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Post by 15/11/79 on Apr 23, 2015 21:03:48 GMT
Does it come across as just a little bit self indulgent? Surely somewhere film of the whole TGWTGH part is stored and can be pieced together. As could a whole '77 concert. Chelsea charger - that's a good point. It's been said many times that the mini-musical reflected Frida's real life situation, leaving her hometown and her young family to follow her musical career. Regarding the availability of the mini-musical on film, one person could find out for sure, and that's Carl Magnus Palm. Maybe his current research for the new book might be a good opportunity to find out, I'm sure a phone call to Lasse Hallstrom would provide the answer!
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Post by 15/11/79 on Apr 23, 2015 17:12:49 GMT
I think it's time a thread was created for this 'mini-musical'. Benny & Bjorn testing the waters for the musical world with this addition to the 1977 tour.
1. Thank You for the Music 2. I Wonder (Departure) 3. I'm A Marionette 4. Get On the Carousel
It's been well-documented that audiences were puzzled by this segment, it seemed out-of-place with the rest of the show. What do members of this forum who attended the 1977 concerts remember of that performance?
Briton Francis Matthews was chosen to interlink the four tracks, some of his narrative as follows: 'magic was hanging like smoke in the air - and suddenly you see her - she's there: The Girl with the Golden Hair!' 'but now on departing, uncertainty is starting - she's feeling a little bit - down' 'the journey from heaven to hell - Get on the Carousel!'
It's hard to find much information on this mini-musical. We have the clips from the Movie, which I think are great. Can't believe we haven't a released clip of the mini-musical in its entirety after all these years.
The bootleg audio clips on YouTube have a lengthy music section with a lot of drumming, to which, I believe the girls perform a dance routine.
Was this mini-musical a mistake? Did it detract from the overall concert experience (like T. Ledin's awful appearance in the 1979 gigs)?
Benny is on the record as saying it probably 'confused' audiences who were expecting to hear hit after hit, instead of seeing both girls wearing blonde wigs and performing previously unheard tracks.
I personally think it was a bold, brave move. The live version of I Wonder (Departure) is one of my all-time favourites.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Jan 26, 2015 11:06:28 GMT
Thanks for the feedback, Roxy. I wonder if you managed to get your hands on one of those hastily-withdrawn WAISAD singles? I managed to collect most of the Aussie singles over the years, and the quality of the sleeves was easily the best of any country, good quality board. RCA did change the format later on to the plastic sleeve with double-sided picture insert. My all-time favourite picture sleeve is RCA Knowing Me, Knowing You - classy. The Japanese singles have nice pictures, but a single insert in a plastic sleeve looks like a cheap option from Discomate. The European sleeves, especially the Dutch, were quite nice, too. Regarding your theory on the Movie, I think you hit the nail on the head - most UK fans would instantly recognise the Wembley photo (which was everywhere in Dec '79, on the cover of the No.2 hit single, I Have A Dream). Still doesn't work for me, though!
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Post by 15/11/79 on Jan 25, 2015 22:28:17 GMT
Wonder if it will make it 700 weeks by next weekend??
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Post by 15/11/79 on Jan 25, 2015 22:26:52 GMT
They should have carried out proper research, consulted real fans or experts before finalising the artwork. It is very frustrating when material is treated in this fashion and nobody is held accountable. Wasn't 'When All Is Said and Done' incorrectly labelled 'When All Is Said Is Done' by RCA in Australia? And whilst we're on the subject of marketing 'mistakes', I couldn't believe the UK and Ireland didn't get a first picture sleeve single until the summer of 1979 with Voulez-Vous/Angeleyes. Australia and practically every country in continental Europe had those fantastic picture sleeves for all new releases, careless and shoddy marketing by Epic Records.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Jan 23, 2015 12:46:50 GMT
Yeah, that was the cover of the VHS tape here in Ireland and the UK. Hated the way they used a 1979 photo on the cover - very poor design.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 30, 2014 19:05:02 GMT
She still has that great voice!
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 28, 2014 20:07:37 GMT
This image reminds me so much of London in March 1978. The Movie had just been released and this image was plastered all over the tube station walls, in every station. When the train stopped along the route, it was great to see multiple copies of this image on each station's walls. Definitely at the peak of their powers that time, with TACOM having hit No.1 and The Album also occupying the top spot. If you ventured into any if the shops at the same time, ABBA - The Soap was on sale. Happy memories.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 26, 2014 20:29:53 GMT
As the years go by is it fair to say that Benny was the tunesmith, the melody maker for all the wonderful tunes, whereas Bjorn was the lyricist, the man with a way with words?
