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Post by HOMETIME on Sept 21, 2021 18:19:27 GMT
Abba sound engineer Bernard was interviewed in Sweden this week. He said 2 songs were recorded in 2017, a few more in 2019 and the rest this year. More songs than on the album we're recorded, but the group were not happy with them so will not be released. He also says on some songs the girls sound as young as ever and little things, the Christmas song is a ballad. This post popped back into my head earlier. Given the timeline that is mentioned, I wonder whether we'd have had an album if the project hadn't been delayed by the technical issues and Covid? If the two songs had just been released on schedule, would we be looking forward to anything more? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2021 19:06:48 GMT
Interview with Bjorn. Final part is interesting. He says regarding the tour they may sound different as Agnetha and Frida sing in a lower key now. He explained that the concert will feature a mixture of live music and pre-recorded elements, with a live band augmenting the "Abba avatars" on stage. "Some of the songs may sound different - singers Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad now sing "one tone lower than they used to" - but he said the group "laughed all the time" during rehearsals." www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58643787.amp |
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Post by bennybjorn on Sept 21, 2021 21:40:31 GMT
Interesting to hear the sales of albums by Sheeran and Adkins.
Most albums can hit #1 these days with anything between 10 and 30,000 sales.
The likes of Swift are closer to 100,000. Didn't realise Sheeran and Adkins manage above half a million, with second week sales still in the hundreds of thousands.
And also didn't realise Voyage is likely to be well over 100,000 and possibly 200,000.
Most legacy bands can sell out massive tours, and have very successful best-of's but their new studio albums tend to sell in v modest numbers e.g. those by the likes of McCartney, Dylan and Sting.
Guess the main difference for Abba is the 40-year gap.
If they do manage a follow-up, sales may drop down to the level of their contemporaries. But let's focus on Voyage for now!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2021 23:00:32 GMT
^You are right about legacy acts.
Just since 2000, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Kylie, Paul Heaton/Jacqui Abbott have all had #1 albums
It would be a shame if ABBA couldn't just because of timing.
I think with these Acts people are interested in their Greatest Hits or tours. It is only 'diehards' that buy new studio albums.
ABBA though likely to get huge sales week one. Then drop off with sales. They are not likely to be a contender for #1 for several weeks. They are a legacy/retro/vintage act.
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Post by hejiranyc on Sept 22, 2021 2:54:01 GMT
Interview with Bjorn. Final part is interesting. He says regarding the tour they may sound different as Agnetha and Frida sing in a lower key now. He explained that the concert will feature a mixture of live music and pre-recorded elements, with a live band augmenting the "Abba avatars" on stage. "Some of the songs may sound different - singers Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad now sing "one tone lower than they used to" - but he said the group "laughed all the time" during rehearsals." www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58643787.ampInteresting! So I guess this means we are getting all new vocals, which makes me hopeful that they may release a "live" album at some point in the future. Even back in their prime they lowered the keys of some songs in concert, so it shouldn't be too jarring. My mind reels at how 70-year-old Agnetha sounds on a really range-y, demanding melody like "Chiquitita." |
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Post by hejiranyc on Sept 22, 2021 3:14:04 GMT
Abba sound engineer Bernard was interviewed in Sweden this week. He said 2 songs were recorded in 2017, a few more in 2019 and the rest this year. More songs than on the album we're recorded, but the group were not happy with them so will not be released. He also says on some songs the girls sound as young as ever and little things, the Christmas song is a ballad. This post popped back into my head earlier. Given the timeline that is mentioned, I wonder whether we'd have had an album if the project hadn't been delayed by the technical issues and Covid? If the two songs had just been released on schedule, would we be looking forward to anything more? That's an interesting question! Clearly they were not planning on recording an album at the outset. Based on the timeline above, it seems plausible that they considered themselves finished after the first two songs (which is why they did no recording in 2018). So, yeah... if the show was staged in 2019 as planned, they probably would not have seen the point of working on more new material. Everything happens for a reason! |
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Post by foreverfan on Sept 22, 2021 8:28:10 GMT
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Post by Alan on Sept 22, 2021 10:42:40 GMT
^You are right about legacy acts. Just since 2000, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Kylie, Paul Heaton/Jacqui Abbott have all had #1 albums And don’t forget Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, who have inexplicably had three number one albums (and a number two) in recent years with album titles that all use the word “together” somewhere. It’s wonderful that all those acts you mention have had number ones, but some of them did see quite a hefty fall from the top and a short chart life. It does de-value it a bit. Still prestigious, but more so if overall sales hold up. It’s hard to imagine ABBA not being number one. Sheeran may be at the top of his game commercially, but it is just another album. He’s famous more for being phenomenally successful than the actual records themselves. In the crazy world we live in, he’d probably get death threats on Twitter if he beats them to number one. |
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Post by lamont on Sept 22, 2021 11:07:49 GMT
Does anyone remember a few years ago we were going to get a digital download of The Girl With The Golden Hair from 77 shows and then it was never to be mentioned again. I was thinking that they may use recordings from the live shows in 77 if they use any of the songs in new show. Be good to see/hear Get On The Carousel anyway.
