ABBA- Latest Releases

The Visitors Deluxe with never before released ABBA track!

2012-01-25T21:13:00.018-05:00

ABBA-The Visitors (Deluxe Edition), Universal Music CD/DVD International release April 23, 2012

For once, ABBA's record label, Universal, actually has managed to surprised us. Universal Music's press release about a "new" ABBA song has drawn a considerable attention on world news Websites, much more attention than other recent reissues have gotten, probably more attention than it should have gotten.

The deluxe edition of The Visitors will be released in April of 2012 and it will include "From A Twinkling Star To A Passing Angel (demos)" a recording which has never been released before. The press release did not state exactly what these unreleased demos consist of -but it's a fair guess to say that it might be work tapes of song that were actually released, most likely for "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room". When, the song was originally recorded it was more complex, and early mixes were made of the more complicated versions of the song.    If this "new song" were to be a whole new song, it would be quite surprise. There have already been many " work in progress tapes" already heard unofficially from The Visitors sessions, due to a theft of tape copies from Bjorn's car. These unreleased bootlegs have included instrumental versions of the songs, and early takes of songs such as "When All is Said and Done, and "Two for the Price of One".

Bjorn and Benny have usually been hesitant to release their unreleased stuff-so the release of "From a Twinkling Star..." is bizarrely inconsistent from that policy. Why not do the same thing for the other ABBA deluxe releases, for example release the work tapes for "Chiquitita" which had been contemplated back when when the box set was issued in 1994. Why not release "Just Like That" the excellent 1982 track that has yet to see full release. JLT is the holy grail of unreleased ABBA tracks. (The various reissues of the Visitors album have always contained some selection of the tracks recorded in 1982 after The Visitor album was released.)
Bjorn was once asked by a fan on the group's official website if they would ever release a Beatles Anthology style collection of rare tracks and outtakes, his reaction was total disdain for the very idea.

The CD/DVD also includes the usual assortment of bonus tracks and TV performances. The other five 1982 recordings are included as well as "Should I Laugh Or Cry" and the nine original songs from The Visitors album. The DVD is notable for not including more from the Dick Cavett Special, which included originally included a interview and nine songs. What's good about this set? Well it is a wonderful album for fans of ABBA's more serious work, and the 1982 songs are certainly wonderful as well. A lot of albums don't get this nice deluxe treatment, so I am happy about that too!

The Visitors - Deluxe Edition track listing...

DISC 01: CD
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:
10. Should I Laugh Or Cry
11. I Am The City
12. You Owe Me One
13. Cassandra
14. Under Attack
15. The Day Before You Came
Extra Bonus Track:
16. From A Twinkling Star To A Passing Angel (demos)

DISC 02: DVD:
1.    Two For The Price Of One (Dick Cavett Meets ABBA)
2.    Slipping Through My Fingers (Dick Cavett Meets ABBA)
3.    When All Is Said And Done (Original Promo Clip)
4.    ABBA In London, November 1982 (The Late Late Breakfast Show, BBC)
5.    ABBA In Stockholm, November 1982 (Nöjesmaskinen, SVT)
6.    The Visitors TV commercial I (UK)
7.    The Visitors TV commercial II (Australia)
8.    The Singles – The First Ten Years TV commercial I (UK)
9.    The Singles – The First Ten Years TV commercial II (Australia)
10.    International Sleeve Gallery

Elmar Kivaste.

2012-01-13T21:36:00.007-05:00

I stumbled across the news that Elmar died, "Elmar" was Elmar Kivaste, the Estonian webmaster of Elmar's ABBA site. Elmar died more than two years ago in the summer of 2009. He was 44 years old. Sadly, I never "met" him, I am pretty shy when comes to meeting people on the web, but I always admired his website, which has pictures and track listings for most ABBA related recordings. In particular, his site has the best coverage of Swedish releases of 1960's and 1970's. If I wanted to see a picture of an original LP by Lena Andersson, or an obscure Hootenanny Singers release his site is where I would go first. For some reason, after he died the site's internal linking mechanisms didn't work very well, but that problem appears to have been corrected. My condolences to Elmar's family and friends.

Here is the site address for Elmar's ABBA site www.hot.ee/abba/ . Much of the text of the site is written in Estonian, but most of the site is pictures and track listings.

Abba Arrival book form ECOPAK

2012-01-04T23:00:00.003-05:00

ABBA-Arrival, (Bookform) eco- package) UK/Netherlands, November 3, 2011

A one off reissue of just this album in book form-similar to the 2001 ABBA Arrival reissue.
This is fairly obscure reissue, I saw mention of it on ABBA Omnibus blog, and on
the AgnethAnnifrid-ABBA blog http://agnethannifrid.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-cdbook-release-of-abbas-arrival.htmlwhich has a picture of CD. The blog says it is part of a reissue series that includes Michael Jackson's Thriller and Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. You obtain this release from ABBF Record Service..

Track listing
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
11. Fernando
12. Happy Hawaii

ABBA reunion threat over Slussen project

2011-12-13T00:51:00.004-05:00

Benny Andersson half jokingly suggested over the weekend that he might ask ABBA to reunite for a concert to help fight against a urban renewal project in Stockholm.
The project is in a area called Slussen (the Locks) a central area of Stockholm named after the locks between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea that dates from 1935. Benny lived in Stockholm as a youngster (the only former ABBA member to hail from Stockholm), and recently has been campaigning against the Slussen redo.

”If I knew with 100 percent certainty that it would help, I would call the others and ask if we could do a gig. I'd try at least,” said a half-serious Benny to daily Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) on Saturday.

”Slussen is that important. But there is not much time, we'd need at least one day's rehearsing,” Benny Andersson told SvD on Saturday. Sourced and edited from the Local- a English language Swedish news source.

It seems highly unlikely that an ABBA reunion would happen, and this issue seems like a rather obscure and inappropriate reason to get together, but the simple " half-serious" suggestion that ABBA might reunite was probably sufficiently newsworthy to get attention to this cause. In the past Bjorn and Benny, have said quite firmly that ABBA would never reunite. Frida has sometimes suggested that she is OK with a reunion, Agnetha is known to be resistant to the publicity and attention that a reunion would entail. The photo below shows one of the proposed plans, The Katerina Elevator is on the the Left.

New Björn Ulvaeus song! Susan Boyle

2011-12-05T21:10:00.006-05:00

BAO member Tommy Körberg, 63 and Swedish pop singer Danny Saucedo, 25, will record a single together. I CAN SEE MYSELF IN YOU is composed by Tobias Gustavsson with lyrics written by Björn Ulvaeus. Gustavsson already had written the melody and dragged it out to put together the song. It is rare for Bjorn to write lyrics for a melody not written by Benny or himself. It's not clear when the recording will be finished and released .

I forgot to mention the following release...

Susan Boyle-Someone To Watch Over Me, Sony, Internationally released CD November 2011

This is the new Studio album by the Scottish spinster singer, it features her version of "You Have To Be there" from Bjorn, Benny and Herb's Kristina. Susan's recording is likely to be the biggest selling version of the song, though she does not she sing it particularly well. The album went to Number 1 in the UK and Number 4 in the USA. She performed "You Have To Be There" on American TV. "You Have To Be There" is notable for sharing the same English translator, Herbert Kretzmer, as "I Dreamed A Dream" (Susan's breakthrough tune). This album has not been successful as Susan's first two records, but has done OK.

Tracklisting:

1. You Have To Be There
2. Unchained Melody
3. Enjoy The Silence
4. Both Sides Now
5. Lilac Wine
6. Mad World
7. Autumn Leaves
8. This Will Be The Year
9. Return
10. Someone To Watch Over Me

New Ludvig Andersson recording project.

2011-11-29T23:02:00.004-05:00

Atlas-Empires and Stuff, RMV Grammofon / Universal | Swedish CD September 14, 2011

Benny Andersson's son Ludvig Andersson, has a new album out.

“Empires and Stuff” is the first album from the Stockholm duo ATLAS. Ludvig Andersson (vocals, guitar and various other instruments) and Mats Lundgren (keyboards and even more instruments)
Previously Ludvig recorded an album with Ella Rouge and a solo album. Mats Lundgren worked in a group called Pine Forest Crunch. The featured You Tube video track is called E.T. The CD is available from the ABBF fanclub site. Benny Andersson does not play on the CD. The CD was recorded in the new Mono Record Studios. Update- January 2012- Oh I finally realized that's a person on the cover....

Track listing:T-shirts, Poets And Idiots, Here's Johnny, Avalon, E.T., Bright Eyes, Cam Me, Mars, I'm July Amanda, Bay City Lights

Rare ABBA track released officially

2011-11-25T22:17:00.002-05:00

Various Artists-Carols For A Cure - Volume 13 CDH060-11, 2CD American release, November 2011-$20.00

Broadway Cares, offers their 13th annual collection of Christmas recordings as performed by the casts of various Broadway shows, entitled Carols For A Cure - Volume 13. The cast of Mamma Mia! is featured on 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing'.
the Mamma Mia! cast performance is preceded by ABBA's brief recording of the Swedish Christmas song 'Nu är det jul igen', as originally broadcast on the West German radio show Mal Sondock's Hitparade in 1981.
This marks the first legal CD release of this ABBA recording,Although truth be told, it's nothing special.
Other Celebrity guests on this album include Daniel Radcliffe, Martha Wash, Kara DioGuardi, Roger Rees, Reeve Carney, Montego Glover, Chad Kimball, Hugh Panaro and Daniel Rodriguez, among others.

Disc 1:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
GIVE AWAY LOVE- Memphis
WHITE CHRISTMAS- Chicago featuring Kara DioGuardi
LITTLE JESUS SWEETLY SLEEP- Mary Poppins
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING- Mamma Mia!
WHEN THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA- Wicked
CHRISTMAS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR- Catch Me if You Can
THE 13 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS- The Addams Family
I WONDER AS I WANDER- The Phantom of the Opera
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH- Sister Act
O COME, O COME EMMANUEL- Rock of Ages
SILENT NIGHT- The Lion King
Disc 2:
ST. NICHOLAS SKY- Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN- Rent
LIGHT IT UP!- Priscilla Queen of the Desert
THE FIRST NOEL- War Horse
CHRISTMAS ON THE S.S. AMERICAN- Anything Goes
WHAT CHILD IS THIS?- Chicago
WAITING FOR THE SNOW TO FALL- Billy Elliot
LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING- Die Bratschen Von Broadway
DANCE WITH ME SANTA- Ashley Argota
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL- Camelot at the John W. Engeman Theatre
DECK THE HALLS- Avenue Q
AULD LANG SYNE- Baby It's You!
O HOLY NIGHT- Daniel Rodgriguez

Happy New Year

2011-11-21T10:53:00.005-05:00

ABBA-Happy New Year, Universal, Internationally available 7 inch vinyl single, November 30, 2011

This is 500 copy limited edition of ABBA's 1980 holiday song, "Happy New Year" . The B-side has "The Way Old Friends Do",. This record was only available from the ABBF fan club site and from the official ABBA site. The release pre-sold out in a day. Pretty good for a outmoded format with a couple of songs every ABBA fan already has.

Happy New Year had been previously released as a single in 2000 by both ABBA and the A*Teens to coincide with the millennium. In May 2011, a restored 1980 promo video for "Happy New Year" was featured on the ABBA-Super Trouper Deluxe Edition CD/DVD.

ABBA's Top 40.

2011-11-20T22:17:00.002-05:00

Canadian ABBA fan, NSkid, has compiled an excellent video for YouTube. His compilation video counts down in reverse order ABBA's most successful singles. The ranking is based on how well each of the records charted in 17 different countries. The ranking may not reflect the actual sales ranking of each of ABBA's singles..

Here's his TOP ten.

10. One of Us (1981)
9. The Name of the Game (1977)
8. Super Trouper (1980)
7. Take a Chance on Me (1978)
6. Waterloo (1974)
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You (1977)
4. The Winner Takes it All (1980)
3. Fernando (1976)
2. Chiquitita (1979)
1. Dancing Queen (1976)

"Dancing Queen" obviously was going to be the number one single, but I was surprised that "Take A Chance On Me' is lower down, and that "One of Us" and Chiquitita" are so high in the ranking.

Mamma Mia and Evil Dead!

2011-10-23T01:02:00.002-04:00

Mamma Mia poster, no not really!

I missed this poster that was used as a promotional poster, for the 2009 musical, EVIL DEAD, the poster was designed by people at Saatchi and Saatch. It's our Halloween post!! Happy Goblin Day, Happy Birthday JimSB!

Complete list of ABBA and ABBA related releases 2011 (tentative)

2011-10-23T00:40:00.016-04:00

Complete list of ABBA and ABBA related releases 2011 (tentative)

Here is a unfinished recap of ABBA releases during 2011! The big events this year were a new BAO album, a Super Trouper reissue and Benny and Bjorn continuing to pull in obscene amounts of money for Mamma Mia.

Original Cast Album-Mamma Mia! L'album live du spectacle français CD, French CD February 21, 2011

The cast album for the French version of Mamma Mia!. The recording for this was made on December 15, 2010. The French language version of Mamma Mia premiered on October 28, 2010.

ACTE 1 :

1. Prologue

2. Honey, Honey

3. Money, Money, Money

4. Ma Vie C’est La Musique

5. Mamma Mia

6. Chiquitita

7. Dancing Queen

8. Laisse Moi L’Amour Aussi

9. Super Trouper

10. Un Homme Après Minuit

11. Dis, A Quoi Tu Joues

12. Voulez-Vous

13. Entracte

14. Comme Une Attaque

15. L’Un De Nous

16. S.O.S.

17. Si Mama Permet

18. Qui Je Suis ! Qui Sommes-Nous ?

19. Tout Un Été

20. Le Temps Me Glisse Entre Les Doigts

21. La Loi Du Plus Fort

22. Viens Tenter Ta Chance

23. Dis Oui, Dis Oui, Dis Oui !

24. Je Garde Un Rêve

25. Mamma Mia

26. Dancing Queen

27. Waterloo

ABBA- The Story of ABBA, 2DVD, UK, Australia March 2010

Another unofficial DVD with previously released material!

Caramba (Michael B. Tretow)- Caramba 1981 Swedish reissued on CD Early 2011.

A reissue of this cult classic by Michael B. Tretow. The album features Ted Gardestad, Roger Palm and other Swedish Musicians.

Tracklist Hubba hubba zoot zoot, Ali baba, Spotnjik, Parentzoe, Ine feine, Fido, Aitho, Anna kapoe, Anna maya, Ahllo, Carhumba, Hare christmes, Ralf & rolf, and Parentzoe

ABBA-Super Trouper Deluxe Edition CD/DVD, International release May 9, 2011

The fourth in a series of Deluxe Edition ABBA CD/DVD. They feature previously released music, the original album plus relevant B-sides and/or foreign language tracks. Also included is a a DVD of TV performances and other relevant video material. .

The audio tracks have been remastered yet again for this release, The disc includes a never before available stereo mix of the original, full length version of "On And On And On", previously only available in mono. All the other audio tracks have been previously released. The television performances of tracks from the Super Trouper album, have been not released on DVD before. Included is a rare vintage documentary Words And Music, produced by Polar Music , which features the group talking specifically about the Super Trouper album in 1980.

Also included is a new featurette, entitled "Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA". It compiles footage that was shot on the night when ABBA and their album designer, Rune Söderqvist, assembled a crowd of friends and circus performers to create the spectacular photograph featured on the Super Trouper album sleeve. This archive footage has been sitting in the archives for three decades without ever being made public – until now. You get the feeling that Rune had big ideas for this cover, and that somehow things just didn't come out totally how he envisioned. (His original idea had been to shoot the cover outside in downtown London. )

Also included are the much released original promo clips for ‘Super Trouper’ and ‘Happy New Year’ – both of which feature footage shot on the “album sleeve night” – to give the viewer further glimpses of what took place that night. The sequences included in the promo clips, shot by director Lasse Hallström, are completely different to the footage in the featurette, filmed by a separate film crew. The promo clips are the newly restored and remastered versions, out of which only ‘Super Trouper’ has been released before (on last year’s ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition); the restored ‘Happy New Year’ is seen for the first time.

Disc 1: CD

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

11 Elaine

12 On And On And On (Full length version, stereo mix)

13 Put On Your White Sombrero

14 Andante, Andante (Spanish Version)

15 Felicidad (Spanish Version of Happy New Year)

Disc 2: DVD

1 ABBA On German TV (SHOW EXPRESS, ZDF)

Songs performed:

The Winner Takes It All

Super Trouper

On And On And On

2 Happy New Year (SVT)

3 Words And Music (DOCUMENTARY)

4 Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA

5 Super Trouper (Remastered promo clip)

6 Happy New Year (Remastered promo clip)

7 Super Trouper TV commercial I (UK)

8 Super Trouper TV commercial II (UK)

9 International Sleeve Gallery

Benny Anderssons Orkester- O klang och jubeltid , Swedish CD Mono Records MMCD 027 June 15, 2011

More polka marches and rums. The new Benny Anderssons Orkester album was released in Sweden in mid June. Their sixth album is titled O klang och jubeltid – an English translation is O time of sound and rejoicing. The album has thirteen songs, eight with vocals. The first single that will be promoted is "Kära Syster", sung by Helen Sjoholm. Tommy Korborg, and Kalle Moreaus also sing on the record.

1 O Klang och Jubeltid
2 Kära Syster
3 Månstrålar Klara
4 Midsommarpolka
5 Allt Syns När Man Är Naken
6 Alla Goda Ting
7 En Dag I Sänder
8 Flickornas Rum
9 De Ljuva Drömmarnas Orkester
10 Jag Hör...
11 Sorgmarsch
12 Vilar Glad. I Din Famn
13 Brudmarsch

ABBA- ABBA Collected , Universal B.V. 533-377-7, 3CD Netherlands Box set, June 17, 2011

A new 3CD set for the Dutch market with 50 ABBA songs.No new or rare content aside from B-sides and "Put on Your White sombrero".

Ring Ring, People Need People, Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough), She's My Kind Of Girl, Waterloo, Honey Honey, Dance (While The Music Still Goes On), Sitting In The Palmtree, So Long, Crazy World, I've Been Waiting For You, I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, SOS, Mamma Mia, Medley: Pick A Bale Of Cotton-On Top Of Old Smokey-Midnight, Fernando, Dancing Queen

Money Money Money, When I Kissed The Teacher, Happy Hawaii, Knowing Me Knowing You, The Name Of The Game, Hole In Your Soul, I'm A Marionette, Lovelight, Take A Chance On Me, Eagle, Thank You For The Music, Summer Night City, Chiquitita, Does You Mother Know, Voulez-Vous, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

I Have A Dream, Angel Eyes, The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, Happy New Year, The Piper, On And On And On, Our Last Summer, Elaine, Put On Your White Sombrero, One Of Us, Head Over Heels, The Day Before You Came, Under Attack, When All Is Said And Done, You Owe Me One, I Let The Music Speak

Various Artists -Beginners Guide to the Music of Scandinavia , 3CD Released May June 2011

This well reviewed survey of the Scandinavian scene features the BAO version of Sång från Andra Våningen. Which is a song which is o can be found on the Story of the Heart and Benny Andersson Orkester albums.