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 26, 2014 20:25:23 GMT
Is there any video footage of this live performance available anywhere? Hard to believe a concert tour of Europe and Australia and still nothing online after all these years. Would love to see it, just once!
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 22, 2014 18:34:14 GMT
Look at that photo! Never saw it before - the 1977 tour outfits but looking at Frida, definitely a few years later, fuzzy hair. Great shot, though.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 21, 2014 12:53:34 GMT
Well summarised Roxy. The Brit awards - yes, it is surprising. It would have been a nice touch if they were awarded a lifetime achievement award, perhaps this year with the 40th anniversary. They might do it in the future, perhaps?
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 20, 2014 12:51:47 GMT
Revisiting the 'Djupa Andetag' album a lot recently. It's such an underrated album. So many striking tracks and very original. Great production, too. Frida in top form. Arguably the best of all the post-ABBA albums.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 18, 2014 22:36:09 GMT
In London last week, passed this great building - The Royal Albert Hall where ABBA played 2 shows in February 1977. 3.5 million ticket applications were received!
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 18, 2014 13:46:50 GMT
Well deserved for ABBA, obviously, but the Sex Pistols? Really? Sometimes I wonder about these judging panels, but it's nice to see the Fab Four getting more recognition in the US - it must make them proud even it it's 38 years later.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 14, 2014 10:10:08 GMT
From this morning's Irish Mail on Sunday newspaper (December 14th)
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 9, 2014 20:31:21 GMT
Stig. He's rarely talked about. What is the man's legacy? A genius who managed and cultivated an iconic worldwide group of superstars or a ruthless businessman who fell out with the group members over financial affairs and ended his relationship with the members in acrimony, tainting his legacy? I don't know the details of the final years very well but it's fascinating all the same. He passed away a good while ago so maybe it's ok now to assess the mark he made during those crucial, formative years in the early seventies. What do you think?
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Post by 15/11/79 on Dec 6, 2014 23:46:09 GMT
She's a legend - a great lady.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Nov 15, 2014 12:04:00 GMT
Amazing photos from Melbourne Town Hall. Thanks for sharing, Roxy.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Nov 14, 2014 18:45:53 GMT
Hard to believe it's 35 years to the day that I had the honour of seeing ABBA's only live show in my home country. Special memories of that November night in 1979. Just browsing through the souvenir program - one of my prized possessions!
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Post by 15/11/79 on Nov 4, 2014 21:41:30 GMT
Good work by the Beeb - thanks for sharing, Roxy.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Nov 2, 2014 16:59:56 GMT
The cover of this album caught my eye. I really only noticed it after Greatest Hits came out in mid 1976. I thought it had Mamma Mia and SOS so it can't be bad. And it wasn't. The only track I didn't really like was Man In The Middle, which is just a filler with bad lyrics.
Hey Hey Helen still holds up well today, love the backing vocals and drum-beat. Definitely a stand-out song.
I think the three-in-a-row of Rock Me/Intermezzo No1/I've Been Waiting For You work really well. When they performed Rock Me on that German TV special it was magical.
Intermezzo No1 showcases Benny's piano playing and it's a nice catchy instrumental.
I've been waiting for you - the live performance in the Movie is exceptional, just made me appreciate what a beautiful ballad this is, and Agnetha does a heartfelt, powerful vocal. Should have been a massive hit. To have it relegated to the b-side of So Long was just criminal.
A massive step up from the Waterloo album, good solid pop classics - a great release.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Nov 1, 2014 8:02:34 GMT
I think it's a good idea, Roxy. If you go to all the trouble of collecting, arranging and displaying your memorabilia, why shouldn't you receive a little credit? A good example would be the ABBA videos created on YouTube by Shaymen - there's a little image of his logo throughout the videos, so you are always aware of who took the time and effort to create it.
Martin, Ireland.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 31, 2014 14:03:24 GMT
First time seeing the tour rehearsal footage - an absolute treat. This makes me even more eager to see the full 'I'm a Marionette' and mini-musical in its entirety. Maybe Lasse Hallestrom has a copy in his attic?
