STOCKHOLM - The Daily Roxette had a chance for a brief interview with Marie Fredriksson.

When The Daily Roxette asks Marie how she is feeling, Marie responds "I feel great, thanks!" Marie is currently on a break from the "Stjärnklart" tour, after playing five nights in Stockholm, she will play in Malmö tomorrow and until Friday, and in Gothenburg next week. Marie explains how everything started with this show; "They asked me, I thought about it and said yes. It's been a challenge and a pleasure." And it surely seems to have been the right decision, as Marie adds, after having more than half of the tour behind her, "It's great being on stage again."

Last Saturday, day of one of the shows in Stockholm, was a special day for many. Fans travelled from far outside of Sweden to see Marie live and had the chance to meet Marie. Marie, how did that feel? "It was a lot of fun, especially when someone [note: Rosa Planas from Spain] gave me a really really old record of 'Strul.' They were sweet and friendly as always," says Marie to The Daily Roxette.

As you may know, Marie not only composes music, she is also an artist, and has already had three art exhibitions, the last one in Gothenburg in October, "It was great in Gothenburg, even better than Stockholm." The Daily Roxette wonders if there are any plans for another exhibition, "I paint and I write music whenever I get the feeling, so we'll see what happens first," Marie smiles.

As Marie has mentioned often in the past, she takes a step at a time and has no fixed plans for the future. When we ask about more possible shows, or a solo album or with Roxette, she again answers "We'll see, one step at a time."

STOCKHOLM/BILBAO - Marie Fredriksson is currently touring with the show "Stjärnklart". Fans coming from Spain, Germany, Romania and Russia attended the show on Saturday, November 29 in Stockholm and this is their story about the show.

The night started with a meet & greet. Meeting point was the ticket office, a sign requested fans from the above mentioned countries to follow "this way," they were welcomed by the show organizers in a big room, where they waited for Marie while standing around some tables. Marie and Mikael Bolyos appeared a couple of minutes later, and spent a great amount of time talking with the more than the 30 fans present. "Marie was smiling all the time, she took her time to speak to everybody, one could see she was very glad to meet her fans again," says one of the fans. Photos were taken, albums were signed, until it was time for Marie to go backstage and get ready for the show.

Fans then headed to the concert hall, and got seated. The show was about to start. 

After some performances by the other acts participating in "Stjärnklart", somebody brought a stool to the middle of the stage; it was Marie's turn. Marie walked to the stool, got some help to sit on it, and performed her first song, "Ännu doftar kärlek." Marie sung a very strong and warm version of this song from her first album "Het vind" and received loud ovations. After singing the song she made a victory gesture with her fist and thanked her fans with a big smile, "I thank all my fans who are here tonight."

More acts followed, and then it was Marie's turn again, with a surprise performance of Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You)." "The unplugged version is nothing compared to what she sang on Saturday," says one Spanish fan.

After the break Marie opened up the second act with Evert Taube's "Så skimrande var aldrig havet". Just like on the 2000 "Äntligen" tour, she sang the first part a-capella and after the bridge the whole band joined to sing the second part. Everybody was in silence, enjoying the voice, the feeling, Marie. Some people couldn't help crying. 

The show went on with a magician and other artists such as Lisa Nilsson and Måns Zelmerlöw. Towards the end everybody except Marie sung Christmas songs, and then they were joined by Marie to sing the last song of the show; "Tro". Marie was wearing white this time, and was again sitting in the middle of the stage, with all the artists, who sung backing vocals, sitting on the stairs in the background. When the song was getting close to an end, all artists joined Marie at the front, and she stood up to sing the last notes of the song.

The applause was immense, everybody was standing for Marie, who returned to the stage twice to the ovations.

 Thanks  to Txiqui and all fans who shared their stories.

Photos by Evgeny Perekopsky | Photos on Roxspain

Per has been nominated for three Grammis awards which is the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy.

• Male Artist of the Year (Vote for Per here)
• Composer of the Year
• Producer of the Year (together with Clarence and Christoffer)

You can't vote in the other categories.

tomos85 contributed to this article.

Visa: Here we are again, reviewing a new album together. This time, joining in are Thomas, Judith, Colin and I. We'll go through Per Gessle's new album "Party Crasher" song-by-song.
Colin: Yes, we're back! Yet again Per manages to surprise us and create an album that is totally different from anything else he's ever done - and yes, me like!
Judith: I'm very surprised, positively surprised, about this album. I was impressed by "Silly Really" from the first moment, and I actually expected the whole album to be like that, kind of disco feeling "let's dance!". The album, however, contains only a few fast songs. At the beginning one might think "Why is this called 'Party Crasher'?", but after listening to the album a couple of times, I started to understand what the title means to me. This release is a big party, a welcome back. For once, finally, I like most of the songs on the album! Any frequent reader of TDR will know, the past Gessle albums for me have been like "yeah, it's ok but nothing special" and I've forgotten about them after a few listenings and ended up with 2-3 songs of each in my mp3-player. This is totally different this time.
Thomas: Wow, time goes so fast, here is another album by the Man… This is the fifth Aerosol Grey Machine-album, and it sounds nothing like the other four. Let's get it on!

Silly Really

Visa: The first track and single shows the new direction of Per. Gone is the back-to-basics pop-rock of "Mazarin," "En händig man," and "Son of a Plumber," now it's time for computers and dance beats. "Silly Really" stands out on the album. I'm not sure if it's entirely a good thing. It feels a bit more polished, more "produced," if you will, than the other songs. It's hard to say if the other songs have the same hit potential. This song certainly has. And it's going all Michael Jackson-Thriller in the end. Gotta love it!
Thomas: I asked Per about the album's direction sometime this summer, and when he said "Thriller" I assumed he was joking, as usual. But turns out he wasn't! I love this song, it does stand out, but I wouldn't say too much? A perfect album opener, and you just gotta love the video… I do hope this gets a wider release. Remixes anyone??
Colin: Oh yes, let's get this party started (or should I say crashed?) - it kicks off with the single, groovy!

The Party Pleaser

Visa: The bubblegum pop Per knows inside out. Nothing spectacular, but goes on like a rocket to a club on the Moon. I wouldn't have put this song next to "Silly Really." Now it feels like a sequel. It may have had a better place between the ballads later on the album. A fine song, anyway.
Thomas: If this isn't a smack-in-the-face-shut-your-mouth, nothing is! I really like this song, and I have to agree with Anders Nunstedt (which I don't always do) that it sounds like two Rox-robots mangling P!nk with a steamroller. The fastest track of the album?
Judith: Let's party… or let's go on partying!
Colin: What could I possibly say more about this track? I really love the verse and the way it builds up to the chorus, we're still on the dance floor!

Stuck Here With Me

Colin: I first heard a snippet of this song in a documentary and I instantly fell in love with it. Helena is awesome in this song and I totally digg this vibe! Even though I'd only heard a small bit of the song then, it stuck in my mind until I got the entire song and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised - excellent job Mr. Gessle: Timbaland can leave the building. Definitely my favorite song on the album!
Judith: There are two songs on the album I'll possibly skip. This is the one of them. I like the music, I like the lyrics, I like everything… except Per's falsetto. Sorry, that is a no-go for me. I might keep it on my player in the end, time will tell.
Visa: What, Per goes r'n'b?! I don't like this kind of music much, so no thank you, sir! Expressen's Anders Nunstedt thought this song sounds like Justin Timberlake. Maybe it does.
Thomas: This certainly isn't my cuppa either, but I do enjoy the massively heavy bass on this song, and it kind of sticks in my head. R'n'b á la Justin (or anyone) makes me cringe, but if nothing else, C&C prove they can match it with the best out there. Great production on this one! I played this song on a huge PA-system today, and the bass made the walls vibrate…

Sing Along

Visa: Ballad with lots of Helena singing. Would sound great live, with acoustic piano only.
Thomas: I was actually thinking to myself "How the hell will they be able to play this album live?" "Sing Along," which used to be named "Sing-A-Long," is a cutie. Helena's voice is so nice on this album and this song is no exception. I get some small Roxette vibes here.It's something in the production I can't really lay my hands on, but it's there.

