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Post by HOMETIME on Feb 23, 2024 18:08:31 GMT
Excellent points! I wonder if the Polar Music Prize is ethically off-limits for them...?
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Post by HOMETIME on Feb 27, 2024 9:30:47 GMT
I've been seeing promo clips for CMP's book all over my socials. It's got me thinking: his chapter on the Voyage recording sessions should give us some insight on the two remaining songs. I wonder if there'll be any hint about any plans for their release?
Has anyone here ordered a copy? If so, flip to those pages on 15 March and let us know!
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Post by bjorenny on Feb 27, 2024 9:36:33 GMT
Hometime, I have and I'll post on here if there are any revelations (I'll be STRAIGHT to the Voyage sessions section). Here's hoping!
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Post by jj guest on Feb 27, 2024 10:38:09 GMT
CMP's book [...] Has anyone here ordered a copy? If so, flip to those pages on 15 March and let us know!
I'm gonna sound like a cheapskate, but I'm counting on learning any astounding, not-known-previously facts from CMP's book here, and on blogs. Gradually, fans always end up sharing info with "Well, according to CMP's book..."
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Post by matt on Feb 27, 2024 19:28:01 GMT
I've ordered my copy! Really looking forward to the Michael Tretow chapter and all the info on the alternate/early versions of the familiar songs sitting in the archive
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Post by richard on Feb 28, 2024 18:33:01 GMT
Having checked the description of the book on CMP's site, I don't think it's for me.
I'm very interested in how ABBA went about things, especially the songwriting and recording aspects, the arrangements and the vocals. But, as CMP writes in the Forward to Christopher Patrick's book, ABBA: Let the Music Speak (2008), he, CMP, wasn't really knowledgeable enough about that side of things to do it justice; and hence his recommendation of Christopher Patrick's book. But perhaps Palm's confidence in writing with musical knowledge with regard to ABBA has increased over the years. (This is intended to be factual, not snide or derogatory.)
For me, possibly the most interesting aspect of the book might be the chapter on Michael Tretow and the latter's 'sideline' recordings as ABBA recorded tracks. But little chance of fans being able to hear these Tretow recordings, I assume.
Or maybe we will? A 50th anniversary bonus?
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Post by Michel on Mar 5, 2024 18:09:30 GMT
In the last ABBA fanclub magazine, published yesterday, it is again reported that the ABBA members will not attend any of the 50th anniversary events, including the Cirkus TV show. It seems to me the Waterloo celebration would be the last occasion for them to appear somewhere together but it looks like the ABBA Voyage opening night will remain the last time. It seems odd that they would let such a huge event pass by unnoticed.
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Post by Alan on Mar 5, 2024 18:57:37 GMT
It’s easy to forget this now, but for 30 years prior to January 2016 they weren’t seen together in public (at least not all four of them together at once). There was the Mamma Mia thing in 2008 but even though they were all on the same photo, only Agnetha and Frida were stood together. For a long time it seemed like that 1986 This Is Your Life appearance for Stig might be the last time it ever happened.
We’ve been spoilt these last few years by seeing them together quite regularly. We can’t give up hope but ultimately it’s unreleased recordings that we want. If they never appear together in public again, it would be a shame but I can live with it.
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Post by jjj on Mar 5, 2024 19:05:48 GMT
In the last ABBA fanclub magazine, published yesterday, it is again reported that the ABBA members will not attend any of the 50th anniversary events, including the Cirkus TV show. It seems to me the Waterloo celebration would be the last occasion for them to appear somewhere together but it looks like the ABBA Voyage opening night will remain the last time. It seems odd that they would let such a huge event pass by unnoticed. Maybe ABBA, when it finally comes down to it, don't wish to have the Eurovision Song Contest define what they were, something they fear ultimately risks happening to them if they embrace Eurovison too much.
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Post by Michel on Mar 5, 2024 19:47:48 GMT
Yes, but to me this isn't at all about Eurovision but celebrating 50 years of remarkable success.
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Post by Alan on Mar 5, 2024 20:30:18 GMT
Yes, but to me this isn't at all about Eurovision but celebrating 50 years of remarkable success. I completely agree, but unfortunately the association remains. As someone who can’t stand Eurovision, I can understand their reluctance. The anniversary of the issue in Sweden of the Waterloo album was yesterday, but it’s 6 April that’s marked. The average person might think that ABBA were hell-bent on winning it, being as they tried twice, but as we know, the reality was that it was the only way they could get an international audience. If ABBA was emerging now, they wouldn’t have had to go anywhere near it. It’s a pity the 1972 anniversary (People Need Love) or the 1973 Ring Ring album anniversary isn’t marked, but I suppose neither of those brought them to a fully international audience. It was used in 1982 purely as an excuse to release yet another compilation (and only after a new album had been abandoned). But you’re absolutely right. 1974 was when a fully-formed ABBA (complete with the name) arrived in most countries. That’s what we’re celebrating. Eurovision is a part of it, and the reason it happened, but shouldn’t be the focus. |
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Post by johnny on Mar 5, 2024 20:44:58 GMT
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Post by Tinneke on Mar 5, 2024 21:08:59 GMT
Abba went to London to promote the voyage show because they were proud of it and a lot of money was invested. This time there is nothing to promote. Abba is no more said Bjorn. I doubt if there will be a new reals this year containing unreleased tracks. Abba is no more.
