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ABBA's middle period 1976-1979. 1976 began with ABBA on the top of world music charts. ABBA continued to be a dominant artists on the world charts through mid 1981.However by 1979 ABBA's innocence and smiles were starting to be in short supply.
ABBA-Greatest Hits 1976 released internationally, Revised Swedish version 1976 Sweden.. Released on Cd worldwide, but phased out This album is where ABBA broke
through worldwide on the album charts. This album This was only ABBA's third album released in many parts of the world and it would come only 22 months after their Eurovision victory with "Waterloo". It was released in late 1975 in Sweden,but in early 1976 most other places. Although a GREATEST HITS collection might have seemed premature, with "Fernando" ABBA was already releasing it's eleventh song that was a hit somewhere.(some songs were hits in different territories.) In Sweden and a few other territories
, the GREATEST HITS featured five songs
from GREATEST HITS had only one new
song The special intro helped made
this first ABBA song to exceed four minutes in length. During the songwriting process,
"Fernando "had emerged as a Swedish tango ,but had
soon developed a ersatz Mexican feel. The chorus to the song
is probably The earliest versions of GREATEST
HITS in Sweden didn't have "Fernando" ,but track listing for ABBA's Greatest Hits
Ted Gardestad --Franska
Kort Early to Mid 1976 Swedish CD The fourth Ted album on the Polar label, it was the last album of his that B&B had major involvement on. Bjorn and Benny would forgo outside production work for the next three years... Jerry Williams -Kick Down April 1976 Out of print CD 1990 A Swedish performer with a long musical career... This out of print album was Released on the Sonet label, and produced by ABBA friend/live engineer Claes Af Geijerstam, ABBA band members play on the record album The album includes songs by Claes, by Stealers Wheel, Traffic, Gene Pitney and ABBA.. This was the first released version of " Rikky Rock"N"Roller" to appear on record....
ABBA-All About ABBA- May 1976 Japanese Lp This album was a compilation released only in Japan.. ABBA were not mega huge in Japan, though they did well enough, especially after their 1980 tour.. This was their first album to make the Japanese record charts.... 1. Mamma Mia 8. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I
Do ABBA-GOLDEN DOUBLE ALBUM May 1976 French 2Lp set This was among the first double albums released by ABBA. The tracks are drawn from the Ring Ring, Waterloo, and ABBA albums Indeed this is Preety much the same album as the later THE VERY BEST OF ABBA. Basically, the same exact tracks-but hte French version had a different title.. A cassette version of this album actually had a French title-La Cassette d'Or. ABBA -THE VERY BEST OF ABBA August 1976 German 2lp set Polydor issued this 24 track two Lp greatest hits set in Germany, the Netherlands ,Austria and a few other places-it drawed on tracks from the Ring Ring, Waterloo, and ABBA albums. It also included "Fernando" This was among the first double albums released by ABBA. This was issued on CD in a reduced version with only 20 songs. This album was released in August 1976.
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*****ABBA-Arrival October 1976 in Sweden (later other territories ) Available worldwide on CD Was
ABBA at it's peak here? Quite possibly! This is a very strong
pop album. There are few studio albums in pop music that are
so filled with catchy listenable hooks . ARRIVAL's only flaw
is that many of the songs lack emotional depth. This was the
first of the ABBA studio albums This
album featured three big hits. "Dancing Queen' , ABBA's
first nod All
the other songs are highly listenable, the album opens with "When
I Kissed The Teacher" an amazing example of B&B's and ARRIVAL's ' closer was also the title track , it's a instrumental though it does have backing vocals. It's very effective, even if to some it seemed out of place. ARRIVAL is ABBA's best pop album, although artistically it's not their best. had not been on any previous additions of this album. 1. When I Kissed The Teacher; 2. Dancing Queen; 3. My Love, My Life; 4. Dum Dum Diddle; 5.Knowing Me, Knowing You. 6. Money, Money, Money; 7. That's Me; 8. Why Did It Have To Be Me; 9. Tiger; 10. Arrival; BONUS TRACKS FOUND ON 2001 remaster.... extra tracks: 11. Fernando; 12. Happy Hawaii Svenne & Lotta-Letters Late 1976 Swedish Lp out of print Includes B&B's disco song -"Funky Feet" and English version of B&B's 1971 song-"Tänk Om Jorden Vore Ung "which here is called "If We only Had the Time" Michael B. Tretow -LET'S BOOGIE September 1976 Swedish & British Lp release (Released on CD January 1999) Agnetha plays piano! This album is famous for featuring all of the members of ABBA and their band in the roles of sideman to the incredibly silly -Michael B. Tretow(ABBA engineer and resident comedian,)Agnetha, Björn , Benny and the Abba band play on this album and Agnetha, Frida and Karin Glenmark sing backing vocals, it's a very funny album The albums' title implies that this is a disco album but it's not-it's an album of humourous songs inspired by singers like the Coasters. Most of the songs have funny lyrics or at
least funny singing. The album's main flaw is that
Micke This would have been even more listenable album if Micke had Agnetha & Frida, hell, even Björn sing lead on a few of the songs. Until it's recent and much belated release on Cd , this album had been one of th 1999 CD Version track lisitng Lets Boogie / Paper Dolls / Robot Man / Bottom Coming Up / Brief Intermission / Moonbeams / I Can See What You Mean / That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles / Sandwich / Hesitating Hanna / Brief Intermisson / Keep Your Hands to Yourself / Doc McGurgles etc. / Buy Buy Buy / He Can´t Sing/
Nashville Train -Play ABBA OUR WAY April 1977 Swedish LP This album features 11 ABBA covers, and Nashville Train's version of "Please Change Your Mind". a rare country tune writtten by B&B that was used near the beginning of ABBA-THE MOVIE. (the scene with Kangaroos) Nashville Train features Rutger Gunnarsson and Roger Palm, both members of ABBA's studio band as well as Hasse Rose & Lasse Westmann. Lasse sings most of the lead vocals.
ABBA-ABBA's Greatest Hits-24 October 1977 Japanese 2lp set. Yes it's a 24 song ABBA compilation album,!!The Japs were already back with another ABBA compilation album . They named this ABBA album after the Kiefer Sutherland show 25 years before the classic TV show , 24 even existed.. .Abba-Live 77 December 1977 Swedish Flexi-disc Abba put out this four song flexi-disc (essentially a floppy plastic 45)-for school children. five edited live tracks -Fernando, Rock Me,Why Did It Have to Be me,Money Money money and ,Waterloo are included...For whatever reason this particular live mix has not been rereleased, .. Debbie Boone -You Light Up My Life- Late 1977 Out of print American LP This generally underwhelming debut album features Debbie's huge1977 American Hit "You Light Up My Life" and a cover of ABBA's song "Hasta Manana" . Debbie was Pat Boone's daughter,sadly or not-her career faded after this album...This album is available on not available CD currently. Her version of "Hasta Manana' was also the b-side of the ""You Light Up My Life" single. Abba-Live 77 December 1977 Swedish Flexi-disc Abba put out this four song flexi-disc (essentially a floppy plastic 45)-for school children. five edited live tracks -Fernando, Rock Me,Why Did It Have to Be me,Money Money money and ,Waterloo are included...For whatever reason this particular live mix has not been rereleased, .. *****ABBA-The Album Released December 1977 (Sweden)and Early 1978 (rest of world)Available worldwide on CD It is interesting, that at the heighth of THE ALBUM, though .it has only nine songs Where, THE ALBUM fares less well in comparision to the albums
that bookend "Take A Chance on ME " was the one song most in
line with ABBA's primary The "Name of the Game" is not a great song "One Man , One Woman' was another song On this album, ABBA seem to do things that even they dont
seem to realize were counter to the stereotypical view some had
of them. "Eagle" is a daring opening gambit, at nearly
six minutes it was ABBA's longest song. Agnetha & Frida sing
above a majestic, if somewhat droning-Hendrix with Morricone
with Spectre sound salad. "Move On", puts some people off with Björn's
spoken prologue , Some people also might not find it's searching
lyrics convincing,either, but for ABBA lyrics they "Hole in Your Soul" joins the distant A novel three song "mini-musical" closes A lot of the mini -musical can be seen in ABBA-THE MOVIE. On the album,the songs are arranged in a more formal orchestral manner instead of the theatrical approach favored in the live performences. "Thank You For the Music" has become ABBA signature
song even though "I wonder' was one of ABBA's more serious- "I'm a Marionette' despite the awkward lyric 1. Eagle; 2. Take A Chance On Me; 3. One Man, One Woman; 4. The Name Of The Game; 5. Move On; 6. Hole In Your Soul; "The Girl With The Golden Hair" - 3 scenes from a mini-musical - 7. Thank You For The Music; 8. I Wonder (Departure); 9. I'm A Marionette 2001 remaster extra track: 10. Thank You For The Music (Doris Day mix) (new bonus track) |
