FRIDA'S DUET PARTNER

The Swiss artist is who has recorded the songs with Frida is Dan Daniell and he appears to be a multi talented guy. One of the songs is called "Lieber Gott" and the single will be available through his website.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Bonnie Rietveld, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

MORE ON NEW FRIDA SINGLE

Frida's charity single will be a limited edition of 1,000 and should be released in October. One track is an ABBA song sung in English and the other is in German with some Swedish by Frida.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Ian Cole and www.abba-news.de

LIVE DVD / GEMINI REMASTERS UPDATE

The re-mastered Gemini albums are now planned for Christmas release. Carl Magnus Palm has just completed writing the new CD booklets.

The ABBA in Concert DVD may also be ready for Christmas and it may include 3-4 bonus tracks.

Universal is hoping that the Christmas deadline will be met but it is not written in stone. No definite decision has been made about bonus tracks (or the number of them) or even artwork for either project. Both are still in the planning and design stage and work is beginning again in earnest after the summer break.

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Robin Andersson & Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden and ABBA-Intermezzo.de

RUSSIAN BRIGHT LIGHTS, DARK SHADOWS

The Russian version of Bright Lights Dark Shadows will be published by Eksmo
in September. The main title will remain in English, but the subtitle has
been given a straight translation into Russian. The complete title of the
Russan edition is: Bright Lights Dark Shadows: ABBA - Podlinnaya Istoriya.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

ABBA IN UK CHARTS

The new official charts have been published for the UK:

Music DVD Chart (Music Week)
ABBA GOLD moves up from #4 (where it entered) to #3
THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION drops from #18 to #20

Music & DVD Chart (Radio 1 website)
ABBA GOLD entered at #5 last week and climbs to #3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/top40/dvdvideo.shtml

CD Chart (Music Week & Radio 1)
ABBA GOLD re-entered last week at #30 and climbs 2 to #28


The official number of weeks that ABBA GOLD on CD has spent on the Top 75 chart is 325 weeks. It is still 12x platinum in the UK.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Campbell, Edinburgh, UK

GOLD DVD FOR OZ

I was just in HMV, Pitt Street and was playing around with their internet
terminal. I noticed that coming soon is the ABBA GOLD DVD with a release date
of 15 September.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

CMP SITE UPDATED

Carl Magnus Palm has added a new page at his website.

It's a page of scans from old Swedish newspapers of Agnetha and Frida. There are only a few at the moment but well worth checking out.

http://www.carlmagnuspalm.com/abba/blds/rarepics.html

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

SNIPPET OF THE HEP STARS

A live-DVD from the Swedish venue Tyrol has been released which also includes a snippet of the Hep Stars performing live.

Debenhams in Stockholm/Drottninggatan has it for sale for just 99 SEK.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

ABBA THE SHOW DELAYED IN FRANKFURT

I have just read in the newspaper that "ABBA - The Show" with the London Symphony Orchestra and the cover band "Waterloo", scheduled for 23rd September 2003 in Frankfurt on Main / Germany has been re-scheduled for 1st Oct 2003.

They are going to do a live broadcast to the U.S., the article says. Unfortunately, their website www.jahrhunderthalle.de (location of the performance) does not provide more information.

If you want to look yourself please click on "Veranstaltungen" and "Oktober" after you entered the homepage.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ralph H. Steiner, Germany

GOLD DVD DELAYED IN SWEDEN

I just saw that plans might have changed for the Sweden release of ABBA GOLD on DVD. Some of the record shops sites I've checked have now changed the date to 3/09/2003.


* * *

A Per Myrberg promo CD was obviously released by the time of release. It was a non-picture-sleeve release, just a white CD with blue text and two songs from the album. The front of the CD mentions Benny as the producer of the album. The release date is also on it.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

DEFINITIVE COLLECTION BACK IN SWEDISH CHARTS

This just in. The Definitive Collection DVD is back on the Swedish charts!

HITLISTAN - DVD ALBUM Vecka 34, 22 augusti 2003
För Ant
Nr plac veck Svenskt Artist Titel
20 ÅT 49 S ABBA DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

CHARTS

OK, I'm finally here with the charts update, and there is quite a bit of
action this week.

Canada: 20th Century Masters is down 7 to #93.
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is down 10 to #40.
Netherlands: The Definitive Collection is off the chart.
Germany: The Definitive Collection is up 9 to #71.
USA: ABBA GOLD is down 1 to #12 on the pop catalogue chart.
Australia: The Definitive Collection shoots up the album chart to land at #24 and is now credited platinum.
UK: ABBA GOLD shoots back up the chart and lands at #30 on week #435.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

===============

USA: ABBA GOLD is back up to #11 in its 319th week, and Mamma Mia! rebounds to #19 in its 55th week.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

GÖREL ON HER PARTY

I came across this story on BBC News online which was written after the
interview with Björn in the Daily Mirror in July. The interesting part is
that they actually contacted Görel to get some fresh quotes from her about
ABBA's performance at her 50th birthday party in 1999.

-------------

Abba sing at private reunion


Pop legends Abba sang together for the first time in 20 years at a private party, it has been revealed.

But the foursome only sang one song, a Swedish happy birthday tune, for a
friend's party - and are still ruling out a full comeback.

Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad got on stage in front of 160 guests at the 50th birthday party for Benny and Björn's manager Görel Hanser in 1999.

"I was happy to have them sing - but it was not Abba reforming, it was my friends singing," Ms Hanser told BBC News Online.

"They did sing a birthday song - they were one of many singing that night.

"There was a small stage where my children and other people were singing or
making a speech."

Ms Hanser was a record company executive during Abba's heyday and became
close friends will all four band members.

They last played in public in 1980, but when asked whether they would consider a public comeback, Ms Hanser said: "I don't think they'd bother."

The year after the birthday performance, the group turned down a $1bn (£600m) offer for a reunion tour.

Björn told the Daily Mirror newspaper that "it was so strange" to perform
together again.

"I was standing on that little stage and I looked right and saw Agnetha
singing beside me again and it felt so odd."

'Incredible'

The group refused the $1bn offer because they did not want to let fans down,
he said.

"I know it sounds incredible, but all we could see was a disappointed audience.

"How could we live up to what we were? The stress wasn't worth it."

But the four singers had "mellowed with age" and were now "the best of
friends", he told the paper. "We just have different lives now."

Abba were the most successful group of the 1970s with hits like Dancing
Queen and Mamma Mia, reportedly selling 350 million records around the
world.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

NEW FRIDA SINGLE!

