ABBA Voyage: General Discussion 2023-24

Boooo
Come on Benny pull something out the bag for a final time for the fans and we would all be happy to say goodbye ( well most of us ) and you can get back to BAO...

It's the perfect time to say a final goodbye and enjoy the rest of their lives......

I think that for Benny it's maybe more about the money than the music nowadays when it comes to ABBA. (And, by the way, I've no objection to already rich people acquiring still more money.) I can certainly see how it would be a no-no for ABBA to present a new song at the 2024 ESC, for example. So it'll probably end up with one or more of them doing a short video wishing the contestants good luck in the 50th year "we won it".

I'm guessing BAO means more to Benny in terms of his musical life now; and maybe he regards ABBA-related activities as an occasional and reluctantly-accepted obligation. So I won't hold my breath in the hope Benny will do anything new musically with ABBA for their 50th anniversary.

In all fairness it was Benny's own son, Ludwig, who started this discussion/rumour, saying how much they enjoyed writing and recording new songs together, and questioning why they wouldn't continue in some way. Then Bjorn said they were looking at creative ways of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Eurovision, and not just rereleasing stuff. So, it's not the fault of the fans for this recent speculation. But, yes, releasing the two unfinished songs would be nice, even if part of a deluxe package.

 

It seemed to me a rather low energy, almost disinterested, interview from Bjorn, as if he had talked about Voyage too many times. Or maybe he was feeling a bit under the weather.

Regarding his point-blank ruling out of any new music from ABBA - however 'new' might be interpreted - could there still be a smidgen of hope that they might be holding back to surprise us one last time? In an attempt to dampen down speculation a bit, Bjorn is hardly going to say "There might be something in the pipeline, music-wise, to celebrate our 50th anniversary of winning Eurovision. And then, of course, that really will be it".

I know - clutching at straws.

^^^Johnny..
Ironically it could just be the length between TV and V... 40 years of hope was perhaps to long.. if those 40 years had been scattered say every 10, with odd track or album, who knows....
Ifs buts maybes... it's not that I don't like the album, in the right context all the tracks are ok, great I'm not to sure...time will tell, I think once this 50th anniversary has come and gone and we are more settled, and can live with what we have......

^ Imagine ALL of last year's entries being upstaged by Ukraine.

Eurovision Winners now are at best just one hit wonders and one week wonders at that.

Who knows perhaps next year's winner might be remembered for the act that won when ABBA were present.

I guess it would be unfair for ABBA to upstage whoever wins. At the same time I would like some kind of "thankyou, that's it and goodbye" next year.

I am not expecting or even want new music or thosr two unreleased songs.

 A result determined by an international public vote - this wouldn't be the case were ABBA to appear.

When you consider that work on 'Voyage' ceased in late August 2021 (as per Benny's comment regarding the final mix of "Keep An Eye On Dan"), it will soon be 2 years since any actual ABBA-related writing and recording was undertaken - to our knowledge.

There has been much fan speculation about the 2 unreleased 'Voyage' outtakes but we simply don't know whether they were not considered good enough for inclusion or if they were intentionally held back for future release. Benny did say in 2021 that these were both worthwhile songs but incomplete at that stage. I seem to recall him making similar comments about "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Don't Shut Me Down" soon after the April 2018 announcement - and that was 10 months after they had been recorded (in June 2017), let alone written. I think he reiterated this in late 2018/early 2019, referencing that orchestration was still required, along with some additional flourishes - i.e. this guy works at his own pace these days.

It should also not be forgotten that Bernard Löhr referred to several outtakes prior to the album's release in November 2021, which may indicate there were more than 2 unreleased songs. Perhaps there were additional 'lesser' songs that did not near completion but could be recycled at some stage?

For all we know, Benny may have been tinkering away during the last couple of years, with or without Bjorn/Bernard, so there could be compositions/recordings at various stages of completion. I often wonder if Bjorn wrote alongside Benny these days, whether he might encourage Benny to utilise more of his musical ideas that perhaps Benny simply discards? Benny has said in recent years that much of what he composes is unusable, retaining only a small percentage that he considers to be of any merit. I would be keen for these two to be in the same room, working as they did in the 1970's, sparring and pushing each other in a creative way - even if for just a few weeks here and there. I imagine much could be achieved if they would just focus on an album project with a particular timeframe in mind.

If an announcement or single release were to coincide with Eurovision 2024, a potential album release would not need to occur until November/December 2024, which effectively gives them 18 months to get their act together - that's if the impetus is there but who knows?

The reality is that they are all now nearing an age when this will not be possible for much longer. When the 4.5 year-gestation period of 'Voyage' is considered, there is an apparent degree of deterioration in the girls' vocals - just compare the chorus of "Don't Shut Me Down" with "When You Danced With Me". Whilst I'm fond of the latter, the vocals do sound a little shrill and definitely less fluid than those on the former. No bad thing, of course, but it's a reminder within the same body of work that time marches on.

Bjorn seems resigned to the idea that Benny carries the deciding vote no matter the venture, whilst Agnetha and Frida seem cautiously optimistic but unwilling to challenge Mr Grumpy. I wonder what would happen if the ladies actually made an appeal to Benny, referencing that time is finite and that they would like to have one last chapter together? Would they be dismissed outright or would he be true to his comment from late 2021 that he could have his arm twisted? Ludvig seems to have provided a potential clue with his recent comment about the possibility of another album, although he essentially retracted the comment on the spot. I don’t believe for a moment that this was a faux pas on his part but rather quite deliberate. One can only speculate at this stage but even that holds a certain fascination – and sense of hopefulness.

Benny is working on a new BAO Album. One never knows, if and what material he has in his brain or drawer which he might use for this album, maybe the "Recycling" already has begun...

Somehow I have a feeling that we will see something with the ABBAtares at the 2024 ESC

The avuncular cuddlebunny schtick [/quote]


This is the first time in years I needed to google 3 English words in one sentence 😂
I hope to add them to my vocabulary 😁

Maybe it is the age... I mean, "Little Things" and "Bumblebee" for examples, would have suited much better on a BAO album but maybe Benny as a composer is not planning far in the future anymore, so if he has an idea and has a melody, hook, whatever... in mind, he will not keep it any longer in the drawer for future projects.

Björn, Benny and Frida have attended the first anniversary night… no Agnetha. Disappointing, though Benny must be pleased as it takes the heat off him.

I'm pretty certain that the comment was referencing the fact that Benny was not facing the situation on his own as he was flanked by both Frida and Bjorn. I don't believe it was meant as a sleight against Agnetha - just re-read the comment in context.

I don't think Agnetha not appearing at the first anniversary of the Voyage show is a big deal. If she failed to turn up at the opening night then it would have been.

There's no reason for Benny to be diplomatic in his responses. As he rightly pointed out we got a new show and new album. Should he feel demands for more as a compliment? No not really.
Maybe just accept the individual personalies and not "He should say this, or she should do that"

Having said that I would like *something* to mark the 50th Anniversary next year. Maybe just a statement saying "That's it. No more and thank you" a line needs to be drawn for recognising ABBA's achievements and the next stage of their individual lives.

I am not expecting any new music - or the release of the two unfinished songs at all.