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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2019 17:24:13 GMT
What does everyone think of Cher's covers of ABBA songs within her album "Dancing Queen" ? I bought a copy last year and have regretted it. I listened to it once and that was enough. It is terrible. Normally, I don't mind Cher but not covering ABBA. These versions are inferior and sub-standard. Nobody can match Agnetha and Frida's vocal abilities. The same goes for "Mamma Mia" ( The Movie I & II ). A bunch of actors who cannot sing and completely make a hash of ABBA's classic songs. This clearly has tarnished ABBA's reputation and legacy. Now, nobody will view their music seriously. That is cause for concern.
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Post by josef on Sept 4, 2019 18:14:18 GMT
I quite like Cher, her roles in certain films and certainly a few of her songs, especially her early ones. However, I never thought of buying her ABBA covers album for a second, I listened to them on YouTube. They're not the worst ever but I was mostly unmoved. I could be wrong, but I found it all rather cynical, mostly because of her previous comment(s) about ABBA's music. Of course people are entitled to change their mind and I'm sure she must now appreciate the brilliance of ABBA's music. I don't really blame her jumping on the bandwagon (it's given her massive success) but it does seem rather tacky. Naturally, many people would disagree and because she and ABBA have a massive gay fan base, for many it will be a dream come true- a gay icon covering a legendary pop group's sublime hits is a match made in heaven. I disagree. The "match made in heaven" applies to Agnetha and Frida's combined voices.
As for Mamma Mia!, try as I might I'm just not a fan. I find the films cringeworthy and I don't feel they enhance ABBA's legacy. Once again, others will disagree and that's fine. I just wish their music was used in a less hysterical, "Oh look, we're all having such a marvellous time screeching and laughing at nothing in particular while bopping around to these silly songs" way.
Can't have it all, I suppose. I much prefer 'Muriel's Wedding' where the music was used in a really humourous and yet genuinely touching way with performances by actors portraying real pathos.
Just my opinion.
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Post by angela on Sept 5, 2019 3:03:01 GMT
I don't really like hearing other people sing ABBA's songs, I'm not to keen on those tribute bands either.
I was wondering if the 2 Mamma mia films would have been better if they had the songs in the movies instead of the people singing them, I did like the second Mamma Mia film though. Yes I prefer "Muriel's Wedding" it had more of a storyline that made people relate to it more and I liked how they did an Orchestral version of Dancing Queen as Muriel was looking in the Bridal store. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2019 7:35:44 GMT
I totally agree Angela. I respect Cher and like quite a few of her songs, but I don't think anyone can sing ABBA songs the way Agnetha and Frida do, let's face it, they set the bar very high!! The only way I think it can work is if it is done totally differently to the original. And I'm not a fan of the Mamma Mia films!! I don't like either the "happy, clappy" reputation ABBA's music seems to have. I mentioned before about The Winner Takes It All being sang on one of those 'Celebrities sing ABBA' programmes (these type of things by far are even worse than the Mamma Mia films)!!, the audience were clapping along and the vocalist was grinning like a cheshire cat???!! Yes of course Cher has a unique voice and I admire her very much, and a couple of the Mamma Mia actors can sing in tune, but as one who likes the intricacies of harmonies, backing vocals, emotional content etc, I prefer to hear the depth in ABBA's musicianship, if that's the right phrasing! I understand that Cher and Mamma Mia in particular have brought the music to a new audience, but sometimes I wonder at what cost? I just hope these 2 new songs don't come along with any gimmicky baggage, not sure about these ABBAtars myself. Does anyone have any ideas (as ABBA don't seem to want to appear in a video to accompany them), as to how the new songs could be presented? Sorry, went a bit off topic there!!
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Post by foreverfan on Sept 5, 2019 9:34:04 GMT
I’m not a great lover of Covers and rarely does that cover equal ABBA. However once in a while a good alternative does come along.
For me Cher’s version of One Of Us, being stripped right back, gives it a different but near equal footing with the original, in other words it’s good, the rest I can honestly take or leave, Fernando has a tongue in cheek element and is ok for the occasional listen.
Another good alternative version as already mentioned is the magical rendition of Dancing Queen from Muriel’s Wedding.. it’s so different it’s good.. would like it being played while I’m wheeled down the aisle atmy funeral ..lol followed by the original at the end..lol.. that’s just me..
but I don’t think we can dismiss all cover versions.. I’m sure there are other good ones out there..
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Post by josef on Sept 5, 2019 17:17:58 GMT
Yeah, I do actually quite like the production on One of Us. It's probably the best of the bunch.
One thing I will say is her voice is amazing at 72. She's very lucky. I'm not sure it's always to my taste (I wince a little at her pronunciation of heat and the "acshon"/concealed attracshon 😠. She also looks incredible, even with all the plastic surgery.
I watched an interview with her where she concedes her voice isn't really up to the range of Agnetha and Frida and how difficult the songs are to sing. She feels some were suitable for her voice and others were more difficult and challenging.
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