I have just been told that Frida has recorded two new songs with a Swiss artist for release later this year. It is for charity.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer, Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia & David LeGrand

Frida recorded two new songs. A limited edition charity single will be released in October. A Swiss artist has recorded two songs with Frida and the cover art is being worked on. Also a book by this artist with some words by Frida has already been released.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Erik Menkens, Germany

LIMITED EDITION CHESS På SVENSKA VIDEO

We may be getting the Chess DVD in the autumn, but there's apparently
another lot of footage that we're unlikely to be seeing.

It seems that after the last performance in June, there was a limited edition video issued to everyone who had been involved with the show that contains a lot of material from backstage as well as the rehearsals and preparations for the show.

So... anyone know someone with a copy :-)

Thanks to the man who knows all, ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

AMATEUR CHESS PRODUCTION FOR UK

I was told about this upcoming amateur CHESS performance today.

Redhill and Reigate Operatic Society are performing CHESS at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill, Surrey.

November 11th - November 15th, 2003.
Bookings on 01737 765547

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dominic "Ice" Wallis, London, UK

HAMBURG MAMMA MIA! UPDATE

Mamma Mia! in Hamburg is sold out for the next few months. While all musicals have to struggle in Germany - some more, some less - and have special offers to sell at least some more tickets, StageHolding increases the prices for Mamma Mia! from next year on, by an average of 10% or so.

Some people from the Hamburg cast will not renew their contracts, among them Katja Berg who plays Sophie. I think she is the best Sophie I have seen, a much better voice than London's Sophie and a better actress than New York's Sophie with more heart and humor and less arrogance.

And the girl who plays one of Sophie's friends, Ali I think, will take the leading role in Elton John's AIDA, which will open in the winter. And one of the fathers will join Les Miserables in Berlin.

============

In other news, I hesitantly confess that I joined the Official German Mamma Mia! Fan Club.

The reason is the Fan Club Day, including a backstage tour in the theatre and a dinner with the cast. The first Fan Club Day was in June, and the whole cast was there. The Fan Club people pay for the cast's dinner, so of course they all were present, those poor hungry artists. The next Fan Club Day will be in early October. I will be there, that should be fun.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Erik Menkens, Germany

TRACK LISTING FOR BAO CONCERT

Here is the running order for the three Benny Andersson Orkester concerts in
Stockholm (8 August), Gränna (9 August) and Göteborg (10 August):

ACT ONE:
Hardangervidda
Cirkus finemang
Nya monvalsen
Briggens blåögda blonden kapten (substituted with Vals Ombord in Gränna
only)
Scottish schottis
Lottis schottis
Någonting att äta (vocals - Kalle Moreaus)
Ett glas öl (vocals - Calle Jacobsson)
Blickuspolska nr. III
Hjortingen
Tvenne hjärten (vocals - Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)
Gamle svarten (vocals - Tommy Körberg)
Lätt som en sommarfjäril (vocals - Helen Sjöholm)
Drömmen om elin (vocals - Tommy Körberg)
Lauren
Norsk export
Schottis i tyrolen
Slingpolska efter byss kalle
Golfswingen
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (vocals - Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)
Sail Along Silvery Moon (vocals - Tommy Körberg)
'Telefonlåtarna' (unknown Swedish song - vocals - Helen Sjöholm)
Ring Ring (vocals - Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)

ACT TWO:
Fryksdalsdans
Te' dans mä karlstatösera (Stockholm only)
Tiveds hambo (Gränna only)
Anitas polska
Sneseglarn
Vals ombord }
Den glade bargaren i San Remo } (vocals - Per Myrberg - Stockholm concert
only)
Trettondagspolska
Bältersven
Tösabiten
Knasluvan
Karneval i venedig (vocals - Kalle Moreaus)
Moon River (vocals - Tommy Körberg)
Passing Strangers (vocals - Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)
Gladan
New Delhi
Tangokavaljeren (vocals - Tommy Körberg - Göteborg only)
Money, Money, Money (vocals - Helen Sjöholm - Göteborg only)
På en solskenpromenad
Badinerie
Tangokavaljeren (vocals - Tommy Körberg - Stockholm & Gränna)
Money, Money, Money (vocals - Helen Sjöholm - Stockholm & Gränna)
Oh, What A Thrill (vocals - Tommy Körberg - not performed in Stockholm)
O Sole Mio (vocals - Kalle Moreaus)
Födelsedagsvals till Mona
Hawaii (vocals - Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)
True Love (vocals - Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)
Vår sista dans (vocals - Helen Sjöholm)
Tecnopotpurri (a medley of well-known Swedish songs, culminating in 'Bättre
och bättre dag för dag', the only one I know the title of - vocals - Helen
Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg)

ENCORE (Stockholm concert only):
Födelsedagsvals till Mona (Rumba version)
Cirkus finemang

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

UK / AUSTRALIAN CHART NEWS

Sorry to ABBAMAIL's Chart-Tart Dean Scapolo, if I am jumping on his hobby horse here, but a quick look at the charts today in Australia and the UK sees very good news indeed.

ABBA GOLD re-enters the Brit charts at No. 30 in its 435th week! I actually saw the TV ad for GOLD CD and DVD last night during Channel 4's "Top 10 Camp Anthems" and it was a very classy affair indeed. Imagine "The Album" cover coming to life with some of the video-clip images of the band superimposed like ghostly holograms - a great little advert and sure to spur on the sales.

And in Australia, The Definitive Collection re-enters at No. 24. Here we go again! What odds that 6 April 2004 will be yet another onslaught??

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Michael Kyriagis, London UK

BENNY IN NEW SWEDISH BOOK

ICA-förlaget releases a new book about Lars Berghagen and 'Allsång på Skansen', and Benny Andersson is to be mentioned and shown on photos in the book according to a press release sent to me.

ISBN will be: 91-534-2477-8, and the title 'Allsång på Skansen - Kunskap, glädje och så litet tango'. The price will be around 259 SEK, and 96 pages long.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

MAMMA MIA! STAR SIGHTINGS

On Friday night, I went to see Muf-tee Cabaret, a late night cabaret show in Sydney.

This week featured Margi de Ferranti who is about to replace for Ann Wood as
"Donna" in the Australian production of Mamma Mia! She starts in three weeks
and is signed until early 2005, so she will go to Asia, Perth and other such
places. She has a fantastic voice, a great sense of humour and I actually
think she could be better than Ann!

Also in the audience (sitting two rows behind me) was the lovely, Shaun
Rennie, who plays Pepper in the Sydney production of Mamma Mia!