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ABBA-El album- Early 1978 Argentina LP The Album was called El Album in Argentina.... Benny was still Benny. Some of ABBA's other studio album titles were translated to the local equivelent, but I haven't listed all of these. Of course,none of the tracks are actually sung in Swedish, even though two of the songs-"Thank You For The Music" and "Move On" would recorded in Spanish in 1980.. ABBA-ABBA - The Movie August 1978 Japan Cassette Tape Strangley , ABBA -The Movie did not really have a soundtrack album-and so the Japanese attempted to rectify this by issuing a cassette compilation of ABBA songs, some of whcih are actually found in the found in the movie...Taiwan released also tried something similiar... Side 1: Hole In Your Soul/ Tiger /SOS /Ring Ring /Money, Money, Money/,He Is Your Brother/Intermezzo no. 1/Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)/Waterloo/Hasta Mañana /Rock Me Side 2: 1. Happy HawaiiI/'ve Been Waiting For You/The Name Of The
Game/Why Did It Have To Be Me/Fernando/Dancing Queen/Gonna Sing
You My Lovesong/So Long/Thank You For The Music ABBA-El Gran Show 1978 Peru/Uruguay 2lp set Down in deepest South America, they also put something of a soundtrack to ABBA-The Movie... ABBA-Um Novo Espaco Para A Musica 1978 Brazil Lp Another 14 track collection with tracks compiling tracks from 1973-1977. . Also known as DISCO DE OURO 1. Ring Ring
8. Fernando ABBA-Summer Night City Non-album single September 1978 ABBA felt it necessary to put out a new single (with new material ) in the Fall of 1978.. This was done partly because ABBA had gone a unusually long time without releasing a single,it least in most territories. THE ALBUM had really only produced two worldwide hits . So people were getting antsy for some new material. And for the first time ABBA had trouble producing the goods... So B&B worked on getting a song ready,
that song would be "Summer Night City" . It was a nod
in the disco direction , Björn sings along with the girls
on it,. B&B had trouble getting a good mix of the song together, the mix that was released
left out a elegant introduction. Originally the song was to end
up on what turned out to be the 1979 Voulez-Vous album-but it
too long for ABBA to finish that album... For some reason, "Summer Night City" was not released in the USA as a single, which was sign of things to come...Many of ABBA's post 1978 singles would do poorly in the USA or not even see release. The B-side was a three song medley of folk-songs, originally recorded and released (only in Germany) in 1975. Franck Pourcel Franck Pourcel recontre ABBA -1978 French Lp There is a claim on the web, that ABBA members
played or sang on this album but i dont know that to be true....
The album cover does include a pciture of ABBA meeting Frack-but
accoridng to one website-the expression on the faces of the ABBA
members is "doubtful". Wellander & Ronader-Wellander & Ronander 1978 Swedish Lp ABBA lead guitarist , Lasse Wellander works with guitarist Mats Ronader on this album which does not feature ABBA members.. An album on released on Polar records . Ronader sings I believe, Mats Ronander played guitar on the 1979 ABBA tour but didn't play on ABBA records other than ABBA LIVE. Mats also released a mumber solo albums on the Polar label and appears on Polar's Tribute to ABBA Cd. Ulf Lundell - Nådens År April 1978 reissued on CD in 2004? Agnetha sings on this album on one track...It's hard to tell it's her singing -so it's not worth seeking out.... The recent Cd version of this includes two
bonus tracks... |
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***ABBA-Voulez vous April 1979 Available on CD worldwide This may be ABBA's most controversial album. No doubt, this is due to the high octane disco content found here. People wondered if ABBA were just following a trend rather then setting one.The jump from THE ALBUM to VOULEZ -Vous is a particularly jarring one. The two albums seem to have little in common. One album is poetry the other is motion! It was probably a reasonable idea ,in retrospect for the group that did "Dancing Queen" to try their hand at more dance music.Certainly ,recording dance music was a sound idea commercially and commercial pop music was what ABBA was about. VOULEZ VOUS had the largest number of successful British singles
of any ABBA album. Three other songs have some disco elements but are not really
disco. "Does Your Mother Know "features Björn
as the lead vocalist ,the lyric isn't that bad-but this song
just doesn't do it VOULEZ VOUS had the second largest number of successful worldwide
singles of any ABBA album. 1. As Good As New; 2. Voulez-Vous; 3. I Have A Dream; 4. Angeleyes; 5. The King Has Lost His Crown; 6. Does Your Mother Know; 7. If It Wasn't For The Nights; 8. Chiquitita; 9. Lovers (Live A Little Longer); 10. Kisses Of Fire 2001 remaster bonus tracks: 11. Summer Night City; 12. Lovelight; 13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight (new bonus track) ABBA-Voulez -Vous Spanish version Mid 1979 Lp According to Raffem.com. the Spanish version of the Voulez-Vous album included the Spanish version of Chiquitita. The Spanish version of I have A dream had yet to be recorded at the time of this release. ABBA & Stikkan .Sång till Görel (private release 12 inch single ) June 1979 Privately released 12 inch single given in June 1979 as a tribute to Polar Vp Ms. Gorel Hanser, and a very good record,worthy of release. It features the only time that we get to hear Stig sing on a ABBA record.. It is sung in Swedish , and is the only song found on the disc... |
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**Various Artists-A gift of Song June 1979 Released on lp in some territories ABBA gave the song publishing rights for "Chiquitita
"to Unicef (the UN children's agency) . This album was drawn
from a special concert given at the UN General Assembly . The
concert held at the UN building in New York in January 1979.
Other artists to perform included Kris Kristofferson, John
SEPTEMBER / THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD
- The album also includes some of the short intros to the songs done by Gilda Radner and others.... Hootenanny Singers -Nya Vindar Mid 1979 Out of print Swedish Lp The Hootz made this studio album without Björn who had permanently left the group in 1974. The group had continued without Björn , though Björn and Benny did appear with the group at a Vastervik folk festival concert in 1977. The group somehow ended up with four members again. The two new members supposedly were guitarist /singer Martin Rinaldi and Eoin Clancy. The songs were mostly Swedish-with the exception of a version of "Greensleeves". The title track was written by Mats Paulson, it has shown up on some of the later compilations. The group also released a track in 1979 on the "VisFestivalen i Västervik 1979 a Polar album that featured songs from a Vasterik folk festival that Hansi has helped organize ever since. TRACK LISTING Nya Vindar
Anders Dahl -Anders Dahl And His Magic Strings Play ABBA Mid to Late 1979 Lp Another one of Polar record label tributes to ABBA...Anders Dahl did a few string arrangements for Abba and also played violin on some of their records...Oh and by the way-what in the name of Bjron Borg are "Magic Strings"????
This album was produced by Benny his first major outside production work outside of ABBA in three years, Finn Kalvik is a Norwegian singer who released a few albums on the Polar label, Agnetha Fältskog-Tio Ar Med September 1979 Available on Swedish Cd This is the most concise compilation of Agnetha's Swedish language music. It has a elegant cover photo of Aggie looking a bit more mature, even though she was still only 29 years old... I think this is the first time her trademark blonde hair is tied back on a cover. This includes fifteen songs drawn from each of her first six Swedish albums as well as one new song recorded in 1979 called "Nar Du Tar Mej I Din Famn" (the same song was released in 1998 in a English version called "Queen of Hearts") The original LP had a gatefold sleeve with a separate paragraph( in Swedish) and photo describing each song as well as lyrics for the songs. This is a lovely collection... Jag var så kär |
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***ABBA-Greatest Hits Vol. 2 October 1979 Released worldwide on CD but phased out. Released to coincide with ABBA's 1979-80 world tour. GREATEST
HITS II sported
ABBA-GRANDES EXITOS Volume 2 Late 1979 Released on Lp This was Greatest Hits Volume 2 as it was released in some Spanish speaking markets. It uses the same ugly grey cover as Hits 2 but has the Spanish versions of "I Have A Dream" and "Chiquitita" instead of the "I wonder" and the English version of" Chiquitita" The Spanish version of the two songs were recorded separatedly
and prior to the other Spanish tracks found on GRACIAS POR LA
MUSICA.
ABBA's later period 1980-1982 ABBA's last three years as a recording act featured a more adult,more autobiographical songwriting. Agnetha and Frida also sang a lot more as soloists on ABBA's records,and musically Benny's synthesizer began to dominate. The divorces of the group members helped lead to the end of the group. Being members of ABBA was not as much fun anymore! By 1983 both Agnetha and Frida resumed their solo careers. Bjorn and Benny began working with lyricist Tim Rice on the musical CHESS.
