NO AGNETHA FOR EUROVISION :(

I got some news today saying that Fredrik Kempe will indeed sing in Melodifestivalen. But his duet partner will not be Agnetha, but another very well known Swedish female artist. I've promised not to reveal who it is though. But it's not Agnetha. Nor Frida. :(

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Micke Hjernestam, Gothenburg, Sweden

REPORT FROM POLAND

I went to a big music/electronics store (Media Markt) in Warsaw recently to
take a look around what's new in the music sections that interest me the most. I was of all curious whether the "ABBA GOLD " DVD has been already released in Poland.

It sure has, which is quite fast considering that I waited for months for The Definitive Collection CD to be released in Poland last year.

The 'ABBA GOLD" DVD is more expensive than the The Definitive Collection DVD: 85 zlotys (around 22 US$) and 70 zlotys (around 18 US$), respectively. I assume it's because it's a new release.

The other interesting find in the store were 3-packs of the 2001 remasters - just like the 1997 ones that were sold in 2-packs before. I don't believe it's a Poland-only promotion sale, as the box had all the official Universal logos all over it.

It is quite a bargain - the price is 80 zlotys (around 20 US$) per box, while a single remaster costs around 32 zlotys.


In another interesting ABBA-related find - some weeks ago in the same Media Market I spotted Janne Schaffer's "Mellan sol och mane" in a "Special Offer" stand, at an insanely low price of 6 zlotys! Strange that there was a CD available in Poland by a rather obscure Swedish artist?

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Gabriel Zubowski, Otwock, Poland

'ABBA - THE SHOW' COMING BACK

ABBA - The Show will return to The Netherlands in March 2004, 10th March in "Rijnhal" in Arnhem and 11th March in "Ahoy" in Rotterdam.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Walter Veldman, The Netherlands

AGNETHA REPORTED ALL OVER THE WORLD!

The same story is getting repeated just about everywhere...

ABBA star Agnetha Faeltskog to release first album in 16 years The Star, Malaysia
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Former ABBA singer Agnetha Faeltskog is recording her first album in 16 years and plans to release it early next year, he
head of her ...
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/10/29/latest/14753ABBA
star&sec=latest

ABBA star makes comeback
News24, South Africa

Los Angeles - Former Abba singer Agnetha Faeltskog is recording her first album in 16 years and plans to release it early next year. ...
http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Abroad/0,6119,2-1225-1243_1437441,00.html

ABBA star makes record comeback
Ananova, UK

Former ABBA singer Agnetha Faeltskog is recording her first album in 16 years and plans to release it early next year. Staffan Linde ...
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_833487.html

ABBA Star Makes Record Comeback
The Scotsman, UK

Former ABBA singer Agnetha Faeltskog ­ the blonde one ­ is recording her first album in 16 years and plans to release it early next year. ...
http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2111426

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

And, in case you thought the 1977 concert tour was a bit lame... Geelong
Harness Racing Club is claiming to host "the biggest, most spectacular ABBA party ever seen in Australia ..."

NEW YEAR'S EVE CONCERT PLANS ANNOUNCED
Harnesslink, New Zealand

Geelong Harness Racing Club (GHRC) announced that New Year’s Eve 2003 will
be celebrated with the biggest, most spectacular ABBA party ever seen in Australia ...
http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=6933

Thanks to newshound ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney - Australia

YET ANOTHER AGNETHA ARTICLE - UK DAILY MAIL

Bjorn Again
30 October 2003

Almost 30 years after Abba shot to success, blonde singer Agnetha Faltskog is preparing for an encore.

She plans to release a solo album next year as part of a showbusiness comeback.

And with the Abba musical Mamma Mia! doing a roaring trade around the world, she hopes to impress a new generation of fans.

Agnetha, now 53, was only 17 when she married Bjorn Ulvaeus in their native
Sweden. They formed a fourpiece group with brunette Anna- Frid Lyngstad and Benny Anderssen, who were also to marry.

Abba, so called after the initials of their first names, won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo and went on to have a long string of hits.

Although Anna-Frid, or Frida, had her fans, Agnetha soon gained the status of the band's sex symbol with her golden hair, kinky boots and tight trousers.

Before disbanding in 1982, Abba became Sweden's most successful export after Volvo, selling more than 350million albums worldwide, but Agnetha's success did not bring happiness. She broke up with Bjorn and a second marriage also failed. She had a series of high-profile fights with her costars, suffered the trauma of a coach crash and eventually needed psychiatric help for a string of debilitating phobias.

