Musikguiden (continued)

Hope you've all been enjoying Salem's week as guest presenter on P3 Musikguiden...you can find links to the shows at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=4067 as well as the week's playlists and of course some very nice photos.

There were two very, very, very special guests on the show tonight: his lovely wife Caroline and baby girl Greta.  Caroline sounded so natural, calm and professional. (I'm not sure if she has any radio presenting experience, but she was as good as any radio presenter!)  Salem of course also has a very natural talent for presenting both on TV and radio and I wouldn't be surprised if he moves into that area at some time in his career.  Maybe Salem and Caroline could become a presenting duo - they both sounded great on the radio together. 

As for the week's playlists, they're filled with the kind of musical diversity which you would expect.  Loved hearing Bruce Springsteen's "Human Touch" and of course a certain song called "Euphoria" which I think you all may be familiar with :))

I just wanted to share this very nice picture of Salem, Caroline and Greta, which was published on the Musikguiden i P3 website tonight.  A fabulous family!  (picture courtesy of www.sverigesradio.se)

Salem on P3's Musikguiden this week

Salem will be guest editor on P3's "Musikguiden" from Monday to Thursday this week, starting tomorrow (3rd September).  You can hear the programme between 18.30-19.30. 

More info at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=4067&artikel=5250071

Welcome back Salem!

Salem on Morgonpasset i P3 tomorrow

Don't forget to tune into P3 tomorrow morning - Finfredag - as Salem will once again be back in the Morgonpasset i P3 studio. He's a very frequent visitor to the show of course, and always a very welcome one!

Edit 17.02.12: go to SR's archive page at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/sandningsarkiv.aspx?programid=2024 and click on the link to today's programme.

Salem on P3s Musikguiden today

Salem was the special guest on "Musikguiden i P3" today. If you missed it you can listen again at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=4067&play=3708919&playtype=S%C3%A4ndning

Salem & Otis in Malmö

Thought you'd like to see this very seasonal picture of Salem and Otis taken yesterday at the Sveriges Radio studio in Malmö. (picture courtesy of Hans Zillén/Sveriges Radio)

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=4185&artikel=4848996

Soon 60,000...

Just noticed that Salem has reached the grand total of 59,000 fans on Facebook and is already heading towards the magic number of 60,000!

If you are reading this and you're on Facebook, get along to www.facebook.com/salemalfakir and click the 'Like' button if you haven't already done so.

In other news, you can still listen to Salem's Klubb Molto gig at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=4067&artikel=4475188 which should be available on the SR archive for the next three to four weeks.

Right, that's all for now. I'm now on holiday and will be going to Pisa in Italy for a few days spring break. Planet Salem will return on Monday 9th May. If there is any big news about Salem between now and then, please let me know!

Södertälje: this Saturday night on P4

I previously mentioned that the Södertälje gig would be broadcast on SR P3 next Thursday night. Well, if you can't wait that long, then you only have to wait till this Saturday night, 23rd April. The concert will be broadcast on Sveriges Radio P4 Live from 20:05-20:58 Swedish time (19:05-19:58 UK time). Check out http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=488 for more info.

Of course you can still listen to the same show on P3 next Thursday night (see previous post http://planetsalem.blogspot.com/2011/04/thursday-28th-april-salems-klubb-molto.html)

Thursday 28th April: Salem's Klubb Molto gig on P3!

(picture courtesy of Calle Jansson for http://moltolive.nu/) If you remember this post from December 2010: http://planetsalem.blogspot.com/2010/12/klubb-molto-gig-this-saturday.html - well we finally have news about when that Klubb Molto show from Södertälje is going to be broadcast!

Make a note in your diaries for Thursday 28th April from 22:00-23:00 Swedish time (21:00-22:00 here in the UK) when you can hear the full hour-long show on Swedish Radio P3's Musikguiden. I'm sure it will bring back many fond memories of Salem and the band's autumn/winter club tour and give those of us who weren't there a chance to enjoy all the hits and more.

There is also a fine interview on Klubb Molto's website at http://moltolive.nu/i-hissen-med-salem-al-fakir/ - of course we would all like to be stuck in a lift with Salem ;)

In other news, don't forget that you can still watch "Kusin Al Fakir" at SVT Play until 24th April. http://svtplay.se/v/2367731/k_special/kusin_al_fakir It really is a fascinating documentary and even if I couldn't really understand most of what was being said, I still managed to get the "feel" of the film and the intensity of Peter's belief and passion in his music. I hope that he doesn't give up on his dream and that he "keeps on rocking on the freeway with a wheel of rock".