***ABBA-Gracias Por La Musicas June 1980 Released in some territories. Made available on CD also. The title means Thank You For The Music...But you knew
that!!!! In early 1980 Anna, and Frida found the time to record Spanish vocal tracks to dub onto the backing tracks of 8 more previously recorded songs .Some of the instrumention (notably Dancing Queen) seems to be different than the orignal recordings but this was due to the remixing process. However , mercifully Björn's spoken prologue to "Move
On" was not included in the Spanish version.Somewhat shockingly,
Björn and Benny had little involment in this project leaving
it to Michael Tretow to run the vocal sessions. Buddy and Mary
McCloskey did the transalations and according to Spanish speakers
they only did a fair job. The ten songs chosen to be translated
were originally recorded in 1974 to 1979. The songs were chosen
for their appropriateness for the Latin markert so some non-hits
were chosen. ABBA would also record two Spanish versions each songs from Although some people like some of the mixes on this album, in general the English versions are better. This album (or ORO) is great for Spanish speakers and completists but is not essential ABBA. Gracias Por La Música track listing: Gracias Por La Música ( "Thank You For The Music")
/Reina Danzante ( "Dancing Queen") ABBA-THE MAGIC OF ABBA 1980 American TV markerted LP A not too exciting American K-Tel Lp that in typical K-Tel fashion was loaded up with16 not very well mastered previously released ABBA hits. At least three later versions were tried in other countries . In 1982 K-Tel somehow managed to get 20 edited ABBA tracks onto one Lp for the Aussie version of "THE MAGIC OF ABBA".. At some point in the early eighties , the Canadians released the Story of ABBA which has the same track listing and cover as the American version ,but a different title.. THE MAGIC OF ABBA is also the is name of Stephen Morris ' ABBA website, which focuses on the ABBA in America.... 1. Dancing Queen 9. Fernando ABBA is mature and self assured here. On this album they dont
try too go to much into one direction -we find, a little disco,
a little Björn by now ,is finally writing consistently
The rest of the songs are uniformly intelligent, and non-objectionable.
"ME and I' is a rather cheerful song about multiple personalities. "Happy New Year" -ABBA never did a Christmas song-instead
we get this, 1. Super Trouper; 2. The Winner Takes It All; 3. On And On And On; 4. Andante, Andante; 5. Me And I; 6. Happy New Year; 7. Our Last Summer; 8. The Piper; 9. Lay All Your Love On Me; 10. The Way Old Friends Do; BONUS TRACKS ON 2001 Remaster 11. Elaine; 12. Put On Your White Sombrero Mike Oldfield -QE2 October 1980 British LP Mike was famous for his classic instrumental albums -Tubular Bells I, II, and III.On this album he recorded a fairly good version of the title track from ABBA's Arrival album. He was one of the first "cool" musicians to record a ABBA cover...Mike is pictured with a helicopter on the picture sleeve for the single released of "Arrival." Taurus /Sheba /Conflict /Arrival /Wonderful Land /Mirage /QE2 /Celt / Molly
ABBA- Hovas Vittne /Tiveds Hambo (instrumental version) private single Jan. 1981 This two sided record was privately issued in January 1981 This was a tribute record for Stig this time, not as good as "Sang to Gorel" but still listenable. The a-side was written by Bjorn and Benny with lyrical help from Anna, Frida and Rune Soderqvist. The b -side is an instrumental version of old song written by Stig....These tracks have never been made commercially available by ABBA... ABBA- Magica De ABBA ABBA 1981 Venezuela Lp The K-tel people even released a ABBA compilation in the lucrative Venezuelan markert. There was very little dancing in Caracas... Mirelle Mathieu-"Bravo Tu As Gagne''/ Viens Chanter
Pour For some reason Bjorn & Benny agreed to produce this French version of "The ner Takes It All" for the French chanteuse -Mirelle Mathieu. The recording was made in Decmber 1980. Frida and Bjorn sing background vocals on this track. The French translation of the lyrics were written by Chales Level . The b-side is not ABBA related. This track can be found on a Danish compilation - Mireille hiau "Greatest hits". This track can also be found on the French album "Les plus grands succès Vol 3",but that particular album is probably out of print by now.. ABBA- THE MUST OF ABBA Early 1981? French LP (some sources says this album released in 1982) Here you go -a kind of 1981 version of ABBA GOLD that takes a strange journey from France to Germany , Brazil, The Netherlands and South Korea. Very similiar to Dez Anos and A Wie ABBA.. I am actually am not sure when this album was released-A couple of sources say 1980, and others say 1982...Trent Nickson's Worldwide Chart list says the album charted in France in early 1981-so that's what I am going with as a date.... The same 16 songs that can found found on the German album A Wie ABBA.-... Super Trouper /Knowing Me, Knowing You ABBA-DEZ ANOS Brazilian LP 1981 Yes that's Portuguese for-10 years , Ok it had only been nine, but who's counting... Dez Anos , is similiar to Must of ABBA. In the Brazilian only version it is a compilation of 14 songs ranging from "Waterloo to ""Super Trouper". The brazilian version is missing two tracks-The Name Of the Game and Mamma Mia that are found on Must of ABBA" Brought to you by the fine folks at the Somlivre label. ABBA-A VAN ABBA Dutch Lp Spring 1981 ABBA- A WIE ABBA German Lp November 1981 Same track listing as THE MUST OF ABBA .German and Dutch versions of the same album-. Yet another compilation with a track listing very similiar to Brazil's Dez Anos. The German/Dutch version though, has two additional tracks-The Name Of the Game and Mamma Mia. The Koreans also released a cassette version of this album...This album has a very 1980-ish yellow cover.... Super Trouper /Knowing Me, Knowing You Kicki Moberg-Kicki Moberg February? 1981 out of print LP Agnetha does not sing or play on this album. , but I include this record because it shows how Agnetha was still writing songs at this point. This Polar release features two songs cowritten by Agnetha Faltskog. " Men Natten ar Var" and " Har ar Mitt Lin " a Swedish version of the unreleased ABBA song-"I'm Still Alive".
ABBA-VERY BEST OF ABBA Japanese LP set July 1981 This set features 24 ABBA songs ranging in time from "Hasta Manana to "Lay All Your Love on me" One b-side is included -"Happy Hawaii".This is different album then the 1976 German ABBA collection with a similiar name.Supposedly the Japanese also released an album in 1981 called SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS. Like, in Latiin American , ABBA became big in Japan only in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Record 1 ABBA-Anniversario Los 10 Anos De ABBA September 1981 Mexico Lp Yes yes title means -"The Anniversary of Ten Years of Abba." Ok it had really only been nine years but who's counting. This set seems suspiciously like Gracias Por La musica, ....This album Went to #1 in Mexico..
Michael Tretow (Caramba) -Caramba 1981 Swedish LP This is another novelty Michael Tretow related album, this album has no ABBA involvement though Caramba features Ted Gardestad prominently....The Swedish markert hit here was" Hubba Hubba Zoot Zooot" Many of songs mimic the music of various places like Hawaii orRussia.....One song on here called "Aitho" sounds as if Frida is singing on it-but she is not..... BLAZTAH 1 (Side A): ALI BABA , SPOTTNJIK HUBBA HUBBA ZOOT-ZOOT
, EINE FEINE FIDO Ted Gardestad -Stormvarning 1981 Swedish CD ABBA's involvement died down on Ted's later albums. On this album, Benny produced one song, and Frida sang on that song. ABBA-Slipping Through My Fingers Mid to Late 1981 Japanese promo lp.. This promo lp is famous for having a bizarre cover that features the four members of ABBA standing on a huge vinyl record that says Coca-Cola. Keep in mind, that ,It's really hard to stand on a moving vinyl record... The record is also unusual in having a unique edited medley of four ABBA's songs. The original edition of this among the most expensive ABBA collectables.. Finn Kalvik- NATT OG DAG, 1981 Swedish album A second album produced by Benny Andersson for Finn on the Polar label... Agnetha and Linda - NU TANDAS TUSEN JULEJUS November 1981 Swedish CD. Remastered in 2004 without bonus tracks..... This album was actually recorded in late 1980, but held back for release till Late 1981 It was the only new studio ABBA solo album to recorded between 1976 and 1982. Thus this album came out while ABBA still existed.This album is Agnetha's contribution to the world of Christmas music. Both this and Agnetha's later childrens album seem to be easier to get into if your actually Swedish .. The title track is a Swedish Christmas standard, Though this is more listenable then Aggie's later album with
her son Christian it remains a non-essential album. The best
thing about the album is the cover. It quite literally portrays
Agnetha and her daughter surrounded by good percentage of the
1000 candles that are referred to in the title. Agnetha looks
like a Angel. This CD was released by Polar in 1987. This album
was recently re- issued in tandem with a 1972 Polar Christmas
LP on a Swedish Nej se dat snöar/ Bjällerklang/ Nu tändas tusen juleljus/ Två små röda luvor/ Nu står jul vid snöig port/ Jag såg mamma kyssa tomten/ När juldagsmorgen glimmar/ Potpurri/ Mej mitt vinterland/ Så mitt lyser stjärnan/ Mössens julafton/ När det lider mot jul ****ABBA- The Visitors November 1981 Available worldwide on CD THE VISITORS is a often somber record. Look
at the cover,for the first time there are four separate people,
No smiles, but at least for once they look like real people.