Agnetha developed an all consuming desire for privacy and, Garbo-style, retreated from the world. She was the only member of Abba to remain absent from the premiere of Mamma Mia! in London's West End, an event that was attended by the Queen.

Live performances of their hits are now restricted to tribute bands such as the Australian Bjorn Again.

Agnetha now lives on a tiny island outside Stockholm, where she has been plagued for the last two years by the attentions of a Dutch stalker.

She started work on her new album three years ago but temporarily halted the project when her friend and sound engineer Michael Tretow suffered a stroke.

Recently she resumed the project, however, and is recording in the studio. She plans to release the album early next year.

As for the rest of Abba, Bjorn and Benny continue to be involved in musical projects while Frida last recorded an album in 1996.

Related stories
• Buy tickets for Mamma Mia

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Julie Rickwood, UK (and Gareth in Wales)

BELGIAN 'METRO' ALSO HAS AGNETHA STORY

This little article was in the Flemish edition of the free Belgian "Metro" paper today - not sure if the French version had the same article, but anyway:

"Agnetha's coming back

STOCKHOLM Agnetha Fältskog, one of the singers from the popular band ABBA, is bringing out another solo album next year in the Spring. Whilst all the other members of ABBA regularly pop up here and there, it's now 16 years ago that Agnetha herself was in the spotlight. The recording sessions for the new CD are already finished and the raw material is now being licked into shape for the release in March 2004.

The first single is scheduled for a January release. Agnetha's last album dates back to 1987, when she released "I Stand Alone" together with producer Peter Cetera. Before that she had released various records both in English and in Swedish. Before securing herself eternal fame as part of ABBA, Agnetha had already had a successful carreer behind her as a teen star."

There is a thumbnail picture of Agnetha as well - same picture that was in the
Telegraaf article in the Netherlands.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Burt, Brussels, Belgium

BBC SITE PICKS UP AGNETHA ALBUM STORY

From the BBC's website (see website link)

(We have left the mistakes in the BBC story below!)

Abba star to make comeback

Former Abba star Agnetha Faeltskog is to record her first solo album after a break of 16 years. The singer, now aged 53, is expected to release the brand new material in March of next year.

Faeltskog, who was a founding member of the 1970s chart-topping pop group, last released a solo album in 1987.

The musician, who was married to Abba co-star Bjorn Ulvaeus, has lived hidden away on a Swedish island retreat since I Stand Alone came out.

Faeltskog's progress on the new album began three years ago, but work came to a halt when sound engineer Michael Tretow suffered a stroke.

"It's far from ready, but we're counting on releasing it in March," said Staffan Linde, head of the singer's production company.

'Fun' project

He declined to give further details about the new album and said Faeltskog would not comment until its completion - but he said the singer was finding the project "fun".

Distribution for the album is likely to be handled by Warner, but a deal has yet to be finalised, added Linde.

Faeltskog's last single I Wasn't The Only One was released in 1988 and made number 19 in the US charts.

Along with Bjorn, Benny and Anna-Frid of Abba, the singer scored nine chart-toppers in the UK between 1974 and 1982.

The band sprang to fame by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, and went on to enjoy worldwide success.

The band have gone on to sell a total of 350 records - which includes sales after they split in the early 1980s.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

VERY UNCONFIRMED EUROVISION RUMOUR

There is a good website about the different countries' Eurovision national finals at: http://www.geocities.com/national_finals/

I check it now and then. They have just updated the information for the Swedish heats.

According to the site, song number 9, "Finally", is to be performed by:

Fredrik Kempe and Agnetha Fältskog!!!

I don't know where they got this from and I don't know how true it might be. It sounds unlikely but then again, you never know.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

WALTER'S DUTCH NEWS ROUND-UP

These articles were printed in the free Dutch newspaper "Metro" from 30th
October. There were no pictures with the articles.

* Agnetha busy with comeback

The ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog (53) is working on a comeback. The Swedish blonde is preparing a CD album which should appear next March. Agnetha was last on stage 17 years ago. She led a withdrawn life on an island near Stockholm.

* Mamma Mia! tickets are selling like hot cakes

The Dutch version from the musical Mamma Mia! by Joop van den Ende productions has already sold 110,000 tickets. The Dutch version of this musical will premiere 9th November in the rebuild Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht. Worldwide already some 10 million people have seen the musical. The Beatrix Theatre has been rebuild in recent months to be able to host 1,500 people for each performance.

