We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3
The official ABBA thread
Topic Started: Apr 19 2011, 09:45 PM (1,571 Views)
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Yet another ABBA re-release out on the 9th of May. I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE. :drama:

http://abbaofficial.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/super-trouper-deluxe-edition-%E2%80%93-the-track-list-revealed/

Super Trouper Deluxe Edition, The Official ABBA Site has now announced the track list for the 2-disc set.

Posted Image

Disc 01: CD

01 Super Trouper

02 The Winner Takes It All

03 On And On And On

04 Andante, Andante

05 Me And I

06 Happy New Year

07 Our Last Summer

08 The Piper

09 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 02: DVD

01 ABBA On German TV (SHOW EXPRESS, ZDF)

Songs performed:

The Winner Takes It All

Super Trouper

On And On And On

02 Happy New Year (SVT)

03 Words And Music (DOCUMENTARY)

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

05 Super Trouper (Remastered promo clip)

06 Happy New Year (Remastered promo clip)

07 Super Trouper TV commercial I (UK)

08 Super Trouper TV commercial II (UK)

09 International Sleeve Gallery

A few comments on the track list:
The original album and the bonus tracks have been remastered especially for this release, sounding better than ever. As for the bonus tracks, an exciting discovery was the stereo mix of the original, full length version of On And On And On, previously only available in mono. We are very happy to be able to include it on this Deluxe Edition of Super Trouper.

The DVD contains a number of television performances of tracks from the Super Trouper album, none of which have been released on DVD before. The same goes for the vintage documentary Words And Music, produced by Polar Music International, which features the group talking specifically about the Super Trouper album in the immediate aftermath of the album’s completion.

We are especially thrilled to be able to include a brand new featurette, entitled Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA. This featurette is a brand new production, compiling 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 gathering dust in the archives for three decades without ever being made public – until now.

As a bonus, we have included the 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.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jimmy Mack
Member Avatar
Pensioner
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]

On the one hand I think "fucking hell, how many times are they going reissue these fucking albums".

But on the other, if this was Madge during her heyday I would be soooo fucking buying this.

Sad thing is, I can't think of a single artist these days that I would want a release like this from.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Yeah. If there was something like this for M's Like A Prayer album, I would literally (as Mats would say)lose my shit.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Vancho
Mature
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Super Trouper is such a genius pop record. I would probably place it on the same level as Arrival.

Any update on the "reunion" that Agnetha was hinting about?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
johnnox
Member Avatar
Pensioner
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
You sad bunch of gays.







* orders from amazon straight away *
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SrkiSrle
Member Avatar
Roi D'Illusion
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Vancho
Apr 20 2011, 07:51 PM


Any update on the "reunion" that Agnetha was hinting about?
I really, really doubt that's going to happen ever.

and they probably shouldn't, it might ruin everything
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jimmy Mack
Member Avatar
Pensioner
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]

Yup. It wouldn't ruin a thing, but I love the fact that they are one of the few bands who haven't and, most likely, won't.

So much for "empty pop tarts" while the "credible" Sex Pistols whore themselves on butter adverts and doing PAs in Mecca bingo halls.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Jimmy Mack
Apr 20 2011, 09:57 PM
So much for "empty pop tarts" while the "credible" Sex Pistols whore themselves on butter adverts and doing PAs in Mecca bingo halls.
:lmao: :clap:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Vancho
Mature
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Jimmy Mack
Apr 20 2011, 09:57 PM
Yup. It wouldn't ruin a thing, but I love the fact that they are one of the few bands who haven't and, most likely, won't.

So much for "empty pop tarts" while the "credible" Sex Pistols whore themselves on butter adverts and doing PAs in Mecca bingo halls.
:lmao: :lmao:

To be honest, I enjoy having the image of ABBA as forever young... But I'd still die to see their reunion :shy:
Edited by Vancho, Apr 21 2011, 08:01 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Vancho
Apr 21 2011, 07:59 AM
To be honest, I enjoy having the image of ABBA as forever young... But I'd still die to see their reunion :shy:
We all would! But yeah, I don't think it'll ever happen and I reckon that's ultimately a good thing.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

SrkiSrle
Apr 20 2011, 09:30 PM
Vancho
Apr 20 2011, 07:51 PM


Any update on the "reunion" that Agnetha was hinting about?
I really, really doubt that's going to happen ever.

and they probably shouldn't, it might ruin everything
Admittedly, I would love to see them get back together... but if they do, ONLY in the Led Zeppelin style where they do one show and just one for the fans.