It also has quite a beautiful cover.
All the songs on THE VISITORS have clearly
distinquishable lead vocalists.Four songs are sung by Frida,
four by Agnetha, and one by Björn.
"I let The Music Speak" is a little
known Many of the songs on THE VISITORS were recorded
digitally making this one of the first The Visitors is ABBA' s most artistic album,
but 1. The Visitors; 2. Head Over Heels; 3. When All Is Said And Done; 4. Soldiers; 5. I Let The Music Speak; 6. One Of Us; 7. Two For The Price Of One; 8. Slipping Through My Fingers; 9. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room; BONUS TRACKS ON 2001 Remaster: 10. Should I Laugh Or Cry; 11. The Day Before You Came; 12. Cassandra (new bonus track) 13. Under Attack ABBA- Fanfare for Ice hockey World Championship '81 A short synthesizer fanfare written by B&B that was released only privately as part of Polar Music Annual report ,but it also was used in the original Dick Cavett meets ABBA TV special as well in a ice hockey championship. It was the first of at least three obscure pieces that Benny wrote for sport events..
1982 In 1982 the last recordings by ABBA were made and Frida resumed her solo career. Hootenanny Singers -FÖR KÄRLEKS SKULL1982 Out of print Swedish Lp Frida-Something's Going On -1982 Available internationally on Cd TOMAS LEDIN-HUMAN TOUCH 1982 Swedish lp with some international
releases. ABBA-POR SIEMPRE 1982 Lp ABBA-ABBAantogiABBA 1982 Spanish Lp ABBA-ABBA International 1982? 1984? 1989*German CD ABBA=The Magic of ABBA Australia LP Hootenanny Singers -FÖR KÄRLEKS SKULL1982 Out of print Swedish Lp A second Hootz release an album without Björn ,how dare they! Some traditional songs but also a Swedish version of the Keith carradine song -"I'm easy', and a song by Benny Andersson protege-Finn Kalvik. This has been the Hootz final original studio album up to now. TRACK LISTING KOM UT, KOM FRAM ABBA-DISCO SPECIAL-1 These are four separate compilation albums were all released concurrently during 1982 by ABBA's then Japanese label DISCOMATE. Each album has a strange mixture of tracks from various ABBA albums.Only one rarity was included- the 1979 b-side "Lovelight" Each album has ten songs. At least two of these albums were released on colored vinyl. ABBA-THE Spanish album, April 1982 Gracias Por La musica received a belated release in Australia,in this version it has a different title... ABBA-ABBAantogiABBA Late Summer 1982 Spanish Lp Cool titlle ! Espana's Carnaby label put out this 11 track compilation...cos they had nothing else to do that week. Although the track listing is all 70's stuff-the cover photo is from 1982.... SIDE A -Waterloo /Dancing Queen /Summer Night City SIDE B Thank You For The Music/ Chiquitita ABBA-ABBA International 1982? 1984? 1989*German CD
The CD version of this doesn't have a copyright date-so I havent been able to confirm the release date. More than one source says this album was released in 1982, one source says 1984....one source (CARL MAGNUS PALM) said 1989 and one said 1988. It may be that the cassette version was released before the CD Version.... Not every ABBA compilation album was stupid, redundant and
pointless, there This CD was originated in Germany by Polygram.This CD is no longer available but at the time of it's release it provided the CD debuts for a number of ABBA's rare tracks. About half of the tracks were the usual hits like "Dancing Queen" "Eagle" was featured in the edit version (which even in 1989 was more interesting than aggravating.) This CD has the German versions of "Ring Ring" and
Another Town Another Train", The Spanish version of "Chiquitiita",
the French Version of "Waterloo" and three non- album
B-sides -"Happy Hawaii"."Take A chance On Me "(live),and
"I Wonder (live)'. All of these tracks were not widely available The original cassette version of this included five additional tracks, one of which was the then hard-to find b-side-""Crazy World".So the record company tries hard, but they lose points for leaving out some of the other foreign language tracks such as the Swedish versions of" Waterloo",Ring Ring and "Honey Honey".
Track listing -Ring ring (German vers.) *Honey Honey, Intermezzo No1/Waterloo(French) *The Visitors/Take A Chance On Me (Live) /Gimme X3/I've Been Waiting for You/Happy Hawaii/SOS/Rock N Roll Band/ *Crazy World/People Need Love/*Mamma Mia/ Wer Im Wartesaal er Liebe Steht(German vers. of Another Town, Another Train/Rock Me/ The Winner Takes it All/ I Wonder (Live ver.) Eagle (edit) *Voulez-Vous/ Dancing Queen/I Have A Dream -*CASSETTE Only tracks
ABBA-The Best of ABBA (The Readers Digest Box). Australia, Germany 1982 5-LP set. No longer available Among the first ABBA box sets. Haven't seen this but it's supposed to be a five LP box set with previously released material, including hits , album tracks, and 3 or so b-sides. Reader Digest also put out a similar 4CD box set in 1993 and 2004. TOMAS LEDIN- THE HUMAN TOUCH September ? 1982 Swedish lp with some international releases. Tomas Ledin was a bit of ABBA/Stig protege. He went along as the male background singer on ABBA's 1979 tour-in which he performed the track,"Not Bad At All", He also wrote songs for both of Agnetha and Frida's first English language solo albums... This particular album is notable for including his melodramatic duet with Agnetha Faltskog-called "Never Again" which was a big Swedish hit in fall of 1982 .That duet can be found on a couple of Aggie'scompilations.. Tomas Ledin ending up marrying Stig Anderson's daughter Marie, and also ended up owning Polar Studios' which sadly was shut down in 2004. I Love You Frida-Something's Going On - September 1982 Available worldwide on Cd Remastered and reisued with bonus tracks in 2005 The first solo album after the divorces of ABBA's two couples.
It's appearance was a clue that ABBA was nearing the end of the
road. Somehow, Frida ended up with Phil Collins SOMETHING'S GOING ON came a year after Phil's first solo hit-"In the Air Tonight' was released. "In The Air tonight " featured the influential drum sound that Phil had brought to the world partly throughthe talents of engineer Hugh Padgham.That distinctive drum sound was featured prominently in the title track here as well as on "Tell Me That's It Over"and other tracks on this album. The up-tempo songs on this album tend to emphasize Frida's great radio voice instead of allowing Frida to be expressive. The ballads here have aged better. Frida's introduces Roxette's
Per Gessle to the world when she sings his song "Threnody''
based on a Dorothy Parker poem. "Threnody" got some
lovely guitar work by Darryl The record closes with a cheesy duet between Phil and Frida.
For some reason This record showed that ABBA solo projects would have a tough
row to hoe internationally. the album did so-so in most markets
and the title track (a song that just screams -hit record) was
a hit only in some markets, but it it did do OK.Strangely ,the The album cover is a drawn portrait of Frida by Yves Poyet.
On the inside sleeve there was the photo on which it was based
showing Frida with sharply cut short dyed red hair. None of the
ABBA band played on this This Frida's second # 1 solo album in Sweden... Track listing for SOMETHING'S GOING ON( all sungs
in English) :Extra tracks: on 2005 remaster This was the end. Though we didn't know it at the time. This
collection of most of ABBA's A- sides was put together when it
became clear that the group had no enthusiasm and not enough
material for an entire studio album.