Morgonpasset pics

Salem and Otis were back in the Morgonpasset studio again on Friday morning. Here are some pictures, courtesy of Sveriges Radio, and check out more pics and clips from the show at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=2024.

Salem's back on Morgonpasset i P3 again this Friday!

Don't forget to tune into Morgonpasset i P3 on Friday 11th February for yet another appearance by Salem, who seems to be on this show almost as much as the hosts these days :)

Info: http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2024&artikel=4341874

Salem (Al Fakir) is NOT playing in Glasgow in February.

Thanks Eva for the link to the Rix FM interview
http://www.rixfm.com/webbradio/frameset.php?type=audio then click 'Eftermiddagar'.

During this interview, Salem was asked if he would be playing in Glasgow and he denied this.

I just want to clarify tonight that Planet Salem was not responsible for this story, but I reported it on a previous post here initially because it came from Salem's own MySpace page (www.myspace.com/salem) where the gig was listed in the upcoming shows/events section. (By the way, the show is still listed on that web page).

Just so you know :)

Salem's songwriting tips on P3 Star!

According to this article on the P3 Star website, http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2907&artikel=4284433 P3 Star's songwriting school will be starting, with Salem and Linda Sundblad passing on some songwriting tips on the next show on 15th January.

You can hear the programme on P3 this Saturday from 1403-1600 Swedish time and later at the P3 website. Don't miss it!

Salem (and Otis) on Mix Megapol and The Voice this morning

"Äntligen Morgon" returned to the Mix Megapol airwaves this morning - and the first guest of 2011 was none other than Salem, who brought along a very special visitor: Otis, who is now 20 weeks old!

Pictures courtesy of http://www.mixmegapol.se/:


Nice :)

Salem and Otis also dropped in to "Vakna med The Voice" and here's a picture of Otis from their website - http://www.thevoice.se/on-air/vakna/item/8858-se-salem-al-fakirs-nya-kärlek

Berwaldhallen concert on P2 right now....

The Lucia concert by the Nacka music class and Salem is being broadcast right now on Swedish Radio's P2 channel - http://sverigesradio.se/p2/

Of course I'm sitting in front of the computer and enjoying this beautiful choral music...and looking forward to hearing Salem!

EDIT 19:45 (UK time): what a wonderful concert!

Set list - songs played by Salem and the band:

1. Good Song
2. It's Only You
3. Brooklyn Sun
4. Astronaut
5. Hymn
6. Keep On Walking

Salem began with a more jazzy interpretation of "Good Song" where he was successfully accompanied by the choir - is there any musical setting where this man's music doesn't work??? - and what a stunning piano solo too.

Next was "It's Only You" - Salem's vocals on this were so sweet and tender that I was reduced to a quivering wreck ;) and it was, in my opinion, one of the best versions of this song that I've ever heard him do.

"Brooklyn Sun" - a very special song, and even more special when played in the piano-version. We all know that Salem is a terrific singer, but his vocals keep getting better and better!

"Astronaut" - yet another faultless version of a perfect song.

"Hymn" - this song always makes me cry, and it did again tonight. Salem has rarely played this song live, so it was a particular highlight to hear such a beautiful, moving song which seemed to fit the mood of this type of concert.

Salem then introduced his always-wonderful band - Nisse, Jakob and Adam - then they launched into their final song, which of course was "Keep On Walking" which began with a jazzy, reggae feel and brought the set to a triumphant end before the Nacka choir returned for the final part of a beautiful and very emotional concert.

If you missed the show, or if you just want to listen to it over and over again like I do, go to http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=2482 and click on the link 'P3 Live Klassiskt - Luciakonsert från Berwaldhallen'.

P3 on Saturday, Berwaldhallen on Sunday, P2 on Monday!

There's a lot going on over the next few days :)

On Saturday 11th December, tune into P3 Star (between 14:00 and 16:00 Swedish time) for a special programme devoted to the P3 Guld award nominees. Salem will be one of the stars interviewed - others include Daniel Adams-Ray and Johnossi.

