doro Pesch, Michael Monroe, Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), Marko Saaresto (Poets of the Fall), Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius), Simone Simons (Epica), Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation).
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" | 4:56 | |
| 2. | "Together" | Tarja Turunen | 3:21 |
| 3. | "We Three Kings" | John Henry Hopkins Jr. | 3:54 |
| 4. | "Deck the Halls" (Ft. Naomi Cabuli Turunen) | Thomas Oliphant, John Thomas, Talhaiarn | 2:44 |
| 5. | "Pie Jesu" | Andrew Lloyd Webber | 3:28 |
| 6. | "Amazing Grace" | John Newton | 4:42 |
| 7. | "O Tannenbaum" | Ernst Anschütz, Melchior Franck | 3:37 |
| 8. | "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" | Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane | 3:40 |
| 9. | "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" | 4:13 | |
| 10. | "Feliz Navidad" | José Feliciano | 5:48 |
| 11. | "What Child Is This" | William Chatterton Dix | 4:55 |
| 12. | "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" | 4:07 |
Musicians
- Tarja Turunen – vocals, keyboard & piano
- Naomi Eerika Alexia Cabuli Turunen – lead vocals on Deck the Halls
- Peter Gregson – cello
- Jim Dooley – keyboard, piano, orchestral and choir arranngements
Charts
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[4] | 50 |
| Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[5] | 30 |
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[6] | 32 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[7] | 40 |
| US Top Classical Albums (Billboard)[8] | 12 |
References
- ^ "New Album "From Spirits and Ghosts"". tarja-fromspiritsandghosts.
- ^ "Tarja - Novel For A Dark Christmas (Exclusive)". TM Stores. Retrieved 2017-10-13.
- ^ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tarja-releases-charity-version-of-feliz-navidad-with-help-of-guest-artists/
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Tarja Turunen – From Spirits and Ghosts" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 47.Týden 2017 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Tarja Turunen: From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Tarja Turunen – From Spirits and Ghosts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Tarja Chart History (Top Classical Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 June 2018.