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Post by JeniLP on Nov 13, 2021 9:42:41 GMT
Do we know the position of the album elsewhere yet? NZ,USA, Canada, South America and the rest of Europe, Africa, Asia and Russia? There is no unified system for calculating music sales in Russia. The streaming can be traced by services though. For example, during this first week Voyage was No. 1 on itunes for 5(?) days and 'voyaging' in top 10 on Apple Music. And national TV channels keep telling news: right yesterday I saw the news block reporting that 'Voyage' is No. 1 in the UK. I keep changing my mind over favourite tracks.. there is so much going on in each track..but I absolutely love Bumblebee, Ode to Freedom, I still have faith, I could he that woman and Don't shut me down..the others great too but these are the ones I find myself repeating more. But that could change. Grateful for all the songs. Same here, new day - new fav. |
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Post by agan on Nov 13, 2021 10:17:47 GMT
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Post by madonnabba on Nov 13, 2021 10:18:13 GMT
If Abba make number two in USA album chart it will be an achievement they were unable to do during their earlier career with a studio album. Bet Abba will be well chuffed with the way the album is performing in its opening week worldwide.
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Post by gamleman on Nov 13, 2021 10:29:11 GMT
I had a very hectic week so I did not have much time to fully immerse in the listening to Voyage but obviously I have played it a couple of times. I love the album. Not sure how I would rate it with reference to the other 8 studio album (I guess The Album will still remain my No.1) but it is difficult as it is a completely different era. The songs keep growing on me. My absolute favourites must be Don't Shut Me Down and Keep An Eye On Dan, but I loved these two from the very start. On the other hand, on my first hearing I was quite embarassed by No Doubt About It (the first of the seven new songs that were not released as singles, which I heard) and Little Things. Now I appreciate the energy of NDAI and Frida's great vocals and must admit it is very good. As for Little Things... well... I'm almost ashamed to admit that I often catch myself whistling the melody :-) So it's finally won me over too. I am similar in that after an initial burst, I am not playing "Voyage" everyday. That is how I am these days, as I don't like hearing new music too often and prefer to savour it, so that it remains fresh. I am also unsure where to place "Voyage" among the other ABBA studio albums, as I see it as quite detached from them. I certainly don't favour it as much as "The Album" and "The Visitors", but I find it hard to compare with older albums. I recognise that "Voyage" is musically more accomplished than some of the older albums, but it doesn't yet have an emotional attachment through nostalgia for me that the old albums have, so I couldn't say that I prefer it to "Waterloo", for example. I'd say that DSMD, OTF and KAEOD are probably my current Top 3 with LT coming up last. On NDAI, it's strange that Frida sounds so youthful (it actually sounds like it could have old vocals, like JAN) yet I can hear her age on ISHFIY. I didn't initially find LT very catchy but now it's creeping into my head. As I've said before, it's a nice, charming song for Christmas but not for this album. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 13, 2021 11:11:00 GMT
You won’t like this, joseph and HOMETIME but I’m afraid I can’t stand Zoe Ball. She’s so sycophantic and fawns over anyone she interviews. I don’t often listen to her radio show but when I have it’s all “I love her” or “he’s brilliant” and it wears a bit thin after a while. I know it’s her job, she can’t say “I can’t stand her” but it comes across as quite insincere. To be fair, her interview with Frida was fine but as soon as I saw her in the live stream in September I was like, “oh please, not her!” and she did irritate me in that interview with Björn and Benny. She isn’t the only one though. Jonathan Ross and Steve Wright are just as bad, and Graham Norton (on TV) seems to spend half his time laughing at his guests as though they’re the comedians and he isn’t. The great interviewers are long gone. We're all going to have different likes/dislikes on that front. I admire Graham Norton in many ways, but he sometimes misses the mark as an interviewer. He has a schtick: he'll make humorously snarky remarks about celebs in the news in some shows and then will fawn over them when they finally appear as interviewees. I know that, to extent, it's part and parcel of a comedian's work but it also seems very disingenuous. As I've been writing this, I've been wracking my brains for examples and the one that pops immediately to mind is Tom Cruise. I personally can't stand him, but it's cringey to see Graham lovebombing him when he'll have made some crack about him weeks before. And Graham's cracks are not some affectionate leg-pulling: they can be quite bitchy. ANYWAY! I have gone off on too much of a tangent. With the Frida interview, Zoe asked precisely no original questions but she did let Frida speak and it was Frida who provided all of the interest (well duh, Tony, of course she did!). I imagine that a breakfast show interview needs to be reasonably light (some are masterclasses in toe-curling) and this particular one kind of exceeded its brief in terms of the overall quality. It would be nice to have a wishlist of interviewers - journalists who are respectful without being fawning; people who can recognise ABBA as real people and can look at things from a fresher perspective. I think Pete Paphides has shown that he'd be great - he's a fan, but he cares enough about music not to be pressured into saccahrine hagiography. I'd be interested to see where someone like Louis Theroux could take things if he could spend time with them. I suspect that Ruby Wax could pull some interesting answers from Agnetha and Frida. Oprah could be interesting but I doubt she knows or cares enough to reach the kinds of depths that would make an interview more than a fancy TV special. |