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney, Australia

Benny Andersson's Horse Does Well

IT'S the last waltz for Friday night racing at HQ tonight and Kieren Fallon
could be dancing all the way to the bank.

He partners newcomer Littlestar in the maiden this evening and word is he's on course to become John Dunlop's eighth juvenile winner of the season. Owned by Benny Anderson of ABBA fame, reports of his Robellino colt will have pleased the Swede who has invested wisely in bloodstock. etc....

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney, Australia

DODGY DANISH SVENNE & LOTTA CD

I came across a 2-CD Danish compilation in Skivhugget last week that turned
out to be something more than I expected.

It's called Svenne & Lotta: The Great Collection and is a 2-CD set.

I originally thought it was a compilation CD but now that I've played it, it's
actually completely fresh (and somewhat inferior) recordings from 1994/1995.
These includes new versions of the Björn & Benny songs Bang-a-Boomerang, Dance (While The Music Still Goes On), If We Only Had The Time, A Flower In My Garden as well as Tänk om jorden (sic) as well as most of their other well-known songs.

Thanks to ABBAMAIler Paul Carter, London, UK

CHARTS & MORE CHARTS!

U.S. Top Pop Catalogue Albums, August 23, 2003
TW, LW, 2WA, WOC, Artist Title, Peak*
12, 11, 10, 318, ABBA GOLD Greatest Hits, 9
24, 22, 12, 54, Original Broadway Cast Recording Mamma Mia!, 12

This Week, Last Week, 2 Weeks Ago, Weeks On Chart, Artist, Title, Peak Position

===

Sweden - HITLISTAN, Week 33, 15 August 2003
Nr, För plac, Ant veck, Artist, Titel


SINGLES
1, 1, 7, PER GESSLE, HÄR KOMMER ALLA KÄNSLORNA (PÅ EN OCH SAMMA GÅNG)
32, 31, 3, ALCAZAR, SOMEDAY
40, 34, 7, ALCAZAR, MENAGE A TROIS
59, 57, 17, GLENMARK ERIKSSON STRÖMSTEDT, DEN ANDRA KVINNAN
60, ÅT, 8, TOMAS LEDIN, EN MAN SOM ÄLSKAR

ALBUMS
1, 1, 8, PER GESSLE, MAZARIN
2, 2, 12, CAROLA, GULD PLATINA & PASSION - DET BÄSTA
12, 12, 17, GLENMARK ERIKSSON STRÖMSTEDT, DEN ANDRA SKIVAN
14, 5, 10, TOMAS LEDIN, I SOMMARNATTENS LJUS
20, 20, 12, TOMMY KÖRBERG, GRÄNSLÖS - DET BÄSTA MED
27, 25, 9, PER MYRBERG, SOMMARNATT PER MYRBERG SJUNGER TAUBE
30, ÅT, 53, BENNY ANDERSSONS ORKESTER, BENNY ANDERSSONS ORKESTER
35, 34, 39, TED GÄRDESTAD, DROPPAR AV SOLREGN
36, 46, 44, HELEN SJÖHOLM, VISOR
38, 29, 13, ALCAZAR, ALCAZARIZED
57, 58, 12, ROXETTE, THE POP HITS

DVD ALBUMS
17, 6, 12, TOMAS LEDIN, LEDIN - JUST DÅ!

COMPILATIONS
9, 27, 6, BLANDADE ARTISTER, LASSES FAVORITER ALLSÅNG PÅ SKANSEN

MIDPRICE ALBUMS
7, 6, 7, MARIE FREDRIKSSON, ÄNTLIGEN - MARIE FREDRIKSSONS BÄSTA 1984 - 2000

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

ABBA GOLD DVD IMPRESSIONS

I bought, well bought is too strong a word, I used an otherwise pointless WH
Smith voucher to buy the ABBA GOLD DVD.

I figured I might as well but it, if only for the documentary. Anyway I got the thing home and just played it this morning. We all know how bright and
clean everything looks, though the Lay All Your Love On Me video is still the same cobbled together bollocks it always was.

As for Dancing Queen 1992..... well trust me when I say it has NOT been remastered. It still has those irritating pieces of "string" in the top left hand corner and the "tram lines" running down from them.

The documentary is okay. It's basically Bjorn suddenly being proud of ABBA because it promotes the Mamma Mia! musical.

Am I unimpressed? No, not at all. We already know the remastered videos
look good, on the whole. It's clear why it was brought out and if it straightens up all these dubious pirate DVD versions of GOLD doing the rounds, then that's fine.

It looks nice on the shelf I suppose, and it's as nice as ever to see ABBAMAILers Trent Nickson and Ian "I'm not grumpy, I've just been having a bad day for 40 years" Cole getting some official credit for their work.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Cliff Docherty, Wembley, UK

UPDATE TO JÖBACK CONCERT DATES

Three more concerts have been added to the schedule I previously sent in. They are Göteborg (Gothenburg), Malmö and Helsingfors.

21 November - Teleborgshallen, Växjö
22 November - Arenan, Skövde
23 November - Kalmarsalen, Kalmar
24 November - Kalmarsalen, Kalmar
26 November - De Geerhallen, Norrköping
27 November - De Geerhallen, Norrköping
29 November - Baltiska Hallen, Malmö
3 December - Sporthallen, Sundsvall
4 December - Gammliahallen, Umeå
5 December - Pontushallen, Luleå
7 December - Cirkus, Stockholm
8 December - Cirkus, Stockholm
12 December - Västeråshallen, Västerås
13 December - Mässhallen, Karlskrona
15 December - Finlandiahallen, Helsingfors
17 December - Lugnet, Falen
20 December - Lisebergshallen, Göteborg

There is also a nice new photo of Peter which can be seen at the news page at www.joback.nu

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

TV ADVERT FOR GOLD DVD!

There is a new TV ad for ABBA GOLD on DVD & CD in the UK!

It really is quite good, showing video clips, & it is partly animated being based around the cover of ABBA - The Album.

It is mainly being aired during morning TV on HTV here in Wales, and would guess its the same for other ITV regions around the UK.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Gareth Thomas, Wales, UK

NEWS BITS'N'PIECES

Various bits of news-stuff:

- Frida appears in the 6th August issue of Se & Hör (actually on the
opposite page to their photo of Agnetha at the Rolling Stones concert) and
they write the following:

Frida is everywhere

Anni-Frid Lyngstad turns up in the most unlikely places. When The Stones
stayed at the Grand in Stockholm she came out from the hotel in order to
greet the band's bodyguards. The same happened when Robbie Williams stayed at the Grand before the concert at Stadion. Who should be there - but - Frida.