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 31, 2014 13:56:10 GMT
Surprisingly, Fernando is a stand-out track for me. I think Frida delivers a great vocal performance. After that it would have to be I'm Still Alive - great to have a quality recording and Agnetha sounds like she's giving everything. Finally, I have a Dream - sounds better live than the studio version.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 30, 2014 20:27:28 GMT
Wow - so many rare photos. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 30, 2014 14:40:23 GMT
Probably the most perfect pop album ever - from start to finish. After hearing this, I needed no convincing that ABBA were the real deal - international superstars and classic song-writers. My thoughts as follows:
1. When I Kissed The Teacher: Superb opener. The mandolin, catchy tune, great vocals. 'One of these days...' Agnetha in fine form. Could have been a single in its own right. Even the ending: 'I wanna hug, hug, hug' - perfect track.
2. Dancing Queen: Where to start? The iconic ABBA song. Layers of lush harmonies, sparking piano, brilliant. Up there with the all-time great pop songs. Their masterpiece.
3. My Love, My Life: Showcases Agnetha's vocals really well. One of my all time favourites. Love the bells. Benny once said they struggled with this track and how it turned out, but I have to disagree. A belter.
4. Dum Dum Diddle. Ok - we all know the title is ridiculous and the lyrics are a bit naff. But the tune - stunning. Still sounds classy all these years later. 'But it's bad...' Followed by that instrument that I cannot name, but I love it. A great, great pop song.
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You What an 'intelligent', well-crafted song. From start to finish, fantastic. Frida is the perfect choice for lead vocal. Love Agnetha's whispered 'good days, bad days'. A1 track.
6. Money, Money, Money This song was made for Frida. Timeless chorus and great piano, evoking memories if cabaret and Moulin Rouge. Has aged well, great pop classic.
7. That's Me. Could have been a single. Brilliant use of layering and harmonies. Another gem.
8. Why Did It Have To Be Me? A rocking track, not one of my favourites at the time of release but having seen the live version in the Movie and live on stage in Dublin reaffirmed the fact that it is a thumping track, full of energy and oomph. Frida does an amazing live performance.
9. Tiger: Why do I never tire of this song? Brilliant. From the opening guitar riffs to the strong drumming and the magical 'yellow eyes' section. Vocally superb. Another missed single release. Great video too. 10/10.
10. Arrival Wasn't expecting this. An instrumental. Reminds me of Scotland whenever it hear it. Like the way the girls voices gently blend into the track. Good close to a great album.
I have always said Arrival is 33 minutes of perfect pop. In my opinion the best pop album EVER released. A band at the peak of their greatness. I still play this album on a regular basis and can pick me up if I'm feeling down. 10/10.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 29, 2014 23:04:37 GMT
On the BBC iPlayer app there are four Abba related programmes which are available ; click the link below for more... Abba Fans Blog
Alan Southampton UK Thanks for the heads up, Alan. Alas only available on iPlayer within the UK, but fortunately was able to record ABBA night on BBC4 tv last week so it was great to enjoy those programs again.
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 29, 2014 22:53:30 GMT
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Post by 15/11/79 on Oct 29, 2014 22:43:42 GMT
This album is SUBLIME. I adore it. This darker, more thoughtful side of ABBA is just brilliant. If you include the bonus tracks, this CD contains my top three ABBA songs: 1 - The Visitors; 2 - The Day Before You Came; and 3 - "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room." I wasn't wild about the singles chosen, if I'm honest. "One Of Us" was a good choice, but I think that they played it so safe with "Head Over Heels" that even the public wasn't convinced. But who cares when you have a complete set as brilliant as this one? The bonus tracks on the deluxe edition are fantastic too and it allows me to make the running order of the album even more amazing by replacing "Head Over Heels" with "The Day Before You Came" and "Two For The Price Of One" with "Should I Laugh Or Cry?" (To be clear, I still like HOH and TFTPOO). The cover is their most beautiful and I wish that more photos from that session were published, especially some solo head shots. I expressed my thoughts about this album far more clearly in a blog post last year - it's here if you want to take a look: hometimemusic.blogspot.ie/2013/09/albums-i-love-series-2-visitors-by-abba.htmlTony Ireland Tony - the review of The Visitors on your blog is one of the most interesting, thorough and articulate reviews of any ABBA album I have read in a long time. Well done.
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