CD1. Pop & Contemporary

1 Kari Bremnes - Egentlig en Danser (Nor) 2 Lars Demian - Alkohol (Swe) 3 KOOP feat. Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen - Strange Love (Swe/Nor) 4 Bo Kaspers Orkester - Innan Allt Försvinner (Swe) 5 Vuokko Hovatta - Aletta (Fin) 6 Sóley - Theater Island (Ice) 7 Cornelis Vreeswijk - Samba för Pomperipossa (Swe) 8 House of Trees - Working Man’s Song (Swe/UK) 9 Pascal Pinon - En þú varst ævintýr (Ice) 10 Ane Brun - To Let Myself Go (Nor) 11 Niko Valkeapää - Birrat Birra (Nor/Fin) 12 Valravn - Seersken (Den/Faro) 13 Kimmo Pohjonen - Kaluaja (Fin)

CD2. Folk & Roots

1 Eivør Pálsdóttir - Mín Móðir (Live) (Faro) 2 Kiila - Auringonlunta (Fin) 3 Sanna Kurki Suonio - Tuulen Nostatus (Fin) 4 Hedningarna - Räven (Swe/Fin) 5 Värttinä - Päivän Nousu Nostajani (Fin) 6 Markku Lepistö - Myrskylintu (Fin) 7 Maria Kalaniemi - I Fjol (Fin) 8 Sigrid Moldestad - Gåta (Nor) 9 Morild - Der Stode Tre Skalke (Den) 10 Anna Pálína & Draupner - Húfan Dýra (Ice) 11 Phønix - Mallebrok (Den) 12 BOOT - Samu (Swe) 13 Annbjørg Lien - Korstog (Nor)

CD3. Jazz, Experimental & Atmospheres
1 Bazar Blå - Stilla (Swe) 2 Karl Seglem - Mårblå (Nor) 3 Unni Løvlid - Bak Vaker Verda (Nor) 4 Lars Danielsson with Bugge Wesseltoft & Nils Petter Molvaer - Judas Bolero (excerpt) (Swe/Nor) 5 Terje Isungset - Fading Sun (Nor) 6 Islaja - Aallot Ja Äänet (Fin) 7 Agnar Már Magnússon - Heimkoma (Ice) 8 Benny Anderssons Orkester - Sång från Andra Våningen (Swe) 9 Gjermund Larsen Trio - Vals til Hans (Nor) 10 e.s.t. (Esbjörn Svensson Trio) - From Gagarin’s Point of View (Swe) 11 Henrik Andersen - High Five (Den) 12 Wimme - Gierran (Fin) 13 Mari Boine with Inna Zhelannaya & Sergey Starostin - Dás Áiggun Cuozzut (Nor/Rus)

Carl Magnus Palm -Bright Lights Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA 22 CD or 2 disc MP3 audio book by Carl Magnus Palm, read by Adrian Mulraney.

An audio version of the seminal ABBA biography for those who want to hear it in all it's glory. Adrian Mulraney is an Australian actor best known for his work in the TV series Rush. .

ABBA’s studio album LP reissue Series
Universal in Germany produced a limited edition reissue of ABBA’s eight studio Albums. The original artwork and track listings will be used. Only 300 copies were be made of each LP.

ABBA-Ring Ring, Universal 0602527346472, German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
1. Ring Ring bara du slog en signal Swedish version, 2. Another Town, Another Train, 3. Disillusion, 4. People Need Love, 5. I Saw It In The Mirror, 6. Nina, Pretty Ballerina, 7. Love Isn't Easy But It Sure Is Hard Enough, 8. Me And Bobby And Bobby's Brother, 9. He Is Your Brother, 10. Ring Ring English version, 11. I Am Just A Girl, 12. Rock'n Roll Band

ABBA-ABBA-Waterloo Universal 0602527346489 German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011 1.Waterloo Swedish version, 2. Sitting In The Palmtree, 3. King Kong Song, 4. Hasta Mañana, 5. My Mama Said, 6. Dance While The Music Still Goes On, 7. Honey, Honey, 8. Watch Out, 9. What About Livingstone, 10. Gonna Sing You My Lovesong, 11. Suzy-Hang-Around, 12. Waterloo English version

ABBA-ABBA Universal 0602527346496 German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
1.Mamma Mia, 2. Hey, Hey Helen, 3. Tropical Loveland, 4. S.O.S., 5. Man In The Middle, 6. Bang-A-Boomerang, 7. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, 8. Rock Me, 9. Intermezzo No. 1, 10. I've Been Waiting For You, 11. So Long

ABBA-Arrival, Universal 0602527346502 German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
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

ABBA-The Album, Universal 0602527346519, German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
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, 7. Thank You For The Music, 8. I Wonder Departure, 9. I'm A Marionette

ABBA-Voulez-Vous, Universal 0602527346526, German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
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

ABBA-Super Trouper, Universal 0602527346533, German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
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

ABBA-The Visitors, Universal 0602527346540, German LP Reissue, August 9, 2011
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

source: ABBA intermezzo

Susan Boyle-Someone To Watch Over Me, Columbia, Internationally released CD November 2011

This is the new Studio album by the Scottish spinster singer, it features her version of "You Have To Be there" from Bjorn, Benny and Herb's Kristina. Susan's recording is likely to be the biggest selling version of the song, though she does not she sing it particularly well.

Tracklisting:

1. You Have To Be There
2. Unchained Melody
3. Enjoy The Silence
4. Both Sides Now
5. Lilac Wine
6. Mad World
7. Autumn Leaves
8. This Will Be The Year
9. Return
10. Someone To Watch Over Me
Atlas-Empires and Stuff, RMV Grammofon / Universal | Swedish CD September 14, 2011

Benny Andersson's son Ludvig Andersson, has released a new album.
“Empires and Stuff” is the first album from the Stockholm duo ATLAS. Ludvig Andersson (vocals, guitar and various other instruments) and Mats Lundgren (keyboards and even more instruments)
Previously Ludvig recorded an album with Ella Rouge and a solo album. Mats Lundgren worked a group called Pine Forest Crunch. The featured Youtube video track is called E.T. The CD is available from the ABBF fanclub site. Benny Andersson does not play on the CD. The CD was recorded in the new Mono Record Studios.

Track listing:T-shirts, Poets And Idiots, Here's Johnny, Avalon, E.T., Bright Eyes, Cam Me, Mars, I'm July Amanda, Bay City Lights

ABBA-You Can Dance, Wii video game, November 24, 2011 international release

This is a new video game based on the music and performances of ABBA. ABBA You Can Dance. Developed exclusively for the WiiTM system from Nintendo by Ubisof.

According to the promo materials - Two players can sing along to lyrics that appear on-screen, while up to four players can simultaneously perform the dance moves. A mini-musical mode lets players act out the key roles in a love story based on some of the group’s classic songs. ABBA You Can Dance also includes original video clips and displays anecdotes about the group that even die-hard fans will find entertaining and informative." No doubt...

Track Listing Angeleyes
As good as new
Bang-a-Boomerang
Dancing Queen (two versions available)
Does your mother know
Fernando
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (a man after midnight)
Head over heels
Hole in your soul
Honey honey
I’m a marionette
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do
If it wasn’t for the nights
Knowing me, knowing you
Lay all your love on me
Mamma mia
Money money, money
People need love
SOS
Summer night city
Super trouper
Take a chance on me
The winner takes it all
Voulez-vous
Waterloo
When I kissed the teacher

Various Artists-Carols For A Cure - Volume 13 CDH060-11, 2CD American release, November 2011-$20.00

the Mamma Mia! cast performance is preceded by ABBA's brief recording of the Swedish Christmas song 'Nu är det jul igen', as originally broadcast on the West German radio show Mal Sondock's Hitparade in 1981.

This marks the first legal CD release of this ABBA recording,Although truth be told, it's nothing special.

Other Celebrity guests on this album include Daniel Radcliffe, Martha Wash, Kara DioGuardi, Roger Rees, Reeve Carney, Montego Glover, Chad Kimball, Hugh Panaro and Daniel Rodriguez, among others.

Disc 1:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

GIVE AWAY LOVE- Memphis

WHITE CHRISTMAS- Chicago featuring Kara DioGuardi

LITTLE JESUS SWEETLY SLEEP- Mary Poppins

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING- Mamma Mia!

WHEN THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA- Wicked

CHRISTMAS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR- Catch Me if You Can

THE 13 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS- The Addams Family

I WONDER AS I WANDER- The Phantom of the Opera

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH- Sister Act

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL- Rock of Ages

SILENT NIGHT- The Lion King

Disc 2:

ST. NICHOLAS SKY- Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN- Rent

LIGHT IT UP!- Priscilla Queen of the Desert

THE FIRST NOEL- War Horse

CHRISTMAS ON THE S.S. AMERICAN- Anything Goes

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?- Chicago

WAITING FOR THE SNOW TO FALL- Billy Elliot

LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING- Die Bratschen Von Broadway

DANCE WITH ME SANTA- Ashley Argota

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL- Camelot at the John W. Engeman Theatre

DECK THE HALLS- Avenue Q

AULD LANG SYNE- Baby It's You!

O HOLY NIGHT- Daniel Rodriguez

ABBA-Happy New Year, Universal, limited edition 7 inch vinyl single, November 30, 2011

This is a 500 copy limited edition of ABBA's 1980 holiday song, "Happy New Year" . The B-side has "The Way Old Friends Do",. This record was only available from the ABBF fan club site and from the official ABBA site. The release pre-sold out in few hours . Pretty good for a outmoded format with a couple of songs every ABBA fan already has. Collectors were pissed off that the record disappeared before they had chance to buy a copy.

"Happy New Year" had been previously released as a single in 2000 by both ABBA and the A*Teens to coincide with the millennium. In May 2011, a restored 1980 promo video for "Happy New Year" was featured on the ABBA-Super Trouper Deluxe Edition CD/DVD.

ABBA -You can dance videogame

2011-10-05T22:50:00.001-04:00

ABBA-You Can Dance, Wii video game, November 2011 international release

This is a new video game based on the music and performances of ABBA. ABBA You Can Dance. Developed exclusively for the WiiTM system from Nintendo by Ubisof.

According to the promo materials - Two players can sing along to lyrics that appear on-screen, while up to four players can simultaneously perform the dance moves. A mini-musical mode lets players act out the key roles in a love story based on some of the group’s classic songs. ABBA You Can Dance also includes original video clips and displays anecdotes about the group that even die-hard fans will find entertaining and informative." No doubt...

Track Listing
Angeleyes
As good as new
Bang-a-Boomerang
Dancing Queen (two versions available)
Does your mother know
Fernando
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (a man after midnight)
Head over heels
Hole in your soul
Honey honey
I’m a marionette
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do
If it wasn’t for the nights
Knowing me, knowing you
Lay all your love on me
Mamma mia
Money money, money
People need love
SOS
Summer night city
Super trouper
Take a chance on me
The winner takes it all
Voulez-vous
Waterloo
When I kissed the teacher

Source:ABBA-The Site, ABBA Omnibus

New Various Artist album

2011-09-13T00:50:00.007-04:00

CD1. Pop & Contemporary

CD2. Folk & Roots

The Best ABBA and ABBA solo albums

2011-09-01T01:33:00.014-04:00

Illustration from Motiifake.com

I thought I would revisit my "ABBA-The Album's Best of page. This is a page that was built for ABBA the Albums at least six years ago. It's a list of what I think are the best ABBA and ABBA solo albums. Oddly, though I have seen a few "Best ABBA albums" lists, I seldom seen such a list that considers ABBA's solo work as well. Ranking the ABBA studio albums is tricky, since none of their albums stands head and shoulders above the others. It is only obvious that their first two studio albums (Ring Ring and Waterloo) are of a lesser quality. People's preference's among the later six studio albums tends to be based on personal taste. If you don't like disco your not going to like Voulez-Vouz, if you don't like things too dreary your not going to like The Visitors.

Perhaps there are some things on the original list that I would list differently now. Perhaps Chess should be listed Number one and Kristina Fran Duvemala a little lower. I am a little less impressed by Klinga Mina Klockor and Djupa Andetag then I used to be, but I still rank them highly. This list doesn't include much by BAO, so perhaps more of their work belongs. Agnetha has had a number of recent compilations that I might consider as worthy of the list. I wasn't overwhelmed by Agnetha's recent studio album, but perhaps others might think it was worthy. I don't think any of the albums from the Mamma Mia franchise belong here, but some people claim that the Swedish cast version is well sung. One might also include recent concert versions of Kristina and Chess.. My "Best of" page also includes what I consider to be the best ABBA and ABBA solo songs and I will revisit that at a later date.
What follows is the original list...

36 Best ABBA, ABBA SOLO, OR ABBA RELATED ALBUMS (1964-2005)
1. Kristina Fran Duvemala (Original Cast Album)-Andersson & Ulvaeus -This is where it all finally led to... Bjorn and Benny finally release an artistically flawless work with this adaption of Moberg's EMIGRANTS books.
2. Chess -Andersson, Rice and Ulvaeus - Overall the best record ever by Bjorn and Benny but the book to the musical has issues!
3.Thank You For The Music (Box Set)-ABBA All the hits, all the b-sides and rarities too!.
4. Arrival -ABBA. Though artistically a little weak, this is probably ABBA at it's peak.
5. The Album-ABBA . ABBA 's most artistic album.
6. Super Trouper-ABBA. ABBA most self-assured album overall.
7. Djupa Andetag-Frida .The most mature and surprising ABBA solo effort.
8. ABBA -ABBA. The first great ABBA album came in 1975.
9.The Visitors-ABBA. ABBA reaches boldly into darkness.
10. Klinga Mina Klockor-Benny Andersson. Benny breaks out in surprising ways.

Selections 10-20
11. The Definitive Collection -ABBA.
The Best packaged and annotated of the ABBA hits collections,
12. Voulez-Vous -ABBA This semi-disco album is nonetheless filled with many great ABBA tracks.
13. Frida Ensam-Frida The best sung and best arranged album of the girls solo efforts..
14. Gemini-Gemini .Produced and cowritten by B&B in 1985 it features "Just Like That.'
15. Lycka- Bjorn and Benny. The remarkably serious debut album of B&B features Bjorn's best work.
16. Cadillac Madness- 40 Years - Hep Stars. Sweden's Beatles -this features a mumber of great early Andersson-Ulvaeus songs.
17. Elva Kvinnor I ett Hus-Agnetha Faltskog. Aggie's 1975 master work.
18. My love, My Life -Agnetha Faltskog . A great career overview.
19. Something's Going On-Frida. The first of the 1980's solo albums was produced by Phil Collins.
20. Agnetha Faltskog- Eyes of A Woman- Jeff Lynne , Justin Hayward, and others wrote for the songs for Aggie's best English language solo album.

21. Anni-Frid Lyngstad 1967-1972-Frida. Frida's early work efficiently and attractively compliled.
22. Shapes-Josefin Nilsson. The only pop album B&B wrote and produced in the 1990's.
23. Hep Stars -Hep Stars. The Hep Stars 1966 album features the best ABBA related work of the 1960's.
24. November 1989-Benny Andersson. The closest we get to an unadulterated Benny Andersson album.
25. More ABBA Gold-ABBA Easy to listen set of ABBA's lesser hits and b-sides.
26. Basta-The Hootenanny Singers. Explore the best of Bjorn's pre ABBA band in the generous collection.
27. Shine-Frida . An ignored but listenable Frida getting as close to the tail end of the 1970/80's New Wave rock era as she can.
28. Pa Svenska- Bjorn,Benny, Agnetha, Frida and ABBA . Not actually a very listenable album, but nevetheless a conventient compilation of Swedish tracks.
29. That's Me- Agnetha Faltskog .Aggie's 80's stuff in one basket.
30. Waterloo- ABBA Bubblegummy but eclectic with some weak songs but cool singing, and fun playing.
31. CHESS IN SWEDISH -ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM. This time it is Revised and updated into the Swedish language .
32. ORO-ABBA. All of ABBA's Spanish tracks in one place¡
33. Ring Ring-Bjorn,Benny, Agnetha, Frida . Actually not bad at all, but has a few weaker tracks..Lot of the tracks are nicely unfamiliar.
34. Agnetha's My Colouring Book-Agnetha Faltskog
35. De Forsta Aren 1967-1979-Agnetha Faltskog
36. Benny Andersson's Orkester -Benny Andersson's Orkester

Janne Schaffer performs Eagle.

2011-08-07T10:39:00.004-04:00

Janne Schaffer- Music Box, As Is Records, 10CD/3DVD Swedish Box Set Released December 2010

I missed this release when it came out!
ABBA lead guitar player, Janne Schaffer has released a box set compiling most of his important albums. The bonus CD includes three new songs and other rarities.
One of the new songs is a new solo version of ABBA's guitar laden 1977 track,"Eagle".
The song can seen on You Tube in a recent performance done at International ABBA Day.

CD1: Janne Schaffer "Halkans affär" (1973) / Janne Schaffers andra LP (1974)
CD2: Katharsis (1975) / Earmeal (1978)
CD3: Presens (1980)
CD4: Blå passager och röda vågor (1982)
CD5: Traffic (1985)
CD6: Electric Graffiti (1988)
CD7: Ögonblick (1992)
CD8: Av ren lust (1995)
CD9: På andra sidan månen (2000)
CD10: Bonusplatta (2010)

DVD1: Kårhuset (1974)
DVD2: Hörselmat i Montreux (1980)
DVD3: Julstämning (2009)

2011-07-14T11:35:00.004-04:00

ABBA’s studio album LP reissue Series

In August Universal in Germany will do a limited edition reissue of ABBA’s eight studio Albums. The original artwork and track listings will be used. Only 300 copies will be made of each LP.

source: ABBA intermezzo

abba in the annoying orange.

2011-07-12T16:49:00.000-04:00

My kids and I regularly watch the continuing adventures of the Annoying Orange on You Tube. He is a orange that hangs out with other foods in the kitchen. Many of his compariots end up getting chopped by a knife. In this episode he was hanging out with a Ipod

In a recent episode ABBA was mentioned. I am not sure it was intended as a flattering reference. Here's the video..

abba

2011-06-28T15:38:00.002-04:00

ABBA-ABBA Collected , Universal, 3CD Netherlands Box set, June 17, 2011

A new 3cd set for the Dutch market with 50 ABBA songs.

Ring Ring, People Need People, Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough), She's My Kind Of Girl, Waterloo, Honey Honey, Dance (While The Music Still Goes On), Sitting In The Palmtree, So Long, Crazy World, I've Been Waiting For You, I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, SOS, Mamma Mia, Medley: Pick A Bale Of Cotton-On Top Of Old Smokey-Midnight, Fernando, Dancing Queen
Money Money Money, When I Kissed The Teacher, Happy Hawaii, Knowing Me Knowing You, The Name Of The Game, Hole In Your Soul, I'm A Marionette, Lovelight, Take A Chance On Me, Eagle, Thank You For The Music, Summer Night City, Chiquitita, Does You Mother Know, Voulez-Vous, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
I Have A Dream, Angel Eyes, The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, Happy New Year, The Piper, On And On And On, Our Last Summer, Elaine, Put On Your White Sombrero, One Of Us, Head Over Heels, The Day Before You Came, Under Attack, When All Is Said And Done, You Owe Me One, I Let The Music Speak

ABBA song in new movie, "THE TRIP".

2011-06-11T15:12:00.001-04:00

"The Winner Takes It All". The classic ABBA post divorce ballad, is the subject of a humorous discussion and singing duet in the new movie. The song actually features in two segments. The Trip movie stars Brits, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, The movie is based on the BBC -TV show of the same name. Steve Coogan is notable in ABBAdom for hosting the parody British TV and radio talk show called Knowing Me, Knowing You, in which he played the role on Alan Partridge. I enjoyed this movie, though I suppose it works better if your a bit of an Anglophile like I am.

New Benny album

2011-04-21T10:50:00.006-04:00

Benny Anderssons Orkester- O klang och jubeltid , Swedish CD Mono Records MMCD 027 planned release June 15, 2011

More polka marches and rums. The new Benny Anderssons Orkester album will be released in Sweden in mid June. . It will be called O klang och jubeltid – an English translation is O time of sound and rejoicing. The album will have thirteen songs, eight with vocals. The single that will be promoted is Kära Syster, sung by Helen Sjoholm. Tommy Korborg, and Kalle Moreaus also sing on the record.

Source: ICE the Site, ABBA intermezzo. Remember there will always be an England!

Caramba (Michael B. Tretow)- Caramba 1981 Swedish reissued on CD Early 2011.

A reissue of this cult classic by Michael B. Tretow. The album features Ted Gardestad, Roger Palm and other Swedish Musicians.

Tracklist Hubba hubba zoot zoot, Ali baba, Spotnjik, Parentzoe, Ine feine, Fido, Aitho, Anna kapoe, Anna maya, Ahllo, Carhumba, Hare christmes, Ralf & rolf, and Parentzoe

Deluxe Super Trouper!

2011-03-01T10:03:00.007-05:00

ABBA-Super Trouper Deluxe Edition CD/DVD, International release May 9, 2011

The fourth in a series of Deluxe Edition ABBA CD/DVD. They feature previously released music, the original album plus relevant B-sides and/or foreign language tracks. Also included is a a DVD of TV performances and other relevant video material. .