And who had lunch at Solliden on Öland, together with the King, Queen and
Crown Princess Victoria? You guessed right. What is Anni-Frid's secret?

===

EMI have released a Harpo compilation titled 'Klassiker'. The interest here is that the first and last tracks are the English and Swedish versions of 'Moviestar'. I seem to think that the Swedish version is rather harder to
get hold of, so here's a chance to have it on CD.

===

You can read a translation of the press release from s56 about Ludvig's
single release at the ABBA fan club site: http://abba.muziek.net/news.html

===

There is a Christmas show running between 19 November and 20 December
titled 'Ring Ring - från Hepstars till Duvemåla' at the Grand Hotel, Stockholm. Basically seems to be a cover group type thing of the 'most loved Björn and Benny songs'. More details from www.ticnet.se


Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

CHARTS - W/C 8 AUGUST

The charts for the week beginning 8 August 2003 are:

Canada: 20th Century Masters is up 8 to #86, just 2 more weeks in the Top
100 and it will have spent 100 weeks in the top 100.
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is down 5 to #30
Germany: The Definitive Collection is down 4 to #80
USA: ABBA GOLD is down 1 to #11 (Pop Catalogue)
Netherlands: ABBA GOLD - several weeks ago they missed a chart completely, and now it has shown up! So, from start ithe chart positions are: 77-60-66-69-51-39-67-74-46-44-52-60-74-74-76-91-93-88-96-97-89-99
The latest week for Netherlands being #99 and week 22.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

GOLD DVD HITS BELFAST

The ABBA GOLD DVD has shown up here in Belfast! HMV had a pile of
them, for GBP 17.99 (supossedly discounted from GBP 19.99). With
notes by Carl Magnus Palm and two bonus tracks - something called "ABBA - The History" (interviews with Björn, Micke Tretow etc. from 1999), and a 1992 re-editing of the Dancing Queen video.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Bob Eber, Belfast, Northern Ireland

JÖBACK CONCERT DATES

The dates for Peter Jöback's Christmas concert tour have been announced. Tickets can be booked at www.ticnet.se


21 November - Teleborgshallen, Växjö
22 November - Arenan, Skövde
23 November - KalmarSalen, Kalmar
24 November - KalmarSalen, Kalmar
26 November - De Geerhallen, Norrköping
27 November - De Geerhallen, Norrköping
3 December - Sundsvalls Sporthall, Sundsvall
4 December - Gammliahallen, Umeå
5 December - Pontushallen, Luleå
7 December - Cirkus, Stockholm
8 December - Cirkus, Stockholm
12 December - Västeråshallen, Västerås
13 December - Mässhallen, Karlskrona
17 December - Lugnet, Falen

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

ABBA GOLD DVD FOR USA RELEASE

Amazon.com (USA) has ABBA GOLD on DVD listed for September 9 release. The retail price quoted is $14.98 but Amazon are currently selling it for $11.24.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Rod Reynolds, Los Angeles USA

ABBA GOOGLE SEARCH

Here's a few bits and pieces I found thanks to the Google News search....for the full articles, click on the links

1. ABBA GOLD, Group's Greatest Hits Video Collection, Reissued on DVD; Added Bonuses Are the DVD Premieres of A 25-Minute Documentary, '90s 'Dancing Queen' and Two Other Music Videos
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030808/laf007_1.html

2. Thanks to the success of Mamma Mia!, the musical that runs at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre until Aug. 11, ABBA is the top-selling group in Vancouver.
http://www.canada.com/vancouver/news/story.asp?id=9F9D4A8A-DF53-437E-9C4E-D32C36BF4F1C

Not only is the Mamma Mia! cast album the No. 1 record in the city but the retrospective ABBA records -- ABBA GOLD, 20th Century Masters and the box set, Thank You for the Music -- also are top selling. One retailer, Virgin Megastore, has sold more than 1,000 copies of Mamma Mia! in a week.

3. A spokesperson for the ABBA musical confirmed that Bernier will replace Jeanine Morick as Tanya Oct. 22 at the Winter Garden Theatre. As previously reported, that day will also welcome Dee Hoty as Donna, John Hillner as Sam,
Harriett D. Foy as Rosie, Michael Winther as Harry and Jenny Fellner as Sophie. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81064.html

4. Stockholm - Legendary 1970s disco group Abba disbanded long ago but one of its members, Benny Andersson, is continuing to rake in the cash from hit musicals like Chess and Mamma Mia, Swedish financial daily Dagens Industri
said on Thursday
http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Abroad/0,6119,2-1225-1243_1389099,00.html

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney - Australia

MAMMA MIA! ON ITS WAY TO PERTH

Mamma Mia
Presenter: Eoin Cameron

This interview was on ABC Radio in Perth earlier today.

Monday, 11 August 2003

Do you know the words to most of Abba's songs?

You may be one of the many people waiting for the production of "Mamma Mia!" to come to Perth in October. Plenty of Abba music will feature in the show but it is by no means a production about the popular group.

Margi de Ferranti and Kellie Rode are two of the cast members and dropped into the studio for a chat with Eoin Cameron.

http://www.abc.net.au/perth/stories/s921532.htm

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney - Australia

LOIS JEANS ARE BACK!

From Dutch TV guide Veronica:

The elder youngsters amongst us will recocnize them immediately: ABBA in Lois

She is back!

We're talking about the jeans label that was completely hip in the seventies amongst kids and icons like ABBA, Johan Cruijff and Björn Borg. In the new collection, that will be in the shops soon, the original will be combined with new influences. Jeans with a little bit extra........

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Monique Hoevens, Tilburg, The Netherlands

BAO CONCERT REVIEWED IN EXPRESSEN

There's also a review of the performance by Benny Anderssons Orkester in Expressen and here's my translation of it.


----------------------------

Benny Anderssons orkester - hard-rocking folk musicians

CONCERT
Benny Anderssons Orkester
Skansen, Stockholm

Grade: 3 wasps out of 5

A concert with dancing a little show. Or however one's supposed to describe this entertaining full evening with Benny Anderssons Orkester. He has created his own concept, where the audience is allowed to dance if it wants to - and if there's no dance floor, he'll see to it that one gets built.

The repertoire is... well, boundless. Contemporary music by Benny Andersson, a new one that's called "På en solskenspromenad", Swedish schlager, Abba-songs, American standards, sweeping waltzes and Bach in a dance tempo.

Sometimes it's so beautiful it makes you want to cry, sometimes it's really swinging. The Orsa-fellows play schottische, polka and only God knows what in Benny's pumped up arrangement, so they become some kind of hard-rocking folk musicians.

