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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2022 12:57:41 GMT
Both their voices have dropped an octave and that's a lot. I loved those high pitched vocals:.... That is not possible anymore... That is the reason it seems that Frida dominates This is one of the reasons I don't like this album. I rather play the old albums. Note, ONE OF THE REASONS I find it odd to dislike an album simply because the vocals now belong to older artists. So because someone clearly still capable but older shouldn't create art. Please don't be too quick to jump on a "discriminatory" bandwaggon. Alan, you're right, new songs are unlikely - the most people can expect is the unfinished Voyage songs to be released - like I am the City on More Gold. I am not even expecting that though. |
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Post by richard on Dec 18, 2022 18:44:49 GMT
Trouble is, in the process he was stating an obvious and crass inaccuracy, and that was bad - or ignorant, as I'm saying it was.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2022 20:16:56 GMT
Does Voyage have "the ABBA sound"? Yes
Does it sound like ABBA of the 1970s? No, of course not.
I have said this before and it's worth saying again.
I agree the 3 standout tracks are ISHFIY, DSMD and OTF. These 3 are up there with ABBA's best. All would be in my All Time ABBA Top 20. Top 10 for maybe a couple of them.
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Post by joseph on Dec 18, 2022 22:31:59 GMT
I couldn't care less what Gary Barlow thinks or says (I'm not a fan by any description) but the Children in Need appearance from Agnetha will always be a highlight. He achieved what I thought was impossible but let's not forget Agnetha chose to do it. I'm not even going to scramble my brains as to why she even agreed to record with him in the first place (I can think of people I'd much rather she recorded with) but I do like the song. I guess it's a case of liking a song despite one of the participants not being my cup of tea in any way, shape or form.
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Post by gary on Dec 19, 2022 10:02:32 GMT
Those fans who want more… Increasingly, I see Voyage the album as a home to the two original tracks. They turned out so well that they couldn’t be left to be added to some temporary compilation. They needed and deserved a permanent home. The other eight tracks were recorded to provide that and once achieved, their job was done. Yes, that’s a good way of putting it. What a pity that those other eight tracks just aren’t very good. |
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 19, 2022 11:13:58 GMT
^^^^^ that’s a bit harsh Gary, each to their own of course, but they are not that bad in my opinion.
I actually listened to the album for the first time in a couple of months yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it... it may be an album that you listen to not as often to appreciate...
But each to their own.... can’t please everyone all of the time......
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Post by gary on Dec 19, 2022 11:51:17 GMT
I don’t dislike the album, and it’s lovely to hear A&F singing together after so long. I actually play it quite often.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2022 15:28:12 GMT
I also think once the 2 original Voyage songs were recorded then an album became inevitable. Obviously it took ABBA time to recognise that reality.
Had just the 2 first singles been released - without any album or hint of album in near future how would they have fared?
My guess - only marginally better than they actually did. Veteran acts as a rule don't trouble the Singles Charts.
Those 2 songs are way ahead of the rest. Well, almost all (OTF to be fair gives them a good run for their money).
It is hard to escape the feeling ABBA were having trouble filling up Voyage with similar quality songs. The throwback to JAN, and abandonment of two songs gives this impression to me.
My view of Voyage lies half-way between Gary's more critical opinion and ForeverFans more praise for the album.
3 great songs, 1 absolute stinker and the rest - not 'bad' or I dislike them just pretty average.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2022 18:42:25 GMT
To set the record straight again " both Agnetha and Frida are the voice of ABBA ". I actually admire Gary Barlow. He has penned some great songs and is undoubtedly the talent behind Take That. I can't stand Robbie Williams. He is overrated and his popularity is showing signs of waning. For me Gary Barlow wins every time. As I said before he successfully persuaded Agnetha to perform again and personally for me " The Children In Need 2013 " duet was a highlight too. One I will never forget. A commendable achievement.
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Post by scaramouche on Dec 19, 2022 18:45:56 GMT
I always wondered whether she mimed, Barlow was singing live and Agnetha didn’t, do we know this for certain?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2022 18:50:11 GMT
I know she was nervous as she hadn't sung for quite a long period beforehand but I am sure she performed the song live otherwise Gary Barlow wouldn't have asked Agnetha to perform live with him in the first place. We are being a tad harsh on Gary and also, on Agnetha for that matter.
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Post by abbafan456 on Dec 19, 2022 19:27:24 GMT
I always wondered whether she mimed, Barlow was singing live and Agnetha didn’t, do we know this for certain? I've been curious about this as well. I remember coming across this video that mixed the audio from the live performance better and you can hear her singing live throughout the whole thing, not just the verses but during the chorus as well, however there's either a prerecorded track or backup vocalists singing over her that sort of overtake her vocals. |
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Post by joseph on Dec 19, 2022 21:28:48 GMT
Yuk, that Barlow introduction was cringe. I thought so at the time and I still do. I barely look at his gormless face and instead focus on Agnetha. I couldn't care less if she lip-synched or not but I think it's pretty clear she did. Even at the end she attempts to speak and remembers her mic is off, bless her heart. But that part was subsequently cut out.