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Post by joseph on Nov 13, 2021 11:15:28 GMT
You won’t like this, joseph and HOMETIME but I’m afraid I can’t stand Zoe Ball. She’s so sycophantic and fawns over anyone she interviews. I don’t often listen to her radio show but when I have it’s all “I love her” or “he’s brilliant” and it wears a bit thin after a while. Oh, that's fine Alan. We can't all agree on everything. I haven't seen her interview anyone else before (I don't recall so, anyway?!) so I couldn't say if she's sycophantic or not. I genuinely thought, ''Oh, she's a fan and her nerves are getting the better of her." I agree with you about Jonathan Ross, however. Now, THERE'S a man who likes the sound of his own voice! So irritating. It's hard to think of an ideal person to interview ABBA or a member thereof. Like you say, a lot have passed on. I'll have to have a think. It would make an interesting thread: "Who best to interview AꓭBA?" *a member thereof*?? Is that even grammatically correct? Therein? 😆 |
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Post by joseph on Nov 13, 2021 11:20:46 GMT
Cracking suggestions, HOMETIME,! I enjoy listening to Ruby Wax- always thought-provoking. And Louis Theroux! Wow. Thst would be interesting. I wonder if Clive Anderson would be mean to them? |
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 13, 2021 12:07:33 GMT
I'm pretty sure he would!  You either get his style or you don't, and I suspect his acidic brand of humour might not translate. I can imagine Bjorn trying to be game and the others glaring at him. Benny would probably do a Barry Gibb and walk off. It'd be hard to blame him, really. Hmm. I really saw that hypothetical scenario through to the bitter end, didn't I? |
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Post by Alan on Nov 13, 2021 14:42:34 GMT
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Post by hejiranyc on Nov 13, 2021 14:59:02 GMT
I'm not quite sure what everyone was expecting from Zoe Ball. Of course she's not going to hit Frida with hard-hitting questions! I would imagine that Frida's publicist sent a dossier of off-limits subject matter and conditions in exchange for this exclusive, rare interview. In fact, it would not have surprised me in the least if the questions were already prepared and Zoe just had to make them sound contemporaneous.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 15:18:09 GMT
December 13th 1981 - The Visitors: straight in at number 1 in Uk top 100 Albums
November 13th 2021 - Voyage: straight in at number 1 in UK top 100 Albums
39 years and 11 months exactly
this is a record guaranteed to be never equalled in musical history
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Post by steverw on Nov 13, 2021 16:03:52 GMT
December 13th 1981 - The Visitors: straight in at number 1 in Uk top 100 Albums November 13th 2021 - Voyage: straight in at number 1 in UK top 100 Albums 39 years and 11 months exactly this is a record guaranteed to be never equalled in musical history Except yesterday was the 12th. |
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Post by richard on Nov 13, 2021 16:22:44 GMT
It wouldn't surprise me if CDs were deliberately targeted for their demise. Cheaper for media companies to make things as digital and virtual as possible - with a 'more environmentally friendly' tag added. Provided someone is not too fussy about sound quality, and assuming they're not a big ABBA fan, they can hear the Voyage tracks on YouTube without buying the CD and such. I often listen to artists and tracks on YouTube that I wouldn't hear elsewhere (don't most of us?), and without having to sign on to Spotify, for example - music from jazz to classical, not just pop. Of course I know I'm missing out on a more detailed and nuanced sound picture by listening through YouTube, but most the time I'm not all that bothered about that. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 13, 2021 17:32:41 GMT
I doubt anyone expected anything remotely different from Zoe Ball, hejiranyc . I think the issue is her enthusiasm and general perkiness: her personality seems to grate with some people. I only meant to muse on what kinds of interviewers might pull something different from all four, in the event that they ever granted a non-PR, non-frothy interview. Interesting piece about the issue of CDs, Alan . I think richard might be right about the industry looking for a cheaper format (and their disingenuous environmental "reasoning"). But I know from research for my own project that vinyl is much more difficult and expensive to produce now. It's very trendy, very desirable - but pricey. And surely they can't peddle the notion that it's somehow more environmentally friendly than CDs?? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 18:03:09 GMT
I can't get over the emotional impact WYDWM, ICBTW, BB and OTF are having on me. After listening to these tracks I am reduced to a quivering wreck. " Voyage " is a magnificent studio album. The three singles are in the same league as many of their iconic big hits on Gold. KAEOD and NDAI are fast becoming favourites of mine too. Don't you just love the SOS vibe on KAEOD. All the songs are outstanding. I like your album ratings, thetowerbridgefox. What are your ratings of the hits and album tracks on ABBA Gold and More ABBA Gold if you don't mind me asking. Feel free to tell me to take a running jump if I appear to be a bit forward. It's just that I love song polls and megarates especially ABBA. I find personal choices by fans so interesting.