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Post by Alan on Mar 6, 2024 9:23:03 GMT
Abba is no more said Bjorn. I doubt if there will be a new reals this year containing unreleased tracks. Abba is no more. ABBA have been “no more’ since the end of 1982, apart from a brief return (mostly in secret) between 2017 and 2021. The fact they are “no more” is completely irrelevant, as it doesn’t stop previously unreleased recordings being issued, or ABBA appearing together in public again. In any case, you can take much of what Björn says with a pinch of salt, being as he said recently that every “snippet” ABBA ever recorded has been released. We know that’s not true. Anyway, isn’t it about time you gave one of your other two guest profiles an airing? You’ve rather tainted the Tinneke one by your fairly recent comments about Frida. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2024 11:30:17 GMT
The phrase 'ABBA is no more' makes remarkably little sense, on multiple fronts. A band is around forever, long after the recording/touring etc finishes. Especially in the digital era.
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Post by Michal on Mar 7, 2024 13:14:05 GMT
I don't think they have a problem with the Eurovision connection - if they had, they would have stopped celebrating the anniversaries long ago. I don't see why they would suddenly decide to ignore the 50th anniversary, when they gladly celebrated the 40th (and the earlier ones as well). It doesn't make sense to get stubborn now...
I'm curious if none of them really attend any of the events. I somehow can't imagine that Björn would miss such opportunity as the SVT gala. Unless they are all locked together in Benny's studio, putting finishing touches to the new album 🙂 Or all four of them agreed to make a joint appearance somewhere else later on and they don't want to take part of the magic away by appearing together too often...
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Post by Tinneke on Mar 7, 2024 14:12:24 GMT
In the last Abba fanclubdag it is written dat none of them will attend the celebrations I read.
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Post by Alan on Mar 7, 2024 14:37:15 GMT
In the last Abba fanclubdag it is written dat none of them will attend the celebrations I read. That’s so that, if they did appear, it would be a complete surprise, and if they didn’t, no one could be disappointed. It covers them on all angles. That’s why it’s best to take what is said with a pinch of salt (or perhaps a whole truckload). Not expect anything but not completely rule it out either. Did someone mention a bit ago that right up until the album announcement in 2021, Görel was still saying there were only two songs? I do think they’ll say anything to throw people off the scent. I also suspect they think the fans are stupid. Björn’s comment about “every snippet has been released” is an extreme case of that, as we know that’s not true. It’s not helpful really. I think Agnetha’s attitude is perhaps the best one - not say anything at all about ABBA. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2024 14:57:11 GMT
If they ALL sit out ALL of the 50th anniversary celebrations, it really will be a remarkable example of what I believe is termed 'cake-ism'. And the logic of them thinking that Waterloo's 40th anniversary was worth celebrating (and I've got the freebies to prove that they did) but the 50th isn't (even when they've got tickets to shift for the Voyage show, and despite the ESC 'coming home' to Sweden this year) would be genuinely stupefying. Struggling to believe it can possibly turn out like that.
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Post by justabba on Mar 7, 2024 15:10:13 GMT
I wonder whether they might yet appear together later in the year. This special event that Catherine Tate referred to last year regarding an announcement about the 2 unreleased songs clearly isnt going to take place on April 6th. Could it be tied to the second venue for voyage being presented in a special YouTube event like they did in 2021? I can't think of anything else big enough to make sense.
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Post by bjorenny on Mar 7, 2024 16:10:16 GMT
Justabba, I'm keeping everything crossed for some sort of announcement like that which involves some new/old but previously unreleased music.
