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Post by josef on Mar 23, 2020 16:47:51 GMT
My head is too all over the shop to concentrate just now but I would have two bonus tracks- The Day Before You Came and Lovelight.
Sorry for bending the rules!
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Post by josef on Mar 22, 2020 9:30:39 GMT
Yes, @onlyabba4me, I echo orf's sentiments. Please do take the time to alleviate the fear your last post instilled in other forum users. Thank you.
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Post by josef on Mar 18, 2020 15:11:29 GMT
Sorry to hear that. A dear friend of mine lost his mother to Alzheimer's -terrible disease. The one thing we have in common is often the fact we all have lost people to some terrible illness and even suicide: my nephew took his life 2 years ago. The effect of that will last forever. My own mother passed from cancer and COPD so other people can empathise.
The one thing that will never leave us is ABBA's music. That's what drew is all to them initially and that will be their lasting legacy. We should gain comfort from the songs. They're still there, only a click away.
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Post by josef on Mar 18, 2020 10:44:17 GMT
Not to get too hung up on it, and I'm sure I'd be sad as hell when the day comes but having lost my mum at a young age and a sister and various friends I'm pretty sure I'd survive the demise of one of ABBA, however utterly sad it will be. I get it, because as a child I recall my mum being upset when Elvis died (she was in floods) but I'm also aware that they aren't personal friends (although they definitely feel like it). We should try not to worry! As ABBA fans, we'd all support and comfort one another.
I guess we won't know how we'll react until it happens. But to reiterate...Let's hope they all live for many years yet. They appear to be in good health so let's hold onto that thought.
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Post by josef on Mar 18, 2020 0:38:54 GMT
Gosh, something about your post has really brought the reality home to me Alan, how strange. I mean, I know logically that we are all getting older and ABBA are even older than most of us fans but I guess I've always thought they were invincible/immortal. It's usually hard for me to envisage a world without them all in it and yet the truth is that it will indeed happen one day. Anyway...not to get too morbid...as you say, let's hope they'll be around for a good while longer.
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Post by josef on Mar 18, 2020 0:27:55 GMT
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Post by josef on Mar 18, 2020 0:25:40 GMT
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Post by josef on Mar 17, 2020 22:32:33 GMT
That's such a difference! I love that app.
I've recommended it to my friends. I've not signed up to it so I only get to upload one or two pictures now and then but the results are impressive!
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Post by josef on Mar 17, 2020 16:48:49 GMT
^Aye, I'd also like to hear the later songs sung 'live'. So many items on my wish list! Sadly not to become reality now, I fear. I have to remind myself that the members are no longer in the first flush of youth and Agnetha and Frida appear to have pretty much retired. It's BennyBjörn who keep the ABBA flag flying, as 't'were.
As much as I'd like Agnetha/Frida to appear on Jools Holland and sing stripped back versions of some ABBA (and solo) classics, it just isn't going to happen.
Oh but I do pray I get to hear these last two ABBA songs before I leave this mortal coil. If there's one thing I've learned in the last few days it's that nothing is guaranteed, we simply cannot predict the future. All we can do is hope and hold on.
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Post by josef on Mar 14, 2020 9:39:42 GMT
^If that turns out to be the case then they should just release the songs NOW.
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Post by josef on Mar 13, 2020 14:45:11 GMT
Ah! Mamma Mia! I'd forgotten about that. The one blip on ABBA's legacy. I truly believe this. To me, it does ABBA's memory no favours. I know people love it but I think it's appalling. It's the one thing I can't get my head around. I don't include Agnetha and Frida in this (although I understand Frida is or was an investor in it?) but I definitely get the impression it is mostly BennyBjörn's "fault". I don't like to think it was about money- I'm sure the intention was to keep the music alive and all that and I know it's been phenomenally successful but it just isn't my cup of tea. I'm talking about the films, not the stage show.
Oh well. We can't all like and agree on everything.
I suspect the level of fame and wealth some of the ABBA members have achieved has inevitably made them detach somewhat from the reality of life for every day people. That's the impression I get anyway. I suppose that's only to be suspected when money isn't a problem. I can't locate the quote but I do recall Frida making a statement at one point that revealed quite clearly how her privileged position as a result of her wealth and success showed her to be. How naive she was concerning the things most normal people can't afford. I wish I could recall the quote! There was no malice of course-she's a lovely woman, but it kind of left me feeling something along the lines of, "We don't/can't all afford to go skiing every year, Frida!" That isn't it- like I say, I've forgotten the gist of it, but it revealed how out of touch some famous/rich people can become, even when they come from humble backgrounds. Still, in all probability it was probably an off the cuff, thoughtless remark and if it was in English. .well, it's not her native tongue so allowances have to be made.
I still think they're all the bees knees! As Richard pointed out, they're the epitome of class, etc.
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Post by josef on Mar 13, 2020 1:55:44 GMT
I think it's too early to say. It's the same with the Glastonbury festival here in the UK. The acts have been announced but who can say what might happen in the space of a few months? We have to just hope for the best.
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Post by josef on Mar 12, 2020 17:02:16 GMT
Oops forgot to add the improved versions...
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Post by josef on Mar 12, 2020 16:59:09 GMT
It certainly has potential. It can also go a bit squiffy- not so much here but on some old b/w pictures of me and my siblings where one sister will look clear and bright but another will be rather fuzzy. Still, What a cracking app.
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Post by josef on Mar 12, 2020 16:18:03 GMT
Wow, what a great app. I've been using it to enhance old family pictures and it's made such a difference! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, The Rubber Ball Man. Even here, with this screen grab of Agnetha- such an improvement.
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Post by josef on Mar 11, 2020 20:09:20 GMT
I love that Ashra track. Very much me. That's going straight in my play list!
Perhaps this would appeal..
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Post by josef on Mar 11, 2020 20:02:50 GMT
My attitude? I still love the group and most of the music as much as I ever did. More, even. In some ways, I think their music is yet to be fully appreciated. Yes, really.
I listen to a song or three most weeks. I think Benny's 'Piano' album reignited my love for those melodies. Stripped bare, it gave new insight into how beautiful they are. They stand alone as exquisite pieces of music without guitar, drums and even vocals.
I have respect for all the members. Let's be honest- they're living legends. Hackneyed expression but true nevertheless.
My appreciation of ABBA over The Beatles is patently obvious. In every way, their songs are better and way more complex. The varied subject matter...and their killer ingredient- Agnetha and Frida's voices! The Beatles were NEVER going to appeal to me when four blokes fronted the group. Their songs sound dated. ABBA's arent- they're timeless. Of course they influenced BennyBjörn but they took the baton, ran with it and WON the race. Of course this is only my subjective opinion. However, I'm fairly certain The Beatles are not as revered as die-hard fans might wish to believe whereas ABBA have that kudos. Play an ABBA song to a young person who has never heard them and they're most likely to be impressed- to become a fan, even. This is NOT the case with The Beatles. That's my impression, anyway. Besides, it's not a competition. It's possible to be fans of both. Basically, ABBA's music sounds better to me - it pleases my ears. It's pleasurable to listen to them. The Beatles don't activate that pleasure centre in my brain. Hope that makes sense? My feeling is that ABBA's legacy and influence will continue to far surpass that of The Beatles - which was firmly rooted in that era.
And having said all that....well, I would do, wouldn't I? I'm biased! To me, my strong conviction is that ABBA were the best pop group that ever were (or are, given that two new songs are imminent).
As regards other singers/groups. Well, I don't really compare them to the same degree. I have many other "favourite" singers and derive as much pleasure from listening to them as I do ABBA. It depends on my mood- one day I may want to listen to 80's then another day rave anthems from the 90's. Then I'll throw it all up in the air and binge on folk or torch songs. I basically like a bit of everything!
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Post by josef on Mar 8, 2020 21:06:54 GMT
Oh, what a great idea for a thread!
I have SO many! Where to begin? I guess my all-time favourite singer would have to be Agnetha. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. The purity of her voice. So utterly feminine and beguiling. Even her speaking voice has the sweetest sound. Truly beautiful. To my ears, anyhow. I could say the same of Frida. These two are my joint top.
Then there's Kate Bush. Oh, I have no words. I fell in love with her and her voice from the beginning. 'A Coral Room'. Oh.My.God. It kills me. I could wax lyrical all night.
A few more:
Karen Carpenter. Eva Cassidy. Judie Tzuke. Grace Jones. Stevie Nicks. Björk. Sinead O'Connor. Harriet Wheeler. Julianne Regan (All About Eve). Sarah Cracknell. Annie Lennox
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Post by josef on Mar 7, 2020 12:06:11 GMT
It's a question of taste, isn't it? Ultimately, there's no accounting for it. I am baffled by some choices, as no doubt my choices could incite bewilderment in others.