Two other songs , "I am the city" and "Just
Like that" were left in the can at the time.. Side A Ring Ring-Ring Ring Waterloo-Waterloo So Long-Abba I Do, I Do, I Do. I Do, I Do-Abba SOS-Abba Mammia Mia-Abba Fernando-Greatest Hits Side B Dancing Queen-Arrival Money, Money, Money-Arrival Knowing Me, Knowing You-Arrival The Name of the Game-The Album Take A Chance On Me-The Album Summer Night City-Greatest Hits 2 Chiquitita-Voulez-Vouz Does Your Mother Know-Voulez-Vouz Voulez-Vous-Voulez-VouzGimme! Gimme! Gimme!-Greatest Hits 2 I Have A Dream-Voulez-Vouz
Side D The Winner Takes It All- Super Trouper Super Trouper-Super Trouper One of the Us-The Visitors The Day Before You Came-new song Under Attack-new song ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS 1982 2 picture Lp set vinyl release (The Cardboard Box Version) A boxed version of ABBA-The Singles. ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS Late 1982 2Lp Argentina vinyl release Same album , but this version of ABBA-The Singles, has six of the Spanish language versions of ABBA's hits in place of the English versions . ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS Volume 1&2 Late 1982 French CD's Supposedly ,The French split this album up into two parts.. ABBA-OS GRANDES SUCESSOS DE ABBA 1982 Brazilian LP Ten more ABBA hits ,this time featuring tracks from ABBA's middle period. This compilation focuses on later hits. . The cover did not have ABBA's picture on it. Released on the Square label. In 1988 a CD with the same title was released in Brazil with four more songs ,but with butchered edits of many of the songs. The Winner Takes It All /I Have A Dream/Chiquitita/Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!/Knowing Me, Knowing You /Super Trouper/Dancing Queen /Money, Money, Money/The Name Of The Game/Fernando ABBA-POR SIEMPRE 1982 Lp An Argentinian compilation album that somehow rather strangely
There was also a Argentinian TV special with the same name.... Should I Laugh Or Cry /My Love, My Life /If It Wasn't For
The Nights Move On Arrival / Me And I
ABBA -Singles Collection (1972-1982) International Singles of ABBA.28 singles 1983? This is a collection of vinyl singles released in Germany. Some picture vinyl disc were included as well as some foreign language singles. This is similiar to the CD version of this released in 1999. Agnetha Fältskog-Wrap Your Arms Around Me June 1983 Available on Cd Remastered and reisued with bonus tracks in 2005 Released worldwide (even in America) this album was produced by British pop producer Michael Chapman. It was not a huge success, but well, at least Agnetha was happy with this album.. Many of the songs are good vehicles for Agnetha's voice. For that reason , this album appeals to some fans. This album does not compare well to Agnetha's ABBA's records which was the standard many record buyers were using. Nor does it seem as personal as Agnetha's Swedish solo work ,perhaps, because only one of the songs here was written by Agnetha,the forgettable song -"Man". The best songs here are probably "the Heat Strangely a few of the songs ("Take Good Care of Your
Children", Once Burned Twice Shy, Stand By Your Side")
have If " Cant Shake Loose' sounds like a remake of Frida's
"Something Going On " It's because both songs were
written by Russ The most amusing song here is "Mr. Persuasion" which sounds like it would make a good song for a exercise video with it's "You take me UP, DOWN chorus. It has has a great line-"Well have a mind but I put it on vacation"... This album was recorded at Polar by ABBA Engineer Michael Tretow Some ABBA band people like the ever-faithful Rutger Gunnarson played on it. There was some debate as to whether or not to use Agnetha's last name on the cover. Record Companies wondered whether DJ's would be able to say Aggie's last name. In the end she decided that her last name would stay. After all, people probably couldn't her say her first name correctly either and "ANNA" wasn't an option at this point in the game. I am amazed that somebody can be the most prominent member of a group that sells 300 million records and still Professional DJ's dont know to say her name! It is interesting that Agnetha's two early 198o's albums were released in the Spring and Frida's two early 80's albums were released in the fall...It's also interesting that salt and sugar look the same.... Track listing for WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ME Side 1 Side 2 Bonus Trackson 2005 remaster.. ABBA-Golden Hits 1983 Brazil lp The folks at Somlivre were back with another ABBA compilation-there was dancing in the streets in Rio that year.... Various Artists-Antligen Sommarlov! June 1983 Out of print Swedish Lp Polar Records put out This Swedish market only compilation
album The title means "Finally holidays" It has has
Benny's first solo recording ,and a rare live ABBA recording.
Benny recorded a short version of the Swedish hymn-"Den
Blomstetid Nu Kommer",which saw it's first release here. Also find here a 1979 live version of "Summer Night City;' Though this recording was left off the later ABBA 's live album , it was made available here as well on numerous bootlegs. The live recording of SNC might even be better than the original released single of "Summer Night City". Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer" was later released a second time on the SOMMAR, SOMMAR, SOMMAR CD ,but that is also out of print. It's the sort of track that just waits to be compiled somewhere... The track Sommar, Sommar, Sommar features Stig Anderson and the Polar Music office choir.. Stikkan och Kontorskoren-Sommar, Sommar, Sommar Just a side note-Summer compilation albums are a Swedish phenomenom
-go into a Swedish 1. Benny Andersson-Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer
Various Artists-(concept album)-ABBACADABRA- 1983 French Lp and later English singles released on French CD in the 1994.. This was the first"musical" based on B&B music.
B&B were not directly involved but they helped with two songs
on the English version of this project. The idea here was to borrow the melodies from ABBA songs and
rewrite the lyrics so as be able to tell a story and also so
as to be able to do it in French. (this was a French/Belgian
coproduction). I am not sure but I believe some non-B&B music Although this was not staged , a TV show and At the end of 1983 , the thing was apparently Needless to say, ABBACADABRA has been superceded by Mamma Mia, and thus is not lileky to be staged again... Sadly, I dont have this album, i 's not easily
Lasse Wellander-Full Hand 1985 Swedish LP Abba Lead Guitarist Lasse Wallander's solo album came out right after his work on CHESS, it was released on a label other than Polar...No ABBA members played on it Agnetha Fältskog-Eyes of A Woman March 1985 Available worldwide on Cd Remastered and reissued with bonus tracks in 2005 Agnetha's second English language solo album
"I Wont Let You Go" was written
by Agnetha with Eric Stewart and was released as a single . This
album uses some top name songwriters . Justin Hayward of The
Moody Blues wrote "The Angels Cry" a truly haunting
track. ELO's Jeff Lynne wrote the powerpop opening tune- "One
Way Love" and Asia's John Wetton and Greg Downes wrote "We
Move As One' the anthemic closer. All these "Click track" in particular, stands out well. The songs on this album seem to provoke different reactions from different listeners. I tend to think that this album works well since it seems to draw on the same strength that ABBA did-Give Agnetha a good pop song and she will deliver the goods. Side One of this album may be Agnetha's best
lp side ever. ABBA sidefolk Rutger Gunnarsson, Anders Glenmark Two songs- Agnetha's composition "Your
There" With Chess and Shine having been released in late 1984 this was the third ABBA studio album of the last six months-the last time that all ABBA members had solo studio albums out at nearly the same time.... Track listing for EYES OF A WOMAN Side 1 Side 2 Bonus Tracks on 2005 remaster Barbara Dickson -Gold Late 1985 Uk Lp and CD Includes her duet from CHESS and her cover of ABBA 1981 track -THE VISiTORS.This album reached #11 on the Brisiths charts.... 1. I Know Him So Well - duet with Elaine Paige Gemini-Gemini November 1985 Released internationally on Cd ,but out of print- Cowritten and Produced by Andersson and Ulvaeus Gemini were the sister/brother duo of Karin & Anders Glenmark. The Glenmarks were part of the same family that owned the Glen Studio in Stockholm where ABBA recorded on a few occasions in the 1970's Anders & Karin (along with Liza Ohlman) were the main backing vocalists for the original CHESS album, but also have had solo careers in Sweden. This album was the first new project B&B worked on following the completion of the Chess album.Benny and the ABBA band provide the musical backing and B&B coproduced with Anders Glenmark. Michael Tretow only engineered two of the songs here. Producing and writing song for a duo with one male and one female singer was probably not the best move for B&B at this point,in their careers. People really expected a lot more from B&B. Gemini was like making a record with just half of ABBA- and thus was bound to suffer from the comparision. Gemini have a more soulful sound than ABBA due primarily
to Anders Glenmark's passionate singing. Karin Glenmark is a
bit more icy of a singer but she has the more unique voice of
the two. There are at least three or four very good B&B songs here. The legendary partially released ABBA song ,"Just Like That' made it's official debut here on this album and was released as a (failed) single internationally .The version of JLT here is in a minor key and has some additional lyrics that are not on the unreleased ABBA version. JLT certainly seems better constructed here than in the ABBA version. "Have Mercy" has a intriguing lyric about "Slowly" is done in a duet in a more interesting but less straight forward version than the version done by Frida a year earlier on her SHINE album. "Another You, Another Me" (which ABBA lyric does that remind you off?) has Karin Glenmark singing in very high voice. It's yet another Björn lyric about a broken relationship.The two remaining B&B songs "Slow Emotion" & "Two Much Love is Wasted "are quite listenable but have boring lyrics. "The Middle of Nowhere" is the most memorable of the three songs written by Anders Glenmark. This album did not do well commercially and I found this album to be ridiculously hard to find, I found that the only way to obtain it was on bootleg. (Or if your very lucky you can find a used copy of the LP). Such scarcity is rather annoying considering that we keep seeing rereleased repackagings of ABBA material. This album is simply ABBA by another name. However as of 2005 you can get most of the track on this album on the best of Gemini Cd...