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Post by Alan on Mar 7, 2024 21:00:44 GMT
It’s disappointing to see that thisboycries appears to have deleted his profile along with some posts. The promotion of his book amused me, and I liked johnny’s post because it was a humorous, harmless comment. I didn’t think for a second that any offence was caused. Promotion of anyone’s own creative work is fine, even when it’s blatant, but doing so can invite criticism. |
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Post by ASenseOfExpectationn on Mar 7, 2024 21:10:17 GMT
I wonder whether they might yet appear together later in the year. This special event that Catherine Tate referred to last year regarding an announcement about the 2 unreleased songs clearly isnt going to take place on April 6th. Could it be tied to the second venue for voyage being presented in a special YouTube event like they did in 2021? I can't think of anything else big enough to make sense. Eurovision 2024, perhaps? |
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Post by jj on Mar 9, 2024 20:33:40 GMT
Agreed!! Those who saw Rogan's documentary on Freddie Mercury will remember how that film occasionally showcased isolated sounds, or lifted specific audio-tracks from famous Queen recordings as a way of bringing to prominence, or highlighting different aspects of, overlooked elements of those oft-heard songs. One example was an all-too-brief isolating of just the vocal track from one of Queen's best-known hits with a newly added reverb effect, done expressly to showcase the beauty of the voice and the melody of an otherwise over-played Queen hit (that has probably become too familiar and overlooked as a result of its popularity).
I'm almost sure the B's will have allowed Rogan and his audio team to do the same to some of ABBA's biggest hits for this documentary.
So I'm really looking forward to the upcoming documentary doing something playful with at least a couple of ABBA's most famous songs, and that we hear at least a few bars of each of them in a way we'd never heard them before, perhaps as part of a brief segment discussing and unearthing exactly what went into their making, how they were recorded, and, in doing so, also cause the hairs to rise on the back of our necks at the sheer beauty of the A's voices or the cleverness of different beneath-the-surface vocal and instrumental harmonies and arrangements. A brief dissection would be a great treat. Get a well-known track and follow me back to the slab in my lab. I'm just brimming with anticip... pation!
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Post by jj on Mar 10, 2024 18:03:25 GMT
From the article:
Perhaps most exciting for any fan, no matter how casual, is a new documentary that charts the band's most successful years.
The BBC has commissioned ABBA: Against The Odds, which will look at the band's very fruitful period from 1976 to 1980, unearthing rare archival footage and exploring the surprising negativity the singers faced in their home country.
"To be able, as a director, to dive into the ABBA story through the extraordinary archive of their voyage through the tumultuous 70s has been a jaw-dropping experience," director James Rogan said in a statement.
"The sheer joy of working on a documentary about ABBA cannot be understated, as their bitter-sweet songs remain as resonant in our confused times as they did when they were first recorded.
"This film will capture the scale of the challenge they faced as a Swedish band gaining success and respect on the global stage, and how the unique combination of four talents produced music that defined the decade and changed pop music forever."
The documentary will screen in the UK this May. While there is no news of an Australian release at this point, the band's enormous popularity Down Under all but ensures it won't be long before we get our chance to see it.
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Post by jj on Mar 10, 2024 18:17:24 GMT
A post by Rogan Productions has indeed confirmed the documentary will be feature length. So there you go. It should have a minimum running time of 90 minutes.
Of course I'd love it if it was given a limited theatrical release, so we could maybe have a chance to view it on the big screen in a cinema, but I think that'd be extremely unlikely.
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Post by Gina on Mar 10, 2024 19:33:18 GMT
It would be nice to promote the documentary they released some new music from the vaults. Maybe and/or a new announcement for the Voyage show?
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Post by Tinneke on Mar 10, 2024 21:21:10 GMT
...it sounds good to my ears the docu. Except for the part: exploring the negativity faced in Sweden. That doesn't interest me at all. They left the visitors out: it sold less compared with ST. And while it is a favorite for many fans; it isn't for the general audience. So I understand.
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Post by HOMETIME on Mar 11, 2024 8:59:18 GMT
[...] "This film will capture the scale of the challenge they faced as a Swedish band gaining success and respect on the global stage, and how the unique combination of four talents produced music that defined the decade and changed pop music forever." [...] I think this aspect of the story is really compelling. It shows that the music was so strong, it could withstand the sneering antipathy at home and the tedious snobbery elsewhere. Not just withstand, but triumph. The peak of their success coincided with punk - the movement that was supposed to kill off all that ABBA stood for. They dabbled with disco and survived the knuckle-dragging Disco Sucks movement utterly unscathed. And, half a century on, ABBA are the ultimate pop icons. It's quite a story. That it hasn't been told properly before now is astonishing. |
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Post by jj on Mar 11, 2024 12:24:51 GMT
I think this aspect of the story is really compelling. It shows that the music was so strong, it could withstand the sneering antipathy at home and the tedious snobbery elsewhere. Not just withstand, but triumph. The peak of their success coincided with punk - the movement that was supposed to kill off all that ABBA stood for. They dabbled with disco and survived the knuckle-dragging Disco Sucks movement utterly unscathed. Yes! PERFECTLY PUT! (Once again!) Thanks, Tony, for expressing things so well. |
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