![]() I was sure the foursome wanted to express something with the album cover (little did I know the photo session was a cold and short get-together, and hurriedly finished), as so much of the lyrics could be reflected in that particular room. She was leading the opening track, she was delivering the -to me- only old-fashioned ABBA hit in ‘When All Is Said And Done’ -she was acting out a musical story in ‘I Let The Music Speak’ -and she was giving me a feeling that something came to an end with the poetic and moody closing track. Having been an ABBA fan from their early start, their last album was also to me a step forward: in 1981 I was 17 and my musical taste was developing: I was deeply admiring the mood of the album -and Fridas vocals in particular. I am in awe and truly grateful to Benny, who opened up new doors to ‘The Visitors’ by presenting us with a ‘work-in-progress’ of this under estimated song (rather than releasing ‘Just Like That’, who, to my humble opinion does not fit into the ‘Visitors’ -I’d rather hope for a future “1982 Recordings” album). Noone has been able to do it better, although respected singers like Anne Sofie von Otter and Sissel have tried (I will not mention Madonnas awful demo). ![]() Frida is not so emotional as in some of the demos, but her vocal is pitch on, and her diction is clear. The finished album version is stellar: Bennys synth is more than what you hear at first – its chords builds up to a crescendo, supporting the reflective lyrics in a perfect way. Listening to Fridas voice in some of these tapes gives shivers down my spine: her vocals are raw and emotional, perhaps better than many released recordings when it comes to colouring… ![]() That’s professional, and that’s devotion to their craft. Thank you, Benny: I can understand why he wanted to let us listen to these demos: simply unique!Īt the time of these recording sessions, we know Benny and Frida had just split up after twelve years, and Benny was already living with his new woman, Mona, who was pregnant with their son Ludvig -yet the two of them worked close together to get this song right. I wonder if this is a strategy to keep the ABBA fire burning. But B&B? So the hype is too much if it comes to just a rather unspectacular demo. ![]() The Beatles) are definetly as protective as ABBA and give insight in so much material, which is a real blessing for true fans. But if Benny says that there is absolutely nothing more in the can to be released, which is his right to do so, then I ask myself why this demo at all? Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely happy – but – apart from ABBA’s right as artists to decide on their heritage – I will never understand the way B&B think about releases of any ABBA-material, since other bands (e.g. (Don’t want to start any discussion on JLT again!). This piece is absolutely beautiful but it is not moving. If one wants to experience the creation of a song as being heard here then we don’t have to expect something sensational. But the other side of the coin is “what” they present. Yes, we appreciate the fact that they open the archives to give something exciting to the fans. Nevertheless, talking about a “precious gift by B&B” is somehow paradox. Well, everything is fine, and yes, it’s worth buying the upcoming CD. I have to say I would have liked the up-tempo versions and the Agnetha version on the original album Combined with the original version as one track that builds up, but I let the music speak was the long symphonic song of side two, so they rightly decided to end with the simple melancholic and very classical sophistication of An angel passing through may room with its profoundly deep resonating ambiance that makes you feel that Frida actually sang the song on her own in the middle of the night at the back of the big oak panelled room on the cover. It must have been very tempting for Benny and Bjorn to build the final track on the album up to a symphonic ending, but also very brave to resist this temptation and go for the simple exquisite refinement Of the finished version. I absolutely love the up tempo version in the middle with the harmonies and the symphonic sounding version with Agnetha, I have always really like the sound of Benny and Bjorn’s voices as an integral part of the ABBA sound so I also like the introduction to.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |