|
Post by josef on Feb 24, 2020 22:38:37 GMT
Well, that would be ideal, Richard, but unfortunately there is a strong likelihood that some people may rush to create threads and it'll all become a bit of a mish-mash.
This is where staying on topic is the way to go, or at least veering back to the original gist.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 23, 2020 18:30:29 GMT
ABBA- Reanimated.
That's not a bad idea at all- to create a thread for each of the two new songs.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 23, 2020 11:19:00 GMT
I don't think locking this thread is the way to go, although that's not my decision.
Either way, there'll be a flurry of activity once the new songs are released and hopefully not too many people will leap on it and start threads saying basically the same thing! What we'll need is possibly one new thread, entitled, "They're finally here!" or "New ABBA SONGS 2020" just to keep things neat and "tidy" 😆 fresh and in one place.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 23, 2020 11:12:09 GMT
I'm probably in the minority here but I wasn't keen on the cover for I Have A Dream. I found it unflattering. I liked the live version of Take A Chance On Me. I found it fascinating because up to that point I'd never truly heard ABBA live. Obviously it wasn't like the studio version and this was in the days before backing tracks being used in concerts and other "help". Considering the time it was recorded in, I don't think they sounded bad at all. In fact, I liked the raw feel of it, the less-than-perfect, unadulterated blood, sweat and tears-ness of it.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 22, 2020 13:55:00 GMT
I seem to recall that Agnetha was known for being quite fiery? Obviously behind the scenes. In front of the camera and in interviews they were all the epitome of class and deportment.
I also seem to recall someone, perhaps one of the backing band, saying Agnetha and/or Frida were not averse to swearing like troopers? I may have got that wrong? Or perhaps it was Agnetha as a younger woman? Either way, I find that refreshing and not a criticism at all. Of course now we can see Agnetha is simply class and grace personified. To me, she always appears so composed, gentle, funny, sweet and natural with just a hint of shyness. An absolute star. That goes for her and Frida.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 22, 2020 11:28:45 GMT
She may not have thrown any television sets out of hotel windows but I'd bet a pound to a penny she might have raided the odd minibar.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 22, 2020 3:36:59 GMT
It all seems so innocent now and indeed it was. Björn is on record as saying Agnetha wasn't 'trying' to be sexy, she just was. In the same vein I recall Frida saying something along the lines of how they were considered sexy but that it wasn't something they consciously did- that unlike stars of today they weren't trying to make a 'thing' of it- and I totally agree. Agnetha and Frida didn't need to resort to exploiting their physical attributes- their talent was enough. Even so, there's no denying how stunning they were. As for the costumes in ABBA in Switzerland.....well, I thought they looked fantastic. Their figures really were amazing. Legs that went on forever, etc. I mean, seriously? They looked like that AND sang like angels! Truly gifted.
One thing I must point out (that is obvious to us hardcore fans) is how beautiful Frida was (is). I know Agnetha seemed to get the lion's share of attention and of course she was a stunning woman, but Frida (during ABBA's heyday) was very beautiful indeed if people bothered to truly look, you know?
Anyway, I digress.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 21, 2020 14:04:14 GMT
"They dress tidy". 😆
Skin-tight satin and spandex showing off all your bits and pieces, anyone?
ABBA were actually quite saucy .
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 21, 2020 13:57:56 GMT
Erm...hello? Two words : SCHOOL CHOIR.
An abomination whichever way you look at it.
The song itself is cringe. I can't stand that intro-it makes my ears hurt. I DO NOT see "something good in everything I see". Björn obviously had a day off. Frida sings it well, of course- when doesn't she? It's a song of 'hope' but it falls short. I can cope with it now, just about, but I can absolutely get why someone would dislike it. St Winifrid's Choir might have cornered the market in grim school choirs but this isn't far behind.
I went to a spiritualist church one time (for a laugh) and this was one of the songs the elderly congregation sang along to. I think I was supposed to perceive this as a "sign" from beyond. 😆
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 20, 2020 20:11:47 GMT
Or Ian McCulloch from Echo and the Bunnyman.
That kind of bloke.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 20, 2020 20:06:29 GMT
Nope. I wish I could remember who it was. It was someone like the lead singer of The Verve or someone like that. An "indie" person.
I know what you mean about the gusto in the chorus and Benny slamming the piano keys. A little restraint wouldn't have gone amiss at times.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 20, 2020 19:32:26 GMT
Gosh. I'm shocked because I think you all express yourselves very well indeed!
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 20, 2020 19:27:26 GMT
People complain about the outro but to me it's one of the wonderful things about the song -it's a thing of beauty. In fact, I can't remember who it was but a pop star from years ago once said how much he liked the outro but that the rest of the song was s**t. I happen to strongly disagree with that opinion, though. To me, it's a truly lovely song. I remember listening to it on a transistor radio under the covers as a teenager and I was enraptured. It was sooooooo beautiful to me! I don't have that same feeling anymore, sadly, but I still appreciate it. Now Fernando...that's a whole different ball game. That intro can actually make me cry a little. It's so wistful and yearning. Oh, the pathos. And then Frida's voice like velvet. Well, what's not to love?
As a double A side Fernando/Chiquitita would have been a cracker.
I guess they could both could be considered schlager-ish? Like that's a bad thing?! I detest musical snobbery. I hear people say things like oompa pa pa or whatever. So what? Songs like this, with a catchy melody and a simplicity are what people have, for hundreds of years, sang and danced around campfires to! And you're going to dismiss that because it's not "cool"? Get out of here.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 20, 2020 15:49:49 GMT
Nothing will convince me that Frida isn't drunk here. She's all over the place and her eyes are glazed. It's so obvious. Good for her, though. A few too many backstage and this is what happens. Just proves she's only human.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 19, 2020 21:00:54 GMT
They all liked a tipple.
Also, isn't it true that Agnetha and/or Frida once joked that occasionally they would smell marijuana and jokingly said they'd take a deep breath before going on stage? Words to that effect. I hope someone can confirm this. It shows they had a great sense of humour and that if they ever encountered such substances they were adult about it. To me, I imagine that there MUST have been someone around them indulging, even if it was only a roadie or a rigger or whatever. No big deal.
Many years ago a friend of mine tried to say to me that ABBA's music was so amazing that they must have taken drugs to create it. After I picked my jaw up off the floor I insisted that although I didn't think the members were saints I very much doubt they'd ever go in for hardcore drugs. I still believe this.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 19, 2020 17:39:39 GMT
I've heard it, but can't recall when or where. Wasn't keen. Forgettable. Not my cup of tea. Like most fans, I'm not keen on absolutely everything ABBA recorded- most of it, but certainly not all.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 18, 2020 23:18:14 GMT
I hate Facebook. It's like a conveyor belt. "Come on, hurry up, move along. ..click on an emoticon, post a brief platitude and move on. Next!" It sucks. It's no fun. Not to me, anyway. No one properly engages with anyone, it's all so shallow. Mind you, I'm not so sure anyone really does so to any real degree here, either. Still, at least there are bursts of real debate. It's a shame more people don't bother....I see people 'lurking' constantly but never posting. No idea why.
I think the old abba4ever site was truly the halcyon days. Unlikely to see them again, even with the two new songs coming up.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 18, 2020 22:51:59 GMT
I'm not sure but I think I heard The Winner Takes It All on Coronation Street once. I've definitely heard the odd ABBA song in the soaps (on the rare occasion I tune in).
Talking of ABBA's music being used in tv shows, last night I watched the very first episode of Black Mirror, Fitfteen Million Merits, and I Have A Dream is featured. Not ABBA's version, though.
Just letting you know.
ABBA's music really is woven into the fabric of society.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 17, 2020 22:31:12 GMT
The Elephant Man makes great use of Adagio for Strings.
The film itself is extremely moving, too.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 17, 2020 22:22:38 GMT
I hear ya, bro! *echo...echo...echo*
Yes, I saw a post recently that you deleted. It was quite lengthy. Something about the Agnetha and Frida picture threads? How many, etc. Your knowledge impressed me! When I looked later, it had disappeared into thin air! 😮
You don't half remind me of my old pal from the old abbasite. Similar sense of humour.
I suppose we should be grateful there is this forum as so many places have folded on the net. Bloody Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have cornered the market in social media.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 17, 2020 22:15:32 GMT
I'm here to defend Thank You For The Music. It gets an unfair thrashing. People forget the CONTEXT. It's part of a mini-musical and purposely tongue-in-cheek. It's not MEANT to be taken literally. Not really. It's not self-congratulatory. Having said that, it's not one of my favourites. However...only the biggest curmudgeon could deny Agnetha's prowess on the lead vocal. It's exceptional. The WAY she sings it. Wow. That's artistry, right there.
Another 'however'...it is trotted out far too often. But I guess that was aways going to be the case.
I Have A Dream. Well, I made peace with it. But I can fully understand why someone might think it's an abomination.
Weird thing is. ..they get people singing along. I bet even the biggest haters would be lighters aloft, swaying away, belting them out whilst sighing at the sight of "the girls".
What was the question again? Oh yeah. Nah. I think Take A Chance On Me was a stand alone track.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 17, 2020 22:06:02 GMT
Oh and onlyabbaforme a lot of the songs you mention already have a video or at least a performance by ABBA available somewhere. I meant ones where there is NO footage of the group singing the song at all.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 17, 2020 22:01:26 GMT
I'm not sure he realises you were mainly responding to onlyabbaforme and not just my wonderful quip.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 16, 2020 11:12:22 GMT
^I already suggested the avatars could be used to make videos for old ABBA songs, specifically ones without an official video. I think it could be fun. I'd like to see 'Agnetha' and 'Frida' singing 'Angeleyes', for instance. Why not? I am kind of puristy but the technology is here and it ain't going away so embrace it I say. It's going to happen whether we like it or not.
The one thing it will do will make the actual recordings of ABBA singing more special.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 15, 2020 12:49:39 GMT
Isn't Björn just adorable here?
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 14, 2020 22:30:33 GMT
Ooh you are orful 😆
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 14, 2020 22:27:50 GMT
I always liked the music from Blade Runner. Also the theme from Midnight Express. The songs from The Graduate still resonate with me, too.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 13, 2020 15:50:05 GMT
Have to agree. That's their worst album cover. It's in the running for worst album cover of all time, actually. Truly hideous. Whoever decided on that needs sacking. They all look a state. Frida's make up is hideous and the blokes look ridiculous.
Apart from that, I like it. Joke. I hate it.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 11, 2020 23:59:37 GMT
Oh, Richard. I echo your feelings. Indeed. A final masterpiece. Something more than just ABBA GOLD.
The group need/deserve this. Something to cement their legacy and do away with Mamma Mia! and any other dubious associations once and for all. Yes, I know they've been inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and so on...they have the museum...but one final, classy retrospective, just as you described.
I suppose there's no harm in dreaming. It's just a tad frustrating because I can see it in my mind's eye. Why can't they? Oh, well.
|
|
|
Post by josef on Feb 11, 2020 23:51:19 GMT
How have I missed this topic?! Great fun.
Be warned, though. I am thinking of giving it a go. 😳
|
|