The orchestra also has two spectacular vocalists, who can sing exactly anything they want to and so they do.

Tommy Körberg sings a smooth "Moon River", a vigorous "Drömmen om Elin" and "Gamle Svarten", which leads to spontaneous community singing.

Helen Sjöholm sings lively 1940s schlager, Abba-songs in both Agnetha's and Frida's vocal pitch, and Benny Andersson's "Lätt som en sommarfjäril".

Together they turn "True Love", a lovely love song from the 1950s, into a delicacy.

The surprise this evening is Per Myrberg with two upbeat Taube-waltzes and after that an even more upbeat "34:an", which also is played in a playful waltz time.

There's a lot of musical humour, short low-voiced jokes and seeping show numbers by Kalle Moraeus. And there are a lot of songs, about 25 in each half, but you can't dance to everything, you notice that on the dance floor.

Sometimes there's a bit of confusion on stage, there are a few involuntary pauses, and the concentration isn't there all the time. But at the same time the musicians have infectious fun.

The audience love the Abba-songs the most. "I Do, I Do, I Do", "Ring, Ring" and "Money, Money, Money" as a tango.

The last dance is of course "Vår sista dans" with Björn Ulvaeus' touching lyrics and Helen Sjöholm sings it with a feeling and a deep in her voice that only she has. Then it's lovely.

Tour schedule: Gränna tonight, Göteborg tomorrow.

By Anders Björkman

Special thanks to Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

BENNY & ORSA IN EXPRESSEN

In a recent Expressen there's an article about Benny Andersson and Orsa spelmän performing at Skansen, Stockholm last night. Expressen's reporter talked to Benny. You can view a photo of them at
http://www.expressen.se/content/1/c6/05/30/21/5893ee4b.jpg

Here's my translation:

Benny Andersson: "This is Sweden's best folkpark (people's park)"

Benny Andersson and Orsa spelmän at Skansen has become a tradition. Yesterday they filled the dance floor at Galejan for the third time.

- Music, lamps, carousels and hot dogs. That's a folk park, says Benny Andersson who this fall will go into the studio together with his folk musicians.

Galejan is Sweden's best folkpark, states Benny Andersson already after a couple of songs. And the audience agrees. The dance floor is packed from the first "polska" (reel. Claes' note) to the very final encore. The former
community singing-king Lasse Berghagen and his wife Eva jostle among the other couples.

- This is really Swedish folkpark, says Berghagen. And now we're going to have a hot dog. That is also a part of it.

Berghagen's successor Anders Lundin stood awaiting on the side of the dance floor.

- I'm not a good dancer, he says. But this sounds really good, so we'll see.

There was also a bit of a sing-along feeling on the dance floor when the audience sang along to songs like "Drömmen om Elin", "Gamle Svarten" and ABBA songs like "Money, Money, Money".

- This is a lot of fun, says Benny Andersson during a break. There is such a lot of energy when people dance.

Three times is enough for the dance evenings with Orsa spelmän and Benny Andersson at Galejan to be called tradition, he claims.

New album

- It's as if this place was made for this type of music. There's music, lamps, carousels and hot dogs. That's a folkpark.

This fall Benny Andersson and Orsa spelmän go into the studio to record a new album. A little more than half of the material is completed, Benny Andersson says.

- The problem is that everybody must be free at the same time, he says.

The Skansen-audience got to dance along to one of the new songs, "En solskenspromenad" ("A sunshine walk". Claes' note) which Benny Andersson has composed.

There will be three performances for the orchestra this summer, tonight (August 9) at Grännaberget in Gränna and tomorrow at Trädgårdsföreningen in Göteborg.

By Anna Krook

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

CHRIS HAS DVD FIRST!

From ABBAMAIL's Internet Mailing List August 9:

Just wanted to let you know... In fact, I just wanted to brag: I have ABBA GOLD on DVD!

It's good - The menus are nice, but the looped opening of Dancing Queen (which is certain to get as annoying as Gimme! is on THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION) hasn't been edited correctly: It's a drum beat out on every loop :-(

Despite the screen having no picture, the sound on I Have A Dream isn't faded out until Björn introduces Does Your Mother Know. Odd. Anyway, it's nice to see that clip again.

Lay All Your Love On Me looks good - Did they really re-edit it? I can't see the point... They didn't bother doing the same with Dancing Queen '92, which I feel was more worthy of such a job.

I haven't bothered purchasing The Definitive Collection "mistakes corrected" version, so it's good to see Thank
You For The Music in a viewable quality.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Chris Williams, Herefordshire/England

DUTCH FANS DEMAND RELEASE OF "JUST LIKE THAT"

From Dutch newspaper 'Dagblad Van Het Noorden'.

Here is a translation:

"ABBA-FANS WANT RELEASE OF NEVER BEFORE RELEASED SONG"

Arnhem, August 9th 2003

'They have had enough. Or to put it in other words: Fans are a bit angry.

Earlier requests to officially release the ABBA song "Just Like That" didn't work. There are some illigal versions of the song but the sound qualtity of those versions isn't any good.

"Just Like That" was the last song ABBA recorded in 1982. It was meant to be released on a new album that was sceduled for 1983. But ABBA broke up. The song was released by the Swedish group 'Gemini', which was a minor hit
in The Netherlands.

"There is a complete ABBA version of the song, ready to be released", says the 20-year-old Marnix Ten Brinke from Doetinchem. "Only the chorus of the song has been released on a compilation of never before released ABBA songs
on the CD -Box "Thank You For The Music".

"The crazy thing is..., says Ten Brinke "that an other song dating from the same time, was released just a couple of years ago. Nobody was getting difficult about that at that time"

On the international ABBA web-site, Ten Brinke has started an action to get the song released. 1,100 people have responded to that, and Ten Brinke has send those reactions on to Sweden. Now all there is to do is sit and wait
for a reaction from the ABBA-Gentlemen, the writers of the song.

"The lines and melody are very good" says Ten Brinke, which is the main reason for him to do this. "It is one of ABBA's best songs ever, it is timeless, like so many of the group's songs. If "Just Like That" is going to be released today it would end up in the charts right away"

Andersson and Ulvaeus have often stated that they don't want to release the song. The recording isn't as good as the recording of other ABBA songs. Former ABBA singers Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have said they
would like to song to be released, according to Ten Brinke.

And 'Universal' have also made known that they would like the song to be released. According to Ten Brinke it is strange that Andersson and Ulvaeus refuse to release the song, "The song was part of the musical "Mamma Mia" just before it premiered and Björn has allowed the release of the music of the ABBA version of the song on paper..."