Plus, with the new poster with ABBA as voyagers, maybe this will be different to just a Greatest Hits show, as Bjorn Again have monopolised that, maybe there will be a narrative running through it, I can imagine a spaceship hovering and The Visitors opening the show and leading into I Am The City. More like Kate Bush live show, and not concentrating merely on the hits till later in the show.
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Post by bennybjorn on Sept 22, 2021 12:11:03 GMT
^You are right about legacy acts. Just since 2000, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Kylie, Paul Heaton/Jacqui Abbott have all had #1 albums And don’t forget Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, who have inexplicably had three number one albums (and a number two) in recent years with album titles that all use the word “together” somewhere. It’s wonderful that all those acts you mention have had number ones, but some of them did see quite a hefty fall from the top and a short chart life. It does de-value it a bit. Still prestigious, but more so if overall sales hold up. It’s hard to imagine ABBA not being number one. Sheeran may be at the top of his game commercially, but it is just another album. He’s famous more for being phenomenally successful than the actual records themselves. In the crazy world we live in, he’d probably get death threats on Twitter if he beats them to number one. A number one album has never been easier to achieve. All kinds of minor acts manage it these days. This week the current number 1 has sold just 6,200 copies and is unlikely to sell much more than 10,000 by Friday. Whether you manage a number one largely depends on what else is released in the same week. You might need fewer than 10,000 sales one week or over 100,000 the following one. Whether Voyage hangs around in the top 10 (and has a chance of number 1 some time after its release) depends on the success of subsequent singles. If the Christmas song is an airplay hit, the album could float to the top in early Jan when you typically get the lowest sales of the year. |
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Post by Alan on Sept 22, 2021 12:21:38 GMT
Does anyone remember a few years ago we were going to get a digital download of The Girl With The Golden Hair from 77 shows and then it was never to be mentioned again. I was thinking that they may use recordings from the live shows in 77 if they use any of the songs in new show. Be good to see/hear Get On The Carousel anyway. Plus, with the new poster with ABBA as voyagers, maybe this will be different to just a Greatest Hits show, as Bjorn Again have monopolised that, maybe there will be a narrative running through it, I can imagine a spaceship hovering and The Visitors opening the show and leading into I Am The City. More like Kate Bush live show, and not concentrating merely on the hits till later in the show. I’d love that, but I think the show is designed for the masses. I imagine it to be the majority (but not all) of the songs on Gold, the two new songs, plus a few surprises from their back catalogue (ie. album tracks). Kate Bush had two song suites that dominated her show. ABBA don’t have that (other than The Girl With The Golden Hair, but I think we’ll just get the one obvious song from that). |
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Post by Alan on Sept 22, 2021 13:07:46 GMT
Does anyone remember a few years ago we were going to get a digital download of The Girl With The Golden Hair from 77 shows and then it was never to be mentioned again. I don’t remember that exact rumour (which is all it was), but I do remember someone on a previous forum stating that the 1977 live recordings (with or without overdubs done for ABBA The Movie) would be released as a live album. Someone claimed to have insider knowledge and it was definitely happening, but nothing more was ever heard of it. I doubt there was any truth in it. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Sept 22, 2021 13:56:03 GMT
I think it was spoken about in the wake of the Wembley album. People got their hopes up about a 1977 live album. I think Ludvig Andersson said that they had looked into doing it but, in the end, there were too many technical issues to make it possible. Maybe Ludvig was too focused on making an album out of a single show? But given that they were able to salvage tracks from the 1977 tour for the 1986 live album (and for The Movie and the flexidiscs and what-have-you), you'd think they could pull something out of the bag. An EP of The Girl With The Golden Hair would be of massive interest among the fans, I imagine.
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Post by jj on Sept 22, 2021 15:18:37 GMT
I can't help hearing echoes of Herman's Hermit's "My Sentimental Friend" in the chorus of "Don't Shut Me Down".
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Post by Michel on Sept 22, 2021 17:11:24 GMT
In the new ABBA fanclub magazine it is stated that "Bumblebee" is not a reworking of the 1978 demo. It also says that a new backing track was made for "Just A Notion".