ABBA's 1986 Reunion TIVIDSHAMBO (Swedish TV only January 1986)
Unreleased track Abba actually had another little known private reunion during 1986 at the 40th birthday party for their friend Claes af Geijerstam.. Claes birthday is in February so I assume the party was around that time.... Agnetha Fältskog-Sjung Denna Sang -Early to Mid 1986 Swedish Lp This compilation album complements TIO AR
MED as sort of a The woman on the cover seems so innocent. This album features nine songs from Agnetha's fourth & somewhat hard to get album called När en vacker tanke blir en sång.This album also features some of Aggie's non- album tracks. "Nu Skall Du Bli Stilla " (Everything's All Right")from "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR makes it's debut on a Agnetha album here.As does the 1974 English language single "Here For Your Love/Golliwog' . "Golliwog" may have a stupid lyric , but it's stlll a sexy song. My favorite song here is the charming "Litet Solkensbarn" (Little Sunshine Boy) ,a 1970 B-side.,that also made it's album debut here. TRACK LISTING: -Tågen kan gå igen ABBA- Greatest Hits - July 1986 Japan LP Similiar to Greatest Hits 2 actually, but with "Fernando" and Waterloo to go along with most of the tracks found GH II. ABBA-LIVE Rel. August 1986 (but rec. 1977-1981) Available worldwide on CD Strangely, this live album would come out in 1986 during the mid -1980's lull in interest in ABBA. ABBA's live album would not be released in Great Britain at this time and would do poorly in most territories. The album met the fate it deserved..... The release of a a live ABBA album had been considered before-but shelved till this point,, when not many people wanted to hear a second rate ABBA album... This may be the one original ABBA album that an ABBA fan can
do without. LIVE is a very bland album and doesn't take very
good advantage of the numerous interesting and unreleased live
tracks available. In addition to the ABBA LIVE album there have also been a few other official (if somewhat obscure) releases of live ABBA material,as well as some significant live versions that have been not released officially. There have been suggestions that one day a new live album will be put out, perhaps to replace this one...In the meantime, skip this one get either ABBA-The Movie, or the ABBA -In Concert DVD's.
ABBA- 21 GRANDES EXITOS -1986 Chile 2lp 21 hits on this one including 7 Spanish tracks and 14 in English. They were dancing on the grapes all over the place....
Agnetha Fältskog-Agnetha 1986 Out of print Finland Lp This Finnish market only compilation album features songs from Agnetha's Swedish solo career 1967-1979. Track listing is similiar to Tio AR MED Dom har glömt Here For Your Love
Gulleplutt Många gånger
än
Dröm är dröm och saga saga Andersson, Rice & Ulvaeus-CHESS PIECES Summer to Fall 1986 Released on CD Released in Europe but not in the USA, this is a one album abridgement of the original studio concept album. It has about 13 of the songs.The versions of "You and I",and "Merano" used here are edits. I am not sure if the the extended version of "The Arbiter" was used here or the original version. The extended version of the "The Arbiter" included new lyrics referring to the mid-eighties Chess match in which World Champion Kasporov lost a match because of an arbiter's questionable decisions. This album has a white cover as opposed to the black of the original album. Agnetha Fältskog-The Way You are'/ Fly Like The Eagle Fall 1986 Swedish non album single A successful duet recorded by Aggie with Ola Hakansson, who had enjoyed international success as a member of Secret Service. The B-side, 'Fly Like The Eagle' was also not available on an Agnetha album at the time. It was released on a album Aux Deux Magots by Secret Serice and on Agnetha's THAT'S ME album.
Agnetha & Christian -Kom Folj Med I var Karusell- Early 1987 Released on Swedish CD Now it was nine year old Christian's turn to sing with mom., nearly seven years after Agnetha's daughter Linda had.. The title translates as "Come Along on My Roundabout".The whole album is in Swedish. There are some original songs here but nothing written by Agnetha. There is (for example) a Swedish version of one of the Smurf songs.This album is strictly for the pre A-teen crowd. The ever loyal Rutger Gunnarsson and Lasse Wallender play on this. Agnetha produced this with Michael Tretow. Interestingly,this album was not recorded at Polar Studios or released on the Polar label. Instead WEA handled the release of this album and AGgie's next album called - I STAND ALONE. Secret Service- Aux Deux Magots 1987 n Swedish Lp This album includes a extended version of Aggie's 1986 duet with Ola Hakkanson called "The Way Your Are", as well as nine other tracks. Of course, you can get"The Way Your Are" on the new version of EYES OF A WOMAN, or on That's Me or the My Love, My Life albums.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra- ABBAPHONIC 1987 Released on CD An album of orchestral covers of ABBA hits.
Gemini-Geminism April 1987 Available on Swedish CD. Cowritten & produced by ANDERSSON-ULVAEUS The second duet album by Karin Glenmark and
her bearded brother -Anders. The formula was the same as on their
1985 album Anders and Karin sing, Benny and the ABBA band play,and
Björn and Benny write and produce most of the songs (leaving
the remainder for Anders) . The main differences between this
album and the first Gemini album is that the songs on this album
are a little lighter, less soulfful and and the lyrics have more
of that early ABBA Nevertheless, a few of songs are depressing
or at least less than peppy.This album has the English version
of Gemini's The other songs are listenable, though While it might be enjoyable to have another Gemini record-it probably would have been more interesting if Bjorn and Benny had devoted their spare time at this point to writing another musical-but it would be 1990 before they got around to their next musical. Whitney Houston-Whitney -American CD June 1987 Whitney covered Tim Rice & B&B's "I Know Him So Well" from CHESS on this her second studio album ."I Know Him So Well"- is done as duet with her mother Cissy Houston. The duet is not overly memorable. This album included four huge American hits- I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" ""Didn't We Almost Have It All" "So Emotional "and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go ". This is possibly the largest selling album (with exception of ABBA Gold) with a song written by Bjorn and Benny on it. Track listing: 1. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who
Loves Me) Original Soundtrack
album for MIO MIN MIO" Swedish release late 1987
Benny Andersson -Klinga Mina Klockor November 1987 Swedish Cd "Sweden is an accordion country"- Björn Ulvaeus After 23 years in the music business Benny finally put out a album with just his name on it. Surprisingly or not this album was very successful in Sweden. Swedes were open to the traditional folk music that dominates this album. About two thirds of this album is accordion/violin based music written by Benny (or B&B) in a Swedish folk music style. Benny's friends, Orsa Spelman play the violins on the album.The other third of the album sounds like a cross between CHESS anbd the later KRISTINA album. The Stockholm's Radiosymfonikerna also receives credit as co-players on the CD cover. The other Although, accordion music is certainly an acquired taste, hearing a master like Benny play the accordion might make you want to acquire a taste for it. In any case, Benny does play the piano here as well. The other joy in hearing this album is that it it so freshingly non-commercial sounding. Björn had moved to England by the time this album was being made, so for the first time in many years, Benny began writing songs with out Björn and even worked with an alternative lyricist (Benny's brother -in-law , Mats Norlkit ) on one song, the lovely , "Efter Regnet". Björn didn't play at all on this album or coproduce any of the tracks. Even so, Björn cowrote 4 songs on the album. ( Björn lived in England from 1984-90). Benny dragged up an unsued B&B song rejected by ABBA called "Hamlet III" (which would appear in a partial version on the ABBA box set -THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC). Here it is called " Lottis schottis". Two songs were written for members of Two of songs are similar to the music in CHESS
or KRISTINA. "Efter Regnet" (After the Rain) is a elegant
duet sung by Tommy Korberg & Karin Glenmark. The title track
is an ambitious four part choral orchestral piece that features
a chorus and the Stockholm Radio Symphony. Frida sings on the
chorus -the only time one of the ABBA girls has appeared on the
same record This album ranks just after Kristina and Chess, amongst Benny's best post- ABBA work.. Every true ABBA fan should have at least one of Benny's solo albums..They should also buy an accordion and grow a beard..... Ra ta ta -Mellan Dröm Och Verklighet Swedish CD 1987 Frida early 1987 hit single duet with Ratata (" Sa lange Vi Har Haran") is available on this album by Ratata's album called Mellan Dröm Och Verklighet A English version was also recorded called "As long As I have You". ABBA- The Best of ABBA Poland 2lp set 1987.. The natives were restless in
Poland so the commies were releasing ABBA again , this time a
compilation...with a different track listing than previous international
releases with this title...Indeed
this 2Lp set has exact the track listing found on ABBA-The Singles
-The First Ten Years..Only five years late...Hey did you know
that Abba means father, and so occasionally the pope is referred
to as Abba. Hey did you know that a Swedish fish canning company
goes by the name of Abba? Agnetha Fältskog-I Stand Alone November 1987 Available worldwide on CD It seemed like this was the last time. Agnetha's last studio album for 17 years. I STAND ALONE is Produced by Peter Cetera and Bruce Gaitsh. Peter Cetera ( formerly of the American band -Chicago) who like any sensible person is a big fan of ABBA.. At the time of this album, Peter was at the peak of his solo career.His solo career was and is a very bland, and laidback. Somehow, Peter Cetera managed to convince
Agnetha to come to Malibu, California to record this album and
for the first time she is the only Swede on a record. She truly
stood alone. One theory is that Agnetha had developed a crush
on co-producer Bruce Gaitsh , and this is why she was willing
to to fly on a plane to California to record the album, despite
her known fear of flying... Thus album largely favors a very bland
,laidback However, since the songs are unremarkable
they do not outshine poor Two of the songs have more interesting arrangements. "The Last Time" is a dramatic opener and the title track sounds proud, defiant. There is actually some pretty effective horns,synthesizer, and percussion on the title track. Somehow, nobody was able to locate Rutger Gunnarsson and thus for the first time since her German recordings Agnetha she is the only Swede on a record. She truly stood alone! But then she sat down..... For variety of reasons (primarily the desire for privacy) Agnetha withdrew from the record making business at this juncture.until her comeback in 2005.