The audio tracks have been remastered yet again for this release, The disc includes a never before available stereo mix of the original, full length version of "On And On And On", previously only available in mono. All the other audio tracks have been previously released. The television performances of tracks from the Super Trouper album, have been not released on DVD before. Included is a rare vintage documentary Words And Music, produced by Polar Music , which features the group talking specifically about the Super Trouper album in 1980.

Also included is a never before released featurette, entitled "Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA". It compiles footage that was shot on the night when ABBA and their album designer, Rune Söderqvist, assembled a crowd of friends and circus performers to create the spectacular photograph featured on the Super Trouper album sleeve. The footage is not narrated, it's not a documentary, but it is interesting. ABBA stands out oddly, because they are dressed out to the nines in a simple but elegant white costumes, and they are the only people not moving around or performing. This archive footage has been sitting in the archives for three decades without ever being made public – until now. You get the feeling that Rune had big ideas for this cover, and that somehow things just didn't come out totally how he envisioned. (His original idea had been to shoot the cover outside in downtown London. )

Also included are the much released original promo clips for ‘Super Trouper’ and ‘Happy New Year’ – both of which feature footage shot on the “album sleeve night” – to give the viewer further glimpses of what took place that night. The sequences included in the promo clips, shot by director Lasse Hallström, are completely different to the footage in the feature, filmed by a separate film crew. The promo clips are the newly restored and remastered versions, out of which only ‘Super Trouper’ has been released before (on last year’s ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition); the restored ‘Happy New Year’ is seen for the first time.
Disc 1: CD
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
11 Elaine
12 On And On And On (Full length version, stereo mix)
13 Put On Your White Sombrero
14 Andante, Andante (Spanish Version)
15 Felicidad (Spanish Version of Happy New Year)
Disc 2: DVD
1 ABBA On German TV (SHOW EXPRESS, ZDF)
    Songs performed:
   The Winner Takes It All
   Super Trouper
   On And On And On
2 Happy New Year (SVT)
3 Words And Music (DOCUMENTARY)
4 Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA
5 Super Trouper (Remastered promo clip)
6 Happy New Year (Remastered promo clip)
7 Super Trouper TV commercial I (UK)
8 Super Trouper TV commercial II (UK)
9 International Sleeve Gallery

Source:ABBA-The Site

ABBA- The Story of ABBA, 2DVD, UK, Australia March 210

Another unofficial DVD with previously released material

Original Cast Album-Mamma Mia! L'album live du spectacle français CD, French CD February 21, 2010

The cast album for the French version of Mamma Mia!.

ACTE 1 :

1. Prologue
2. Honey, Honey
3. Money, Money, Money
4. Ma Vie C’est La Musique
5. Mamma Mia
6. Chiquitita
7. Dancing Queen
8. Laisse Moi L’Amour Aussi
9. Super Trouper
10. Un Homme Après Minuit
11. Dis, A Quoi Tu Joues
12. Voulez-Vous
13. Entracte
14. Comme Une Attaque
15. L’Un De Nous
16. S.O.S.
17. Si Mama Permet
18. Qui Je Suis ! Qui Sommes-Nous ?
19. Tout Un Été
20. Le Temps Me Glisse Entre Les Doigts
21. La Loi Du Plus Fort
22. Viens Tenter Ta Chance
23. Dis Oui, Dis Oui, Dis Oui !
24. Je Garde Un Rêve
25. Mamma Mia
26. Dancing Queen
27. Waterloo

Complete list of ABBA releases during 2010

2011-01-01T15:52:00.003-05:00

Agnetha Faltkog- 3 Original Album Classics" January 27, 2010 German 3CD set.

Sony released the 3 CD box set "3 Original Album Classics" This set includes three of Agnetha's Swedish solo albums by Agnetha:
"Agnetha Fältskog" (1968)"När en vacker tanke blir en sång" (1971) and "Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus" (1975). It's based on the recent "5 Original album classics" that featured five Agnetha early solo albums, which itself drew on the six disc Agnetha box set called "Den Forsta Aren".

All in all a bit of a comedown from the original six then five disc versions....

Various Artists-ABSOLUTE SCHLAGER, Uni EvaCD -4111 Swedish 3D, February 3, 2010

This is a new compilation album for the Swedish market that has some ABBA related tracks.

1. Det gör ont - Lena Philipsson / 2. Främling - Carola / 3. Take me to your heaven - Charlotte Nilsson / 4. Satellit - Ted Gärdestad / 5. Cara mia - Måns Zelmerlöw / 6. Eloise - Arvingarna / 7. The worrying kind - The Ark / 8. Stay the night - Alcazar / 9. Bra vibrationer - Kikki Danielsson / 10. La dolce vita - After Dark / 11. Jag ljuger så bra - Linda Bengtzing / 12. Ring ring (bara du slog en signal) - ABBA / 13. Just nu - Tomas Ledin / 14. Min kärlek - Shirley Clamp / 15. Lay your love on me - BWO / 16. Piccadilly Circus - Pernilla Wahlgren / 17. Sing for me - Andreas Johnson / 18. Det börjar verka kärlek banne mej - Claes-Göran Hederström / 19. Fyra bugg och en Coca-Cola - Lotta Engberg / 20. Never let it go - Afro-Dite / 21. Upp över mina öron - Orup & Glenmark / 22. En dag - Tommy Nilsson / 23. För att du finns - Sonja Aldén / 24. Imorgon är en annan dag - Christer Björkman / 25. Moving on - Sarah Dawn Finer / 26. Värsta schlagern - Markoolio & Linda Bengtzing / 27. Fångad av en stormvind - Carola / 28. Diggi-Loo diggi-ley - Herreys / 29. La voix - Malena Ernman / 30. Hero - Charlotte Perrelli / 31. Lyssna till ditt hjärta - Friends / 32. Not a sinner nor a saint - Alcazar / 33. Dansa i neon - Lena Philipsson / 34. Give me your love - Fame / 35. Bang, en boomerang - Svenne & Lotta / 36. Dover Calais - Style / 37. Crazy in love - Jill Johnson / 38. Håll om mig - Nanne / 39. Thank you - Amy Diamond / 40. A little bit of love - Andreas Johnson / 41. Just a minute - Rongedal / 42. Högt över havet - Arja Saijonmaa / 43. Jennie Jennie - Lasse Berghagen / 44. Hur svårt kan det va - Linda Bengtzing / 45. Show me heaven - Lili & Susie / 46. Las Vegas - Martin Stenmarck / 47. Stad i ljus - Tommy Körberg / 48. Det blir alltid värre framåt natten - Björn Skifs / 49. Snälla, snälla - Caroline Af Ugglas / 50. Empty room - Sanna Nielsen / 51. Se på mig - Jan Johansen / 52. My number one - Helena Paparizou / 53. Waterloo - ABBA / 54. Michelangelo - Björn Skifs / 55. Evighet - Carola / 56. Kärleken är evig - Lena Philipsson / 57. Att älska dig - Shirley Clamp / 58. Baby goodbye - E.M.D. 59. Love love love - Agnes / 60. Det ligger i luften - Tomas Ledin / 61. ABC - Anna Book / 62. Sommar'n som aldrig säger nej - Malta / 63. Dag efter dag - Chips / 64. Let your spirit fly - Pernilla Wahlgren & Jan Johansen / 65. Hope and glory - Måns Zelmerlöw / 66. Temple of love - BWO / 67. Växeln hallå - Janne Lucas / 68. Hallå hela pressen - Chattanoga / 69. I remember love - Sarah Dawn Finer / 70. Kärleken är - Jill Johnson / 71. Det vackraste - Cecilia Vennersten / 72. Den vilda - One More Time / 73. När vindarna viskar mitt namn - Roger Pontare / 74. I lågornas sken - Nordman / 75. Paradise - E-Type / 76. Night of passion - The Poodles / 77. 1000 miles - H.E.A.T. 78. Tingaliin (Tingeling Russian Base Lovers Remix) - P-Bros Featuring DJ Trexx & Olga Pratilova

ABBA-The Definitive ABBA, Komet KOM3341, UK 4DVD March 1, 2010

This is an unauthorized 4DVD set that compiles three previously released documentaries, including one about the Arrival Album ,one that covers the Visitors, as well as the two disc "Rock case study" career retrospective (that's the one that features John Tobler and the Rod Leissle from Bjorn Again.) None of this is very informative or interesting.

Svenne Hedlund-Svenne Sings Elvis In Memphis, HHR003, Swedish CD, March 24, 2010
A New Svenne Hedlund solo album that was recorded at Sun Studios Memphis& Nashville in May 2009. . INCLUDES songs originally recorded by Elvis. James Burton, DJ Fontana, and Mats Persson play on the CD. Svenne’s first solo album in 1967 also featured covers of Elvis songs. He also recorded some of these same songs with Hep Stars.
1. Little Sister
2. Follow That Rain
3. Hey Let's Celebrate
4. Always On My Mind
5. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
6. Don't Be Cruel
7. He's Latest Flame
8. Love Me Tender
9. Teddy Bear
10. Return To Sender
11. Young And Beautiful
12. All Shook Up
13. She's Not You
14. A King Like You
15. Good Luck Charm
16. Wooden Heart
17. The Wonder Of You
18. I Gotta Know
19. It's Now Or Never
20. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
21. Treat Me Nice
22. Loving You
23. Baby I Don't Care
24. No More
25. Don't Cry Daddy
26. Don't Leave Me Now
27. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
28. Can't Help Falling In Love
29. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
30. Don't
31. Cadillac

Various Artists -Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2010 book & Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame March 15, 2010 CD

This is privately issued CD was a gift to people who attend the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2010 induction in New York.

1. 1969 - The Stooges
2. Great Ball Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
3. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
4. Shake, Rattle & Roll - Big Joe Turner
5. Money Honey - Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters
6. Uptown - The Chrystals
7. Bus Stop - The Hiollies
8. A Teenager In Love - Dion & The Belmonts
9. Da Doo Ron Ron - The Crystals
10. Chapel Of Love - The Dixie Cups
11. Dancing Queen - ABBA
12. Stop Stop Stop - The Hollies
13. Save The Last Dance For Me - The Drifters
14. On Broadway - The Drifters
15. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - Genesis
16. That's All - Genesis
17. Knowing Me, Knowing You - ABBA
18. Free Man In Paris - Joni Mitchell
19. Stoned Soul Picnic - Laura Nyro
20. Wonderful World, Beautiful People - Jimmy Cliff
21. Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Brown
22. Take It Easy - The Eagles
23. The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff
24. Search And Destroy - The Stooges

Gustaf Sjökvists kammarkör, Storkyrkans kör ,Kungliga Filharmonikerna and Orsa Spelmän- Vilar Glad I Din Famn , Mono MMCD-S 136 Swedish CD single, June 2010

"Vilar Glad I Din Famn" is a new choral song performed at a wedding of wedding of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. The title translates in English to “Resting blissfully in your arms”. The single also features a acapella version of the song. The song features music by Benny Andersson and lyrics by Kristina Lugn. Kristina had previously written the lyrics.to "Nu mår jag mycket bättre" from BAO 3. Conductor Gustaf Sjökvist and Benny Andersson are both members of the Swedish Academy of Music. This recording was made at Konserthuset, Stockholm, June 2010 by Bernard Löhr. The single is produced by Benny Andersson, and the arrangement is by Anders Eljas. The single will be available at the ABBF record service site and other Swedish music web outlets.

ABBA: Thank you for the music , Coqueiro Verde, Brazilian DVD, May 2010

emi-official 119 minute DVD compilation.

The DVD contains the entire ZDF Kultnacht: ABBA programme as well as songs from the Dick Cavett special, Musikladen, Show Express
1. People Need Love (with Inger Brudin)
2. Waterloo
3.. Honey, Honey
4. So Long
5. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
6. SOS
7. Mamma Mia
8. Fernando
9. Dancing Queen
10. Money, Money, Money
11. Take A Chance On Me
12. Eagle
13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)/Summer Night City
14. Chiquitita
15. The Winner Takes It All
16. Super Trouper
17. On And On And On
18. I Know There's Something Going On (Frida)
19. Baby Don't You Cry No More (Frida)
20. The Day Before You Came
21. Cassandra
22. Under Attack
23. To Turn The Stone (Frida)
24. The Heat Is On (Agnetha Fältskog)
25. Wrap Your Arms Around Me (Agnetha Fältskog)
26. Come To Me (I Am Woman) (Frida)
27. One Night In Bangkok (Murray Head with B&B, Frida, Karin Glenmark)
28. Thank You For The Music

ABBA-Icon ,Universal, International CD, August 31,2010

Universal Music Group is releasing a new budget compilation CD on August 31 called "Icon". It is a repackaged version of the "20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection" release from 2000. The track listing is exactly the same, in the same order. Available from CD Universe or Amazon.

1. Waterloo
2. SOS
3. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
4. Mamma Mia
5. Fernando
6. Dancing Queen
7. Knowing Me, Knowing You
8. Name of the Game, The
9. Take a Chance on Me
10. Chiquitita
11. Winner Takes It All,

Various Artists -Kristina at Carnegie Hall- , Universal Decca label, 2CD set UK release April 5, 2010, May 2010 in USA, Germany

This is the long awaited English language concert version of Kristina Fran Duvemala. The concert occurred on September 2009 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert featured Helen Sjoholm and Russell Watson. It received largely good reviews but a few of the critics did not like the lyrics, or thought it was boring. Benny Andersson will produce the release of the CD version of this concert. The actual recording was made in a empty Carnegie Hall the day before the concerts. I find the recording to be actually fairly good with little to complain about other than the fact the show doesn't make any more sense to me in English than it did in Swedish. It really needs to be staged as musical to make sense.
The concert will repeated in London on April 14, 2010. There are plans also to bring Kristina to Helsinki in 2012.

Track listing

Disc One
Overture
Path of Leaves and Needles
Where You Go I Go With You
Stone Kingdom
Down to the Sea
A Bad Harvest
No!
He's Our Pilot
Never
Golden Wheat Fields
All Who Are Grieving
We Open Up the Gateways
Peasants at Sea
Lice
In the Dead of Darkness
A Sunday in Battery Park
Home
American Man
Dreams of Gold
Summer Rose

Disc Two
Emperors and Kings
Twilight Images Calling
Queen of the Prairie
Wild Grass
Gold Can Turn To Sand
Wildcat Money
To the Sea
Miracle of God
Down to the Waterside
Miscarriage
You Have To Be There
Here I Am Again
With Child Again
Rising from the Myth and Legend
I'll Be Waiting There

TheVarious Artists- Musikladen Boxsets, ARD Video, German DVD sets September 2010
3 DVD box sets will be released containing all 90 Musikladen programs from 1972 to 1984 on August 19. Each box will contain 10 DVDs and may be purchased individually or together at a discount. The first box will contain episodes aired between 1972 and 1976, including the well-known "Best of ABBA" episode from August of 1976. The second box features ABBA's performance of "Chiquitita" from 1979, while the third will feature the Agnetha and Frida solo appearances on the program from 1982-1984. This set was withdrawn when the rights holders objected.
Source: ABBA intermezzo

Kerry Ellis - Anthems, Decca, International CD September 13, 2010

The new CD "Anthems" by Kerry Ellis. Produced by Queen guitarist Brian May, the album includes "Anthem" from Chess and "You Have To Be There" from Kristina plus more musical numbers and other symphonic rock songs. The album also features new compositions by Brian May.
Kerry played Svetlana in Chess In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall opposite Josh Groban .She has performed in Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Oliver, Wicked and We Will rock You. Kerry also sang at the BBC Radio 2 ABBA concert -Thank You For The Music in Hyde Park. You tube has a TV appearance by Kerry Ellis and Brian May performing "Anthem"!

1. Dangerland
2. Anthem (Chess)
3. I Can’t Be Your Friend (This Can’t Be Over)
4. Defying Gravity (Wicked)
5. I’m Not That Girl (Wicked)
6. You Have To Be There (Kristina)
7. Love It When You Call
8. Save Me
9. Diamonds Are Forever
10. No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young) (We Will Rock You)
11. I Loved A Butterfly

ABBA-The Definitive Collection 2 CD, French CD, October 18, 2010

Reissue for the French market of the Definitive Collection from a few years back. It features the same track listing as previous CD’ s with this title, but features a new white cover.

Disc 1:

1. People Need Love
2. He Is Your Brother
3. Ring Ring
4. Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)
5. Waterloo
6. Honey, Honey
7. So Long
8. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
9. SOS
10. Mamma Mia
11. Fernando
12. Dancing Queen
13. Money, Money, Money
14. Knowing Me, Knowing You
15. The Name Of The Game
16. Take A Chance On Me
17. Eagle
18. Summer Night City
19. Chiquitita
20. Does Your Mother Know

Disc 2:
1. Voulez-Vous
2. Angeleyes
3. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
4. I Have A Dream
5. The Winner Takes It All
6. Super Trouper
7. On And On And On
8. Lay All Your Love On Me
9. One Of Us
10. When All Is Said And Done
11. Head Over Heels
12. The Visitors (Crackin' Up)
13. The Day Before You Came
14. Under Attack
15. Thank You For The Music
Bonus tracks:
16. Ring Ring (1974 Remix, single version)
17. Voulez-Vous (Extended Remix, 1979 US promo)

ABBA x4 CD box set September 27, 2010, Polar Universal UNI-0600753-27778

A new four CD collection of ABBA’s first four studio albums Contains the discs: Ring Ring,Waterloo,ABBA,Arrival

Georg Wadenius (and friends)–Reconnection, EMI-50999 -9190442 , Swedish CD, October 27. 2010

This is a new album "Reconnection" by Swedish musician Georg "Jojje" Wadenius. Jojje is internationally known for playing in Blood, Sweat & Tears and on the Tonight show band The album features guest singers Nina Persson, Helen Sjöholm, Peter Jöback and Frida. Thomas Johansson, ABBA’s tour promoter, had the idea for bringing Georg together with guest singers. Frida leads the album off with an excellent if somewhat aged sounding vocal on the song "Morning Has Broken", the Christian hymn made popular by Cat Stevens.

1. Morning Has Broken 2. Until We Bleed 3. Brothers In Arms 4.Come Back In Stay
5.Kärleksmorgon 6.Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic 7. Sometimes
8. Darkside 9. Hynn10. Don't Give Up 11. Reconnection

ABBA-ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition , Universal 060252752259 November 29. 2010

This release is yet another version of ABBA's most popular album. The CD features the latest remastered version of the album, while the DVD features newly remastered versions of all the video clips featured on the original DVD.

The DVD includes five bonus selections in the shape of "before-and-after" split-screen comparisons of five original film clips and the remastered versions of those clips. The new DVD also features a recently discovered archive find: a rare cartoon version of 'Money, Money, Money', made circa 1977. ABBA Gold Special Edition also features a brand new essay on the album by Elisabeth Vincentelli, author of the books ABBA Gold and ABBA Treasures.
The ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition will be released in a so-called flip-tray with a slip case.

Track listing:

CD
1. Dancing Queen
2. Knowing Me, Knowing You
3. Take A Chance On Me
4. Mamma Mia
5. Lay All Your Love On Me
6. Super Trouper
7. I Have A Dream
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Money, Money, Money
10. SOS
11. Chiquitita
12. Fernando
13. Voulez-Vous
14. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
15. Does Your Mother Know
16. One Of Us
17. The Name Of The Game
18. Thank You For The Music
19. Waterloo

DVD

1. Dancing Queen
2. Knowing Me, Knowing You
3. Take A Chance On Me
4. Mamma Mia
5. Lay All Your Love On Me
6. Super Trouper
7. I Have A Dream
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Money, Money, Money
10. SOS
11. Chiquitita
12. Fernando
13. Voulez-Vous
14. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
15. Does Your Mother Know
16. One Of Us
17. The Name Of The Game
18. Thank You For The Music
19. Waterloo

Bonus Tracks

20. Money, Money, Money (cartoon version)
21. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (split screen)
22. Mamma Mia (split screen)
23. Dancing Queen (split screen)
24. The Winner Takes It All (split screen)
25. Money, Money, Money (split screen)

ABBA-The Official International ABBA Fan Club 25 years promotional CD Late 2010

1. Waterloo (Alternate Mix)
2. Dancing Queen (from the ABBA LIVE album)
3. Summer Night City (Full Length Version)
4. I Am The City

The Rivals- "Merry Christmas, My Friend" , Promotional Video, December 2, 2010

Benny and Bjorn wrote this song to promote the Hotel Rival during the 2010 Christmas Season.
It's the first Christmas song that they have written as a team. However , Benny did a write Christmas ring tone for the Swedish Red Cross a couple of years ago. The song is a little awkward written, not particularly anything to write home about. The employees on the video don't seem particularly enthusiastic, but that may just be a Swedish thing. In any case, the song and video for "Second to No One", the previous Hotel Rival music project, was substantially better. This has not been released as physical single, not sure whether it is downloadable as a MP3.