The ABBA-Gentleman have to be reasonable this time, says Ten Brinke. "We have supported them for all these years..."

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Lex Corbach, The Netherlands

BENNY IN DN

The orchestra which hardly needs to rehearse

From 'Dancing Queen' to 'Drömmen om Elin'. With help from his own orchestra the ABBA-star gets the audience to start dancing to newwritten and classical pieces. Benny Anderssons Orkester commences their sold-out minitour in Stockholm tonight.

Happy tones pours out of the 'Radiohouse'-entrance from studio 4. BAO is rehearsing. Around the musicians there is a happiness, a expectation, and enthusiasm. Finally they get to play together again, and on the Friday they commence the mini-tour of the year with three gigs.

It starts with a performance at Galejan at Skansen in Stockholm. It's sold out, as well as Grännaberget on Saturday and Trädgårdsföreningen on Sunday.

- At Trädgårdsföreningen they don't have any dance-floor, but we build one. It's much more rewarding to play for an audience that dances. Then are all on the same track, all work, both the musicians and the audience, says the orchestra leader himself.

Benny Anderssons Orkester was put together two years ago and consists of fifteen members, including singer Helen Sjöholm.

- The reason that the orchestra became bigger was 'Vår Sista Dans' (which spent several weeks on Svensktoppen). I had done it on my machine with some sort of 40s-thing. Trumpet, piano, orchestera-guitar, flute, clarinet, accordion, some violins, tuba and contrabass. In some ways quite near Thore Ehrling's orchestra. The thing with the tuba and the contrabass is among the funniest things with it, I think, because that's what makes this orchestra's sound so special.

When he had the song ready in his machine, with all the arrangements, Benny Andersson went out looking for musicians.

- One has to ask one's friends and everyone ignited instantly. Almost all of them are classically educated and they can play whatever. The nice thing with this orchestra is that you hardly need to rehearse.

One of the orchestra's Orsa-folk musicians, Perra Moreaus (violin and saxophone), defines the orchestra as 'a real happening'.

- One are almost all the time in a creating process.

His brother Kalle Moreaus (violin and at least six other stringinstruments) says that the banjo-part of Benny Andersson's completely new written and happy 'En solskenspromenad' is the best ever written.

- I become so happy in my whole heart when I play it. It's like that very often when one play Benny's music.

The tuba player Calle Jacobsson is almost lyric about that he has so much to do:

- I play more notes with in one night with this orchestra than in several years with the 'Hovkapellet'. To me is Benny Andersson's music Duke Ellington. He writes music for certain musicians and he creates a very special sound of his own, a music that is very 'Andersson', and very Swedish.

On the orchestra's repertoire is of course among the things music by Benny Andersson and classical pieces like 'Moon river' and 'Tangokavaljeren' with Tommy Körberg, who is called the guest artist. He also naturally sings 'Drömmen om Elin', and together with Helen Sjöholm a potpourri with some humerous Swedish songs like 'Bättre och bättre dag för dag' and 'Säg det med ett leende' etcetera. In addition to that, surprises is promised.

Later this autumn the orchestra will record a new CD. Benny Andersson has written six or seven new songs, but needs four or five more.

- I've been thinking of trying to change the direction (in comparision to the record that was released autumn 2001), but I don't think that's possible. We like playing a certain kind of music, and that's the way it'll be.

During the last months Benny Andersson has concentrated on writing music for BAO. It's fun enough, he says, but also says that 'the motor starts spinning', and that 'it might be fun to try something harder, harder for oneself'.

- However it is, if one writes a song of about three-four minutes for this orchestra one knows where one is. But working with for example 'Kristina från Duvemåla' was much more complicated, with another view of the material. It was quite difficult, but quite wonderful...

Written by Kurt Mälarstedt.

Special thanks to semi-legendary ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

CHARTS W/C 1 AUGUST

Here are the charts from week beginning 1 August 2003:

Canada: 20th Century Masters is up 4 to #94 (week 110 in top 200)
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is down 5 to #25 (wk 46)
Netherlands: The Definitive Collection is down 1 to #97 (wk 20)
Germany: The Definitive Collection is down 2 to #76 (wk 60)
USA: Mamma Mia! Soundtrack is up 8 to #12 on the Pop Catalogue chart (wk 52)
USA: ABBA GOLD is up 14 to #10 on the pop catalogue chart (wk 316)

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

MAMMA MIA! IN SAN DIEGO

One of the touring companies of Mamma Mia is in San Diego for 2 weeks and so our local newspaper put in some stuff regarding it in their "weekend" entertainment guide. One is an interview with Bjorn; one is a review of Mamma Mia!, and the third is a list of 10 "reasons" that ABBA records sold. Enjoy!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/thu/night_day/news_mz1w7bjorn.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/thu/night_day/news_mz1w7mama.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/thu/night_day/news_mz1w7abba10.html

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Peter Anderson, Santee, California, USA

BJöRN IN AFTONBLADET

In Aftonbladet, there are quotes Björn from the UK Times interview last month.

--------------------

Eminem is brilliant

NEW YORK. Björn Ulvaeus likes Eminem.

- I think Eminem is brilliant, Ulvaeus says to an English paper. It's not necessarily my bag, but I can hear that it's deeply original.

The Abba-Swede also says that he likes Robbie Williams and "the Swedish guys who write songs for Britney Spears".

By Fredrik Virtanen

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

GOLD DVD / BENNY ANDERSSON ORKESTER (BAO) IN CONCERT

All sources I can find state that the release date for ABBA GOLD on DVD in Sweden is August 29.? It feels strange that an ABBA DVD is actually being released later in Sweden than in some other countries.

----

More on the BAO performance.

- The whole thing started out with '2001 year's success Vår Sista Dans', of course featuring Helen Sjöholm on vocals.

They have polished the performance a bit. You got some rare glimpses of Benny during the peformance.

- After the performance there was a small interview with Benny, made by the 'new' Allsång-leader Anders Lundin. Lasse Berghagen has namely quit working with the programme, so Anders conducted the three last shows in this serie, but next year some other one will take over.

- Dans på Valhall was a sing-along, and BAO made the played along with the normal orchestra.

- Tivedshambo. Anders Lundin asks BAO to play some sort of hambo, but then the comedian Robert Gustafsson, imitating Sten Broman, comes in and interrupts the song after only 20 seconds or so. A true pity! Robert makes a fool of Benny - see the article below.

- Bandière, by Bach, is played after 'Sten's' request to play something classical.