With the Police reunion and some others, we have learned that sometimes it isn't the same when they get together again 30 years later. Its always nice for old times sake but it never compares with the original.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

I do love that ABBA has been doing this with each album, can't wait for the Visitors one.

BTW, for those who own these, are the DVD's region-free or no? I'm US based where ABBA Gold is considered "the only ABBA album that matters" and these deluxe editions have never been issued here, but if the DVD's aren't region 1-compatible it'd be a waste of cash IMO.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Nice review of the deluxe edition of "Super Trouper" that's released next week.


http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/reviews/abba-super-trouper-deluxe-edition-review/

ABBA Super Trouper / Deluxe Edition / Review

Posted Image

As we approach the 40th anniversary of ABBA, they seem in danger of being known for two things above all else – ABBA Gold and Mamma Mia! (the musical). Both have come to totally dominate the ABBA landscape, and being ‘hits’ collections, they reinforce the notion that ABBA were only a singles band.

Of course, there is a fair amount of truth to this, to argue otherwise would be perverse, but thats not to say that their albums were poor. The records were certainly a mixed bag at the beginning, but each subsequent album would build on the success and quality of the previous, as Benny and Bjorn’s songs grew more sophisticated and the album tracks became highlights. This reached a peak with their final album, 1981′s The Visitors, where sublime songs such as Like An Angel Passing Through My Room and Slipping Through My Fingers were as good as anything on the record.

Super Trouper is the album before The Visitors and was originally released in November 1980. The single The Winner Takes It All, had preceded the album by quite a few months having been released in July 1980.

The Winner Takes It All stands as an incredible achievement musically and particularly lyrically. The words by Bjorn were of course not written in his mother tongue, and the story is told from the point of view of a woman. That they almost certainly drew from his own personal experiences following his divorce from Agnetha make them all the more poignant (Bjorn described the lyric as a ‘fiction’ but has also contradicted this by saying the lyric reflects ‘real feelings’).

The public liked this grown-up ABBA and The Winner Takes It All was number one in many countries including the UK and hit number eight in the US (ABBA’s last US top ten single).

It is (just over) 30 years since the original release, and Super Trouper is the next album in the catalogue to be reissued as a deluxe edition (due out 9th May 2011).

This issue has been newly remastered for this release and is comprised of a single CD containing the album with five bonus tracks and a DVD with TV performances, video promos and a couple of interesting documentary features.

Although the albums were getting better, ABBA were still capable of dropping the ball occasionally. So we get the excellent The Winner Takes it All sharing space with the second-rate europop of Me and I, and the stonking On and On and On with its interesting vocal production (signposting work-to-come on The Visitors) immediately followed by the rather twee Andante Andante.

Thankfully, other non-singles hold up rather better. Our Last Summer is probably now quite familiar having featured briefly in the film of Mammia Mia! and Happy New Year pulls you in by subverting is sunny title with a lyric of moody regret – “seems to me now, that the dreams we had before, are all dead nothing more, than confetti on the floor…”

With two UK no.1′s (Super Trouper also hit the top-spot), 12″-only single Lay All Your Love on Me, and On and On and On (which was a single in some territories), the album is arguable the strongest by the group up to that point and it ends charmingly with the live-from-Wembley rendition of The Way Old Friends Do.