ABBA- ABBA The Vinyls 9 LP box set, December 6, 2010.

A vinyl LP Box set of ABBA's eight studio albums. A bonus is also included with Non-LP B-sides. A timeline booklet is also included/ Obviously this is by no means a complete ABBA set-the studio tracks LP has only ten tracks-and there are many more B-sides and rarities not included. The booklet is supposed to include the names of people who preordered this box.

Contains the albums:
Ring Ring
Waterloo
ABBA
Arrival
ABBA - The Album
Voulez-Vous
Super Trouper
The Visitors

Bonus disc of non-LP tracks
-1) Fernando
2) Summer Night City
3) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
4) The Day Before You Came
5) Under Attack
SIDE B
1) Happy Hawaii
2) Lovelight
3) Elaine
4) Put On Your White Sombrero
5) Should I Laugh Or Cry

Merry Christmas My Friend

2010-12-31T15:19:00.005-05:00

The Rivals- "Merry Christmas, My Friend" , Promotional Video, December 2010

Benny and Bjorn wrote this song to promote the Hotel Rival during the 2010 Christmas Season.
It's the first Christmas song that they have written as a team. However , Benny did write Christmas ring tone for the Swedish Red Cross a couple of years ago. The song is a little awkwardly written, not particularly anything to write home about. The employees on the video don't seem particularly enthusiastic, but that may just be a Swedish thing. In any case, the song and video for "Second Best To None", the previous Hotel Rival music project, was substantially better. The song was recorded on was recorded on November 18th, 2010 in the Atlantis Recording Studio in Stockholm. As far as I have heard this has not been released as physical single, not sure whether it is downloadable as a MP3.

Gudrun Anderson dies.

2010-11-11T12:04:00.003-05:00

Gudrun Anderson, the wife of ABBA manager Stig Anderson died recently. It was really only reported in a couple places in the Swedish press, and on a few ABBA fan sites. Gudrun Anderson, was born April 2, 1931, and died October 31, 2010. She had three children Marie (Ledin) , Anders and Lasse Anderson.

ABBA Couplings

2010-10-21T22:49:00.002-04:00

Agnetha and Bjorn appeared together at the recent Danish premiere of Mamma Mia in Copenhagen. The is the first time Agnetha and Bjorn have appeared hand-in hand in public since ABBA. This is the fourth in a series of unprecendented ABBA member near reunions couplings. Since ABBA's breakup Bjorn and Benny would often appear together, occasionally Bjorn would appear with Frida, and on a few times three of the members got together Normally the partial reunions would occur at premieires of Bjorn and Benny's musicals or for TV promotion and interviews. The most notable public occasion was , when all four members of ABBA showed up in July 2008 for the movie premiere in Stockholm. They however, made of point of not having all members stand together, instead they interspersed amongst the stars of the movie.

Not too long ago the group decided to not appear together in combinations of three members-since that would make it look, like one of the former ABBA members was purposely avoiding a reunion. A benefit of ths policy is that in the past two years we have had some unusual pairings of ABBA members.

January 22, 2009 Stockholm
Frida and Agnetha get an Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rockbjornen Gala, Stockholm. This appearence featured just Frida and Agnetha. This was first time since the ABBA days that Agnetha and Frida made an appearence together in public without one or both of the ABBA boys.

March 15, 2010 New York City
Benny and Frida appeared together to be inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame. Bjorn was said to be detained by a family get together, and Agnetha could not make because she does not fly.

ABBA World promo video

This promo video filmed in Stockholm, was used at the opening of the ABBA World exihibit.
It featured Benny and Agnetha together, Agnetha once again seeming unusually happy.

October 2010 Danish Mamma Mia premiere.

Agnetha and Bjorn appeared together.

For more on ABBA reunions visit this page in ABBA-the Albums
http://felpin80.tripod.com/ata/1982.html#anchor1180571

New ABBA Gold Cd/DVD

2010-09-20T01:19:00.001-04:00

ABBA-ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition ,, Universal 060252752259 November 29. 2010

Yet another version of ABBA's most popular album. The CD features the latest remastered version of the album, while the DVD features newly remastered versions of all the video clips featured on the original DVD.

The DVD includes five bonus selections in the shape of "before-and-after" split-screen comparisons of five original film clips and the remastered versions of those clips. The new DVD also features a recently discovered archive find: a cartoon version of 'Money, Money, Money', made circa 1977. (I have never seen this particular cartoon version). ABBA Gold Special Edition also features a brand new essay on the album by Elisabeth Vincentelli, author of the books ABBA Gold and ABBA Treasures.
The ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition will be released in a so-called flip-tray with a slip case.

Track listing:

CD
1. Dancing Queen
2. Knowing Me, Knowing You
3. Take A Chance On Me
4. Mamma Mia
5. Lay All Your Love On Me
6. Super Trouper
7. I Have A Dream
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Money, Money, Money
10. SOS
11. Chiquitita
12. Fernando
13. Voulez-Vous
14. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
15. Does Your Mother Know
16. One Of Us
17. The Name Of The Game
18. Thank You For The Music
19. Waterloo

DVD

1. Dancing Queen
2. Knowing Me, Knowing You
3. Take A Chance On Me
4. Mamma Mia
5. Lay All Your Love On Me
6. Super Trouper
7. I Have A Dream
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Money, Money, Money
10. SOS
11. Chiquitita
12. Fernando
13. Voulez-Vous
14. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
15. Does Your Mother Know
16. One Of Us
17. The Name Of The Game
18. Thank You For The Music
19. Waterloo

Bonus Tracks

20. Money, Money, Money (cartoon version)
21. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (split screen)
22. Mamma Mia (split screen)
23. Dancing Queen (split screen)
24. The Winner Takes It All (split screen)
25. Money, Money, Money (split screen)

New Frida song !

2010-09-16T15:56:00.005-04:00

Georg Wadenius (and friends) –Reconnection, EMI-50999 -9190442 , Swedish CD, October 27. 2010

This is a new album "Reconnection" by Swedish musician Georg "Jojje" Wadenius. The album features guest singers Nina Persson, Helen Sjöholm, Peter Jöback and Frida. Thomas Johansson, ABBA’s tour promoter, had the idea for bringing Georg together with guest singers. Frida leads the album off with an excellent if somewhat aging vocal on the song "Morning Has Broken", the Christian hymn made popular by Cat Stevens.

1. Morning Has Broken 2. Until We Bleed 3. Brothers In Arms 4.Come Back In Stay
5.Kärleksmorgon 6.Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic 7. Sometimes
8. Darkside 9. Hynn10. Don't Give Up 11. Reconnection

New releases:Kerry Ellis, ABBA-Icons, Brazilian ABBA DVD

2010-09-11T09:26:00.002-04:00

Kerry Ellis - Anthems, Decca, International CD September 13, 2010

The new CD "Anthems" by Kerry Ellis. Produced by Queen guitarist Brian May, the album includes "Anthem" from Chess and "You Have To Be There" from Kristina plus more musical numbers and other symphonic rock songs.The album also features new compositions by Brian May.
Kerry played Svetlana in Chess In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall opposite Josh Groban .She has performed in Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Oliver, Wicked and We Will rock You. Kerry also sang at the BBC Radio 2 ABBA concert -Thank You For The Music in Hyde Park.Youtube has a TV appearance by Kerry Ellis and Brian May performing "Anthem"!

1. Dangerland
2. Anthem (Chess)
3. I Can’t Be Your Friend (This Can’t Be Over)
4. Defying Gravity (Wicked)
5. I’m Not That Girl (Wicked)
6. You Have To Be There (Kristina)
7. Love It When You Call
8. Save Me
9. Diamonds Are Forever
10. No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young) (We Will Rock You)
11. I Loved A Butterfly

ABBA-Icon ,Universal, International CD , August 31,2010

Universal Music Group is releasing a new budget compilation CD on August 31 called "Icon". It is a repackaged version of the "20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection" release from 2000. The track listing is exactly the same, in the same order. Availalbe from CD Universe or Amazon.

1. Waterloo
2. SOS
3. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
4. Mamma Mia
5. Fernando
6. Dancing Queen
7. Knowing Me, Knowing You
8. Name of the Game, The
9. Take a Chance on Me
10. Chiquitita
11. Winner Takes It All, The

ABBA- ABBA The Vinyls 9 LP box set, December 6, 2010.

A vinyl LP Box set of ABBA's eight studio albums. A LP is also included with Non-LP B-sides. Obviously this is by no means a complete ABBA set-the studio tracks LP has only ten tracks-and there many more B-sides and rarities not included. The booklet is supposed to include the names of people who preordered this box.

Contains the albums:
Ring Ring
Waterloo
ABBA
Arrival
ABBA - The Album
Voulez-Vous
Super Trouper
The Visitors

Bonus disc of non-LP tracks
-1) Fernando

2) Summer Night City
3) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
4) The Day Before You Came
5) Under Attack
SIDE B
1) Happy Hawaii
2) Lovelight
3) Elaine
4) Put On Your White Sombrero
5) Should I Laugh Or Cry

Timeline booklet

ABBA: Thank you for the music , Coqueiro Verde, Brazilian DVD, May 2010

A NTSC semi-official 119 minute DVD compilation.
The DVD contains the entire ZDF Kultnacht: ABBA programme as well as songs from the Dick Cavett special, Musikladen, Show Express
1. People Need Love (with Inger Brudin)
2. Waterloo
3.. Honey, Honey
4. So Long
5. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
6. SOS
7. Mamma Mia
8. Fernando
9. Dancing Queen
10. Money, Money, Money
11. Take A Chance On Me
12. Eagle
13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)/Summer Night City
14. Chiquitita
15. The Winner Takes It All
16. Super Trouper
17. On And On And On
18. I Know There's Something Going On (Frida)
19. Baby Don't You Cry No More (Frida)
20. The Day Before You Came
21. Cassandra
22. Under Attack
23. To Turn The Stone (Frida)
24. The Heat Is On (Agnetha Fältskog)
25. Wrap Your Arms Around Me (Agnetha Fältskog)
26. Come To Me (I Am Woman) (Frida)
27. One Night In Bangkok (Murray Head with B&B, Frida, Karin Glenmark)
28. Thank You For The Music
Source-Phillip, Abbaworld blog.

Chess again and again!!

2010-09-05T00:18:00.003-04:00

Apparently the Andersson-Rice- Ulvaeus musical Chess has two revivals on tap at the same time. In England, Craig Revel Horwood has reinvented the original West End version, and given it a lot more sexual energy, He managed to successfully stage the games aspects of musical, and most notably has many of the actors playing the music, which makes for great visuals.The only thing I didn't like from the videos shown of this staging was the music, which seemed nothing special. The Horwood variation is actually a touring road show of the musical.

Over on the other side of the Atlantic at the Signature Theater in Washington, the Broadway version of Chess has been redone by Director Eric Schaeffer with a little help from the original Broadway Chess book writer Richard Nelson.

Oddly enough both shows have gotten good reviews with the Horwood variation getting unusually good notices
.
Update October 4, 2011: The Revel Horwood production moved to Toronto, CA recently and continues to get excellent reviews. It's clear that this probably critically speaking the most successful production of Chess. Still no word on whether somebody will attempt this version to take this to the West End.

Alejandro and Fernando!

2010-07-23T21:24:00.002-04:00

Lady GaGa has a new top ten single out from her Fame Monster album. It is called "Alejandro" and is clearly influenced by ACE of BASE's arrangement of the Diane Warren song-"Don't Turn Around". There is also an intentional ABBA reference in the song-one of the names spurted out along with "Alejandro" and "Roberto" is "Fernando". This is not the first song to reference "Fernando". Yet another 2girl/2boy quartet- "The Brotherhood of Man had a number 1One British hit with a "Fernando" style song called "Angelo".

New german DVD's!

2010-07-17T15:53:00.003-04:00

Various Artists- Musikladen Boxsets, ARD Video, German DVD sets August 2010
3 DVD box sets were supposed to be released containing all 90 Musikladen programs from 1972 to 1984 on August 19. Each box was to contain 10 DVDs and be purchased individually or together at a discount. The first box was to contain episodes aired between 1972 and 1976, including the well-known "Best of ABBA" episode from August of 1976. The second box features ABBA's performance of "Chiquitita" from 1979, while the third will feature the Agnetha and Frida solo appearances on the program from 1982-1984.The last I heard was this DVD was canceled at the last minute to legal ownership disputes.

New Benny song at Swedish Princess' wedding!

2010-06-23T15:06:00.003-04:00

Gustaf Sjökvists kammarkör, Storkyrkans kör ,Kungliga Filharmonikerna and Orsa Spelmän- Vilar Glad I Din Famn , Mono MMCD-S 136 Swedish CD single, Summer 2010

"Vilar Glad I Din Famn" is a new choral song performed at a wedding of wedding of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. The title translates in English to “Resting blissfully in your arms”. The single also features a acapella version of the song. The song features music by Benny Andersson and lyrics by Kristina Lugn. Kristina had previously written the lyrics.to "Nu mår jag mycket bättre" from BAO 3. Conductor Gustaf Sjökvist and Benny Andersson are both members of the Swedish Academy of Music. This recording was made at Konserthuset, Stockholm, June 2010 by Bernard Löhr. The single is produced by Benny Andersson, and the arrangement is by Anders Eljas. The single will be available at the ABBF record service site and other Swedish music web outlets.

2007 ABBA releases

2010-06-06T14:48:00.004-04:00

2007 ABBA related releases
2007 featured a new album by BAO and a few other releases, but not as many as other recent years.

ABBA-20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of ABBA -digipak January 30, 2007 US CD

Digipak reissue of a CD originally issued only in a jewel box in September 2000. The original release of this collection actually went gold (500,000 copies sold ) in the USA even though it only offers 11 ABBA songs....
1. Waterloo
2. SOS
3. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
4. Mamma Mia
5. Fernando
6. Dancing Queen
7. Knowing Me, Knowing You
8. The Name of the Game
9. Take a Chance on Me
10. Chiquitita
11. The Winner Takes It All
ABBA-W Pack Series - Japanese CD sets March 2007
The Japanese released these two CD pack sets of ABBA's eight studio albums-Ring Ring/Waterloo, ABBA/Arrival, The Album/Voulez-Vous,and Super Trouper/The Visitors. The four sets are released separately and each CD appears to feature the 2002 remastered track listings, thus the CD's have the normal bonus tracks that you would expect...

ABBA-ABBA's Visitors -British DVD planned release March 2007
A 51 minute video review of ABBA's last studio album.
Interviews with Andrew Brown, Raphael Ravenscroft, Chris Salewicz,Jeff Rose and Louis Rogers . Ok, I have only heard of one of those people,but that's ok. You would think this might be interesting to the ABBA fan, but as usual with these unauthorized DVD things it somehow manages not to be interesting. They don't even talk about three of the songs on the album-"Soldiers", "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room", "I Let The Music Speak".This was also released in April in USA and Canada.
Performances featured include:
Summer Night City (live Dick Cavett)
Brief clips of Waterloo (Eurovision) and Dancing Queen (Olivia)
Gimme Gimme Gimme (live Dick Cavett)
One Of Us (intro, music only, performed by 'Gold')
On And On And On (Show Express)
Super Trouper (live Dick Cavett,)
The Winner Takes It All (Show Express)
One Of Us (ABBA promo video)
Slipping Through My Fingers (live Dick Cavett)
One Of Us (ABBA promo video)
Slipping Through My Fingers (live Dick Cavett)
Head Over Heels (ABBA promo video)
When All Is Said And Done (ABBA promo video)
Two For The Price Of One (live Dick Cavett)
Gimme Gimme Gimme (live Dick Cavett)

ABBA - The Complete Studio Recordings box set, March 27, 2007

International release of a the boxset released in November 2006 in
Denmark. This boxset is abridged version of the fluffy dice box set.

ABBA - Dancing Queen Interviews-Released DVD April 2007.(USA) July
2007 (Europe)
This DVD has interview material and archival footage presented for the first time ever in a DVD format! It includes British and US tv footage. Featured are mini-documentaries, rehearsals, footage from the Eurovision 1974 Song Contest, photos from the 60's, early black and white footage, and a Mamma Mia documentary. Contains no musical performances by ABBA.....

ABBA -The Golden Years DVD April 2007.

A reissue of a Dutch TV documentary that was long ago issued on VHS as "The Story of ABBA" . The "Story of ABBA" was the first of many videos to compile Swedish TV performances of " Baby, Those Are The Rules" (Hootenanny Singers)"Att älska i varens tid "(Frida)"Sunny Girl" (The Hep Stars) and "Nu skall vi opp, opp, opp "(Agnetha). The Ria Valk featured in the special is happens to be a homegrown Dutch pop star who sang a sung cowritten by Stig Anderson.
Baby, Those Are The Rules (Hootenanny Singers)
Att älska i varens tid (Frida)
Sunny Girl (The Hep Stars)
Nu skall vi opp, opp, opp (Agnetha)
Rocking Billy (Ria Valk)
People Need Love
Ring Ring
Waterloo
Honey, Honey
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
SOS
Mamma Mia
Fernando
Dancing Queen
Money, Money, Money
Knowing Me, Knowing You
I'm A Marionette
The Name Of The Game
Take A Chance On Me
Eagle
Chiquitita
Does Your Mother Know
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
I Have A Dream
The Winner Takes It All
Super Trouper
One Of Us
The Day Before You Came
Under Attack
Thank You For The Music
Various Artists-Text: Stikkan Anderson-May 7, 2007 Swedish 2CD set
This is a Swedish collection, that is the first one to actually compile most of the important songs written or cowritten by ABBA manager/lyric writer Stig Anderson. This set also includes a few of the songs he actually performed as an artist....This is being released by Polar /Universal. Lots of hard to find stuff here.
CD 1
1. Gröna små äpplen - Monica Zetterlund
2. En sång en gång för längesen - Jan Malmsjö
3. Sånt är livet - Anita Lindblom
4. Är det konstigt att man längtar bort nån gång - Lena Andersson
5. Vill du låna en man - Frida
6. Ring Ring (Swedish version) - ABBA
7. Vackra sagor är så korta - Marianne Kock
8. Leva livet - Lill-Babs
9. S.O.S - Agnetha Fältskog
10. Säj det med en sång - Lena Andersson
11. Nej jag ångrar ingenting - Anita Lindblom
12. Tusen och en natt - Lars Lönndahl
13. Måndag, måndag - Anna-Lena Löfgren
14. Dancing Queen - ABBA
15. Gröna granna sköna sanna sommar - Lill-Babs
16. Mamma är lik sin mamma - Siw Malmkvist
17. Mamma Mia - ABBA
18. Ljuva sextital - Brita Borg
19. Bang en boomerang - Svenne och Lotta
20. Du har en vän - Lill Lindfors
21. Lycka - Björn och Benny
22. Waterloo (English version) - ABBA
CD2
1. Är du kär i mej ännu, Klas-Göran? - Lill-Babs
2. Min greve av Luxemburg - Ann Louise Hansson
3. Kör långsamt - Family Four
4. Fernando - Frida
5. Raring - Björn Ulvaeus
6. Dröm är dröm och saga saga - Agnetha Fältskog
7. Hasta Mañana - Lena Andersson
8. En serenad till dej - Gunnar Wiklund
9. Gabrielle - Hootenanny Singers
10. Vi hänger me - Nacka Skoglund
11. Den skrattande polisen - Ove Flodin & Gnesta-Kalles Kapell
12. En dans på rosor - Anita Lindblom
13. Hallå Mary Lou - Carli Tornehave
14. Arrivederci Frans - Ann-Louise Hansson
15. Du borde köpa dej en tyrolerhatt - Östen Warnebring
16. Marianne - Hootenanny Singers
17. Baby-twist - Lillan och Stikkan Anderson
18. Tivedshambo - Stikkan Anderson och Ricke Löws orkester
19. Det blir inget bröllop på lördag på lördag - Stig Anderson, Börje Crona och Walle Söderlunds orkester
20. Kära mor - Göingeflickorna
21. Grädde på moset - Harry Brandelius och Jerry Högstedts orkester

ABBA-Rock Case Studies - ABBA 2 DVD + book UK DVD June 11, 2007.
Yet another one of these unauthorized videos biographies of ABBA that seem to be flooding the markert. More " rare archive interview and performance footage" and another top team of critics.
ABBA-The World's Greatest Albums - ABBA/ARRIVAL - The Ultimate Critical Review- UK DVD June 18, 2007.