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Post by lamont on Sept 22, 2021 18:31:38 GMT
I think it was spoken about in the wake of the Wembley album. People got their hopes up about a 1977 live album. I think Ludvig Andersson said that they had looked into doing it but, in the end, there were too many technical issues to make it possible. Maybe Ludvig was too focused on making an album out of a single show? But given that they were able to salvage tracks from the 1977 tour for the 1986 live album (and for The Movie and the flexidiscs and what-have-you), you'd think they could pull something out of the bag. An EP of The Girl With The Golden Hair would be of massive interest among the fans, I imagine. Was definitely a 15 minute digital download regarding The Girl With The Golden Hair, was going to be free with the 79 live album, then it was shelved. It’s just with the Avatars having that space theme poster, wonder if they try to tie in ABBA’s music to that, if it’s just digital ABBA being Bjorn Again, may be bit passé, Bjorn Again have carved out a credible stage performance using ABBA songs, if ABBA just recreate that, then why bother. I definitely think they’ll be a space theme. |
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Post by onlyabba4meagain on Sept 23, 2021 9:21:27 GMT
For UK ABBA Fans -- There is an 8 Page, (all in Colour), 'ABBA Special' in today's, (Thursday September 23rd), 'Daily Mirror'. It is very interesting. Bjorn is already being asked, if the 10 Tracks of 'Voyage', will be used to make a 3rd 'Mamma Mia!' Film! As if there are no 'Old' ABBA Songs left to use! Also - As if every Track on 'Voyage' would be suitable! Such a silly Question, and just a few Weeks after the Album was announced! Link (Below) To Bjorn's Answer to the 'Voyage'/'Mamma Mia! 3' Question: link |
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Post by lamont on Sept 23, 2021 9:57:23 GMT
For UK ABBA Fans -- There is an 8 Page, (all in Colour), 'ABBA Special' in today's, (Thursday September 23rd), 'Daily Mirror'. It is very interesting. Bjorn is already being asked, if the 10 Tracks of 'Voyage', will be used to make a 3rd 'Mamma Mia!' Film! As if there are no 'Old' ABBA Songs left to use! Also - As if every Track on 'Voyage' would be suitable! Such a silly Question, and just a few Weeks after the Album was announced! Link (Below) To Bjorn's Answer to the 'Voyage'/'Mamma Mia! 3' Question: link On the ball Colin, going out to buy it, Cheers |
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Post by Alan on Sept 23, 2021 10:27:17 GMT
In the new ABBA fanclub magazine it is stated that "Bumblebee" is not a reworking of the 1978 demo. It also says that a new backing track was made for "Just A Notion". Phew! That’s a relief. I’ve been listening to Free As A Bumblebee a few times and it becomes more and more obvious each time I hear it how inappropriate the lyrics are. Bumble bees are are in serious decline with some species endangered. A song about how great a bee’s life is would be in bad taste, I think. It does make me wonder if the new Bumble Bee song is going to be about environmental issues? That would be the obvious interpretation. Just A Notion is growing on me. The news that it has a new backing track goes with my thinking that it’s a complete re-recording. It will therefore be a direct way of comparing their vocals now with then. |
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Post by foreverfan on Sept 23, 2021 11:04:05 GMT
Im open minded about Bumblebee, its a strange ( as any ) title and brings up may different thoughts, the insect, a flirty man/woman, fickle.. environmental...
Just glad its not the one we know and hopefully just title used...and hopefully not Bjorns solo token track, no disrespect...
Just a notion , personally could be the surprise package and be a big hit with the public, as if in the same vein as the old , its very ABBA if you know what i mean..
As for Mamma Mia 3, I must admit even though i liked, yes liked !! the 2, I think a third may be pushing it, The only reason i liked them was it kept ABBA in public thoughts again if you know what I mean....before we even had a idea of what was about to come...
MM3 is not something to look forward to now or ever, now that the new tracks are hear..alas you can weave any track into a feeble story.. so I guess we can never say never...
The Abba legacy, thankfully for me, will outlive me so Ill be happy to know I've years to come of listening... I also think , there will be a deluxe version to come and potentially more tracks... so there's so much to look forward to...
Sorry not very fluent today, but hopefully get the idea...lol
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 13:16:51 GMT
Re: legacy acts
Yep, they debut at #1 or Top 3 anyway and crash down the charts.
This week's #1 Manic Street Preachers is #6 in Midweeks
Steps plummet #2 to 15
And The Stranglers crash out of Top 50 from #4.
Earlier this year The Coral went from #2 to #99 in a week.
None of this will happen to ABBA.
RE: Mamma Mia 3
Definately no more! Talk about milking it!
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Post by madonnabba on Sept 23, 2021 22:40:32 GMT
Don't think a third film is feasible trying to get all those A listers again but if it were to be so...it would be good to revisit an idea they had a long time ago about creating a musical set around a new year party....especially with Happy New year yet to be used and the new Christmas song. Festive films also do well.