Extra Tracks
The five bonus tracks on the CD are as follows:

1. Elaine This track was the b-side to The Winner Takes it All and appeared on previous remastered versions from 1997, 2001 and the 2005 box set The Complete Studio Recordings. It’s actually rather good and probably would have made the album if The Winner Takes it All had not come out so much earlier than the album. They couldn’t be seen to put a b-side on the album but as things ended up at least two album tracks are weaker than this.
2. On and On and On (Full length version, Stereo mix) This track is previously unreleased. Not only is it in stereo but it contains an extra verse not heard in the album version, where ‘Humpty Dumpty’ is name-checked!
3. Put On Your White Sombrero An track from the Super Trouper sessions which was unreleased until it’s appearance on 1994′s box set Thank You For The Music. Has subsequently appeared as a bonus track on the various reissues. Has to rank as one of the least appealing song titles of all time. Benny and Bjorn were right to shelve this one at the time.
4. Andante Andante (Spanish version) A poor album track in Spanish. Not exactly essential listening.
5. Felicidad (Spanish version of Happy New Year) Another translated lyric for Spanish fans.
On and On and On is the only truly ‘new’ bonus track and is a welcome addition, but after over ten years of reissues and remastering it is clear that there are no unreleased gems lurking in the wings waiting to make an appearance. Benny and Bjorn are obviously not interested in releasing any demos or alternate takes of any ABBA’s songs that may exist and the only exception to this was the 23 minute sound collage dubbed ‘ABBA Undeleted’ which appeared on both the Thank You For the Music box set in ’94 and the ‘rarities’ disc of The Complete Studio Recordings from 2005.

Remastering
As previously mentioned Super Trouper has been remastered for this release. The original master tapes have been utilised with the intention to make the music on this issue sound as close to the original recording as possible, retaining the original dynamics. According to ABBA, any enhancements have only been made “to further bring out the sound as originally produced by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in collaboration with their invaluable sound engineer Michael B. Tretow”. In other words there probably have been enhancements but they have been approved. It is therefore not likely to be a flat transfer of the original master tape.

There is certainly a great deal of clarity on this remastering and the low-end bass levels come through strongly. One prominent ‘fix’ is the applause at the beginning of Like Old Friends Do. On the original vinyl this crossfaded with the end of Lay All Your Love On Me. But recent reissues did not bother with this detail. However this has been corrected for this issue and the crossfade is as it was when the vinyl was released in late 1980.

The DVD
Since the bonus tracks are fairly familiar, fans will be looking to the DVD to see if it’s really worth picking up this deluxe edition. Here’s what’s on it:

1. ABBA on German TV (Show-Express, ZDF). They perform three tracks: The Winner Takes it All, Super Trouper and On and On and On. It’s certainly interesting to watch, but the band are miming, which to be fair was more or less the norm in those days. A proper live performance would have been much more interesting. They do let their hair down a bit during On and On and On and seem to enjoy themselves, as does the TV presenter who really gets into it! There are no snippets of interview before or after the performance. Running Time for this section is 12 minutes.

2. Happy New Year performed on Swedish TV (SVT) Another lip-sync performance, but again quite sweet to watch. The band are dressed for dinner in a candlelight setting with three of them standing singing while Benny sits and plays a grand piano. Again, no interview just the song. Running time 4:30

3. Words and Music A vintage documentary produced at the time by Polar Music at the time of Super Trouper‘s release, this is by far the most interesting element of this DVD. All four of the band members are interviewed (separately) and these interviews are intercut with some live and promo footage. A serious but very open Bjorn amongst other things, explains the writing process and his pride in the song The Winner Takes it All. The (rather stiff) British interviewer asks Agnetha if she was particularly moved by singing the words of The Winner Takes it All, but she swerves it like a pro and just states how much she likes the song! Agnetha, in particular, is very earnest and funny in this section “What about vocal exercises?” the interviewer asks, “That’s boring!” she says in response. This section also includes live footage of I have a Dream from Wembley as well as the live version of Like Old Friends Do which ended up on the album. A highly recommended watch, it lasts for just over 26 minutes.

4. Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA This feature compiles footage that was shot on the night when ABBA assembled a crowd of friends and circus performers to create the photograph featured on the cover of the Super Trouper album. It lasts for about 13 minutes and is reasonably interesting to see what looked like organised chaos on the night. There is sound with the footage and subtitles so everyone can understand what is being said in Swedish. Sample dialogue: “Do you have any leopard print pants?” – yes it was that kind of an evening. It feels a little like watching a friend’s home movies – the novelty does wear off very quickly on this particular feature.

