Abba pair unveil new pop tracks

[lolly]

That's unusal, I hadn't realised there were many fans of Sweden out there

Next year we should have a Moopy stall there to go with our Moopy float I've decided we're having for pride.

It isn't a yearly thing. I think it was arranged officially to mark Sweden's presidency of the EU.

I'd love it if they DID make it a yearly thing though. Of course they struck lucky this year with Benny having an album to promote at the same time. Don't know how much interest it would generate without him.

[Christian]

Now not for a minute am I going to claim that he isn't a hardcore Abba loon, but yesterday reminded me of having sympathy with Ellie before when she points to those worse than her. Because although he does own an Abba t-shirt, he would NEVER wear one out! He did join in for the loon rendition of 'The Way Old Friends Do' at the end. The whole thing incidentally I found lovely and tragic at the same time

We kind of groaned when the singing started but it was quite an AWW moment in the end. Thank You For The Music was a nice send off too - though I was worried it was going to descend into a singalong version of "Merry Go round" if they kept going for long enough.

Ending on "Why Did It Have To Me Be" was brilliant though - I've always loved it anyway but that bouncy rhythm got everyone going near us. We must have been standing quite close to you actually... I really should have been more proactive and got your number beforehand, though I wasn't sure you were going.

Did you guys make a decision on Carnegie Hall yet?

[lolly]

I thought the choices of Abba numbers they covered were really intelligent. The crowd loved them, without them feeling at all out of place with the overall set.

We only decided we were actually going to go on Thursday night. I had mentioned it several times over the weeks before, and he didn't seem overly interested. Then he told me on Thursday that one of his friends had expressed an interest, and he was going with him, because he didn't think I was interested! Then of course I decided I'd go along as well, which I never would have on my own. I'm so glad I did though; I enjoyed it far more than I imagined I would. It was a great day out. And I enjoyed hearing the album today as well. I think it's one that will get regular spins compared to the previous BAO ones.

Carnegie Hall WON'T be happening. We're in Sardinia then. We only booked that after the announcement, though. He's not THAT big a KFD fan, and to be honest after one big US holiday already this year, we can't really justify it.

[lolly]

[VoR]

Nanne Grönvall performing Du är min man at a Swedish festival. MOVE OVER HELEN!

[lolly]

How OLD is Nanne? I'm guessing early/mid forties but it's very difficult to tell.

Mind you, I was shocked that Helen Sjoholm was only 38. I thought she was at least 5 years older than that.

[lolly]

And what an oddly lifeless performance of Du är min man by Nanne. Not necessarily her fault though. Perhaps it needs that big 14 piece or whatever it is band behind it.

[RobotBoy]

at a Swedish festival

[VoR]

How OLD is Nanne? I'm guessing early/mid forties but it's very difficult to tell.

47!

Helen may be ten years younger but she'd never look as good in a puffball skirt and heels!

[Timbo]

The Benny Andersson Band CD is on CDWow as £7.99 and £13.49 - seems to have the same tracks and the write-ups are identical .

Anyone know if they are different or in anyway (unique? SORRY ) well different? I have a £2 CDWow voucher to use by tomorrow so thought I'd use it!

[ameraal]

see i loved sommaren du fick from the beginning, but i only discovered its utter magnificence the other week
listening to it again this morning has triggered an abba morning (how does the winner takes it all never fail to get me all teary-eyed?) and i've just gotten the story of a heart

i hope it doesn't dissapoint!

[Christian]

"Story/Sommaren" is just absolute heaven for me. I just about prefer the Swedish version as the ad libs at the end are a tiny bit better... but really, both are cracking.

Have you heard that ridiculous mix of it by the guy who also brought us the CHEEEZ version of "Just Like That" and Donna W's much vaunted mix of Demis Roussos's "Forever And Ever"? It's quite awful yet brilliantly compelling at the same time, starting off in English, then switching to Swedish for the key change. All to a pounding, half assed beat. It's faaaabulous!

The album is very, very different but I like it a lot. "The Stars", ".P.S." and "Fait Accompli" are the standouts for me - but ABBA, it ain't.