I have this thing about melancholy. Always have done. I'm drawn to it. I see beauty in it. Probably since when I first heard SOS and Fernando. I'm very much like Agnetha in that respect, I think. Moonlight Sonata would probably be in my list for that very reason. Hell, I could kill two birds with one stone and have Past, Present and Future (Agnetha's take on it) in there. Maybe Rachmaninoff's Piano concerto no.2. Quite possibly because I heard it in two of my favourite films- Brief Encounter and The Seven Year Itch. I like music that can evoke a multitude of memories and feelings.
Sorry, Richard- I'm babbling and not really answering the posed question!
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Post by josef on Mar 7, 2020 0:54:37 GMT
I don't particularly like Bohemian Rhapsody although I can see why people rave about it. Life On Mars- yes, I get that.
I have to say I think that most of those songs are reflective of some kind of old musty fuddy fuddy and lacks any diversity. It's too rooted in the past and where are the females (apart from Agnetha and Frida)?
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Post by josef on Mar 6, 2020 20:07:29 GMT
Gosh, am shocked. Not even one ABBA track? How strange. I'd have at least four, maybe more. Possibly Benny's piano version of TDBYC.
One thing I've noticed recently is this - The Beatles aren't as revered as much as I thought they were these days, particularly by young people. This surprised me. Whereas going by some of the 'react to' videos on YouTube ABBA are very highly rated. Still, it's the internet, everyone has an agenda so who knows.
I'm not sure I can really contribute to this thread. Kate Bush would be in there as would Nick Drake and some classical. I simply don't think I could narrow it down. I'd have to literally be rushing to that lifeboat with only minutes to grab what I could.
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Post by josef on Mar 1, 2020 11:08:18 GMT
The Day Before The Train?
Sorry. I'll get me coat.
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Post by josef on Feb 29, 2020 18:37:42 GMT
I remember when I first saw this ad with Charlize Theron featuring "Marilyn Monroe" and other deceased movie stars. I was a little perurbed, I must say. All rather spooky.
I'm not sure about the ethics of it all.
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Post by josef on Feb 29, 2020 18:29:58 GMT
I don't think a humour thing would work. I'm reminded of Two For The Price Of One and how the 'joke' in that fell flat. ABBA don't really do comedy. Even Björn's description of Agnetha being 'as good as new' was cringeworthy. That isn't to say I don't think they all have a sense of humour. I'm sure they were in hysterics during the ABBA years (as exemplified by the many photos of them contorted with laughter).
Some of the suggestions here are right crackers!
I also like the idea of one or two words as a title. Pet Shop Boys did that a lot, too.
An 'insider' joke sounds fun but ultimately I'd prefer a serious approach. Mamma Mia! has made me long for ABBA to be taken seriously again.
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Post by josef on Feb 29, 2020 7:32:32 GMT
I've seen a little of that Whitney hologram and I wasn't massively impressed. The novelty soon wears off.
With the ABBA avatars, isn't the usp the fact that they're NOT holograms? I also read that the technology used is cutting edge, the very latest, that the images will be indistinguishable from the real thing? Totally lifelike? That's what I recall reading, anyway.
We'll find out soon enough. Perhaps the Whitney holograms aren't the latest technology can up with and what Simon Fuller is doing is? There's no doubt it's POSSIBLE to create something mind-blowingly amazing but it's all down to how much money you can afford to throw at something. It really is Money, Money, Money.
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Post by josef on Feb 27, 2020 19:25:39 GMT
In many years to come, it's possible that new fans may still discuss ABBA and it will all be new to them, you know?
That's assuming there will actually be new fans?! Are there forums discussing The Beatles, etc?
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Post by josef on Feb 27, 2020 19:20:56 GMT
A second disc with songs from 1982 isn't going to ever happen. That ship has sailed.
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Post by josef on Feb 26, 2020 17:12:30 GMT
ABBA~
That's all, folks
(and stop badgering us to release Just Like That-it ain't happening).
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Post by josef on Feb 25, 2020 21:38:20 GMT
'Slutet'.
Erm...perhaps not.
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Post by josef on Feb 25, 2020 21:33:49 GMT
My Reanimated suggestion was just a joke of course.
Um...I wouldn't go down the 'Departure' route as that word is used in the title of I Wonder and as orf pointed out using words that have links to previous titles is too cutesy.
I reckon the title might be a word like Fin or the Swedish equivalent for 'The End'. Or, as was often the case, they may choose the title of one of the songs.
All hypothetical but good fun nonetheless.
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