Gut Feeling

Visa: The only song on the album that is more rock, with a reference to T. Rex. Rolls on nicely and has a certain Gyllene Tider sound in the synth. It should be Göran and his Farfisa!
Thomas: Ha ha ha, yes, this is definitely GT on speed! Lots of guitar, at least to be this album. I just can't figure out where the riff is borrowed from. The first time I heard it I was almost sure it was a cover. One of the last songs to be recorded.

Perfect Excuse

Thomas: Oh, this is the "Michael Jackson" song! When I heard this the first time I almost cried, and not from happiness! But after say 10 spins I had this at the top of my list. Very nice ballad, sung in a totally non-Per way. Lot's of Helena in it too.
Visa: Per lists this as one of his best songs ever. Well, it's a beautiful ballad, but not without its shortcomings. I would've wished the song had more power towards the end. Now it ends up being a bit bland.
Thomas: Bland?
Judith: I must agree on Per's comment! I think the song is one of the best on the album, together with "I'm Glad You Called."
Thomas: Which isn't on the actual album of course.
Colin: This reminds me of the Plumber album. Helena's voice really fits Per's - a match made in heaven! This song sucks you in and before you know you're on a tropical island, whistling in the sun…

Breathe Life Into Me

Colin: Ahh, time to relax! This song is extremely contagious. You just want to lay back and start whistling yourself, preferably sipping on some good old Jamaican rum.
Judith: This is the one I always skip. I don't think it fits the album either.
Visa: Another ballad. Less Helena this time. I like Per's singing voice on this song. The arrangement fits his voice superbly.
Thomas: I totally adore this song! Light and airy with a small reggae backbeat and some synthesizer whistling. And if I'm not mistaken they have added a Farfisa or similar to the background!

Hey, I Died And Went To Heaven

Visa: Lovely ballad with Per singing verses and Helena singing the chorus. The chorus really gets stuck on you.
Judith: Another favorite. Got stuck in my head, too, from the beginning.
Thomas: Sorry to say, but I can't stand this one. And what's even worse, it gets worse every time I listen to it. I totally skip this now. However, I do think the chorus is OK, it's the dreary monotonous verse that drives me insane. Sorry again Per!
Colin: I have to apologize, too. I haven't listened to it much, though it's a nice ballad. For some reason I keep skipping it!

Kissing Is The Key

Thomas: One of my absolute favorites of the album. Hard to describe it, it's (almost) a mid-tempo song that has for instance a "ray gun" in the background, also kissing noises and a groovy "chica-chi-chica-chi" in the beginning. I want this to be single #2.
Visa: Yes, this can very well be the next single. Funny lyrics and a nice beat. They could've left that kissing sound out, though!
Judith: My first thought "What? Kylie?" and then I couldn't stop my feet and my body.
Colin: That's some good single material right there, you got that right, Visa. Why not make a remix 12" again? This song deserves it!

Thai With A Twist

Visa: Good to know that "womanizer" rhymes with "tranquilizer"… Power pop with nonsense lyrics. Per knows his business! I don't like the title, though, it sounds like a slogan for frozen food.
Thomas: Yes indeed. What is Thai with a twist? Thai food with some lemon juice on? Ha ha! Strange title, great song. Typical "The Look" or "Crush on You" lyrics. I can hear Roxette or Gyllene Tider record this. Don't like the saxophone! Note to C&C: Audience sounds yes, sax no!
Colin: My second-favorite song on the album - this chorus is Per at his best. Not sure aboutthe audience and sax though, I'd love to hear this live (I'll do the audience part)!