Check out http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2907&artikel=4229533 for more information about the show. Here's a picture of Salem and the show's host Cissi (picture courtesy of Sveriges Radio).

The following day, Sunday 12th December, it will be time for Salem's return to Berwaldhallen, this time as special guest at two concerts (16:00 and 18:00) by the Nacka music class. These are special concerts for Lucia Day.

What is even more special is that one of the concerts will be transmitted the following evening on P2 from 19:30 - 21:00 Swedish time (18:30 - 20:00 British time). You can also read a feature about the concerts at http://www.nvp.se/Kultur--Noje/Salem-Al-Fakir--sjunger-in-julen-med-Nacka-musikklasser/ and if you go to http://sverigesradio.se/sida/default.aspx?programid=3985 you'll find more information about the concerts and ticket booking.

The concert is in three parts; Salem will appear with the Nacka music class in the first part, then he will perform his own live set in part two. This should be a brilliant show as Salem always shines in an orchestral/choral setting and I can't wait to hear the concert.

Official info: why Salem never appeared at the Bloggpriset-gala

X3M's website reports the reason why Salem never appeared at the Bloggpriset tonight:
http://yle.fi/extrem/news/parad_artikel.php?id=36881#news

X3M explained that Salem did not appear as his flight was delayed so late that he didn't have time to appear at the Gala. X3M apologises for this and advises that ticket refunds will be available from Tiketti.

Hope this clears up any confusion. I hope that Salem will reschedule his gig, as he has a lot of Finnish fans who want to see him play live!

Bloggpriset....but where's Salem?

I don't know what's happening....been watching the Bloggpriset for the last hour but still no sign of Salem - I'm beginning to wonder if they are going to broadcast his live set after all????

Bloggpriset 2010 - live right now!

Video and audio from the 2010 Bloggpriset is being streamed live from Korjaamo in Helsinki right now on http://www.yle.fi/extrem/radio/

Salem will be on stage in just under 90 minutes time... I'm so excited tonight!! :)))))

Salem's Helsinki gig tomorrow...more info!

Salem will be playing his long-awaited Finnish show at Korjaamo in Helsinki tomorrow night, Wednesday 1st December.

Don't forget to tune into X3M radio tomorrow night. The (Swedish-language) station will be broadcasting the Bloggalan 2010, which is the award ceremony for Finland's Swedish-language bloggers. Of course blogging is a subject very close to my heart, so I think it's appropriate that Salem is playing at a bloggers' gala tomorrow, which is also Planet Salem's third birthday!

I've checked over at YLE's website which said that the Bloggalan would be broadcast on the internet - it should be at http://www.yle.fi/extrem/radio/ although I checked the X3M player just now and it was playing classical music rather than the alternative pop which the station is known for! Anyway I will check the webstream link tomorrow night and let you know if it's working :)

I had to check the timezones to see if Finland was in a different timezone from Sweden, and it is. (I'm glad I checked this or I may have missed the show!). So please note the following information if you want to hear the show!

If you are in Finland, the show will be broadcast from 20:00 until 00:00 Finnish time. Salem will be on stage at 22:30.

Swedish, Norwegian and other continental European countries: tune in from 19:00 until 23:00 - Salem will be on stage at 21:30.

Last (but not least) for all of us Salem fans over here in the UK, the show will run from 18:00 until 22:00, Salem will be on stage at 20:30.

And if you're going to Korjaamo - enjoy the show!

Question for Swedes and Norwegians?

I listened to Salem's interview on Bergen student radio this morning (link at http://planetsalem.blogspot.com/2010/11/salems-norwegian-radio-interview-today.html) and was able to understand some of it, so I guess my understanding of spoken Swedish is getting better! Of course there was also lots of music in the show - "4 O'Clock", "Count Me Out", "Virgin Mary", "Backseat" and "Roxy".

Anyway, hearing Salem interviewed on a Norwegian radio station got me thinking about the differences between the Swedish and Norwegian languages. As a native English speaker, I find written and spoken Norwegian so much harder to understand than Swedish.

Can any of you tell me if it is true that all Swedes and Norwegians can understand each other's languages when speaking to each other? For example, I've heard Salem interviewed on Norwegian radio and television programmes and they seem to have no problem understanding each other.