Another DVD review focusing one of ABBA albums that features interviews with ex-Smash Hits editor Emma Jones, Capital Radio DJ Mick Brown and session musician Neal McArthur. Also included are live TV recordings of 'Dancing Queen', 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' and 'Money Money Money'.
ABBA- Arrival, UIJY-9016, Japan Vinyl LP August 8, 2007 or September 3, 2007

A 200 gram vinyl LP reissue of the 1976 album that utilizes heavier than normal vinyl.
Side A
1. When I Kissed The Teacher
2. Dancing Queen
3. My Love, My Life
4. Dum Dum Diddle
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You

Side B
1. Money, Money, Money
2. That*s Me
3. Why Did It Have To Be Me
4. Tiger
5. Arrival
18 Hits - Svenska Popklassiker CD (slidepak version)), Universal Sweden CD DVD
September 26, 2007.
1. The Winner Takes It All
2. Super Trouper
3. Waterloo
4. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
5. The Name Of The Game
6. Ring Ring
7. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
8. SOS
9. Fernando
10. Hasta Mañana
11. Mamma Mia
12. Lay All Your Love On Me
13. Thank You For The Music
14. Happy New Year
15. Waterloo (Swedish Version)
16. Honey, Honey (Swedish Version)
17. Ring ring (bara du slog en signal) (Swedish Version)
18. Åh, vilka tider

The Tommy Cooper Hour, , UK 3DVD boxset October 3, 2007
This DVD set of a British show includes ABBA's 1974 performance of 'Ring Ring'.

ABBA-The Album Deluxe Edition October 15, 2007 International release

This album was reissued with bonus tracks and an accompanying DVD of rare and previously unreleased performances.
The Album, was originally released 30 years ago, in late 1977.
Like last year's Deluxe Edition of Arrival, ABBA - The Album will be extended with six bonus tracks and a DVD of rare and previously unreleased performances and news reports. Of course, there is still no sign of the rare klive tracks- "I am an A" or "Get On the Carousel".The illustrated 28 page booklet includes an Carl Magnus Palm essay on the making of the album.
Track list:
CD
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
Bonus tracks
10. Eagle (Single Edit)
11. Take A Chance On Me (Live Version; Alternate Mix)
12. Thank You For The Music (Doris Day Version)
13. Al Andar (Spanish Version of Move On)
14. I Wonder (Departure) (Live Version)
15. Gracias Por La Música (Spanish Version of Thank You For The Music)
DVD
1. Eagle/Thank You For The Music (Star Parade, ZDF)
2. Take A Chance On Me (Am Laufenden Band, Radio Bremen)
3. The Name Of The Game (ABBA Special, TBS)
4. Thank You For The Music (Mike Yarwood's Christmas Show, BBC)
5. Take A Chance On Me (Star Parade, ZDF)
6. ABBA on tour in 1977 (Rapport, SVT)
7. Recording ABBA The Album (Gomorron Sverige, SVT)
8. ABBA in London, February 1978 (Blue Peter, BBC)
9. ABBA in America, May 1978 (Rapport, SVT)
10. ABBA The Album Television Commercial I (UK)
11. ABBA The Album Television Commercial II (AUSTRALIA)
12. International Sleeve Gallery
Benny Andersson Orkester-Bao 3, UNI MMCD 023,  Swedish CD 24 October 2007

This is the new Bao Studio album with 12 new songs, including five written by Andersson-Ulvaeus. Tommy Korborg and Helen Sjoholm are the featured singers."Fait Accompli" and "Bonde söker fru" (Farmer seeks wife) have been featured at Skansen. "Crush On You' is an unfinished song dug up from the late 1970's.   "För dig" (For you) is tune that the Bao have playing live for awhile.

"Upp till dig" (Up to you) is similiar to   the 1982 B & B composition "I Am The Seeker" , which was part of the english version of the ABBACADABRA musical. This is sung by Helen.  Kristina Lugn wrote the lyrics to "Nu mår jag mycket bättre" (I feel much better now) , this song is sung by Tommy and Helen. ""Fait Accompli" was released as a promotional single. This album
reached # 3 on the Swedish charts.

Track listing (with songwriters, time, translated title and lead singer)
1. Marsch Pannkaka (Andersson) 3.39 (Pancake March)-instrumental
2. For Dig (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.49 (For You) - Tommy Korberg
3. Du Fralste Mig i sista stund (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.56 (You saved me at the last moment)- Helen Sjoholm
4. Fait Accomplit (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 4.00- Tommy Korberg
5. Crush On You (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.38 - Helen Sjoholm
6. Calle J:s Vals (Andersson) 2.53 (Calle's J. Waltz)-instrumental
7. Helens Brudvals (Andersson) 3.13 (Helen's Wedding Waltz)-instrumental
8. Upp Till Dig (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 4.03 (Up to You)- Helen Sjoholm
9. Bonde Soker Fru (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.04 (Farmer Seeks Wife) - Tommy Korberg
10. Nu Mar Jag Mycket Battre (Andersson-Lugn) 5.00 (Now I feel much Better) - Helen Sjoholm
11. Wienerbrot (Andersson)  3.36 (Vienna Bread) -instrumental
12. Godnattvisa (Andersson) 3.48 (Good Night song) -instrumental
ABBA - The Movie HD DVD, Universal, November 26, 2007
Includes full-length film, plus bonus features: ABBA - The Movie:
Looking Back. Lasse Hallström, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in
conversation; Tour Souvenir Programme Gallery; Memorabilia Gallery;
Theatrical Trailer; ABBA - The Album Television Commercials. Not sure if
this can be found since it is on the defunct HD DVD format.
Original Cast -Mamma Mia (Korean Cast version), Universal Music
DC9486/530 58-5 (South Korea) , Korean CD Late November 28, 2007
This is the original cast album from the South Korean staging of Mamma
Mia. the Korean version has played more than 500 times in limited runs
in Seoul, Daegu and Seongnam since 2004. Performers include Lee Hakmin,
Park Ji-il, Lee Jung-ryul, Lee Jungmi, Choi Jungwon , Sung Kiyoun , Lee
Kyoungmi, and Jon SookyungThe cast album was apparently recorded live
and sung in the Korean language.
Available from YesASia.com (info from Ryan Cameron, Abbamail)
Track listing
Overture/prologue
Honey Honey,
Money money money
Thank you for the music
Mamma mia,
Chiquitita
Dancing Queen,
Lay all your love on me
Super trouper,
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,
The name of the game
Voulez-Vous Entr'acte
Under attack
One of us
SOS
Does your mother know
Knowing me knowing you
Our last summer
Slipping through my fingers
The winner takes it all
Take a chance on me
I do X 5
I have a dream
ABBA -Number Ones -Sound and Vision version 2CD/ 1DVD November 2007
International release
This came in time for the 2007 Christmas season A rehashing of a
rehash. This set does include a few bonus hard to find TV clips.
CD1
1. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
2. Mamma Mia
3. Dancing Queen
4. Super Trouper
5. SOS
6. Summer Night City
7. Money, Money, Money
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Chiquitita
10. One Of Us
11. Knowing Me, Knowing You
12. Voulez-Vous
13. Fernando
14. Waterloo
15. The Name Of The Game
16. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
17. Take A Chance On Me
18. I Have A Dream
CD2
1. When I Kissed The Teacher
2. Hole In Your Soul
3. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
4. Me And I
5. The King Has Lost His Crown
6. Rock Me
7. Tiger
8. I Wonder (Departure)
9. Another Town, Another Train
10. Our Last Summer
11. Kisses Of Fire
12. Slipping Through My Fingers
---
DVD
1. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
2. Mamma Mia
3. Dancing Queen
4. Super Trouper
5. SOS
6. Summer Night City
7. Money, Money, Money
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Chiquitita
10. One Of Us
11. Knowing Me, Knowing You
12. Voulez-Vous
13. Fernando
14. Waterloo
15. Ring Ring
16. The Name Of The Game
17. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
18. Take A Chance On Me
19. I Have A Dream
Extras:
Waterloo (From Top Of The Pops, England 1974)
I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, SOS & Waterloo (From Hei Sveis!, Norway
1975)
I Have A Dream & Under Attack (From The Late Late Breakfast Show,
England 1982 )
Number Ones Scrapbook

ABBA Number Ones DVD (slidepack)--Released 10 December
1. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
2. Mamma Mia
3. Dancing Queen
4. Super Trouper
5. SOS
6. Summer Night City
7. Money, Money, Money
8. The Winner Takes It All
9. Chiquitita
10. One Of Us
11. Knowing Me, Knowing You
12. Voulez-Vous
13. Fernando
14. Waterloo
15. Ring Ring
16. The Name Of The Game
17. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
18. Take A Chance On Me
19. I Have A Dream
Extras:
Waterloo (From Top Of The Pops, England 1974)
I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, SOS & Waterloo (From Hei Sveis!, Norway
1975)
I Have A Dream & Under Attack (From The Late Late Breakfast Show,
England 1982 )
Number Ones Scrapbook

ABBA -THE MOVIE -Blue Ray version, Universal , .....December 12, 2007
The 1978 ABBA concert movie is now available in some territories on
Blue Ray . This release appears to have the bonus material found on the
second disc of the original DVD released in 2005. Thus the 40 minute
interview with Bjorn, Benny and Lasse Hallstrom is included. Includes
full-length film, plus bonus features: ABBA - The Movie: Looking Back.
Lasse Hallström, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in conversation; Tour
Souvenir Programme Gallery; Memorabilia Gallery; Theatrical Trailer;
ABBA - The Album Television Commercial

Frida and Genesis.

2010-05-23T22:18:00.003-04:00

I was having a little Genesis festival at home recently. Genesis of course, went into the Rock and Hall of Fame with ABBA this year. I was listening to stuff from their pop orientated 1980's albums like Abacab, Genesis and Invisible Touch. While going through some stuff on YouTube, I was reminded that Frida recorded her own version of a 1980 Phil Collins solo ballad called "You Know What I mean". I was surprised at how well it holds up. It has a harp backing, but Frida's vocals are genuinely emotional, and as evocative as the excellent harp. This track is found on Frida's solo album-Something's Going On which was produced by Phil Collins. Other Genesis connections with ABBA is that they were on the same recording label (Atlantic) in the United States and that Genesis recorded a few tracks at Polar Music Studio. On a semi related side note ,I was surprised to see how old former Genesis member, Peter Gabriel gotten, he's lost most of his hair, and has a white beard. People should not get lose their hair or get old.

2010 releases revised

2010-05-15T16:28:00.006-04:00

ABBA-Voulez-Vous-Deluxe Edition, Universal, 1CD/IDVD, Planned Release May 31, 2010

The long awaited deluxe version of Voulez-Vous finally came out on May 31, 2010.
Although no totally new tracks are included,the version of "Dreamworld" included on this release is the full version without fade-in, as a master tape containing the full version was recently discovered. The most obvious omissions are the Spanish versions of "I Have a Dream" and "Chiquitita".
Not surprisingly, None of 1978/1979 rarities found on "ABBA undeleted" are included here. So that means no full versions of "Just A Notion", "Rubber Ball Man" etc.

The Voulez-Vous Deluxe Edition expands the original album with five Voulez-Vous era bonus tracks, as well as a DVD featuring television performances and interviews related to Voulez-Vous. As with the previous deluxe editions, the DVD is more interesting than the CD. The key feature on the DVD is the debut of the entire ABBA in Switzerland TV special. It's not paticularly well remastered, but it is nice to have.
This reissue is about a year late, but Universal wanted to give priority to the totally new ABBA in Japan DVD.

CD

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
11. Summer Night City (Full Length Version) (Bonus)
12. Lovelight (Bonus)
13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (Bonus)
14. Dream World (Bonus)
15. Voulez-Vous (Extended Remix, 1979 US promo) (Bonus)

DVD

1. ABBA In Switzerland (television special, BBC)
Take A Chance On Me
The King Has Lost His Crown
The Name Of The Game
Mamma Mia
Hole In Your Soul
Kisses Of Fire
Lovers (Live A Little Longer)
Chiquitita
Does Your Mother Know
Thank You For The Music

2. Chiquitita (Music for UNICEF)
3. I Have A Dream (extended promo)
4. If It Wasn’t For The Nights (Mike Yarwood Christmas Show, BBC)
5. Chiquitita (ABBA Snowtime, BBC)
6. Björn & Benny Interview (Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, BBC)
7. Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Television Commercial I
8. Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Television Commercial II
9. International Sleeve Galleryound on ABBA Undeleted (such as Just a Notion" included here.

Various Artists -Kristina at Carnegie Hall- , Universal Decca label, 2CD set UK release April 5, 2010, May 2010 in USA, Germany

This recording is available. This is the long awaited English language concert version of Kristina Fran Duvemala. The concert occurred on September 2009 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert featured Helen Sjoholm and Russell Watson. It received largely good reviews but a few of the critics did not like the lyrics, or thought it was boring. Benny Andersson will produce the release of the CD version of this concert. The actual recording was made in a empty Carnegie Hall the day before the concerts. I find the recording to be actually fairly good with little to complain about other than the fact the show doesn't make any more sense to me in English than it did in Swedish. It really needs to be staged as musical to make sense.
The concert will repeated in London on April 14, 2010. There are plans also to bring Kristina to Helsinki in 2012.

Track listing

Disc One
Overture
Path of Leaves and Needles
Where You Go I Go With You
Stone Kingdom
Down to the Sea
A Bad Harvest
No!
He's Our Pilot
Never
Golden Wheat Fields
All Who Are Grieving
We Open Up the Gateways
Peasants at Sea
Lice
In the Dead of Darkness
A Sunday in Battery Park
Home
American Man
Dreams of Gold
Summer Rose

Disc Two
Emperors and Kings
Twilight Images Calling
Queen of the Prairie
Wild Grass
Gold Can Turn To Sand
Wildcat Money
To the Sea
Miracle of God
Down to the Waterside
Miscarriage
You Have To Be There
Here I Am Again
With Child Again
Rising from the Myth and Legend
I'll Be Waiting There

Svenne Hedlund-Svenne Sings Elvis In Memphis, HHR003, Swedish CD, March 24, 2010
A New Svenne Hedlund solo album that was recorded at Sun Studios Memphis& Nashville in May 2009. . Mostly INCLUDES songs originally recorded by Elvis. James Burton, DJ Fontana, and Mats Persson play on the CD.
• 1. Little Sister
• 2. Follow That Rain
• 3. Hey Let's Celebrate
• 4. Always On My Mind
• 5. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
• 6. Don't Be Cruel
• 7. He's Latest Flame
• 8. Love Me Tender
• 9. Teddy Bear
• 10. Return To Sender
• 11. Young And Beautiful
• 12. All Shook Up
• 13. She's Not You
• 14. A King Like You
• 15. Good Luck Charm
• 16. Wooden Heart
• 17. The Wonder Of You
• 18. I Gotta Know
• 19. It's Now Or Never
• 20. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
• 21. Treat Me Nice
• 22. Loving You
• 23. Baby I Don't Care
• 24. No More
• 25. Don't Cry Daddy
• 26. Don't Leave Me Now
• 27. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
• 28. Can't Help Falling In Love
• 29. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
• 30. Don't
• 31. Cadillac

ABBA-The Definitive ABBA, Komet KOM3341, UK 4DVD March 1, 2010

This is an unauthorized 4DVD set that compiles three previously released documentaries, including one about the Arrival Album ,one that covers the Visitors, as well as the two disc "Rock case study" career retrospective (that's the one that features John Tobler and the Rod Leissle from Bjorn Again.) None of this is very informative or interesting.

Various Artists-ABSOLUTE SCHLAGER, Uni EvaCD -4111 Swedish 3D, February 3, 2010

A new compilation album for the Swedish market that has some ABBA related tracks.

1. Det gör ont - Lena Philipsson / 2. Främling - Carola / 3. Take me to your heaven - Charlotte Nilsson / 4. Satellit - Ted Gärdestad / 5. Cara mia - Måns Zelmerlöw / 6. Eloise - Arvingarna / 7. The worrying kind - The Ark / 8. Stay the night - Alcazar / 9. Bra vibrationer - Kikki Danielsson / 10. La dolce vita - After Dark / 11. Jag ljuger så bra - Linda Bengtzing / 12. Ring ring (bara du slog en signal) - ABBA / 13. Just nu - Tomas Ledin / 14. Min kärlek - Shirley Clamp / 15. Lay your love on me - BWO / 16. Piccadilly Circus - Pernilla Wahlgren / 17. Sing for me - Andreas Johnson / 18. Det börjar verka kärlek banne mej - Claes-Göran Hederström / 19. Fyra bugg och en Coca-Cola - Lotta Engberg / 20. Never let it go - Afro-Dite / 21. Upp över mina öron - Orup & Glenmark / 22. En dag - Tommy Nilsson / 23. För att du finns - Sonja Aldén / 24. Imorgon är en annan dag - Christer Björkman / 25. Moving on - Sarah Dawn Finer / 26. Värsta schlagern - Markoolio & Linda Bengtzing / 27. Fångad av en stormvind - Carola / 28. Diggi-Loo diggi-ley - Herreys / 29. La voix - Malena Ernman / 30. Hero - Charlotte Perrelli / 31. Lyssna till ditt hjärta - Friends / 32. Not a sinner nor a saint - Alcazar / 33. Dansa i neon - Lena Philipsson / 34. Give me your love - Fame / 35. Bang, en boomerang - Svenne & Lotta / 36. Dover Calais - Style / 37. Crazy in love - Jill Johnson / 38. Håll om mig - Nanne / 39. Thank you - Amy Diamond / 40. A little bit of love - Andreas Johnson / 41. Just a minute - Rongedal / 42. Högt över havet - Arja Saijonmaa / 43. Jennie Jennie - Lasse Berghagen / 44. Hur svårt kan det va - Linda Bengtzing / 45. Show me heaven - Lili & Susie / 46. Las Vegas - Martin Stenmarck / 47. Stad i ljus - Tommy Körberg / 48. Det blir alltid värre framåt natten - Björn Skifs / 49. Snälla, snälla - Caroline Af Ugglas / 50. Empty room - Sanna Nielsen / 51. Se på mig - Jan Johansen / 52. My number one - Helena Paparizou / 53. Waterloo - ABBA / 54. Michelangelo - Björn Skifs / 55. Evighet - Carola / 56. Kärleken är evig - Lena Philipsson / 57. Att älska dig - Shirley Clamp / 58. Baby goodbye - E.M.D. 59. Love love love - Agnes / 60. Det ligger i luften - Tomas Ledin / 61. ABC - Anna Book / 62. Sommar'n som aldrig säger nej - Malta / 63. Dag efter dag - Chips / 64. Let your spirit fly - Pernilla Wahlgren & Jan Johansen / 65. Hope and glory - Måns Zelmerlöw / 66. Temple of love - BWO / 67. Växeln hallå - Janne Lucas / 68. Hallå hela pressen - Chattanoga / 69. I remember love - Sarah Dawn Finer / 70. Kärleken är - Jill Johnson / 71. Det vackraste - Cecilia Vennersten / 72. Den vilda - One More Time / 73. När vindarna viskar mitt namn - Roger Pontare / 74. I lågornas sken - Nordman / 75. Paradise - E-Type / 76. Night of passion - The Poodles / 77. 1000 miles - H.E.A.T. 78. Tingaliin (Tingeling Russian Base Lovers Remix) - P-Bros Featuring DJ Trexx & Olga Pratilova

Kristina is being staged in Great Britain tonight!

2010-04-15T00:08:00.000-04:00

Bjorn and Benny's magnum opus-Kristina had it's London premiere tonight,April 14, 2010 and it will be interesting to see how it has been received. Some fans who have heard the English version have been actually dissapointed with this new version.

I Know Him So Well, again.