I Didn't Mean To Turn You

Visa: Have you noticed that the lyrics for all the songs in the world are actually about sex? If the lyrics first sound like they don't, it's only because they use metaphors. Then there are these songs that are saying it very straight out. Let's have sex and let's do it now!
Thomas: All songs? What about "Tuffa tider"? This is the B-side of the single "Silly Really," and according to C&C too good to be left out. I agree, even though I didn't enjoy the flute the first time I heard it. What can I say? It grew on me, and I absolutely love the line "By the way, no way she's your kind! (She's not your kind!)"
Visa: Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. But think about it next time you listen to the radio. You can get much fun out of it.
Colin: At first I didn't really know what to think of this. When I first got the new single, I felt like back when 'Do You Wanna Be My Baby?' was released. I was shocked at Per's new style then and I had to listen the song a few times just to recognize his voice and be convinced it was really him! The instrumental part stick around and I find myself whistling it occasionally.

Doesn't Make Sense

Visa: Sounds a lot like one of my all-time favorites, the French electro-pop group Air. And with that sound, you can't go wrong. Excellent ending to an excellent album!
Thomas: I know I sound like a broken record, but this is a favorite of mine! Rather unorthodox of Per to end an album with a song like this. Quite fast-paced ballad, or is it even a ballad? Obviously the lyrics are written for Woody!
Judith: For some reason I didn't listen to this song the first couple of times I listened to the album, it was a great surprise when I did. I know, I am just like "great, amazing, perfect," I guess it's easier to negatively review something, on the other hand, I can't get enough of this album, so what should I say? Luv it!
Colin: Yes, an interesting song to close the album! In my opinion ' I'm Glad You Called' would've been a better closer, but this is still a very good song.

I'm Glad You Called (iTunes bonus track)

Thomas: Hmmm, Roxette meets Enya, and with great results! A track that didn't fit the style of the album so it was left off. I can see that as it doesn't fit the style, but the track is way too good to not be released. I've added this as the last track on my home made CD!
Visa: I was thinking about Enya in the intro of the song, too. I don't like the song too much. It sounds like a b-side or a demo. But of course, Per's demos are of very high quality!
Colin: Like Thomas, I added this as an album closer as well. After Roberta of course! At first I thought this could be rather boring but it turns out to be really, really nice!

Theme From "Roberta Right" (Telia bonus track)

Thomas: Roberta rocks! And it starts like a Nintendo video game! I mean the music… duh…
Visa: Whoa! Why is this song only released as a bonus track to Telia customers? There should be a way for everyone to get their hands on this song. Sounds like a Roxette song from the Room Service-era. And it really should be Marie singing that one part at 1:15…
Thomas: Yes, "Come along, come alive!" and "Nothing, nothing, NOTHING!!" Helena reaches new levels on this track, and how about that AC/DC inspired riff? I'm going out on a limb here, but this should be single #2 off "Party Crasher"! I know I said that before too. Even if it's not actually on it… It's sad that it gets released only via Telia with much worse quality than for instance iTunes, but especially a CD.
Judith: My first thought was "Why were these two songs left out of the album?" They surely deserve much more than being 10110! I hope they both are released as they should, on a CD, with their place on the booklet.
Colin: Wow! This track is awesome! Did C&C find an old Commodore computer somewhere? Per definately keeps the party going!
Thomas: Gabriel Gessle co-wrote this. Good one Gabe!

Judith: The "you don't know what's happening to me, you don't know what you are doing to me" in "Sing Along." The explosion on "Thai." The chorus on "Kissing." I want more of "Perfect Excuse"! Those hidden sounds, effects, those funny clever lyrics I've always loved of Per's songs, that feeling is finally back!
Visa: I was going to say that the explosion on "Thai" should've been left out! But maybe I'd like Marie's recent music more if it had more explosions.