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 13, 2021 19:05:23 GMT
My orange vinyl was delivered today (quick turnaround by Amazon.fr) and it's gorgeous. I think it's my favourite edition. At my age, you'd think I'd be less impressed by this kind of frippery. But no!
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Post by JeniLP on Nov 13, 2021 19:53:15 GMT
What a week. Hey Google, how to stop listening to the new ABBA album? I'm amazed at negative reviews stating that 'the album is rubbish, only X sounds like ABBA' and each time this X is a different song! |
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Post by abbafun on Nov 13, 2021 21:50:37 GMT
New charts for Canada and the US are published on Tuesdays.
All indications so far is that Voyage will likely enter into the top 10, possibly as high as #2!
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Post by pixi on Nov 13, 2021 23:56:41 GMT
Just taking a break from my non-stop ''Voyage'' listening party to watch ᗅᗺᗷᗅ night on BBC2. ''ᗅᗺᗷᗅ In Switzerland'' is playing right now but whilst my childhood memories of Kate Bush are totally correct I always thought the Chiquitita video with the snowman came from this show. Apparently not but they surely recorded the ''official'' video clip on the same trip? ⛄⛄⛄  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 0:11:18 GMT
I watched the whole lot. The two documentaries and ABBA In Switzerland with a bottle of cider at the ready. What bliss ABBA at No 1 again in the album charts. A dream come true !
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Post by Alan on Nov 14, 2021 1:12:40 GMT
I always thought the Chiquitita video with the snowman came from this show. Apparently not but they surely recorded the ''official'' video clip on the same trip? ⛄ I think the video was filmed during rehearsals for the show - as there was no other video for it, Polar commissioned the BBC to hastily film one. This sequence for Chiquitita was also filmed around the same time, and was shown in Christmas Snowtime Special in December that year: |
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Post by madonnabba on Nov 14, 2021 6:33:02 GMT
Yeah . They recorded two at that time in Leysin..Abba in Switzerland and Snowtime Special. Snowtime had Abba ,Boney M and some other artists to be broadcast at Christmas later that year in 1979. Abba in Switzerland was broadcasted at Easter 1979 in the UK.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 8:16:00 GMT
What a week. Hey Google, how to stop listening to the new ABBA album? I'm amazed at negative reviews stating that 'the album is rubbish, only X sounds like ABBA' and each time this X is a different song! I noticed the very early reviews - The Sydney Morning Herald and Guardian were the only really negative reviews. 5 stars - Independent, Mirror 4 stars - Times, Mail, RollingStone, Press Association 3 stars - NME, Telegraph, Observer 2 stars - Guardian |
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Post by JeniLP on Nov 14, 2021 8:51:46 GMT
I'm amazed at negative reviews stating that 'the album is rubbish, only X sounds like ABBA' and each time this X is a different song! I noticed the very early reviews - The Sydney Morning Herald and Guardian were the only really negative reviews. I mean reviews of common listeners which I came across here and there. |
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Post by gamleman on Nov 14, 2021 10:12:06 GMT
I watched "ABBA at the BBC" on BBC2 last night, although I've seen it before and already have it on my hard-disk. I thought it was pretty poorly put together. I don't think the official video of "Mamma Mia" on Crackerjack counts as ABBA being at the BBC, and similarly for the video of "Knowing Me, Knowing You" on TOTP and "Money Money Money" on the Basil Brush Show. ABBA did perform "Mamma Mia" live on TOTP, so why not use that performance? I believe the video of "Dancing Queen" shown was from an Australian TV show, even though it was regularly used on TOTP. Also, what happened to the early version of "If It Wasn't For The Nights" on the Mike Yarwood Show? ABBA also appeared on Jim'll Fix It, but we know they wouldn't show that. I think they could have shown more of ABBA on "Swap Shop" though, like when Keith Chegwin interviewed them and asked them how long it took to make the "Greatest Hits" album  |
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Post by madonnabba on Nov 14, 2021 11:27:43 GMT
I remember that daft question about Greatest Hits. When I was watching one of the shows it showed them winning Eurovision and Katy Boyle saying we have a winner and there is "no doubt about it". Just coincidence?....."no doubt about it , this is not the end". Indeed it wasn't. It was just the beginning of their voyage through the charts through the years.