2010-03-21T11:47:00.006-04:00

I have just caught up to the fact that Susan Boyle has sung a Andersson-Rice Ulvaeus song.

She performed a new duet on "I Know Him So Well" with Chess star/West End legend, Elaine Paige. They performed the duet on British TV. I kept expecting Susan to falter-you never know when Susan is going to lose the key or the pitch,but she did OK. Susan performed the Barbara Dickson part (a good fit)and Elaine did the Elaine Paige part. A competent if perhaps unspectacular performance. Elaine looks like her body has been rebuilt hair by hair, skin follicle by skin follicle.. Of course, Susan still looks like Susan, no matter how she gets rebuilt.

Elaine Paige also has new DVD out that features her take on "Someone Else's Story" from Chess. It also features "I Know Him So Well". The DVD is called Elaine Paige-Celebrating Forty Years on Stage. The DVD is only available in the PAL format and is being released in the UK.

ABBA inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2010-03-16T23:42:00.004-04:00

ABBA was inducted on March 15, 2010 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were the first act from a non-English speaking country to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The choice of ABBA was controversial one in the press and among some rock fans. The Hall of Fame selection process is notoriously unpredictable, certain sub-genres of rock music are not well represented and obscure acts often get in before more well known artists. It seems to be feeling that ABBA got in finally after more than a decade of eligibility due to the success of the MAMMA Mia franchise.

In any case, the induction was a proud moment for ABBA and ABBA fans, if a little bittersweet. Only two (Benny& Frida) of the four members showed up. Agnetha doesn't fly-so it was no surprise that she was not there. Bjorn's not showing up was a little bit stranger-since he has always been the group's chief spokesperson. It was claimed, that he was detained by a private family event, but it was also stated that it is now the policy of ABBA's former ABBA members that they will not appear together at public events three at a time, so as to avoid making it look like someone was purposely not showing up to avoid a reunion.

The group was inducted by the Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, an appropriate choice. Their introduction was pleasant and lighthearted but not very helpful or informative in explaining why ABBA belonged in the Hall of Fame. Then Frida, and Benny gave their speeches. Frida's speech was all heart, it included references to Agnetha, Bjorn, her grandson, ABBA's fans and most touchingly, a mention of ABBA's late manager Stikkan Andersson. Her speech also included broken English reflecting the fact that she has never totally mastered the English language.

Benny's speech was a well thought out dissertation on the influences behind ABBA's music, which he said included Swedish folk music, French chansons,Italian arias, and John Phillip Sousa. Benny noted the group were also influenced by Elvis, Lieber & Stoller, The Beach Boys, Lennon & McCartney, and Ray Davies. His main conclusion was that ABBA did not have the typical blues underpinning of American based Rock& Roll, but instead was rooted in the melancholia of the North, the common depression of people who live near the Arctic Circle.

After the speeches ABBA's music was represented by a somewhat average rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" as performed by Faith Hill, accompanied by the CBS orchestra, the performance featured Benny playing piano. Frida did not perform.

Voulez-Vous deluxe!

2010-02-19T19:07:00.009-05:00

ABBA-Voulez-Vous-Deluxe Edition, Universal, 1CD/IDVD, Planned Release May 31, 2010

The long awaited deluxe version of Voulez-Vous finally came out on May 31, 2010. Voulez-Vous originally came out in June 1979. It took the longest to record of all the ABBA studio albums. This occurred mainly because most of the early songs recorded did not make it onto the album. Eventually the boys settled in earnest and finished the album early in mid-1979.
Although no totally new tracks are included,the version of "Dreamworld" included on this release is the full version without fade-in, as a master tape containing the full version was recently discovered. The most obvious omissions are the Spanish versions of "I Have a Dream" and "Chiquitita".
Not surprisingly, None of 1978/1979 rarities found on "ABBA Undeleted" are included here. So that means no full versions of "Just A Notion", "Rubber Ball Man" etc. will be included here.

The Voulez-Vous Deluxe Edition expands the original album with five Voulez-Vous era bonus tracks, as well as a DVD featuring television performances and interviews related to Voulez-Vous. As with the previous deluxe editions, the DVD is more interesting than the CD. The key feature on the DVD is the debut of the entire ABBA in Switzerland TV special. It's not paticularly well remastered, but it is nice to have.
This reissue is about a year late, but Universal wanted to give priority to the totally new ABBA in Japan DVD.

CD

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
11. Summer Night City (Full Length Version) (Bonus)
12. Lovelight (Bonus)
13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (Bonus)
14. Dream World (Bonus)
15. Voulez-Vous (Extended Remix, 1979 US promo) (Bonus)

DVD

1. ABBA In Switzerland (television special, BBC)
Take A Chance On Me
The King Has Lost His Crown
The Name Of The Game
Mamma Mia
Hole In Your Soul
Kisses Of Fire
Lovers (Live A Little Longer)
Chiquitita
Does Your Mother Know
Thank You For The Music

2. Chiquitita (Music for UNICEF)
3. I Have A Dream (extended promo)
4. If It Wasn’t For The Nights (Mike Yarwood Christmas Show, BBC)
5. Chiquitita (ABBA Snowtime, BBC)
6. Björn & Benny Interview (Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, BBC)
7. Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Television Commercial I
8. Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Television Commercial II
9. International Sleeve Galleryound

Agnetha not really a blond?

2010-02-15T23:15:00.000-05:00

I was surprised to look into my 2010 Pocket Pal datebook to find a quote from the noted philosopher, Agnetha Faltskog. There on the page for February 11, 2010 is a quote attributed to Aggie that says, "There is a danger in changing too much in search of perfection." I don't recall the original source of the quote-perhaps it is from her biography. I don't know if she originally said it in Swedish, and it was translated into English. I don't know what she is referring to exactly-perhaps the recording process.

Still, It's not the first time I have heard something intelligent from her. On my ABBA-The Albums website , I quote her as saying-"The myth is that Frida and I were there as a front for Björn and Benny's music. But the truth of the matter is that we were the people that could bring over precisely what they couldn't do with their previous bands".

I love the Hep Stars and admire much of what B&B did as a duo, but I get exactly what she is saying-is that even as genius composers B&B could not succeed internationally without having the amazing vocal sound that is only provided when you get that rare and aurally astounding combination of Agnetha and Frida singing together.

I suppose it's not a big deal that Aggie is quoted in a Pocket Pal-the quotes are from famous people of all stripes including Emeril Legasse, Tom Brokaw, Brad Paisley, and Billy Crystal. Maybe a ABBA fan compiled the thing this year. Still the whole thing is a confirmation of a kind that Aggie might actually be a thoughtful person on occasion.

The new "Mamma Mia!"?

2010-01-31T01:52:00.001-05:00

Mamma Spice Girls?

There was lot of cajoling from Universal for some sort of sequel to Mamma Mia,
and while the idea has not been totally ruled out, it not still apparently not something that Bjorn and Benny want to do. So what is their jilted producer, Judy Craymer thinking of doing now instead? A Spice Girls musical! It may work, Mamma Mia proves anything is possible.

Update August 2011

The romantic comedy Spice Girsl musical will be called Viva Forever.
Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders will be involved as the writer and Mamma Mia! producer Judy Cramer as executive producer.Marianne Elliot will direct. So like Mamma Mia another group of gals will be involved.

French and Saunders

2010-01-05T00:18:00.000-05:00

ABBA on youtube...

Recently I discovered two really enjoyable videos by French and Saunders on Youtube.
The first was an excellent parody of the Mamma Mia movie. The parody was made for a British TV charity show. The parody is really more entertaining than the original movie.

I also saw a concert video performance of French & Saunders cover of "I Know Him So Well" from B&B's 1984 musical Chess. Very funny as well...

ABBA on CD

2010-01-04T23:53:00.000-05:00

ABBA on CD

Recently I discovered a relatively new ABBA site, called ABBA on CD by Ken Griffin.
It has a lot of interesting details and original research about how ABBA's various albums were released on CD back in 1980's. A subject of particular interest to an American like myself. Here in the USA, we were always the last to see ABBA CD's come out. You can find this interesting web site at http://abbaoncd.wordpress.com

New old Agnetha

2010-01-04T23:44:00.004-05:00

Agnetha Faltskog- 3 Original Album Classics" January 27, 2010 German 3CD set.

Sony ,will release the 3 CD box set "3 Original Album Classics" in January. This set will include three of Agnetha's Swedish solo albums by Agnetha:
"Agnetha Fältskog" (1968)"När en vacker tanke blir en sång" (1971) and "Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus" (1975). This set is based on the recent "5 Original album classics" that featured five Agnetha early solo albums, which itself drew on the six disc Agnetha box set called "Den Forsta Aren".

All in all a bit of a comedown from the original six then five disc versions....

2009 releases: Story of Heart, Chess, ABBA in Japan

2009-10-28T19:02:00.002-04:00

ABBA 2009 releases in chronological order

2009 brought new English language songs from Andersson-Ulvaeus , the English language in concert version of Kristina and the release of the Albert Hall Concert of Chess.

ABBA-SHM series, Japan 8 individual CD’s, January 21, 2009
Ring Ring, Waterloo, ABBA, Arrival, ABBA - The Album, Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper, The Visitors on Super High Material CD in replica miniature LP sleeves. These can played on regular CD players.

Original Soundtrack- MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK Deluxe Edition CD/DVD Japan January 28, 2009

w/ DVD:

Behind The Music

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! music video

Includes the standard movie soundtrack and bonus DVD but not the actual movie

ABBA-Classic ABBA, Universal , UK CD February 16, 2009

This is rerelease of 1999 compilation with a new cover. The new cover features photograph of the group from 1975 Greatest Hits photo sessions.

1. Thank You For The Music
2. The Winner Takes It All
3. Fernando
4. One Of Us
5. Angeleyes
6. The Day Before You Came
7. Eagle
8. So Long
9. Why Did It Have To Be Me
10. Ring Ring
11. The Way Old Friends Do
12. Slipping Through My Fingers
13. Hasta Mañana
14. Our Last Summer
15. My Love, My Life
16. If It Wasn't For The Nights
17. People Need Love
18. Happy New Year

Faryl Smith-Faryl, Universal PID 838748 , British CD March 9, 2009

The debut album of this 13 year old classical music singer, who was made famous by her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. It features her take on ABBA's "The Way Old Friends Do". The lyrics have been supposedly changed by Björn, to make them appropriate for a 13 year old.

1.Amazing Grace
2.The River of Light (Blue Danube)
3.Ave Maria
4.Annie's Song
5.A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
6.Mother of God, Here I Stand
7.Shenandoah
8.Brahm's Lullaby
9.Calon Lan
10.How Can I Keep From Singing
11.Somewhere
12.The Way Old Friends Do
13.Danny Boy (Bonus Track)

The Airwaves- Hey You Ring Me Tonight RS1024 Riverside 2009, CD single, March 11, 2009

This is a 3 track CD with the songs -Hey You Ring Me Tonight, Jealousy, and Like Only yesterday.
The Airwaves are a Swedish singing group. The main track -“Hey You Ring Me Tonight “ is a ABBA tribute song written by Clive Jones of the British group Black Widow.

Original cast album- 10th Anniversary Special Edition Original Cast Recording Mamma Mia! CD April 6, 2009

A special repackage CD of the musical’s London cast album originally released in 1999 that includes standard track listing plus the bonus tracks first included in 2004.

Act1

1. Overture / Prologue

2. Honey Honey

3. Money, Money, Money

4. Thank You For The Music

5. Mamma Mia

6. Chiquitita

7. Dancing Queen

8. Lay All Your Love On Me

9. Super Trouper

10. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

11. The Name Of The Game

12. Voulez-Vous

Act 2

13. Entr'Act

14. Under Attack

15. One Of Us

16. S.O.S.

17. Does Your Mother Know

18. Knowing Me, Knowing You

19. Our Last Summer

20. Slipping Through My Fingers

21. Winner Takes It All

22. Take A Chance On Me

23. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do

24. I Have A Dream

Finale bonus tracks

25: Mamma Mia

26. Dancing Queen

27. Waterloo

Elisabeth Andreassen - SPELLEMANN, Grappa GRCD4287, Norwegian April 20, 2009 CD

This is a all new Norwegian release by the singer also known as Bettan that includes covers of three Benny Andersson songs. "Klinga mina klockor", Det är vi ändå", and "Nu mår jag mycket bättre". The CD also includes a song written by Ted Gardestad. "Gabriellas Sang" is song that can found on a Helen Sjoholm album.
"Så som i himmelen" is a 2004 film (As it is in heaven/) that features Helen Sjoholm . It features "Gabriella's Sang" in it original version.

Klinga mina klockor
Här är gudagott att vara
Blinde-Karls vise
Sommerfuglen (with Nora Andreassen)
Gabriellas sång
Det är vi ändå (with Sven Nordin)
De nære ting
Koppången
Du som har mitt hela hjärta
Bryllupsvals
För kärlekens skull
Nu mår jag mycket bättre (with Bjarte Hjelmeland)

Mamma Mia ! : Edition spéciale French Gift Set DVD/CD May 26, 2009

This is A French MM! Le Film gift set. It contains one DVD (Pal 2 audio system, French subtitles and bonus material) as well as a CD with eight of the songs and a small blue bag with a sarong style beach wrap. In French it’s described as “Edition spéciale Trousse de maquillage avec CD de la bande originale + Paréo”.

Various Artists Den Svenska Sommaren (5CD) (Album) UNI-0602527-08239 June 17, 2009

A Swedish box set that has 5 CDs of summer hits, Den Svenska Sommaren,. ABBA related artists include-Tomas Ledin, Ainbusk, Ted Gärdestad, Hootenanny Singers, Helen Sjöholm, Tommy Körberg and Frida.

1. Sommar sommar sommar - Radions Underhållningsorkester 2. Sommaren är kort - Tomas Ledin 3. Turistens klagan - Cornelis Vreeswijk 4. Barfotavisan - Mats Paulson 5. Hav och sand - Lars Berghagen 6. Nocturne (sov på min arm) - Sven-Bertil Taube 7. Maj på Malö - Evert Taube 8. Dans på Brännö brygga - Lasse Dahlquist 9. Att angöra en brygga - The Real Group 10. Himlen är oskyldigt blå - Victoria Tolstoy 11. Allt som jag känner - Tone Norum & Tommy Nilsson 12. Det blå - Sonja Aldén 13. Blomstarteid (den blomstertid nu kommer) - Ainbusk 14. Balladen om Herr Fredrik Åkare och den söta fröken Cecilia Lindh - Anita Lindblom 15. Så skimrande var aldrig havet - Lill Lindfors 16. Ta mig till havet - Peter Lundblad 17. Som stormen river öppet hav - Mikael Rickfors & Susanne Alfvengren 18. Det gåtfulla folket - Olle Adolphson 19. Sjösalavals - Evert Taube 20. Ta av dej skorna - Povel Ramel 21. Oh boy - Peps Persson 22. Ge en sol - Ted Gärdestad 23. Kring de små husen i gränderna vid hamnen - Anita Lindblom 24. Till min syster - Thorstein Bergman 25. Niu ligger have stille - Di Sma Undar Jordi 26. Bedårande sommarvals - Monica Zetterlund 27. Axel Öhman - Lill Lindfors & Svente Thuresson 28. Afton på Solvik - Andrew Walter 29. Ett liv i solen - Frida 30. Lilla vackra Anna - Göran Fristorp 31. Jag tror på sommaren - Mats Olin 32. Blå blå är kärleken - Britt Bergström 33. Brusa högre lilla å - Björn J:son Lindh 34. Blå blå känslor - Tomas Ledin 35. Gröna granna sköna sanna sommar - Lill-Babs 36. Oh boy oh boy oh boy - Lasse Dahlquist 37. Calle Schewens vals - Evert Taube 38. Det var dans bort i vägen - Sven-Ingvars 39. Här är den sköna sommar - Hootenanny Singers 40. Till sommarvind - Carl Anton 41. Come give me love - Helen Sjöholm 42. Menuett på Haga - Cornelis Vreeswijk 43. Fiskarna i haven - Idde Schultz 44. En droppe regn - Niclas Wahlgren 45. Sakta vi gå genom stan - Monica Zetterlund 46. Sol vind och vatten - Ted Gärdestad 47. Oh vilken härlig da' - Jill Johnson 48. Drömmen om Elin - Tommy Körberg 49. Vilken härlig dag - Ewa Roos 50. Ännu glöder solen - Nordman 51. Hela vägen hem - Staffan Hellstrand 52. Visa vid vindens ängar - Mats Paulson 53. Rör vid min själ - Sanna Nielsen 54. Visa vid midsommartid - Dana Dragomir 55. En dag på stranden - Tomas Ledin 56. Dans på Vejby ängar - Hasse Andersson 57. Mitt sommarlov - Anita Hegerland 58. Vals i Furusund - Anderw Walters Kör & Orkester 59. Klöversnoa - Ted Gärdestad 60. Itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini - Lill-Babs 61. Sommarkort (en stund på jorden) - Cornelis Vreeswijk 62. Änglamark - Sven-Bertil Taube 63. När skönheten kom till byn - Thorstein Bergman 64. Mälarö kyrka - Åsa Jinder 65. Ett hus på stranden - Shirley Clamp 66. Jag ska fånga en ängel - Ted Gärdestad 67. En kväll i juni - Lars Berghagen 68. Dansar i månens sken - Suzzies Orkester 69. Sommar och sol är det bästa jag vet - Sven-Ingvars 70. Änglahund - Hasse Andersson 71. Dansen på Sunnanö - Hootenanny Singers 72. Hör min samba - Lilla Lindfors 73. Minns du den sommar - Gunnar Wiklund 74. Gotländsk sommarnatt - Ernie Englund 75. Så länge skutan kan gå - Evert Taube

The Rivals-2nd Best To None, Mono Music UNI-MMCDS -133 Swedish CD single /download May 6, 2009

“2nd Best to None” is a new Andersson-Ulvaeus song sung surprisingly effectively by the staff of Benny's Stockholm hotel , the Hotel Rival for use on the hotel website. Yes, the song sounds somewhat derivative, but this is still the most ABBA-esque thing that Benny and Bjorn have recorded in a long time. It's even a little catchy! The stilted English and bland vocals make me think of Ace of Base. Apparently, it seems to be a truism that choruses of Swedish women have a sound quite distinct from that of other nationalities.

Chess in Concert, Internationally released DVD June 16, 2009

A DVD version of the concert basically identical to the 2CD set. I would say buy the DVD rather than the CD if you have to choose. Most of the content on the DVD premiered on PBS TV during pledge week.

Chess-In Concert, International release DVD , June 16, 2009
Released in September 2009 in UK.

Recorded live at Royal Albert Hall, London, May 12-13, 2008
There is also a single CD Highlights version and DVD version which were released both in the United States and Europe. This concert version stars Josh Groban and was taped a full year before it's release. This is yet another reworking of the ever changing Andersson-Rice-Ulvaeus musical.

This time, Tim Rice took the lead on the redo duties. Bjorn and Benny did not get directly involved with this concert ,though perhaps they had a veto, if they did not like the project as a whole. This record is an attempt to issue a fairly complete version of the musical, based generally on the original London staging. Somewhat annoyingly, Tim Rice has once again changed a few lyrics. On the plus side, you get to hear a few of the songs that were written long ago, which had not been available on any recording of CHESS (other then a temporary release on the original version of the Danish Version of Chess) the songs are “Commie newspapers”,” Press conference”, “Global TV fanfare”, “Talking Chess” and “The Interview”. These are not great songs, but it’s still nice to have them. Most of the songs found only on the American Broadway staging did not make it on this recording, but otherwise this concert is really complete Chess score.

The album was recorded live, and as a result many of the performances sound a little shaky. Another problem for me with any re-recording or theatrical staging of Chess is losing out on getting Benny Andersson and the ABBA band play the music as it meant to be played. I would say that if you want the definitive CHESS album it would seem that it is still your best bet to go back to the original 1984 studio album.

Performers include Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, David Bedella, Kerry Ellis, Clarke Peters, Marti Pellow ; The City of London Philharmonic ; The West End Chorus ; arranged and orchestrated by Anders Eljas ; David Firman, conductor, musical supervisor. Liner notes by Tim Rice and synopsis in container.