----

Article from Aftonbladet:

Gustafsson joked with Benny

When Robert Gustafsson imitated Sten Broman he attacked Benny Andersson.

- Had you been thinking of killing the audience? I don't want to hear another note.

Benny Andersson's career in ABBA, he didn't have much to say about:

- Abba? No that's cat-food.

When Gustafsson demanded music of the first class he said:

- I knew this. You are completely unmusical. Strauss. Wagner. There isn't any bells ringing, Mr. Andersson?

By Claes Petterson.

----

Interview with Benny at SVT.se:

What is your best 'singalong-memory'? Josefine

Benny: It's difficult to answer. The performances are quit much alike each other. It's always fun to be here. Relaxed and a fun audience. I think everyone thinks it's fun to come here and work. I can't pick a certain occasion.

When will BAO release a new record? Erik J

What a good question! As soon as possible I hope. We hope to start recording this autumn and see when it'll be ready. Maybe this spring.

Do you make music just because it's fun nowadays, or is it still important that it gains success? Aaron Roos

I want it to be good! That's when it's fun to make music. It's the same thing as it's always been. You never know if it'll become a success, but one thing is clear: it has turned out quite well over the years.

If you wanted to put together a 'wish-choir' (önskekör) as you did to 'Klinga mina klockor', which singers would you ask then?

I would ask the same people and some more. Carola is pretty good. And Charlotte Nilsson. Helen Sjöholm I would definetely ask! And Jossan (Josefin Nilsson). There are so many. [Don't forget Frida if you're going to do it, Robin's comment.]

----

Metro had a small picture of Benny on the front page yesterday:
http://www.metro.se/content/acrobat/stockholm/SESTO_20030806_A_Metro.pdf

----

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

ONE MORE AGNETHA SHOT

Rafael and Stefan has discovered yet one more picture of Agnetha at the Stones-concert. It is in the latest issue of the Swedish gossip magazine 'Se & Hör' (Look and listen).

It was also taken by Aftonbladet.

http://www.raffem.com/images/Agnetha/cirkusaga.jpg

She looks a bit older in that angle. And look! She's wearing a backpack made of leather! And the blue eye-shadow is on again! wonderful!

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

MAMMA MIA! CAST IN PARK SHOW

NEWS FROM BROADWAY

The cast of MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical, appeared at 'Broadway in Bryant Park', New York on August 7 starting at 12:30. The performance featured the songs 'Lay All Your Love On Me', 'Money, Money, Money', 'Dancing Queen' and 'Mamma Mia'.

Not only does MAMMA MIA! continue to play to 100% capacity at the Cadillac Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway but the Original Cast Recording remains a US CD phenomenon. Consistently selling more than 5,000 copies a week, the recording has been on the Billboard Charts for the past two years and, in the week commencing 28 July, is back in the top twenty.

For complete information about MAMMA MIA! worldwide and to book tickets
visit http://www.mamma-mia.com

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ron Miskoff, Edison, USA

BENNTY PLAYS "DANS"

Benny Andersson Orkester played: Vår Sista Dans, Dans på Valhall, a part of Tivedshambo! Strange that Benny cares about this song... They also played a part of a piece by Johan Sebastian Bach.

See the latest pictures at my website - click on the website link

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

Interview with Ludvig in Smålandsposten

Ludvig Andersson - humble debutant who wants to become a rock star

He made his solo debute in front of a million people's audience at Allsång på skansen, and he has been on stage almost as many times there are days in a year and has a father whose name is Benny Andersson. The conditions couldn't be worse for the debutant Ludvig Andersson.

He has made up his mind. Ludvig Andersson is going to be a rock star, exactly as the members of Led Zepplin, the band he has been enjoying most the last weeks.

But the blond 21 year old must polish his rock image. Ludvig Andersson is too nice and humble to be able to be compared with his idols. He excuses himself because he has to do this interview over the phone, as he has went to France for a few days holiday. And, when answering where he sees himself in five years, he answers that maybe he might work at the postal service.

The interview dictionary for upcoming rock stars of course has it that the right answer is that they have conquered the whole world. Ludvig Andersson answers shyly, but he wants more than an ordinary nine-to-five job.

- Hopefully everything turns out so good that I can start turing, record a new album and then tour a little more. To play live is the whole thing with playing music.

Solo record this autumn

Up to now he only has one single live performance on his CV. But it wasn't a too bad debut. To perform at Skansen, live with a million viewers, is more than most muscians ever might experience.

- It was fantastic, the funniest thing I've ever done, he says. I was 'high' an hour afterwards. The audience and Anders Lundin were so sweet.

After the last days of holiday with the girl friend he returns home to finish the debute-album, which is released in October. All songs are recorded and Ludvig Andersson is more than happy with the result. He describes the music as 'a bit of pure rock and some more psychedelic rock with odd synth-segments'. One first taste in the shape of the pop single 'One touch' came earlier this summer. The Melody is always the thing that comes first when Ludvig writes his songs.

Nonsense-English

- I play piano and guitarr, a bit on a feeling and sing in nonsense-english. Then I record the melody and write the lyrics. That's easier to say than to do, one really has to sit and try if it's going to be something.

It's inevitable that many are curious about the father's influence on his music, because Ludvig Andersson's father is Benny Andersson, one of Sweden's biggest song writers. But he guarantees fast that daddy isn't at all involved.

- No, no, he hasn't contributed, more than with help and support - and every parent would have done that. I have always walked my own way without influence from mum or dad. If they had tried to make my play the guitarr I wouldn't have begun playing in a pure protest.

Proud of his parents

Aren't you tired of getting all questions about your parents?

- Not at all, because I haven't done many interviews yet. I understand why people ask and that's nothing I can change. I'm just proud and think it's fun to talk about my parents.

What does your mother do?

- She is a freelancing journalist. She sings in a choir and know all the lyrics to all old songs. Unfortunately I haven't inherited that ability. I hardly know my own lyrics and I really have to study them hard.

After having played in a couple of groups during the secondary upper school and spent 325 nights in the choir in Chess he can't call him self an amateur. It also was during his time in secondary upper school he decided to commit himself to the music.

- When I was 15 I won a competition [of music] with my band and the first song I wrote. It was by then I realised that my songs worked out and that this was actually something I wanted to do.

Plan B prepared

All since then most thing have went Ludvig Andersson's way. He got in touch with the producer Bernard Löhr and together they recorded a demo that was sent out to several record companies. One of them, S56, wanted to hear more.

- I went there and brought along the guitar because I thought it was that way it worked. I was nervous, but this was something I had to do.