Track listing for I STAND ALONE Side 1 Side 2 Agnetha Fältskog-Estoy Sola Late 1987 Argentinean Lp The Argentines released an alternative version
of I STAND ALONE Agnetha also recorded and released ABBA-THE HITS sepetember 1987 In 1991,the 3 Cd's were cleverly put together into something resembling a box (I think it was paper actually ) and viola !, one of the first (indeed probably the first) ABBA CD box set on CD was brought into the world.The contents of these albums are mostly hits with a few album tracks thrown in, but no rarities. THE HITS (September 1987) 7. Take A Chance On Me
ABBA-THE
HITS 2 February 1988 British CD THE HITS 2 (february 1988 ) 1. The Name Of
The Game edit 8. Money, Money,
Money
Orsa Spelmän-Orsa Spelmän May 1988 Swedish CD This was the second album released on Benny's Mono label in May 1988. The album recorded at Polar and was produced by Benny Andersson and features him playing on accordion and synthesizer. Most of the songs are written by the band. This album recorded at Polar by engineer Bernard Lohr. ABBA-Special Best May 1988 Japanese Album Another Japanese ABBA compilation... Original Broadway Cast-CHESS by Andersson,Rice & Ulvaeus Fall 1988 Available on American CD. This
is the cast album from the heavily revamped Broadway version
of CHESS which ran on Broadway from April to June 1988. Their
were problems with using the Benny
and Björn went to NYC to produce the Broadway cast album
whilst the play was running.A whole new group of actors is featured
here..Judy Kuhn ,best known for her work The
singing performances are fairly good,but not usually not as good
as the 1984 studio album. This version has a very different lineup
of songs and Four
totally new songs are featured "Someone Else's Story "
sounds more like an old fashioned great Broadway song than anything
else written for Chess. Strangley it was actually cut from the
play towards the end of it''s short Broadway run. . The
album doesn't include all the songs CHESS,
on Broadway was not well received There
was such hostility to Chess that the play's music was not nominated
for any Tony awards, only the two American lead actors received
nominations. The music is performed by the actual Broadway stage orchestra , Benny manages to sneak in a bit of work on keyboards. The album has stayed in print for a long while in America despite the plays limited Broadway Run. The
original cast performed the songs live Tim Rice brought CHESS to Off-Broadway in yet another version in the 1990's . This was a simpler production but not as good as some of the simpler college productions that have put on. This
album was released on a vinyl Lp in a abbreviated version. The
album was People wandering why Bjorn Ulvaeus was so willing to sell his soul for Mamma Mia to be successful would do well to study the CHESS experience. ABBA-THE COLLECTION VOL.1 1987 or 1988 British/Australian CD Starting to move from lp's to Cd's by now... This album was issued on a budget label- The CD versions of these have fewer tracks than the lp versions.. The Australian version were not released at the same time as the Briitish versionss Collection Volume 1 is mostly the usual suspects-all the hits that are fit to print... Waterloo/The
Name Of The Game /The Winner Takes It All /Dancing Queen /Super
Trouper Ring
Ring /The Day Before You Came ABBA-THE
HITS 3 -September 1988 British CD THE HITS 3 (Septmeber 1988) 1. The Winner
Takes It All 8. Chiquitita ABBA- THE COLLECTION VOL.2 October 1988 British/Australian 2lp /CD ABBA The Collection 2 features most of ABBA LIVE as well the Ring Ring album.. This was the first time that many of the RING RING album tracks had seen release in Great Britain, which was one of the many territories not to release the Ring Ring album during the 1970's... ABBA- The Best of ABBA Canada LP 1988... The Canadians were releasing ABBA too, in this compilation...with a different track listing than previous releases with this title... 1. Dancing Queen
9. Does Your
Mother Know
ABBA-OS GRANDES 1988-Brazil Lp Another hits compilation .A repackaging of the 1982 album OS GRANDES SUCESSOS DE ABBA , on this version there are four more songs, but some of songs have been edited... They were dancing in Sao Paulo! Then they heard the butchered edits and started throwing stuff at the DJ. The Winner Takes
It All edit / Dancing Queen edit /Chiquitita
edit /Fernando edit/Summer
Night City /S.O.S./Mamma Mia Information Society - Information Society International CD 1988? This Cd by a Minnesota geek band features the hit "What's on Your Mind -Pure Energy) "as well as a cover of ABBA's Lay All Your Love on Me . The hit is that annoying song that kept having a sample from Star Trek of Mr.Spock (Leonard Nimoy) saying -"pure energy!...
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ABBA-THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL/ABBA- GULD HITS 1988 SWedish/Danish
Cassette issue only
In Sweden this collection was called GULD HITS, in Denmark-The Winner Takes It All
This cassette only release may have been called by two different names, but each has the same 14 tracks. Unusually The tracks are all from the 1980's . Supposedly, The version of "Under Attack" featured here is the special edits used for aT V show. I sometimes envision that there could have been a ABBA Greatest Hits Volume 3, with songs from Super Trouper, The Visitors and some or all of the 1982 tracks-but it probably woudn't have sold well...anyway this as close as we come to that idea.... There are also cassettes called Guld Hits Vol.2, Vol.3, and Vol.4.
1. The Winner Takes It All
2. Slipping Through My Fingers
3. Lay All Your Love On Me
4. Under Attack (special edit)
5. One Of Us
6. Andante, Andante
7. Happy New Year
8. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
9. The Piper
10. When All Is Said And Done
11. The Day Before You Came
12. Our Last Summer
13. The Visitors
14. Super Trouper
ABBA-ABSOLUTE ABBA November 1988-UK 2CD /2 Lp set
More hits , repackaged in some new and fabulous way, Totally hits on this one-covering most of ABBA's career. Issued iin the UK on the Telstar label. There were dancing outbreaks reported in Leeds. Actually it might have been fighting at a football match...
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Fernando Knowing Me, Knowing You |
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VARIOUS ARTISTS-Polarator Late 1988 Promotional Lp
This is a very hard to find red Lp issued by Stig's . Polar label , which had previously released Christmas tracks on it. it is is a rarity..It was issued by a Swedish furniture? company called ironcially enough Polarator. It has ABBA's "Happy New Year' and a couple of the ABBA girls solo x-mas tracks..
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1989 By 1989 ,of the four former ABBA members only Benny was working regularly as a musician. ABBA's international profile by this time had decreased substantially. Benny had started up his own record label by this time, called Mono Records. ABBA-THE LOVE SONGS- 1989 CD UK Hootenanny Singers Reunion 1989... ABBA-The
Very Best of ABBA 1989 British Lp or CD |
ABBA-LOVE SONGS Dutch Lp /cd Fall 1989
Similiar title & theme but different track listing, . the cd version had bonus tracks.
1. One Of Us 8. Fernando
2. Chiquitita 9. Andante, Andante
3. Tropical Loveland 10. Wrap Your Arms Around Me - Agnetha edited
version
4. Dancing Queen 11. Our Last Summer
5. I've Been Waiting For You 12. Take A Chance On Me
6. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do 13. S.O.S.
7. My Love, My Life 14. The Way Old Friends Do
Hootenanny Singers Reunion 1989...No singing involved...
For some reason ,All four of The original Hootenanny Singers appeared together on Swedish TV togther for a interview at some point during 1989....? Yes ,even the high and mighty Bjorn Ulvaeus showed up for this one with Johan Karlberg, Tony Roth, and Hansi Schwarz The "fifth Hootenanny" roadie Hans Bergkvist was also there....I believe this is the last time all four guys were seen in public together.. Johan Karlberg would die three years later on August 16, 1992..He was only 49 when he died....
Souree : ABBA On Tv website...
ABBA-The Very Best of ABBA 1989 British Lp or CD
Readers Digest put out this one disc 14 song compilation of ABBA hits.
Waterloo /S.O.S. /Mamma Mia /Fernando
/Dancing Queen/Knowing Me, Knowing You
/Money, Money, Money /. Summer Night City/Take A Chance On Me/
The Name Of The Game edit/Chiquitita/Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! / Super
Trouper
/ The Winner Takes It All
ABBA-ABBA International 1989
?1982? 1984? *German CD
Not every ABBA compilation album
was stupid, redundant and pointless, there
have a been few that actually used good ideas. The idea behind
this compilation was to throw in some of ABBA's non-English recordings
with some b-sides and hits.
This CD was originated in Germany by Polygram.This CD is no longer available but at the time of it's release it provided the CD debuts for a number of ABBA's rare tracks. About half of the tracks were the usual hits like "Dancing Queen" "Eagle" was featured in the edit version (which in 1989 in time was more interesting than aggravating.)
This CD has the German versions of "Ring Ring" and Another Town Another Train", The Spanish version of "Chiquitiita", the French Version of "Waterloo" and three non- album B-sides -"Happy Hawaii"."Take A Chance On Me "(live),and "I Wonder (live)'. All of these tracks were not widely available on Cd at the time.
The original cassette version of this included five additional tracks, one of which was the then hard-to find b-side-""Crazy World".So the record company tries hard, but they lose points for leaving out some of the other foreign language tracks such as the Swedish versions of" Waterloo",Ring Ring and "Honey Honey".
Track listing -Ring ring (German vers.) *Honey Honey, Intermezzo No1/Waterloo(French) *The Visitors/Take A Chance On Me (Live) /Gimme X3/I've Been Waiting for You/Happy Hawaii/SOS/Rock N Roll Band/ *Crazy World/People Need Love/*Mamma Mia/ Wer Im Wartesaal er Liebe Steht(German vers. of Another Town, Another Train/Rock Me/ The Winner Takes it All/ I Wonder (Live ver.) Eagle (edit) *Voulez-Vous/ Dancing Queen/I Have A Dream -*CASSETTE Only tracks
*Editors note-the CD doesn't have a copyright date-so I havent been able to confirm the release date. More than one source says this album was released in 1982, one source says 1984....one sourece said 1989 and one said 1988. It may be that the cassette version was released first....
Benny Andersson-November 1989 Available on Swedish CD Released as you might well guess in November 1989
Benny's second solo album features a lot more piano & synthesizers and a bit less accordion/violin than his first solo album. The folk group Orsa Spelman is on here but they play a less than they do on KLINGA.
As result it's a easier listen, but also a less interesting album. It's doesn't jump out at you the way KLINGA does. What this album does offer is lots of unadultearated Benny Andersson keyboards and synthesizers. This sounds more like film instrumental music, albeit with the usual Benny Andersson flair for melody and hooks. This album also includes some vaguely humourous sounding music such as "Machopolska ".
Björn cowrote only one song here, "The Conducator'. It was written for a special concert. The song features Tommy Korberg singing. The lyric sounds like a Chess lyric, it's full of cynicism! It seemingly describes some horrible bureaucrat. Apparently though, the song was inspired by ,a Romanian, Doina Cornea's letters to her daughter during the Communist dictatorship of Nikolai Ceaucescu. "The Conducator" is the only vocal track on the album.
Once again, one of Benny's family members is mentioned in a song title this time it's his Grandfather -Efraim Andersson. Efraim taught Benny to play the accordion starting when Benny was six. Benny most treasured possesion is the accordion his Grandfather gave him...
The CD opens with the beautiful Northern sounding "Skallgång".This album's most haunting song is the closer "Stockholm at Night". The melody for "Stockholm at Night "was recycled for use in KRISTINA FRAN DUVEMALA. The Cd cover features a drawing on the cover-drawn by Marie -Louise Ekman..
It is strange
that the CD's title is written in English,since this CD was only
released in Scandinavia..
Track listing for November 1989
Skallgång, Machopolska, Vals efter Efraim Andersson. Sekelskiftesidyll, Dans på vindbryggan, Stjuls, Tröstevisa, Målarskolan, Novell #1, The conducator (featuring Tommy Korberg) ,Stockholm by night
ABBA-THE LOVE SONGS- December 1989 CD UK
A British and
also Australian CD/cassette release brought to you by the fine
budget folks at Pickwick. This has The b-sides "Should I
Laugh Or Cry "and "Lovelight "
The cover uses a famous "nude above the chest" photo
of the ABBETTES on the cover. To further confuse matters, there
is also a German music club release with the same title and a
differant track listing...
THE LOVE SONGS track listing
Unusually this album features
no major hits on it and jumps wildly around between later and
earlier ABBA
1. Under Attack 8. My Love, My
Life
2. Slipping Through My Fingers 9. One Man, One Woman
3. Should I Laugh Or Cry 10. Tropical Loveland
4. Gonna Sing You My Lovesong 11. Another Town, Another Train
5. Lovers (Live A Little Longer) 12. When All Is Said And Done
6. Lovelight13. If It Wasn't For The Nights
7. I've Been Waiting For You 14. So Long
Frida's rare and unreleased recordings....1974-2005
Many of Frida's rare 1980's and 1990's songs have not been compiled
on CD. Most of these are duets she has recorded with other acts
.As such many of them can be found on albums by those acts. Some
of the rare 1982-1994 singles tracks can only be found on those
singles many of which were only released in Sweden.
Frida's unreleased
recordings are mainly
drawn from TV appearances. Frida also made a series of TV specials
from the Grand Hotel in Stockholm in 1982 which included many
songs not available elsewhere. Many of these songs can found on
a CD issued by ABBAMAIL called TELEVISION. Frida also sang
some duets in concert with
Marie Frederickson that haven't been released. There was at least
one unfinshed that track was left off the SOMETHING's GOING
ON album -a unfinished recording called "Shot Down In
Action". There were two unreleased tracks left off the 1971
FRIDA album.
Frida duet
with Ratata (" Sa
lange Vi Har Haran") is available on Ratata's album called
Mellan Dröm Och Verklighet (1987) -as well as on the
Swedish compilation album called Duetter.
Frida's acapella duet version of "Dancing Queen " done
with THE REAL GROUP is available on Varför Får Man
Inte Bara Vara Som Man Är? (1994) as well the recent
American ABBA tribute album called ABBA-A tribute THE 25th
Anniversary Celebration.
In 2005, Frida's box set was released . Although, only a couple of rarities were include on the cd's , some of rarities can be seen on the DVD section of the box...
Frida's rare released tracks 1974-2005 None of the duets listed here ever appeared on a Frida album...
| YEAR | SONG TITLE |
| 1974 | Med Varann (duet with Björn Skifs)Moviestar(with Harpo) |
| 1982 | Here We'll stay (solo version) Belle (duet with Daniel Balavoine) |
| 1983 | Time (duet with B.A. Robertson) Adam Ant-Strip |
| 1984 | That's Tough ( B-side) LATER MADE AVAILABLE on THE VOICE OF ABBA |
| 1987 | Sa lange Vi Har Haran (with Ra Ta Ta ) As long As I have You-(with Ra Ta Ta) |
| 1992 | Anglamark (with Artister for Miljo:Frida Lyngstad / Marie Fredriksson / Håkan Hagegård and Tomas Ledin) Saltwater-(B side to Anglamark) |
| 1994 | Dancing Queen (with The Real Group) |
| 2002 | La Bacarolle duet with Fillippa Giodano |
| 2003 | Lieber Gott , I have a Dream (duets with Dan Daniell) |
| 2005 | The Sun Will Shine Again (vocal solo on Jon Lord album ) |