Contents Disc one (Act one). Prologue -- The story of chess -- Merano/ What a scene! What a joy? -- Commie newspapers -- Press conference -- Molokov and Anatoly -- Where I want to be -- Difficult and dangerous times -- The arbiter -- Hymn to chess -- The merchandisers -- Global TV fanfare -- Chess game #1 -- The arbiter (reprise) -- Quartet (a model of decorum and tranquility) -- Florence and Molokov -- 1956 - Budapest is rising -- Nobody's side -- Mountain duet -- Chess game #2 -- Florence quits -- Pity the child # 1 -- Embassy lament -- Heaven help my heart -- Anatoly and the press -- Anthem –

Disc two (Act two). Golden Bangkok -- One night in Bangkok -- One more opponent -- You and I -- The Soviet machine -- The interview -- Someone else's story -- The deal (no deal) -- Pity the child #2 -- I know him so well -- Talking chess -- Endgame #1 -- Endgame #2 -- Endgame #3/ Chess game #3 -- You and I (reprise) -- Walter and Florence -- Anthem (reprise).

Various Artists-Highlights from Chess in Concert, Internationally released single CD, June 16, 2009

This CD is an abridged version of the Albert Hall Concert CD, a common practice for Tim Rice productions. In this case cutting the recording to one disc is totally pointless, since much of the reason for the concert was to have a new unabridged definitive version.

1. The Story Of Chess
2. Merano
3. Where I Want To Be
4. The Merchandisers
5. Chess Game #1
6. Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility)
7. Nobody's Side
8. Mountain Duet
9. Embassy Lament
10. Heaven Help My Heart
11. Anthem
12. Golden Bangkok
13. One Night In Bangkok
14. You And I
15. Someone Else's Story
16. Pity The Child #2
17. I Know Him So Well
18. You And I (reprise)
19. Walter And Florence
20. Anthem (reprise)

BAO-Sommaren du fick, Mono , Swedish single/download June 2009

This record is the Swedish language version of "Story of a Heart", called "Sommaren du fick". This recording can also be found as a bonus track on the Swedish release of the Story of a Heart album. This CD was released as a single in Sweden, the single has two versions of the song.

Ted Gardestad-"Helt Nära Dig - Samlade, Polar Music/Universal Music 06025270733-0, Sweden 8 CD box set July 1, 2009

This box set features Ted’s studio albums, many of which feature production and musicianship by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

Benny Andersson Band-Story of a Heart, European CD July 6, 2009 (June 24 in Sweden) Also released in Australia

This is the first English language album to be released by the Benny Anderssons Orkester who are retitled the Benny Andersson Band for the purposes of international release. This CD is mostly a compilation of previously recorded songs ranging back as far as 1987. Nine of the fourteen songs are instrumentals. Four of the songs- “Fait Accompli”, “Our Last Dance”, “You Are My Man”, “ The Stars” feature never before released English language vocal tracks.

The album features one totally new song “Story of a Heart”, which is a Andersson- Ulvaeus song that is more ABBAesque than the usual BAO stuff. I think "Story of a Heart" is good recording if not a great song , though Helen Sjoholm really has voice better suited for musicals than pop recordings.

The English lyrics to "Our Last Dance" and "You Are My man" come off as kind of cliche. It is often hard to do literal translations of songs to another language.

So often the second language version tells a totally different story, but Bjorn went ahead with fairly literal translations.

However, The lyrics to "The Stars" work well, and is this track is my favorite of the new recordings on this CD.
The album was released a couple of days after the band's first appearance in Hampstead, Britain on July 4, 2009.

Track listing with original Swedish title, songwriter(s), track times, year of original release, and lead singer if any…

1. Glasgow Boogie (Andersson) 3.35 2004
2. Trolska [Trolskan] (Andersson) 2.07 1989
3. Story Of A Heart (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 5.08 2009 Lead Vocals-Helen Sjoholm
4. Bed Of Roses [En dans på rosor] (Andersson) 3.04 2004
5. You Are My Man [Du är min man] (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.36 2004 Lead Vocals-Helen Sjoholm
6. Circus Finemang (Andersson) 4.18 2001
7. Fait Accompli (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.57 2007 Lead Vocals-Tommy Korberg
8. Song From The Second Floor [Sång från andra våningen] (Andersson) 3.46 2001
9. Birthday Waltz For Mona [Födelsedagsvals till Mona] (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 2.23 1987
10. [If This Is] Our Last Dance [Vår sista dans] Andersson) (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 4.46 2001 Lead Vocals-Helen Sjoholm
11. Jehu (Andersson) 3.44 2004
12. Tirolan Schottis [Schottis i Tyrolen] (Andersson) 2.51 2001
13. The Stars [För dig] (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 3.48 2007 Lead Vocals-Helen Sjoholm, Tommy Korberg
14. P.S. (Andersson) 1.01 2001
Bonus track (Sweden only):
15. Sommaren du fick (Swedish vers.- Story Of A Heart] (Andersson-Ulvaeus) 4.27 2009 Lead Vocals-Helen Sjoholm

ABBA- Waterloo: The True Story of ABBA 3 DVD plus book July 13, 2009

Apparently contains previously released ABBA - Music in Review and ABBA/Arrival - The Ultimate Critical Review

This collection includes two retrospective reviews of much-loved Swedish pop sensations ABBA, celebrating the band's musical output through rare archival footage and live-performance clips; including an appearance on THE DICK CAVETT SHOW. Further insight is given through interviews with rock critics and band colleagues such as musician Les Davidson, tribute-band founder Rod Leissle, and publicists John Tobler and Jeff Rose. The collection also features a critical review of, what is widely considered to be, ABBA's first classic album, 1976's ARRIVAL.

ABBA-Les No 1 de ABBA , Universal, French 2CD set, August 31, 2009
A repackaging of ABBA’s Definitive Collection for the French market.

Disc 1:
1. People Need Love
2. He Is Your Brother
3. Ring Ring
4. Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)
5. Waterloo
6. Honey, Honey
7. So Long
8. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
9. SOS
10. Mamma Mia
11. Fernando
12. Dancing Queen
13. Money, Money, Money
14. Knowing Me, Knowing You
15. The Name Of The Game
16. Take A Chance On Me
17. Eagle
18. Summer Night City
19. Chiquitita
20. Does Your Mother Know

Disc 2:
1. Voulez-Vous
2. Angeleyes
3. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
4. I Have A Dream
5. The Winner Takes It All
6. Super Trouper
7. On And On And On
8. Lay All Your Love On Me
9. One Of Us
10. When All Is Said And Done
11. Head Over Heels
12. The Visitors (Crackin' Up)
13. The Day Before You Came
14. Under Attack
15. Thank You For The Music
Bonus tracks:
16. Ring Ring (1974 Remix, single version)
17. Voulez-Vous (Extended Remix, 1979 US promo)

ABBA In Japan – Universal, DVD international release, October 26, 2009

This DVD depicts ABBA’s adventures in Japan in 1978 and 1980. The main section of the release is “ABBA Special”, a television special filmed when the group visited Japan for promotional tour in November 1978. Unlike most specials of this kind the DVD has been resembled from unedited materials meaning that the DVD features more of the actual filmed performances.
The DVD comes with two bonus sections. The package features a illustrated booklet with an essay by Carl Magnus Palm.

ABBA In Japan 2 disc limited edition, Universal, international release, October 26, 2009

The first disc is the same as the one disc version, the second disc features a rare behind the scenes documentary from ABBA’s concert tour in March 1980, as well as some photo galleries. The packaging features illustrated booklet with essay by Carl Magnus Palm. The two disc version features a sticker and three ABBA photo cards.

ABBA Special

1. Eagle

2. Take A Chance On Me

3. Money, Money, Money (live)

4. SOS (live)

5. That's Me

6. Tiger

7. Dancing Queen

8. Waterloo

9. Fernando

10. Summer Night City

11. The Name Of The Game

12. Knowing Me, Knowing You

13. If It Wasn't For The Nights

14. Thank You For The Music (live)

Special Features:

Disc 1

1. Behind The Scenes Documentary 1978 - ABBA In Japan Nov. 1978

2. If It Wasn't For The Nights (Alternate Mix)

Disc 2 (Limited Special Edition)

1. Behind The Scenes Documentary 1980 - ABBA - '80 Concert Tour In Japan

2. Photo Gallery

3. Single And Album Sleeve Gallery

ABBA Gold - Greatest Hits Sound + Vision Clamshell 2 CD + DVD UK, October 26, 2009

This box compiles ABBA Gold, More ABBA Gold and the ABBA gold DVD yet again.

ABBA-Live TV, Brazilian DVD, October 2009

Another unofficial collection of ABBA TV clips. This DVD 5.1 sound, Is ALL REGION (Free), NTSC FORMAT

1. SOS (Disco 1975)

2. Dancing Queen (Disco 1976)

3. Fernando (Musikladen 1976)

4. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (Disco 1975)

5. Mamma Mia (Disco 1976)

6. Take A Chance On Me (Star Parade 1978)

7. Chiquitita (Musikladen 1979)

8. Eagle (Star Parade 1978)

9. The Winner Takes It All (Show Express 1980)

10. I Have A Dream (live Wembley 1979)

11. Super Trouper (Show Express 1980)

12. No Hay a Quien Culpar (promotional film)

13. The Day Before You Came (Show Express 1982)

14. Cassandra (Show Express 1982

15. Mamma Mia (Versão clipe) (promotional film)

Dan Daniell- Ich habe einen Traum, Edel, German CD, November 6, 2009

Includes one track (Lieber Gott) with Frida, a remix of track they released in 2003.
1. Ich gehöre nicht Dir
2. Ich will Dich
3. Lieber Gott (Duet with Frida)
4. Schatten oder Licht
5. 1000 an der Zahl
6. Ich will Frieden
7. Ein Traum
8. Marlene
9. Licht und Feuer
10. Liebe
11. Nur eine Nacht
12. Lady in weiss
13. Licht der Ewigkeit
14. Bonus: Matterhorn (Remix 2009)
Source: ABBA World

Original Soundtrack- MAMMA MIA! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set, Universal, USA

and BD/CD box sets 10 November 10, 2009

This set includes Original Movie Soundtrack CD and 32-page collectible book. Collectible Gift Set Box with LED Lights & Mamma Mia! Music Soundchip.

Disc 1

Bonus:

Sing-Along

Deleted Musical Number: "The Name of the Game"

Feature Commentary with Director Phyllida Lloyd

Disc 2: Bonus Disc

Bonus:

Digital Copy of Mamma Mia! The Movie (Expires 12/31/2009)

Deleted Scenes

Outtakes

The Making of Mamma Mia!

Anatomy of a Musical Number: 'Lay All Your Love on Me'

Becoming a Singer

Behind the Scenes with Amanda

On Location in Greece

A Look Inside Mamma Mia!

"Gimme! Gimme! Gimmie!" Music Video

Bjorn Ulvaeus Cameo

Various Artists-Atlantic Records Time Capsule, Atlantic, American 9 CD/1 DVD/plus a “45” set, November 17, 2009.

This 168 song box set is a rare acknowledgement that ABBA was once part of the Atlantic records stable in the U.S.A. market. ABBA’s American #1 record is included here on Disc 5, Track 11. Can you guess which song that is? Can you dance? Can you Jive?

MAMMA MIA! Two Disc After Party Edition , Universal UK DVD November 23, 2009, Australia 2DVD, December 2, 2009

This is a Special Edition of MM! The Movie Double DVD (this is the “party edition”)

A special edition with lovely bonus material such as a Sky documentary, a red carpet feature, cast interviews and much more has just been released. Very special, very party! Yeah, whatever….

Disc 1 Special Features

Feature commentary with director Phyllida Lloyd

Cameo of Björn Ulvaeus

The making of Mamma Mia!

Music video: 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'

Deleted musical number: 'The Name Of The Game'

Deleted scenes

Becoming a singer feature

Anatomy of the musical number feature

Out-takes

Inside look of the movie

Sing a long

Disc 2 Bonus Disc

'Mamma Mia! Stage to Screen'

30 Rock episode ‘Mamma Mia’

'The Best Summer of my Life' Cast interviews

'Mamma Mia! - Meeting the stars - Premiere Spectacular'

Photo gallery

Story of a Heart CD cover

2009-08-05T19:29:00.001-04:00

2008 releases

2009-07-28T20:10:00.001-04:00

2008

2008 brought many new releases in the profitable Mamma Mia franchise, but little of genuine artistic interest.

ABBA-The Best of ABBA (18 Hits), Universal, Canada CD, April 29, 2008

Yet another----other ABBA compilation, this time in a eco-friendly packaging. It is part of the Green Series of CD’s.
1. The Winner Takes It All
2. Super Trouper
3. Waterloo
4. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
5. The Name Of The Game
6. Ring Ring
7. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
8. SOS
9. Fernando
10. Hasta Mañana
11. Mamma Mia
12. Lay All Your Love On Me
13. Thank You For The Music
14. Happy New Year
15. Honey, Honey (Swedish Version)
16. Waterloo (French Version)
17. Ring Ring (German Version)
18. ¡Dame! ¡Dame! ¡Dame! (Spanish Version of Gimme! Gimme!)

You, the Living (Du Levande), Scanbox , Swedish DVD (Region 2), April 9, 2008.

Another dark movie comedy by Swedish director, Roy Andersson, who also directed Songs from The Second Floor. Benny Andersson is credited as the composer of the music to this film. This music used here was actually left over from Songs from The Second Floor. This film stars : Jessica Lundberg, Elisabet Helander,and Björn Englund.

Various artists- Mamma Mia! 4 Kids, Water Music Records, USA CD, May 20, 2008

In the spirit of "I Have a Dream" kids sing ABBA songs, oh sorry, please forgive me, those songs are "Mamma Mia" songs now!
Track Listing1. Honey, Honey 2. Money, Money, Money 3. Thank You For The Music 4. Mamma Mia! 5. Dancing Queen 6. The Name Of The Game 7. S.O.S 8. Knowing Me, Knowing You 9. The Winner Takes It All 10. Take A Chance On Me

ABBA- More Gold, Universal 060251724733, International CD, June 2, 2008
This is a reissue of the 1993 release in updated packaging. This release has undergone another overhaul, with revised liner notes, a re-designed booklet and a remastered CD. The track listing remains the same. According to ABBA-World this CD was released in Germany 17 June; Australia 14 July; and in the UK 25 August.

ABBA-ABBA Gold, Universal 060251724732, International CD, June 2, 2008
They have updated this jewel box for the often reissued seminal 1992 ABBA compilation. The CD on this edition is now packaged in what is called the Super Jewel Box. You might ask what is the Super Jewel Box? Super Jewel Boxes are made of crystal clear, high grade polystyrene and features improvements to the old CD jewel case, such as a new and patented hub for one or two discs, rounded corners, stronger hinges, an advanced locking clasp, visibility to graphics on all four spines, and increased durability.

The booklet has been slightly updated at the same time, and the CD supposedly features the latest remastered versions of the same nineteen ABBA tracks. In short, there is nothing new to be found here.

ABBA-Thank You For The Music, Universal 060251743234, International CD, July 14, 2008
The 66 track, 4-CD ABBA box set, has been re-released in a downsized format, in accordance with current day box set packaging. The booklet has been redesigned with different photographs, and parts of the essays and liner notes have been gently corrected and updated. This means that the booklet is shorter with fewer pictures. The disc content remains exactly the same as it was in the original 1994 edition.

Original Soundtrack Recording, Mamma Mia-Decca label 177 418-4, International CD, July 7, 2008

The movie soundtrack album was released in the summer, slightly before the release of the movie. The CD was released in Sweden and the UK on July 7, 2008 (and in the US on July 8, 2008). This album actually went to #1 in the USA, and in many other places. The movie soundtrack was actually more successful than the musical's original cast album, which has tended to sell at a slower pace in most of the markets it had been released. The soundtrack has sold over 4,000,000 physical copies worldwide including nearly 1,800.000 copies in the USA.

The music was recorded before the movie was filmed with the vocals sung by the original actors in the movie. On occasion, the actors also sang “live” during filming. The musical backing tracks were newly recorded in February 2007 by Benny Andersson with the help of three veterans of the original ABBA band (Rutger Gunnarsson on bass, Lasse Wellander on guitar, Per Lindvall on drums. An orchestra was used for parts of the backing track, and the chorus parts for the vocal tracks were recorded by the Stockholm ensemble cast of Mamma Mia. Two songs that were in the original musical are not sung in the movie- "Under Attack" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You". "Knowing Me, Knowing You "has been replaced by "When All is Said And Done'. Due to time constraints , the following songs are not included in the soundtrack album track listing -Overture / Prologue, Chiquitita, Entr'Act, One Of Us, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, and Waterloo.

The main drawback of the album is that so many of the performers are actors first not singers, and so most of the lead vocals are underwhelming. The vocal performances do have the kind of character that actors can instill, that sometimes singers can not.

.Of course, even the best singers are not likely to improve on Frida or Agnetha's vocals, so instead the best approach appears to be try something slightly different and that's what is sometimes tried here.

Originally there was also supposed to be a special two-disc version of the soundtrack. The two disc version was to have included instrumental versions of songs that underscore the action in the movie, the end credits medley and god knows what else, but this idea never came to fruition, perhaps simply due to quality control concerns.

Track listing-
1. Honey, Honey (Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley & Rachel McDowall)
2. Money, Money, Money (Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski)
3. Mamma Mia (Meryl Streep)
4. Dancing Queen (Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski)
5. Our Last Summer (Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgǻrd, Amanda Seyfried & Meryl Streep)
6. Lay All Your Love on Me (Dominic Cooper & Amanda Seyfried)
7. Super Trouper (Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski)
8. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley & Rachel McDowall)
9. The Name of the Game (Amanda Seyfried)
10. Voulez-Vous (Full cast, Philip Michael, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters & Stellan Skarsgǻrd)
11. SOS (Pierce Brosnan & Meryl Streep)
12. Does Your Mother Know (Christine Baranski & Philip Michael)
13. Slipping Through My Fingers (Meryl Streep & Amanda Seyfried)
14. The Winner Takes It All (Meryl Streep)
15. When All is Said and Done (Pierce Brosnan & Meryl Streep)
16. Take a Chance on Me (Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgǻrd, Colin Firth, Philip Michael & Christine Baranski)
17. I Have a Dream
18. Thank You For the music (hidden track) Amanda Seyfried)

ABBA-ABBA The Album (Limited 180gram Remastered Vinyl LP), Polar/Universal 5499701 LP, July 8, 2008

To help celebrate the 60th year of vinyl Universal is re-releasing 80 titles in vinyl. The first batch includes ABBA-The Album. Supposedly, each album contains a voucher enabling the purchaser to download MP3 versions of the songs within. Supposedly, the album replicates the original packaging. The disc is pressed on 180 gram (heavier than normal) virgin vinyl. I didn't know LP's could have sex. No bonus tracks of course, since they would not fit anyway.

ABBAcadabra- We Love ABBA: The Mamma Mia Dance Collection, Almighty ALMYCD63, European 3CD set July 2008

This set is a new collection of what I believe are previously released dance mixes by this ABBA cover band.

ABBA-Thank You For The Music Collectors Box Set, 3 DVD (region 2) & booklet , July 28. 2008

This release is another one of those un-official biography DVD sets. This contains the previously released 2DVD set ABBA - Music in Review 1972- 1983 and new single DVD ABBA Live. ABBA Live includes TV clips from the Olivia special ABBA in Japan and the Midnight Special. , ABBA Music in Review 1972-1983 is also included in the Dancing Queen collection listed below this one.

ABBA-Dancing Queen Collection MVD090169 ,International 3 DVD plus book , August 28, 2008

The DVD’s here had been previously released before as ABBA/Arrival - The Ultimate Critical Review and as ABBA Music in Review. Two of the discs feature analysis of ABBA”s eight studio albums . The third disc focuses just on Arrival. Music critics and musicians are interviewed and ABBA videoclips (some rare, some not rare) are interspersed between the talking. The interviews are with people from Bjorn Again, ex-Smash Hits editor Emma Jones, Capital Radio DJ Mick Brown and session musician Neal McArthur Also included is a 48 page analysis of every Abba album from 1973-1982. Much of the information presented in the DVD and the booklet is inaccurate or uninteresting.