She's known for her stage fright so it's perfectly understandable. Nerves can play havoc with the voice. The fact she was actually on stage at all was enough for me. I just wish it hadn't been with him.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2022 8:24:13 GMT
It looks likes Eddie has left again. I don't know why he keeps doing this. I wasn't impressed with Agnetha's last solo album. It was just so bland - like a couple of her 80s albums. No matter how good a singer you are you need the songwriting and production. I was never impressed with most of Frida or Agnetha's solo efforts. They were just not the same quality as ABBA. I started a poll on Voyage. So far Gary has Voyage a 2/5 and his least favourite ABBA album. Eddie gives it 10/10 and his favourite. I am bang on the middle. 3.5/5 and 5th out of 9 in the albums. Here's the link: abbachat.com/thread/1548/voyage-ranked-rated-compared |
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Post by richard on Dec 20, 2022 11:56:27 GMT
I wondered whether I should write this, but here goes. Alan can delete it if it's regarded as unacceptable.
Not much point coming on a forum if one is super-sensitive to every nuance or mild diversity of opinion that one interpretes as some sort of personal affront. A number of us have welcomed Eddie back a couple times or more. On this occasion I didn't because I wondered how long before it happened again. I would have kept silent this time, apart from this: It even got to the point where I was hesitant to say something if it touched on anything - perhaps in only a slightly contrary way - that Eddie liked regarding ABBA. But that was my problem, of course, not his.
Eddie has said he suffers from anxiety and depression - terrible things - but I think it's rooted in a lack of self-esteem. A big issue for a lot of us - this tense world knocks people sideways. Music can help a lot - even though we may often disagree about which music!
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Post by Alan on Dec 20, 2022 14:24:55 GMT
No, not going to delete, richard, as they are all fair points. It was inevitable considering how many times it’s happened before. No one should feel they can’t make a valid point for fear of upsetting someone (or rather, one particular person). Not sure if it was the Gary Barlow comments or the suggestion/belief that Agnetha was miming back in 2013. Either way, not something to take offence about. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2022 14:53:22 GMT
Eddie has said he suffers from anxiety and depression - terrible things - but I think it's rooted in a lack of self-esteem. A big issue for a lot of us - this tense world knocks people sideways. Music can help a lot - even though we may often disagree about which music! I agree. Depression and anxiety are bad things. I feel though the pendulum has swung too far and now every sadness or trouble in life is either depression or anxiety. There are those who feel depressed/anxious on a routine way. I really do think this stems from a lack of confidence. That is no excuse though to keep making the same mistakes. You might get these feelings/thoughts but you need mechanisms to deal with them. Eddie is way over-sensitive on the same issues. This is an Online Forum. You can read posts and consider your response - a luxury you can't always have face to face with people. But Eddie time and time again keeps getting offended by non-things. I feel he is not helping himself. There is nothing wrong if he favours Agnetha over Frida. Or vice versa for another person. It's not that important. I think he feels his views if disagreed with are unvalidated and by extension he is too. It is a self-belief, self-confidence issue. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2022 15:04:32 GMT
On the issue again of the solo albums. I agree some good songs on both Wrap Your Arms Around Me and Something Going On. The best are I Can't Shake Loose and I Know There's Something Going On. Both written by Russ Ballard who also wrote Elkie Brooks' No More the Fool and Rainbow's Since You've Been Gone. A fine songwriter. And My Colouring Book - an album of covers had good songs too.
But the rest? Nah. Not for me.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2022 15:31:34 GMT
The Bee Gees wrote some big hits for female artists in the 80s - Barbra Striesand, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross. It would have been interesting if they wrote songs for Agnetha or Frida.
Or perhaps Nile Rogers producing an album.
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 20, 2022 16:59:42 GMT
Disappointed but not exactly surprised to see that Eddie has left again. On the one hand, he was wise to take himself out of a situation that was difficult for him. On the other, I wonder what he thought might be different this time. Even though people here tend to be quite kind in working around his sensitivities, he must recognise that it's unfair of him to imagine that others might not express dissenting views, lest they upset him. He knows that, much as I love it, TWTIA is not my favourite ABBA song; that, fabulous and talented though she is, Agnetha is not my favourite member of the group. Eddi - I suspect you're reading - if you can accept that from me and one or two others, then why not from other members? Your favourites and preferences are yours. You're fully entitled to them. It's not a mark of disrespect to ABBA or you or anyone if any other member of the forum doesn't share your view.
"Violet" could be a handy creation, Eddie? Maybe assign her a persona. Let her be someone else, someone more thick-skinned. Then people interacting with Violet - perhaps even disagreeing with her, not sharing her favourites, nor even her world view - would be engaging with her, not with you? Is that too off-the-wall to be helpful?
Ultimately, be well and look after yourself, Eddie. I hope that you have a good Christmas (if you celebrate it).
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Post by Alan on Dec 20, 2022 17:01:57 GMT
And My Colouring Book - an album of covers had good songs too. I do find most of the solo albums to be impersonal. Those songs could have been sung by anyone. Something’s Going On is slightly more of an exception as Phil Collins’ Face Value album meant a lot to Frida after her marriage break-up, and songs such as You Know What I Mean were very personal to her. My Colouring Book is the other exception. Songs such as Past, Present and Future could easily have been about Agnetha at that point (or certainly the image we had of her). It seemed much more personal to her than any of her other four English albums. With regards to Agnetha’s last album, only the last track (I Keep Them On The Floor Beside My Bed) left a lasting impression because she co-wrote it. She may not have written the lyrics but I’d hope she conveyed to Jörgen Elofsson what she was trying to say in it. I’m just not sure either Agnetha or Frida were invested enough in most of their albums. A slight lack of sincerity evident. Great to hear their voices in the absence of ABBA, but that was about it (apart from the two exceptions). |
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Post by Alan on Dec 20, 2022 17:13:19 GMT
I might not be CMP’s biggest fan (far from it) but it will be interesting to fill in the blanks. What I don’t particularly want to hear is if he gets to hear the two unfinished tracks.
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 20, 2022 17:24:23 GMT
I’m just not sure either Agnetha or Frida were invested enough in most of their albums. A slight lack of sincerity evident. Great to hear their voices in the absence of ABBA, but that was about it (apart from the two exceptions). I really quite enjoy the solo albums. I think Agnetha's Wrap Your Arms Around Me is a terrific pop album - all of the planets seemed to be in alignment there. I never managed to get fully invested in A - but I think Past Forever is absolutely beautiful. It feels like the most Agnetha song on the album. I Stand Alone is beautifully produced, but it could have been a tad ballsier. The only album I have strong misgivings about is Eyes Of A Woman. There are some good songs, but the production feels undercooked to me. All very subjective, of course: the album is adored by many fans, and who am I to pee on their chips? I tend to prefer Frida's solo albums - even the Swedish ones - because they're all so different. I can feel what's happening in the Swedish songs, so I don't really have a problem with any imagined language barrier. I think Shine is the album I return to most: to me, it feels more Frida than the others, and it was what introduced us to her writing. I'd love it to get a full-on vault-raiding expansion for its 40th anniversary. My one gripe with both women's albums, though, is that there were a few too many ballads. But that's a purely personal preference. |
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Post by joseph on Dec 20, 2022 21:31:22 GMT
I've been getting reacquainted with Shine. It's very of it's time but also ahead of it, too. Kudos to Frida for being way more daring. I actually really enjoyed listening to the whole album again. It was a pleasure. I admire Frida for taking risks. I truly feel there was potential there and whereas Agnetha didn't really want to break out from her 'little star' bubble, Frida did. Much more adventurous. If it hadn't been for the tragic events in her personal life in the 90s, then I think we might well have had some surprises. I don't often listen to their solo albums but Something's Going On and My Colouring Book have remained firm favourites. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I rarely listen to 'A' but Past Forever is a highlight for me too. And Bubble. It's all a little 'safe'. Enjoyable and that's Agnetha and it's cool. I have never expected her to be avant-garde. She is who she is and we love her and Frida anyway.
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 21, 2022 10:29:07 GMT
This popped up on my socials - have the rest of you seen it? It's cutting-room floor footage from the video for I Do x5. Great to see! fb.watch/hyC4_NP48V/ |
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 21, 2022 10:29:09 GMT
As this has become our go to page.....as not much news about..
I thought I’d share some trivia from my new book as mentioned in previous post..( The Music Chronicle 1983 by Sean Gregory).
1983 Album chart facts.
Thank You For The Music sold around 125.000 to finish in 75th place for the year
The Singles ( TF10 years ) sold 70.000 to finish 122nd.
So the decline was huge , I’m guessing with back catalogue ABBA sold around 300.000 albums for the year....
It still amazes me from HOH single that the decline was rapid, like over night !
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 21, 2022 10:37:17 GMT
That really is swift. I wonder how much of it is down to promotional activities - or lack thereof? Compared to previous albums, ABBA seemed a lot less present - especially with The Visitors.
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 21, 2022 11:02:20 GMT
Some more Trivia......
By the end of 1983 the Super Trouper single had sold 820.000 copies and was the 12th best selling single of the decade at that point. ( I think it ended up around 48th best seller by end of the decade.
Abba had sold approximately 2.4 million singles up to the end of 83, and was the 16th best selling act to that point.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2022 11:20:21 GMT
The sales for Super Trouper higher than I expected...
I think you mean ABBA's sales for the 1980s were 2.4m.
My educated guess:
Super Trouper 860k
The Winner Takes it All 650k
One of Us 500k
LAYLOM 200k
HOH/TDBYC/UA/TYFTM 200k
Their total sales about 10m.
Low sales for The Singles in 1983. It's bulk would have been end of 1982.
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 21, 2022 11:29:49 GMT
Sorry Johnny I may not have explained correctly..
The 2.4 million is for singles sold in the 80s upto end of 1983, ie 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983 only.....
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