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Post by gamleman on Sept 24, 2021 7:35:15 GMT
Don't think a third film is feasible trying to get all those A listers again but if it were to be so...it would be good to revisit an idea they had a long time ago about creating a musical set around a new year party....especially with Happy New year yet to be used and the new Christmas song. Festive films also do well. I wonder whether the musical "Abbacadabra" could now be revisited and made a success. It was originally staged at a time when ABBA were going out of fashion but now it might get more traction, especially with children. |
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Post by bennybjorn on Sept 24, 2021 7:41:51 GMT
Re: legacy acts Yep, they debut at #1 or Top 3 anyway and crash down the charts. This week's #1 Manic Street Preachers is #6 in Midweeks Steps plummet #2 to 15 And The Stranglers crash out of Top 50 from #4. Earlier this year The Coral went from #2 to #99 in a week. None of this will happen to ABBA.RE: Mamma Mia 3 Definately no more! Talk about milking it! Yes, it clearly won't tumble out of the charts in 2 or 3 weeks. But its overall trajectory will be similar i.e. most of the sales front loaded and then fading away. This happens with all acts who attract a lot of hype for their album's release but with subsequent singles that pick up little airplay. Only one of the new songs made the top 20 (DSMD) airplay chart, and stayed there for just one week. It seems like there isn't much radio appetite for new Abba stuff beyond Radio 2 (which is the same for most legacy bands). Of course a big Christmas song would make a huge difference. Here's hoping. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2021 8:05:53 GMT
^ Yes. I agree. ABBA will fare better than other legacy acts. But the trend will be the same.
Yes, sales will be front loaded. That is why I think if Voyage doesn't get to #1 in November - it won't. I can't see it selling 30k a week in December/January to have a chance. Actually it would need a lot more than that with Adele's album.
I can see big sales the first week. Then dropping off sharply.
Pointless pointing to other ABBA albums that had several spells at #1. It is NOT going to like Gold Greatest Hits or Arrival with 3 massive hits and Knowing Me Knowing You helping it back to #1.
Look at ABBA's #1 studio albums after Arrival - The Album, Voulez Vous, Super Trouper, The Visitors. All debuted at #1. None returned to #1 after leaving. Stays in the Top 10 got shorter and shorter. All had the benefit of airplay, TOTP videos shown on TV and #1/Top 5 singles.
Voyage won't have those advantages.
There won't be any major new hits from Voyage after its release and as you suggest a lack of airplay to prolongue the album.
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Post by Alan on Sept 24, 2021 8:18:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2021 8:48:37 GMT
^
How is this show going to work with a live band and the Abbatars?
Will the music you hear be from the live band and the Abbatars just the visual?
They would need to ve synched. Any ideas, people?
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Post by foreverfan on Sept 24, 2021 8:57:56 GMT
Its a shame to see so much negativity on chart performance for Voyage, its still 6 weeks away from release..So of course its all speculation, and rightly so, we are entitled to our opinions..But time will tell its own story....put it this way.. its not going to be a flop.....
Ok, I'm realistic in these new chart days, and yes i think we know that the first week will be huge and 2nd week will see a drop, but I believe Voyage will hang around for quite a while, May being the earliest, then a resurgence, so that's at least 25 weeks. More than The Visitors in the UK.
As for new singles, who knows, as stated before who knows whats on the album , there are bound to to be better tracks, I feel no matter what, ABBA HAD to go with the two tracks as they had been talked about so much, would they have been released if all 10 tracks had been known before hand, Its been a long drawn out process, and thankfully the hype propelled both tracks into the top 20.
Personally I still think ISHFIY albeit a lovely sentimental track, wouldn't normally be a single, a good album track. BTW. I think it really makes a fantastic Anniversary or Marriage renewal track, I can see it played more and more as time goes by, but DSMD was the hit.
So we will see what happens over the next few weeks until the launch ......
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2021 9:23:21 GMT
Negativity or realism?
We are agreed
1. Voyage's first week sales will be large
2. Sales will drop off quite a bit
3. It will hang about the charts for a while - partly because album sales are so low. It doesn't take much even to be Top 10 these days.
I agree I Still Have Faith in You is a good song but probably not single material. I see it along the lines of I Let the Music Speak.
The Day Before You Came was actually another "non-single single".
We'll have to see if the ABBAtars project revitalises the fortunes of Voyage.
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Post by gazman on Sept 24, 2021 9:34:04 GMT
The success of Voyage might be boosted further with a further new single or two. Assuming 'Little Things' will be one, this leaves room for another uptempo song to be issued as a single perhaps?
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