Blancmange -Mange Tout Reissue, Edsel EDSD 2023, UK 2CD, September 1, 2008

This is digitally remastered two CD deluxe edition of the Synthpop duo's sophomore album which includes a bonus CD that contains all the twelve inch mixes of the hits and the non-album B-sides, the majority of which appear on CD for the first time. This album was originally released in May 1984, it features the hits 'Blind Vision', 'Don't Tell Me' and their version of ABBA's 'The Day Before You Came'. Blancmange’s version was a bigger hit then ABBA’s version on the British charts. This deluxe edition has the 12 inch version of the song as well.

CD 1

1 Don't Tell Me
2 Game Above My Head
3 Blind Vision
4 Time Became The Tide
5 That's Love That It Is
6 Murder
7 See The Train
8 All Things Are Nice
9 My Baby
10 The Day Before You Came
11 Game Above My Head (Long Version) (Bonus Track)

CD 2

1 Blind Vision (Long Version)
2 Heaven Knows Where Heaven Is
3 On Our Way To?
4 That's Love That It Is (Extended)
5 Vishnu (Full Length)
6 That's Love That It Is (Remix)
7 Vishnu (Instrumental)
8 Don't Tell Me (Extended)
9 Get Out Of That
10 Feel Me
11 All Things Are Nice (Version)
12 The Day Before You Came (Extended)

Agnetha Fältskog's Original Album Classics, Cupol SME-8869735-2352. Swedish 5CD box set, September 29, 2008

This 5CD box set features the same contents as De Första Åren box set minus the bonus disc. Thus the five albums included are Agnetha Fältskog, Agnetha Fältskog Vol.2, Som jag är.,När en vacker tanke blir en sång, and Elva kvinnor i ett hus.

1. Jag Var Så Kär 3:18 2. Jag Har Förlorat Dej 3:25 3. Utan Dej Mitt Liv Går Vidare 2:47 4. Allting Har Förändrat Sej 3:10 5. Försonade 2:57 6. Slutet Gott Allting Gott 1:43 7. Tack Sverige 3:00 8 .En Sommar Med Dej 3:20 9. Snövit Och De Sju Dvärgarna 3:07 10. Min Farbror Jonathan 2:31 11. Följ Med Mig 1:35 12. Den Jag Väntat På 2:24

1. Fram För Svenska Sommaren 2:24 2 .Lek Med Dina Dockor 2:15 3. Ge Dej Till Tåls 2:25 4. Skål Kära Vän 2:05 5. Glöm Honom 2:15 6. En Gång Fanns Bara Vi Två 2:41 7. Hjärtats Kronprins 2:35 8. Det Handlar Om Kärlek 2:26 9. Som En Vind Kom Du Till Mig 3:24 10. Señor Gonzales 2:28 11. Zigenarvän 2:58 12. Tag Min Hand Låt Oss Bli Vänne 2:14

1. Som Ett Eko 3:09 2. När Jag Var Fem 3:08 3. En Sång Och En Saga 3:35 4 .Tänk Va' Skönt 3:21 5. Ta Det Bara Med Ro 2:10 6. Om Tårar Vore Guld 3:27 7 .Hjärtats Saga 2:18 8. Spela Vår Sång 2:18 9 .Så här börjar kärlek 2:31 10. Du Ska Minnas Mig 3:11 11. Jag Ska Göra Allt 3:46 12. Sov Gott Min Lilla Vän 2:44

1. Många Gånger Än 02:17 2. Jag Vill Att Du Skall Bli Lyck 3:05 3 Kungens Vaktparad 2:40 4. Mitt Sommarland 2:23 5. Nya Ord 2:13 6 .Jag ska inte fälla några tårar 2:00 7. Då Finns Du Hos Mig 2:30 8. Han Lämnar Mig För Att Komma T 3:03 9. Kanske Var Min Kind Lite Het 3:07 10. Sången Föder Dig Tillbaka 3:13 1.1 Tågen Kan Gå Igen 3:06 12 Dröm Är Dröm Och Saga Saga 3:25

1. S.O.S. 3:19 2. En Egen Trädgård 2:35 3. Tack För En Underbar Vanlig Da 2:38 4. Gulleplutt 2:56 5. Är Du Som Han 2:50 6. Och Han Väntar På Mej 3:03 7. Doktorn! 2:47 8. Mina Ögon 3:04 9. Dom Har Glömt 3:49 10 Var Det Med Dej? 3:39 11 Visa i åttonde månaden 3:57

Agnetha Fältskog-My Very Best, Columbia, Sweden 2CD, October 8, 2008

The bluish cover features a stunning photo of Aggie from the mid-1970's .This is a 35 track hits compilation from Aggie. All the tracks are previously released. One CD features her Swedish tracks from 1960's and the 1970's. The second CD features English language tracks from her post ABBA solo career along with one ABBA track -"The Winner Takes It All". The tracks are not sequenced in chronological order. The compilation includes tracks from her 2004 solo album, My Coloring Book. Eyes Of a Woman is under represented in favor of Wrap Your Arms Around Me. There are no tracks from her duet albums with her either of her children, which is no great loss. This collection is similar in scope to My Love, My Life, a previous Agnetha compilation.

There is something rather scary about the idea that this album is celebrating 40+ years of the music of Aggie Fältskog. Equally scary is Aggie's duet with Bjorn called -"Så här börjar kärlek".

CD 1
1. SOS2. Var det med dej?3. När du tar mig i din famn4. Många gånger än5. En sång om sorg och glädje6. Dröm är dröm, och saga saga7. Doktorn!8. Tack för en underbar, vanlig dag9. Så glad som dina ögon10. Vart ska min kärlek föra11. Tio mil kvar till Korpilombolo12. Så här börjar kärlek (duet with Björn Ulvaeus)13. Sången föder dig tillbaka14. Dom har glömt15. Om tårar vore guld16. Allting har förändrat sig17. Fram för svenska sommaren18. Jag var så kär

CD 2
1. Wrap Your Arms Around Me2. Little White Secrets3. Can't Shake Loose4. The Heat Is On5. If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind6. I Stand Alone7. Mr. Persuasion8. I Won't Let You Go9. If You Need Somebody Tonight10. Never Again (duet with Tomas Ledin)11. Let It Shine12. Take Good Care Of Your Children13. Sometimes When I'm Dreaming14. The Way You Are (duet with Ola Håkansson)15. I Won't Be Leaving You16. When You Walk In The Room17. The Winner Takes It All

ABBA-ABBA-The Albums, Universal, Internationally released 9CD Box set, October 27, 2008
All of the tracks here have been previously released.

This is a new 99 track box set of all ABBA's studio albums, with a bonus disc of most of ABBA's non-original album A&B sides. It is by no means complete, though to be fair, that does not seem to be the intent. ABBA's live album, Spanish album, German & French language tracks, alternative mixes, and alternative edits, are not included. Nor are the rarities found on the Thank You For The Music box set or MORE ABBA GOLD included here. The Ring Ring album is presented here in the later track listing version with "She's My Kind of Girl" instead of " Ring Ring (bara du slog en signal)”, otherwise the studio albums are issued in their original track listings. The nine CD's are packaged in a embossed cardboard box.

RING RING
1. Ring Ring2. Another Town, Another Train3. Disillusion4. People Need Love5. I Saw It In The Mirror6. Nina, Pretty Ballerina7. Love Isn’t Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)8. Me And Bobby And Bobby’s Brother9. He Is Your Brother10. She’s My Kind Of Girl11. I Am Just A Girl12. Rock’n Roll Band
WATERLOO
1. Waterloo2. Sitting In The Palmtree3. King Kong Song4. Hasta Mañana5. My Mama Said6. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)7. Honey, Honey8. Watch Out9. What About Livingstone10. Gonna Sing You My Lovesong11. Suzy-Hang-Around
ABBA
1. Mamma Mia2. Hey, Hey Helen3. Tropical Loveland4. SOS5. Man In The Middle6. Bang-A-Boomerang7. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do8. Rock Me9. Intermezzo No.110. I’ve Been Waiting For You11. So Long
ARRIVAL
1. When I Kissed The Teacher2. Dancing Queen3. My Love, My Life4. Dum Dum Diddle5. Knowing Me, Knowing You6. Money, Money, Money7. That’s Me8. Why Did It Have To Be Me9. Tiger10. Arrival
ABBA– THE ALBUM
1. Eagle2. Take A Chance On Me3. One Man, One Woman4. The Name Of The Game5. Move On6. Hole In Your Soul”The Girl With The Golden Hair”– 3 scenes from a mini-musical:7. Thank You For The Music8. I Wonder (Departure)9. I’m A Marionette
VOULEZ-VOUS
1. As Good As New2. Voulez-Vous3. I Have A Dream4. Angeleyes5. The King Has Lost His Crown6. Does Your Mother Know7. If It Wasn’t For The Nights8. Chiquitita9. Lovers (Live A Little Longer)10. Kisses Of Fire
SUPER TROUPER
1. Super Trouper2. The Winner Takes It All3. On And On And On4. Andante, Andante5. Me And I6. Happy New Year7. Our Last Summer8. The Piper9. Lay All Your Love On Me10. The Way Old Friends Do
THE VISITORS
1. The Visitors2. Head Over Heels3. When All Is Said And Done4. Soldiers5. I Let The Music Speak6. One Of Us7. Two For The Price Of One8. Slipping Through My Fingers9. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
BONUS CD
1. Merry-Go-Round2. Santa Rosa3. Ring Ring (bara du slog en signal) [Swedish Version]4. Waterloo (Swedish Version)5. Fernando6. Crazy World7. Happy Hawaii8. Summer Night City9. Medley: Pick A Bale Of Cotton - On Top Of Old Smokey - Midnight Special 10. Lovelight11. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)12. Elaine13. Should I Laugh Or Cry14. You Owe Me One15. Cassandra16. Under Attack17. The Day Before You Came

Sarah Brightman-Winter Symphony, EMI 2440112, British CD/DVD November 4, 2008

This is a winter/holiday album from the star of Phantom of the Opera. This album has a new vocal version of ABBA's "Arrival". Somehow,

Ms. Brightman was able to get Bjorn Ulvaeus to write new lyrics to go with the melody to this ABBA instrumental. It works to some degree, but "Arrival" doesn't really need lyrics.

Track listing:

1. Arrival 3:15
2. Colder Than Winter 4:02
3. Ave Maria featuring Fernando Lima 4:09
4. Silent Night 3:08
5. In The Bleak Midwinter 3:43
6. I've Been This Way Before 3:51
7 . Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring 3:57
8. Child In A Manger
9. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day 4:40
10. Amazing Grace 3:05
11. Ave Maria 2:53
12. I Believe In Father Christmas 2.52

MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE, Universal, DVD and Blu-ray Disc UK 24 November 24, 2008 (UK) November 25, 2008 (USA) Features vary from country to country.

This was the initial DVD release of the successful movie version of Mamma Mia.

The movie stars Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. The movie is the most commercially successful movie musical since Grease. The movie grossed 600,000,000 dollars worldwide including over 140,000,000 dollars in the USA.

This DVD has sold over 5 million copies in Great Britain, making it the most successful DVD in UK history. There have been numerous different variations of this release that have followed since in both 2008 and 2009, and some of the DVD’s have been part of “gift sets” that also have included pens, towels, sarongs, calendars etc. Each country has seen different bonus features –and so here is complete list of all the bonus features that you would have if they were all combined onto one DVD.

Mamma Mia! The Movie: Audio Commentary Director Phyllida Lloyd
Name of the Game?" Deleted Song (2:58)
Deleted Scenes (8:00)
Fun Outtakes (1:53)
Birthing Mamma Mia! (4:40)
The Filmmaking (14:47)
The Cast (10:26)
Anatomy of a Musical Number: "Lay All Your Love On Me" (5:39
"Gimme Gimme Gimme" Music Video (3:47)
Sing-along
Behind The Music
A feature on the trio of creative forces behind the musical and movie
How Christine Baranski and dancers put together the steps for the "Does Your Mother Know"
Breakdown of the choreography in "Voulez-Vous"
More on how "Gimme Gimme Gimme" developed, cast rehearsals and on the set
Behind the scenes with Meryl Streep as she sings "Mamma Mia"
10 excellent things about Mamma Mia! – countdown with the cast and crew
Behind the Scenes with Amanda
On Location in Greece
A Look Inside Mamma Mia!
Bjorn Ulvaeus Cameo
Making of Mamma Mia- From Broadway to Hollywood
A Look Inside Mamma Mia: Anatomy of key musical numbers
Picture-in-Picture
Behind the Hits footage
Becoming A Singer
'Mamma Mia! Stage to Screen'
30 Rock episode ‘Mamma Mia’
'The Best Summer of my Life' Cast interviews
'Mamma Mia! - Meeting the stars - Premiere Spectacular'
Photo gallery

ABBA- Singstar game software, November 14, 2008

ABBA Songs are being released on Singstar on the Playstation game platform. SingStar is a competitive karaoke video game series for the PlayStation 2 or 3, that lets you sing to your favorite artists along with their actual videos. The game scores you on how good (or bad!) you are, either singing on your own or with friends. It is developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

PLAYSTATION 3
Chiquitita /Dancing Queen/
Does Your Mother know/Fernando/Gimme Gimme Gimme
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Mamma Mia
Money, Money, Money
The Name Of The Game
One Of Us
Ring Ring
SOS
Summer Night City
Super Trouper
Take A Chance On Me
Thank You For The Music
Voulez-Vous
Waterloo
The Winner Takes It All

PLAYSTATION 2

Chiquitita/Dancing Queen/The Day Before You Came/Does Your Mother Know/Fernando/Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)/Happy New Year/Head Over Heels/I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do I Do/Knowing Me, Knowing You/Mamma Mia/Money, Money, Money/The Name Of The Game/One Of Us/Ring Ring/SOS/Summer Night City/Super Trouper/Take A Chance On Me/Thank You For The Music/Under Attack/Voulez-Vous/Waterloo/When All Is Said And Done/The Winner Takes It All

MAMMA MIA GIFTPACK, Universal, UK Region 2DVD November, 24 2008

This set has the actual movie on DVD, but not the soundtrack album.. .The Mamma Mia! gift pack includes:*,sing-along

ng-along option*Feature commentary with director Phyllida Lloyd*A behind the scenes look at the making of the movie*The 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' music video*Deleted scenes including the deleted musical number 'Name of the Game'.

Mamma Mia ! THE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK Deluxe Edition CD/DVD November 24, 2008

This set does not include the actual movie. The package includes the soundtrack CD, a "Behind the Music" DVD and hardcover booklet which features song lyrics, never before seen photographs and commentary on the film and the soundtrack. The CD soundtrack does not include instrumental tracks that were originally rumored to be on never issued planned two CD special edition of the soundtrack.

The DVD contains 30 minutes of filmed footage from the recording sessions, interviews with the cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Amanda Seyfried, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus; rare and supposedly hilarious moments from the making of the MAMMA MIA! soundtrack.

CD:1. Honey, Honey - Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley, Rachel McDowall2. Money, Money, Money - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski 3. Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep4. Dancing Queen - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski 5. Our Last Summer - Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep6. Lay All Your Love On Me - Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried7. Super Trouper - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski 8. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley, Rachel McDowall9. The Name Of The Game - Amanda Seyfried10. Voulez-Vous - Full cast, Philip Michael, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgård11. SOS - Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep 12. Does Your Mother Know - Christine Baranski, Philip Michael 13. Slipping Through My Fingers - Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried 14. The Winner Takes It All - Meryl Streep15. When All Is Said And Done - Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep 16. Take A Chance On Me - Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Philip Michael, Christine Baranski17. I Have A Dream - Amanda SeyfriedThank You For The Music (hidden track) - Amanda Seyfried

DVD:Behind The Music

Josh Groban -A Collection, Warner 9362498177, Europe 2CD, December 1, 2008

These recordings are a collection of Josh's best loved songs plus a bonus disc of Christmas songs from the No.1 US album "Noel". This CD features the first release of 'Anthem', recorded for live as a special anniversary performance of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, however the song was later released with the whole Royal Albert Hall concert in 2009.

This album also includes Josh's version of 'You Raise Me Up', the first version of the song to have become a major hit before it was later covered by Westlife, 'Anthem', recorded for live as a special anniversary performance of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, however the song was later released with the whole Royal Albert Hall concert in 2009. This set also included 'To Where You Are', that he performed before a global audience at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and features a live version of 'Weeping' recorded with Soweto Gospel Choir at the Mandela Concert in Hyde Park.

Released ahead of Christmas, also features a second CD highlighting festive songs such as 'Silent Night', 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Ave Maria'. It does not have my favorite Groban track- his version of "Oh Holy Night".

Disc: 1
1. Oceano 2. February Song 3. You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) 4. You Raise Me Up 5. In Her Eyes 6. Awake 7. Alla Luce Del Sole 8. To Where You Are 9. Anthem (From Chess) (Live) 10. Per Te 11. Remember When It Rained 12. Weeping (Live) with Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir 13. Alejate 14. Hymne A L'Amour 15. Cinema Paradiso (Se) 16. Smile

Disc: 2
1. Silent Night 2. Little Drummer Boy 3. Ave Maria 4. Panis Angelicus 5. Petit Papa Noël 6. Noche de Paz (Silent Night)

Various Artists- Absolute Musicals, EVACD 4087, Swedish 2 CD set. December 3, 2008

This CD is a Swedish market compilation of songs from various musicals including about five songs from Andersson-Ulvaeus tuners.

CD 1
1. Gunilla Backman - Vinnaren Tar Allt (from Mamma Mia!)
2. Niklas Andersson - Guldet Blev Till Sand (from Kristina från Duvemåla)
3. Michael Crawford - Music Of The Night (from The Phantom Of The Opera)
4. Jennifer Holliday - And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going to (from Dreamgirls)
5. Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson - I Know Him So Well (from Chess)
6. Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing (from Bodyguard
7. Yvonne Elliman - I Don´t Know How To Love Him (from Jesus Christ Superstar)
8. Ren Woods - Aquarius
9. Lea Salonga & Simon Bowman - The Last Night Of The World (from Miss Saigon)
10.Michael Ball - With One Look (from Sunset Boulevard)
11.Frank Sinatra - There´s No Business Like Show Business (from Annie Get Your Gun)
12.Elizabeth Parrish & George Hearn - The Best Of Times (from La Cage Aux Folles)
13.Julie Andrews & Philippa Bevans - I Could Have Danced All Night (from My Fair Lady)
14.Kiri Te Kanawa - Summertime (from Porgy och Bess)
15.Judy Garland - Over The Rainbow

CD 2
1. Tommy Körberg - Anthem (from Chess)
2. Elaine Paige - Memory (from Cats)
3. Julie Covington - Don´t Cry For Me Argentina (from Evita)
4. Sarah Brightman & Cliff Richard - All I Ask Of You (from The Phantom Of The Opera)
5. Michael Ball - With One Look (from Sunset Boulevard)
6. Martin Stenmarck - Maria (from West Side Story)
7. Gunilla Backman - Mamma Mia (from Mamma Mia!)
8. Joel Gray - Willkommen (from Cabaret)
9. Liza Minnelli - Theme From New York New York
10.Bebe Neuwirth - All That Jazz (from Chicago)
11.Ensemble - One (Finale) (from A Chorus Line)
12.Topol - If I Where A Rich Man (from Fiddler on the Roof)
13.Monty Python - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
14.Judy Collins - Send In The Clowns (from A Little Night Music)
15.Julie Andrews - The Sound Of Music (from Sound of Music)

MAMMA MIA DVD. Wal Mart Version with Special Bonus Disc US DVD December 16, 2008

U.S. retailer Walmart has released its own exclusive 2-DVD version of Mamma Mia!-The Movie which includes a bonus disc with different features than the regular 2-Disc Special Edition.

Included on Walmart's bonus DVD are:
A feature on the trio of creative forces behind the musical and movie
How Christine Baranski and dancers put together the steps for the "Does Your Mother Know" number
Breakdown of the choreography in "Voulez-Vous"
More on how "Gimme Gimme Gimme" developed, cast rehearsals and on the set
Behind the scenes with Meryl Streep as she sings "Mamma Mia"
10 excellent things about Mamma Mia! –countdown with the cast and crew

Bjorn Again-Gimme Gimme Gimme A Really Great Workout!, Fremantle Home Entertainment, Australia DVD, December 26, 2008

PAL Region: Region 2 A poorly reviewed 64 minute workout DVD featuring live versions of ABBA hits as performed by Bjorn Again playing in the background.