On August 12, 2009, “Lil’ Beethoven” and “SR Records” labels released “The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman”, the 22nd Sparks album. It was recorded 2008 – 2009, at “Hollywood American Studios” in Hollywood, “Radio Drama Studio” in Stockholm, Sweden, and was produced by Ron Mael, Russell Mael, and Marie Wennersten (producer for Swedish recording). The album was conceived as a radio drama, commissioned by “Sveriges Radio Radioteatern”. It was created to be listened as a single piece, rather than a collection of stand-alone songs.

Personnel:

• Russell Mael– vocals, studio chief, policeman 1 and 2
• Ron Mael– keyboard, limo driver, Hollywood tour guide
• Marcus Blake – autograph hound, Woody
• Tammy Glover – Hollywood welcoming committee, Gerry
• Saskia Husberg – interpreter
• Elin Klinga– Greta Garbo
• Marie-Chantal Long – Cannes Festival announcer
• Jonas Malmsjö– Ingmar Bergman
• Steve McDonald – hotel concierge
• Steven Nistor– hotel doorman
• Katie Puckrik– hotel operator
• Rebecca Sjöwall– Hollywood starlet
• Jim Wilson – first A.D, autograph hound
• Jim Wilson – guitar
• Dean Menta– guitar
• Marcus Blake – bass
• Tammy Glover– drums
• Steven Nistor – drums
• Marie Wennersten – director for Swedish recording
• Magnus Lindman – translations
• Sabina von Greyerz – SR Records project manager

Track listing:

All tracks are written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael.

1. 1956 Cannes Film Festival
2. I Am Ingmar Bergman
3. Limo Driver (Welcome to Hollywood)
4. Here He Is Now
5. Bergman, How Are You?
6. He’ll Come ‘Round
7. En Route to the Beverly Hills Hotel
8. Hollywood Welcoming Committee
9. I’ve Got to Contact Sweden
10. The Studio Commissary
11. I Must Not Be Nasty
12. Quiet on the Set
13. Why Do You Take That Tone with Me?
14. Pleasant Hotel Staff
15. Hollywood Tour Bus
16. Autograph Hounds
17. Bergman Ponders Escape
18. We’ve Got to Turn Him ‘Round
19. Escape (Part1)
20. Escape (Part 2)
21. Oh, My God
22. Garbo Sings
23. Almost a Hollywood Ending
24. He’s Home