"Länge, länge leve kärleken vår bästa vän, Fernando"
Frida -Frida Ensam
Original LP Release November 1975 Available on
Swedish Cd
This was only Frida's second studio album and her first album for the Polar label. It was recorded during
ABBA's heady early days at Frida's behest. It is a very good album, that shows off Frida at her most confident and
enthused. This album shows off Frida's vocal range and versatility .Of Frida's solo work perhaps only DJUPA ANTETAG is better
and only because FRIDA ENSAM is marred somewhat by a lack of original material. But on some days(on Tuesdays usually) I think
that FRIDA ENSAM is better...
FRIDA ENSAM when translated to English, means-Frida Alone,
but Benny produced, Björn,Benny,and
the ABBA band play on this album.
ABBA manager Stig Anderson was executive producer. The only ABBA
person who is missing is Agnetha. Aggie was otherwise occupied with her own solo album. Frida and Agnetha each released Swedish
language solo albums in late 1975. Both FRIDA ENSAM and Aggie's ELVA KVINNOR I ETT HUS took a long time to be recorded because
of the time demands of ABBA.FRIDA ENSAM was recorded between February 1974 and
October 1975. This was the longest time taken to record any ABBA related recording took prior to the recording of Chess
in 1983-1984...
The arrangements of the songs are as well thought out as the ABBA records of the period,. The choice
of material is quite varied. Most of the songs seem to be covers of previously released songs with the exception, of course,
of the original Swedish version of "Fernando" which made it's debut here. (Frida's version was released slightly ahead of
the English language ABBA version)."Fernando" is the only B&B song on the album. The Swedish lyrics (actually written
by Stig) reflect the theme the song had in its earliest versions-it was more of a love song, less of a freedom song. That
perhaps, explains why the "linga lange"( Swedish) chorus actually seems different than the "If I had to do the same again
I would my friend" chorus in the English version, even if you dont understand Swedish.
Two of the song choices were certainly not the light jazz of Frida;s early career-"Liv Pa Mars'" ( a spectacular
version of David Bowie's "Life On Mars") and "Wall Street Shuffle"(a 10CC song)." Life on Mars" was drawn from Bowie's HUNKY
DORY album. Some of the other songs were more akin to her pre-ABBA song selection but are given a much more effective
presentation by the increasingly tight ABBA band.
The album is uniformly excellent but some of the highlights include the ethereal "Hey Hey..' chorus in
"Aldrij Mej" , the emotional end of "Ett Live I solen" and Frida's high singing on Var Är Min Clown
("Send In the Clowns) '. The low point is probably a Swedish version of "The Most Beautiful Girl In
the World".
The front cover of this album featured Frida in a highly alluring but yet tasteful pose in a darkened
room. Her hair is the medium long, dark straight hair of the Arrival era.
This is one of the most sucessful Swedish markert albums by a ABBA solo artist. It went to #1 in
Sweden and sold over 100,000 copies. This album is a must have for Frida fans. It was first reissued
on CD in 1991 and again with bonus tracks in 2005.
|
THE POLAR REMASTERS 2005 Widespread international release
Frida's three studio albums that had been originally released on Polar Records were remastered
and reissued with bonus tracks, in May 2005... None of the bonus tracks are unreleased material ,but it's still nice to have
them on these CD's... The back covers is slightly altered for the reissue... Frida Ensam features bonus tracks of a 1972 single
that were not really part of the sessions for the Frida Ensam album....
Track listing for Frida Ensam remaster....
SIDE ONE
Fernando (Swedish version)
Jag Är Mig Själv Nu (Young Girl)
Som En Sparv
Vill Du Låna En Man (The
Most Beautiful Girl)
Liv På Mars? (Life on Mars)
Syrtaki (Siko Chorpse Syrtaki)
SIDE TWO
Aldrig Mej ( Vado Via)
Guld Och Gröna Ängar (Wall Street Shuffle)
Ett Liv I Solen (Anima
Mia)
Skulle De' Va' Skönt(Wouldnt It Be Nice)
Var Är Min Clown (Send in the Clowns)
Extra tracks on 2005 CD
12. Man vill ju leva lite dessemellan( non-album 1972 a-side)
13. Ska man
skratta eller gråta (non-album 1972 b -side)
Album details:
* Released on Lp (Scandinavia only) November 10, 1975
* Produced by Benny Andersson
* Engineered by Lennart Karlsmyr & Michael Tretow.
* Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden February 1974- October 1975 |