Judith: Music is, to me, all about feelings. I don't care much how famous an artist is, how good an artist should be, how many stars an album has on Amazon. All I care about is what I feel when I listen to the album. Do I have fun? Do I cry? Do I get angry? Do I want to close my eyes when that special part of one song is approaching and just enjoy it? Do I want to listen to it again and again? Then it's just the best album for me. And this is just what PC is.
And, going back to the title, actually, the album is great background music for an evening having dinner party home drinking some wine with some good friends. Just chill-out, relax, laugh, have fun. Believe me, I've tried, ha ha!
And, yes, I must say it, Helena is great on this one. "Perfect excuse," "Hey I Died," "Sing Along." Hats off!
Visa: As I already said, I think this album is excellent. It may be a bit of a surprise to many, but it's just that this time it's more "Roxette-Per" than "Mazarin-Per." Many of the songs would've been perfect as Roxette songs. Every day, I find a different song from this album playing in my head. Every song has earned its place on this album.
Thomas: I give this album 4.5 out of 5. It's a very nice album, not very Per Gessle, while at the same time it is. I can imagine he wanted "Scener" to sound something along the lines with this album in 1985. I can certainly recommend it to anyone who likes good, swinging music.
Colin: Overall I would say that this album is a very welcome surprise! It's nothing like we would've expected, but then again, that would be boring, wouldn't it? I think the vibe and atmosphere this album creates started in some of the Plumber songs. Helena sings more, and with excellent results! I really like their voices together and can't wait to see this stuff live on stage…

Telia's webshop has added "Party Crasher" and also of course added snippets of the "Telia Edition" with 13 tracks. Unfortunately the album can't be bought from IP-addresses outside of Sweden, plus that the album is in WMA format. The price is 129 SEK.

The album is also available on iTunes Sweden, with its respective edition, including "I'm Glad You Called" instead of "Roberta Right." iTunes offers the album in 256 kbit AAC plus format. The price is 95 SEK.

STOCKHOLM - In a recent interview in Aftonbladet Per says he keeps "…three damned great Roxette songs sitting in a drawer…"

It's only been about a year since the last album. Why the speed?
- I've made many albums in a short period of time so I shouldn't really make another. But the normal tempo of today's artists is three-four year cycles. That doesn't work anymore, the albums have to get out faster. What else to do?

What do you do inbetween albums then?
- I'm always making albums, laughs Per. There's always a project in the air. I think there will be more Roxette and Gyllene Tider, Swedish projects and English ones.

Anything concrete?
- I have three damned great Roxette-songs sitting in a drawer, and just as many GT-songs. It's all there.

When is this happening then?
- It all depends on what feels right. Gyllene Tider's problem is its greatness. The 2004 tour is hard to beat, so if we are to do something else there has to pass some time to re-energize the guys. Roxette is from obvious reasons at a stand still, but as Marie is out doing "Stjärnklart" now who knows. There may be Roxette.

Does Marie have the hunger as well?
- I'm sure she does. We've recorded songs for the compilation albums so sure, it will probably happen.

Will your age be a problem for Gyllene Tider and Roxette?
- No but the logistics will be different. Just look at Roxette, between '88 and '95 we toured and worked constantly. It was seven years and you only do that once a lifetime.

You turn 50 in January, how does that feel?
- How does a 50-year old feel? I feel great and I think "ageing" has been good to me. I live good life, I'm sound and healthy. In my line of work I get more knowledge and self-assurance all the time. And I think I get better.

No downsides?
- The only thing I feel I can't get back is the naivety. That love song you write when you're 19 you can't just write when you're 49.

Does it feel hard to get older?
- Sometimes I think about what happened to Marie and that you can get sick, but I may also get run over by a car on my way home so you can't think that way. You walk a line and I'm not worried about getting older.

You use make-up, have a cool style and have lost a ton of weight the last few years. How important is your looks as an artist?
- Daaamn, no, you have to stop thinking about that when you get older, but you still do. I don't work out as much as I should. But I want to look good in my videos and at photo sessions. At least as good as I possibly can with what I have.

Does Gabriel like music?
- Mmm, he does. He says he doesn't like my music, but I notice he goes around singing my songs. He likes AC/DC and can play "Paint it Black" by the Stones on the guitar.

Your house in Halmstad is very secure. Have you gotten scared over the years?
- No but more alert. When I built this house a prerequisite was to have it as a breathing place. Before that it happened I was awakened in my hammock by people wanting autographs. People are nuts.