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Post by swededreamz on Nov 14, 2021 11:27:44 GMT
I watched "ABBA at the BBC" on BBC2 last night, although I've seen it before and already have it on my hard-disk. I thought it was pretty poorly put together. I don't think the official video of "Mamma Mia" on Crackerjack counts as ABBA being at the BBC, and similarly for the video of "Knowing Me, Knowing You" on TOTP and "Money Money Money" on the Basil Brush Show. ABBA did perform "Mamma Mia" live on TOTP, so why not use that performance? I believe the video of "Dancing Queen" shown was from an Australian TV show, even though it was regularly used on TOTP. Also, what happened to the early version of "If It Wasn't For The Nights" on the Mike Yarwood Show? ABBA also appeared on Jim'll Fix It, but we know they wouldn't show that. I think they could have shown more of ABBA on "Swap Shop" though, like when Keith Chegwin interviewed them and asked them how long it took to make the "Greatest Hits" album It may not have been perfect, but what other group do you ever see regularly shown like this? 4 hours on a Saturday evening, even if it is repeats and not necessarily the best selection of clips, was well worth three cans of Thatcher’s Gold and a decent bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for the missus (not the usual £3.99 end of Lidl range I normally get her). Also, they are in a different league to the Channel Five programmes about ABBA, but again, they show them regularly. And the Mamma Mia films are always on ITV2. Marvellous 🤩 |
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Post by richard on Nov 14, 2021 12:01:24 GMT
Bumblebees, real and in a song
This track has really grown on me. For a start, it brings to mind a memory from my childhood. A bumblebee flew near me, and I was frightened it would sting me, and my mum said: "Don't worry about it! It's not bothered about you - only the flowers". And sure enough, the bumblebee went right down into a nearby flower. So I'm glad ABBA have recorded a song about these marvelous, but endangered, little creatures.
Musically, the song reminds me a bit of Move On, especially instrumentally. Thinking about it now, I wonder if a lighter-textured, more delicate, more wistful arrangement would have suited the subject even better: fewer instruments, perhaps featuring a harp and clarinet, an acoustic guitar - that sort of approach. Anyway, that occurs to me. However, I still like the song as it is, including Bjorn's touching lyrics and Frida's singing.
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Post by joseph on Nov 14, 2021 12:14:45 GMT
I watched ABBA in Switzerland and couldn't stop laughing at Benny bouncing up and down by his piano. Bless him, he was having a whale of a time. It struck me once again how stunning "the girls" were at that time- so beautiful. I wish they'd performed live but I guess miming/lip sync was the norm then- even Kate Bush and Roxy Music did so. Actually, not sure about Roxy...I'd have to watch again. I wonder if ABBA and Kate Bush got together and had a chat? No pictures of them together....zilch. Shame, as she's top of my pops after ABBA.
I didn't bother watching the other shows as I was out and I already have them anyway.
No doubt about it though, these shows will promote sales of Voyage (and even GOLD).
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Post by joseph on Nov 14, 2021 12:18:22 GMT
richard, you can even stroke a bumblebee. I've not tried it myself, but watched a friend do it. One of the saddest sights is seeing a bumblebee alive but struggling on a pavement due to well...whatever? Apparently, it's ok to 'resuscitate' them with a little sugary water or something? Bless their little furry bottoms.
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You either get his style or you don't, and I suspect his acidic brand of humour might not translate. I can imagine Bjorn trying to be game and the others glaring at him. Benny would probably do a Barry Gibb and walk off. It'd be hard to blame him, really.