5. Super Trouper and Happy New Year Promo clips Newly restored and remastered versions of which only Super Trouper has been released before (on last year’s ABBA Gold CD/DVD Special Edition). The Super Trouper video includes lots of footage from the album shoot directed by Lasse Hallström. The Happy New Year video also features some of the album shoot footage (they obviously wanted to get their money’s worth!)

A couple of blink-and-you’ll-miss-them TV ads and and International Sleeve Gallery complete what is a satisfying, but not outstanding, DVD. Some live performances would have been welcome. Indeed, Super Trouper and On and On and On were performed live on the 1981 TV special Dick Cavett Meets ABBA and these performances have already been released when they were included on a DVD which formed part of the expensive and now out-of-print The Complete Studio Recordings (2005). This would have been a perfect opportunity to bring those rare live performances (in what was the bands last concert) back to a wider audience.

Super Trouper Deluxe Edition doesn’t offer a great deal that fans will not already be familiar with. The Words and Music feature on the DVD, the remastering and the previously unreleased version of On and On and On are the main attractions. Whether that is enough to encourage anyone to buy this album for a second or third time remains to be seen.

However, for those wishing to explore beyond the boundaries of the enduring ABBA Gold collection, this Super Trouper Deluxe Editon could be a very good place to start.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
FuckBuddy
Member Avatar
Pensioner
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
cynics could claim they're only milking their fans by recycling the same old material, but then when packages such as this gem come up, they're well worth their money. it's a clever, effective way to keep fans satisfied and attract curious casual friends of their music, who are only familiar with the big hits on gold, thus prolonging their relevance in the pop market.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

I disagree with the reviews' analysis of "Me And I". I love that song, so cheesy and fun.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Vancho
Mature
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
nothingfails
May 5 2011, 02:37 AM
I disagree with the reviews' analysis of "Me And I". I love that song, so cheesy and fun.
Finally! :clap: I always felt like Me and I was one of those great ABBA songs that nobody had ever heard about. I love the arrangement, and the lyrics are cute.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I bought the Super Trouper deluxe edition this morning! :chuckle: :drama:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Vancho
May 6 2011, 05:59 AM
nothingfails
May 5 2011, 02:37 AM
I disagree with the reviews' analysis of "Me And I". I love that song, so cheesy and fun.
Finally! :clap: I always felt like Me and I was one of those great ABBA songs that nobody had ever heard about. I love the arrangement, and the lyrics are cute.
I really like that song too. It's not one of their very best, but it's still really good!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riverwide
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Abba to release previously unheard song
Reissue of The Visitors to include first new song in 18 years. Warning: it includes the words 'twinkling star' in its title


For the first time in 18 years, Abba are giving us a new song. The Swedish pop group will release a previously unheard track, From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel, recorded in 1981.

The song will be included on the forthcoming reissue of The Visitors, due on 23 April. This was Abba's final studio album, including the singles One of Us and Head Over Heels. From a Twinkling Star … was intended for that record, but although the group recorded a "demo medley" version, they left the track on the studio floor.

Abba fans haven't had a treat like this since 1994, when they released a trove of previously unheard material on the Thank You for the Music box set. Despite years of rumours, Abba's leaders, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, have remained staunchly opposed to a reunion. "We would like people to remember us as we were," Ulvaeus said in 2008. "Young, exuberant, full of energy and ambition." They did not responded publicly to last year's suggestion by bandmate Agnetha Fältskog that the group "meet, chat about the old days and perhaps perform together".

The Visitors reissue will include one CD of bonus songs and a DVD of rare video, including footage of Abba on the BBC's The Late Late Breakfast Show.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
quoideneuf
Member Avatar
Teenager
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
The Visitors is my favorite ABBA album and the song the 'visitors' is my favorite ABBA song....

I thought all their albums were already reissued.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums. Reliable service with over 8 years of experience.
Learn More · Register Now
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Music Discussion · Next Topic »
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3

Theme by Sith of the ZBTZ and Outline