I saw Helen in Kristina in New York in September - absolutely amazing. I need to go and dig up the Kristina thread and do a review.

[ameraal]

nah, i haven't heard any mixes (or even the english version for that matter) and i really can't imagine them topping the original

i feel strangely impatient to love this album, so it's bound to be disappointing

[Christian]

It's quite the hodge podge of styles and nothing really like the single. Imagine Country music crossed with schlager with a dash of cabaret and a pinch of musical theatre on top

[MilkyBarKid]

In other ABBA news the ABBA In Japan dvd is now released and features the full television special from 1978 filmed in Japan with 'Summer Night City' full screen instead of it being in the corner and the full version of 'Fernando' instead of the edit.

[Johnkm]

In other ABBA news the ABBA In Japan dvd is now released and features the full television special from 1978 filmed in Japan with 'Summer Night City' full screen instead of it being in the corner and the full version of 'Fernando' instead of the edit.

It is great to finally have it on DVD.

[The Politics Of Dancing]

Sorry to bump this thread up but ABBA are being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame event tonight airing live in America at 8:30 PM USET/12:30 AM UK time.

Although I'd read in reports that it won't be a full on reunion, as I think Benny & Bjorn are just going to be there. I hope they're inducted first because the event duration is FOUR HOURS.

[The Politics Of Dancing]

Frida looks great on the stage. I didn't know she was a blonde now.

Would have been great if Agnetha was there but only Benny & Frida showed up to accept their honours.

[The Politics Of Dancing]

Frida's look is quite interesting - she looks like a cross between Madonna & Candice Bergen.




They were given a good intro speech by the surviving BeeGees members and Benny & Frida's speeches were quite touching. Frida saying they would never reunite made me though.

Faith Hill performed "The Winner Takes It All" with Benny on piano. Still a shame that Agnetha couldn't be there herself.

Oh yeah and Queen Meryl was also in attendance.

[The Politics Of Dancing]

Frida & Benny's acceptance speech:



Faith Hill performing "The Winner Takes It All" (which she's done live in concert several times):



Benny & Frida in the press room:

[lolly]

ooh, Frida's gone for a slightly longer DO.

I just assumed it would be Bjorn and Benny. And particularly Bjorn, who always seems to do these things and seems a lot more personable than Benny.

I can only assume Bjorn's attending some opening or gala performance of Mamma Mia sonewhere

[Christian]

I assume CHAKA is PERSONA NON GRATA chez ABBA these days

I used to think Benny was a right miserable sod but all the promo he did for Story Of A Heart seemed to suggest otherwise. Björn's probably forgotten he was ever in ABBA

[Agnetha]

Frida doing research... Which means she uses the internet.

GET HER HERE NOW

[The Politics Of Dancing]

From Billboard.com:

ABBA, Hollies, Genesis, Iggy Pop Enter Rock Hall
March 16, 2010 - Rock and Pop

ABBA sold some 100 million records with hits such as "Waterloo," "Dancing Queen" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You" before disbanding in 1982. Songwriter Benny Andersson described how the melancholy of the "vodka belt" so far north, the pre-rock era music they heard on Swedish radio and the songs of their rock 'n' roll heroes all found their way into ABBA's material.

Andersson and ex-wife Anni-Frid Lyngstad attended the ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Agnetha Faltskog, who has a fear of flying, and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who had a family commitment, did not.

"I'm old enough to admit to the fact that I think we did a great job," Lyngstad said.

Keep that in the past tense: Lyngstad told the audience that ABBA would never perform again. She brought along her grandson, a heavy metal musician who nonetheless appreciates grandma's music. Actress Meryl Streep, who was in the "Mamma Mia" movie that introduced ABBA's music to a new generation and older ones that didn't pay attention at the time, was also there.

The audience at the Waldorf and watching on the Fuse TV network got one-fourth of ABBA on stage. Andersson played piano as country star Faith Hill sang "The Winner Takes It All."

Backstage, Lyngstad feigned anger that it had taken so long for ABBA to be voted in. "I'm very angry that Madonna got in before us," she joked.

[lolly]

TOO RIGHT, FRED

[Agnetha]

I HEAR THAT