Ludvig Andersson has a plan B in case the rock dream won't turn out good.

- To become a sailor, that's the ultimate B-plan. The sea has always had a very special attractive force on me. I can't answer what it is that makes it so tempting.

So the audience will soon see more pop guys in seaman's costume?

- No, that's Håkan's thing, he does it so good himself. I admire him, I wish I could be as relaxed and nice myself.

By Annika Goldhammer

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

HITLER'S CHILDREN ARTICLE

There was an article in "Editor" in "The Weekend Australian" August 2-3, 2003. The item is a combination of articles from around the world.

Survivors from the ranks of the despised "war children" or "whore children" as they are sometimes known, have taken their battle for compensation for pain and suffering against Norway to the European Court of Human Rights, in
a move likely to prove highly embarassing to the Scandinavian nation.

As many as 12,000 children born to Norwegian women during World War II were fathered by occupying German soldiers, according to a report by Julia Stuart in the Financial Times. The gross abuse of many of the children, or
Lebensborn, endured after the war's end "is thought to have been unprecedented in recovering Europe", said the British daily. "As well as name calling, beatings and in some cases rape, several were sent to psychiatric institutions because the authorities assumed they were retarded. The government even considered sending 8000 of them to Australia to get of them".

They "still get spat at on the street". Norway's best known war child is Anni-frid Lyngstad, born in 1945 and a member of the Swedish pop group Abba. After being branded traitors and ostracised said The Observer, Lyngstad's mother and grandmother migrated to Sweden with their tiny charge.

Now in their 60s, seven Lebensborn survivors launched proceedings in Oslo for compensation...

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney - Australia

BENNY'S TAXES MAKE DUTCH PAPER!

Benny's tax contributions made the front page of my local newspaper recently. Excuse me for any mistakes.

Former ABBA singer Benny Andersson is one of Sweden's best taxpayers.

In 2002 he paid 29. million Swedish Kröner to the tax office (about 3.2 million Euro). This made Andersson, who was a composer and singer in the popular group Abba from 1972 until 1983, the number 7 taxpayer in Sweden. On this list made public by the taxation office, King Carl Gustvav is Nr. 24 with 11.8 million Skr.

Andersson (56) has obtained a dozen of companies after his musical career. He is active in musicals, hotels and horsebreeding.

--------------------------------------------

In a Dutch gossip magazine recently, there was an article about the Dutch Mamma Mia! Some quotes from the article
(and please remember it is a gossip magazine!)

It's the most simple musical there is.

No helicopters, no sinking ships, just 2 turnable decors, 22 Abba songs and very simple storyline. With these ingredients the former Abba members make million of Euros.

Finally says Björn.

The big money was earned after Abba fel apart and Björn and Benny started their musical career.

Abba was a finacial disaster says Björn (57). We might have sold over 350 million records, but it didn't bring us the money everyone seems to think. But Chess and Mamma Mia made up for that.

Dutch Musical producer Joop van den Ende decided to have the musical translated in Dutch by Coot van Doesburgh, and rehearsals will start next month.

Competitor Andrew Lloyd Webber is amazed about Mamma Mia's success. ' It's amazing that so much money can be made with some old poptunes in a musical.'

Björn laughs at the critical remarks made by Lloyd Webber.

- It's the same with Idols. When Simon Fuller announced the 'Idols' concept, people laughed too. But pop music is big business. Still I don't like Idols very much. It's a disaster for the music industry and fatal for the creativity of the youth.

Björn has agreed to come to the Dutch premiere. Benny, Agnetha and Frida haven't accepted the invitation yet, but we hope Björn will get the other Abba members enthusiastic for the Dutch party as well. It would be fantastic if Joop van den Ende manages to bring the four back together again.

Even the million dollar offer couldn't bring them back together on one stage a few years back. Strangely enough they did perform together a few months later at the party of a mutual friend.

But Björn says: Abba will never get come back. I will continue to work with Benny on musicals, but Frida and Agnetha want to live their one lives. We haven't stopped with Abba one moment too soon, and we have managed the last
years to repair the damage of all the fights and disasters. Eventually all four of us have become good friends again. I have respect for the other's decisions if they decide not to come to any party's or premieres.

Of the four Abba members Björn is the most committed member and he's always available for promotional activities. He travels around the world to watch over Mamma Mia's qualities and to make sure the money gets in the right
pockets this time!

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Monique Hoevens, Tilburg, The Netherlands

OZ MAMMA MIA!

I've recently met John O'May who plays one of the fathers in the Australian Mamma Mia! production.

He said he'd recently signed a contract until February 2005.

After Sydney, he said the show has 8 weeks in Perth, 8 weeks in Adelaide, 3.5 months in Auckland, then it goes to Singapore and Hong Kong before returning to Melbourne!.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney - Australia

LATEST ON DUTCH MAMMA MIA!

Here's some extra information on the Dutch version of Mamma Mia!

As you may already know, it has been postponed due to the discovery of (more) asbestos in the Beatrix Theatre building. Everyone who ordered tickets received a letter this week with the additional information that the new date for the premiere is 9 November 2003. Tickets can be exchanged for new ones for a performance on the same weekday. I don't know what will happen to the Fan Premiere, though.

I am both curious about how they translated the lyrics and anxious that I will find ABBA in Dutch unbearable. As far as Joop van den Ende Productions and their premiere policy is concerned, I was told that Littlestar sent them a letter which basically said that they are not at all pleased that there are so few tickets available for the fans. I doubt it will make a difference, but I appreciate the gesture very much.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Sandra Klaver, Leiden, the Netherlands

CHARTS W/C 31 JULY

Here at the chart stats for the week beginning 25 July 2003.
Canada: 20th Century Masters is down 8 to #98
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is up 3 to #20
Netherlands: The Definitive Collection is down 8 to #96
Germany: The Definitive Collection is down 1 to #74
USA: Mamma Mia! Soundtrack is up 7 to #20 on the pop catalogue chart. It is credited Gold, and is on its 51st week on the chart, which means it has spent 48 weeks on the pop catalogue chart, since it has only 3 weeks on the main chart.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

ABBA GOLD DVD RELEASED IN UK

News from ABBAMAILers Chris Williams and Richard Knight in the UK:

ABBA GOLD on DVD has been released. ABBAMAILer Chris Williams has a copy of it and has posted initial impressions to ABBAMAIL's internet mailing list.

HMV's London flagship store has a display of the CD version of ABBA GOLD in it's windows - no doubt to co-incide with the release of the DVD.

No news as yet on a release date for the USA.