Sunday 31 August 2014

Abba Calendar - September 2014

For the month of September in my Abba calendar I have a great picture of Frida and Benny during the 1979 tour.

 

Music Reviews With Abba Comparisons - Part 2

This months issue of "Q" magazine in the UK includes a review of the new album by Music Go Music called "Impressions" - the review includes several Abba comparisons - see below...

 

Music Reviews With Abba Comparisons - Part 1

I have just read a review of Indiana's album "No Romeo" in one of the supplements in The Observer today which makes comparisons to Abba's last studio album "The Visitors" - see the article below...

 

Saturday 30 August 2014

Archive - Abba The Singles Poster

Whilst looking through my (boxes!) of old Abba bits and pieces I found a fold out poster promoting "Abba The Singles - a The First Ten Years" which included a short history of the group, a "Fact Files" section of each of the four, a group interview, the song lyrics to "The Day Before You Came" and a UK discography...

 

Friday 29 August 2014

International Abba Magazine #3

Issue number 3 of the International Abba Magazine was published in February 1982 - the editorial included news that Frida's solo album would be produced by Phill Collins, Bjorn's and his wife were expecting the birth of their baby and that Benny had recently been to England to buy two race horses called Secret Army and Hurtwood Lass.

The first major article in the magazine was a track by track review of Abba's latest album "The Visitors" ; having re-read this I agree with the majority of the review except the comment that "Two For The Price Of One" should have been released as a single as this is my least favourite track on the album.

Spread across eight pages the second half of the magazine includes pictures taken of Agnetha during the filming of the video for "One Of Us" quite a few of which I don't remember seeing before.

Thursday 28 August 2014

Abba Date 29th August 1981

On the 29th August 1981 Abba filmed the video for "When All Is Said And Done" - the filming took place in Solna just north of Stockholm with exterior scenes taken in streets near the studio together with footage of Frida on an island in the Stockholm archipelago.

Having filmed the video for "When All Is Said And Done" it was only released in a few countries (including America, Canada and Australia) with most territories opting for "One Of Us" as an alternative single.


Wednesday 27 August 2014

Archive - Abba Singles Review

Here is a clipping from a music magazine which reviews a number of Abba singles - I am assuming this was linked to the release of an Abba compilation however as it includes "The Day Before You Came" it can't be Abba Gold.

 

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Collection - Agnetha "The Queen Of Hearts" CD Single

Here are some pictures of Agnetha's CD single "The Queen Of Hearts" from my collection. The single (which also included the track "Eyes Of A Woman") was released in 1998 and was included on the album "That's Me - The Greatest Hits".

 

Monday 25 August 2014

Collection Update - Argentinian 7" Single

The latest Abba 7" single to be added to my collection from Argentina is "Felicidad" (Spanish version of "Happy New Year") with a b-side of "Super Trouper". The single was released during November 1980 and reached number 5 in the charts.

 

Sunday 24 August 2014

Collection - Agnetha "My Love My Life"

Here are a few pictures from Agnetha's 1996 compilation album "My Love My Life" which features 37 tracks focusing mostly on her early Swedish recordings.

The second CD also includes a few Abba / English solo tracks such as "My Love My Life", " The Winner Takes It All" and "Wrap Your Arms Around Me".

 

Saturday 23 August 2014

Abba On Amazon Movers And Shakers Chart

Following the two Abba shows on Channel 5 in the UK last night ("The Abba Years" and "Abba - Live In Concert") the Amazon "Movers And Shakers" chart this morning features a number of Abba CDs including three different versions of "Abba Gold". Additionally the "Mamma Mia" soundtrack is also at number 32 in the same chart.

 

Abba Date - 24th August 1992

On the 24th August 1992 "Dancing Queen" (b-side "Lay All Your Love On Me") was re-released in a range of formats (7", 12", CD single, cassette single) in countries where Abba had been popular during their years together.

Considering the age of the single it was a big hit in the traditional Abba-loving countries going Top 10 in Norway, Switzerland and Ireland - the table below shows some of the chart positions I have been able to find...
In the last couple of weeks I have added the UK cassette single to my collection which I don't remember seeing at the time - although I do remember buying the 7" and CD single versions.