You have a standing invitation to the Eurovision Song Contest. Will you ever accept?
- Honestly, no. There's no upside entering and it all seems so hysterical. Maybe I can write a song for it. But you feel like an outsider when you're not in it. And I like being the underdog!

STOCKHOLM - In a recent interview with Expressen, Per lists the best songs he has ever written. Per is notorious for giving different answers each time he is asked this kind of question, but this is his latest response:

1. Tycker om när du tar på mej (Per Gessle: Mazarin, 2003)
   "One would think writing love songs becomes easier when you get older, but it only gets trickier. Maybe it's because you lack the naïvety that you had when you were young. But this is a real love song, written to my wife, and I'm very proud of it."
2. The Look (Roxette: Look Sharp!, 1988)
   "A fantastic little song, isn't it? It was so easy to write — everything was obvious. I built up a little ZZ Top groove and all the pieces fell into place without effort. It still sounds like a hit."
3. Perfect Excuse (Per Gessle: Party Crasher, 2008)
   "I'm really happy about the new album. This ballad is great. I sing it really quiet and it makes my voice sound very different. I feel like I've found a new way to sing."
4. Perfect Day (Roxette: Joyride, 1991)
   "We found out that Vicki Benckert could play the accordion and we wanted to do something out of it. You can never go wrong with an accordion. And it became a very nice ballad that was written the same way as 'Listen To Your Heart;' I borrowed a chorus that MP had written, made it the verse and wrote a new chorus. Marie sings wonderfully."
5. Det hjärta som brinner (Gyllene Tider: Moderna tider, 1981)
   "If I'm not mistaken, I wrote this in a park… somewhere. I can't think of any direct reason why this song is so good. It just has the pop quality that feels so obvious and it's always great to play live."

Per also lists the best female singers he has had the pleasure to work with:

1. Marie Fredriksson
   "It was a revolution when she came into my life. Just like Clarence (Öfwerman), she makes my ideas take off. She made my songs have credibility, as if taken from the Bible. She can sing sexy, softly, expressively. Marie is everything."
2. Helena Josefsson
   "She is a completely different type of person than Marie. Helena has sung on all my solo albums since 2003 and is a fantastic singer. She is a poetic, spiritual singer who is incredible at improvising. I usually just say 'sing as you wish' and she sings four to six different versions and we choose the one that fits best."
3. Belinda Carlisle
   "I wrote 'Always Breaking My Heart' and 'Love Doesn't Live Here' for her. The English record company said that she is a mediocre singer and it would be a problem in the studio. She sang perfectly! And in addition, made the songs have her own sound at the very first try. A real professional!"
4. Camilla "Milla" Andersson
   "Eva Dahlgren and Anne-Lie Rydé have also made a nice effort, but Milla from Millas Mirakel has probably meant more to me. She has sung on many, many demos in the Tits & Ass studio and actually has quite a great voice. Hmm… I should write her a hit single soon!"

STOCKHOLM - The Stjärnklart tour with some of Sweden's top artists started yesterday in Norrköping. One of the performers in the show is Marie Fredriksson who hasn't toured since her brain tumor was discovered and treated in 2002.

"It is wonderful to be here," she told the audience from the stage of the Louis De Geer concert house. According to Expressen, the other artists of the show sang duets and had dance numbers, but Marie had a more peaceful moment between the acts. She performed three songs, "Ännu doftar kärlek," "Så skimrande var aldrig havet" and "Tro."

The tour continues on November 25 in Stockholm. More shows will follow in Malmö and Gothenburg until December 13.

STOCKHOLM - Catch Per on the radio the 26th:

07:00 Mix Megapol with Adam & Gry
07:40 Vinyl 107
08:40 P4 Radio Sthlm
09:00 Morgonpasset P3
13:25 P4 extra Lotta Brome'

The "Silly Really" video will be shown on SVT next Thursday, the 27th, on the morning show Gomorron Sverige at 07:45 CET. Per will also talk for about 15 minutes.

And that's not all!

Per with band will perform a new song from the album at Faddergalan on TV4 December 13!