The online version of "Metro" (in the Dutch language) can be downloaded at
http://www.clubmetro.nl/metro/ by choosing for "De krant van vandaag" -
Nederland.

Other "news" bits

* Yesterday on Dutch TV

Yesterday in the Dutch tv show "Show Nieuws" on RTL 6 they said that yesterday the Dutch "try outs" had started that day. They said over 10,000 tickets for the Dutch version of Mamma Mia! have been sold already while worldwide some 10 million people have seen the show.

* Spits newspaper

Appearantly yesterday in the free Dutch newspaper "Spits" there was an article about Agnetha's comeback. An online article in Dutch appears at
http://spitsnet.nl/anp.php?id=307071

Thanks to Walter Veldman, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

AGNETHA MAKES CNN!!!

Well Agnetha's "comeback" was just reported on CNN. Of course they screwed up her name royally...they pronounced it "Agnita" and her last named was spelled "Faeltsog" and pronounced the same way. Nice little story though.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Scott Hanby, Atlanta, GA, USA

MORE AMATEUR 'CHESS' IN UK / CHESS DVD LENGTH

There is another UK amateur stage production of CHESS coming for 2004.

The Charles Cryer Theatre in Carshalton, Surrey will present CHESS from
Wednesday, May 26th through to Saturday, 30th May 2004.

http://mayhemproductions.net/chess/

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

According to Åhléns' web-shop, the Chess på cirkus DVD main performance will run to 2hrs and 8 minutes and interestingly, (for our non-multiregion dvd player owners) the disc is listed as being region free, although I am pretty certain that I've seen Mono Music quoted as saying it is Region Two.

It's one of those famous lo-o-o-o-o-ng links again so click on the website link above to go there.

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

AFTONBLADET ON AGNETHA'S NEW ALBUM

Aftonbladet once again writes about Agnetha's new album today (nothing new
to report) and also mentions Frida's new single. There's a photo of Agnetha
from the Rolling Stones concert in the article. Here's my translation:

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

Agnetha Fältskog releases new album

It's been 17 years since last time. Now Agnetha Fältskog's comeback is a fact. In March she'll release a new album - world news for ABBA-fans.

Aftonbladet revealed already in March 2000 that Agnetha Fältskog had plans for an album comeback. Now the project has gone from plans to fact.

- We're really busy in the studio, says Anders Neglin who together with Dan Strömkvist and Agnetha Fältskog produce the album.

The album will be released in March.

Frida releases songs

A large number of musicians participate on the album but neither Björn Ulvaeus nor Benny Andersson are involved, according to their spokeswoman Görel Hanser.

Agnetha Fältskog has also written her material.

It's not clear what the new album will be called. According to information received, a first single will be released in January.

Even Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad have according to Metro recorded a record with three songs which will be sold by ABBA's German fanclub.

By Linda Hjertén

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

Thanks to the man with the words Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

Here's a translation of the article in The Dutch "De Telegraaf":
----------------

Agnetha of ABBA works on a comeback

STOCKHOLM - Swedish Abba female singer Agnetha Fältskog is working on a
comeback. The blonde Swede sings a whole cd, which is due to be released in March next year. That is what a co-worker of the 53-year-old Fältskog reported to Swedish press agency TT on Wednesday.

It has been 17 years since Agnetha perfomed on stage. She was leading a reclusive life on an island in the surroundings of the Swedish capital Stockholm.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Trijnie Dijkema, Hoogezand, The Netherlands

Agnetha report in Musikindustrin's Daily Newsletter

Musikindustrin's Daily Newsletter
Wednesday, October 29, 2003

According to Billboard Agnetha Fältskog is now finishing a new solo album, scheduled for release in March next year and with a first single out in January. Her latest solo album "I Stand Alone" was produced by Peter Cetera and was released 1987. Agnetha has been working in the studio with Anders Neglin and Dan Strömkvist, and they have been recording songs with importance to Agnetha from earlier days. There is not yet a signed contract with a record company, says Staffan Lindé at Agnetha Fältskog Produktion AB.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart in Stockholm, Sweden and also Mats Lundhal, Sweden

AGNETHA & FRIDA CDs MENTIONED IN "METRO"

The ABBA girls release a record each (from Swedish freebie newspaper Metro)

The schweiz artist Heinz Julen has made the cover to Frida's new single.

Frida and Agnetha do comeback

The voices of ABBA releases single and record each

The voices of ABBA begin singing again. In just a few weeks Anni-frid is coming out with a new single and next year Agnetha does comeback with her first record in 17 years.

Apart from a duet with the Italian opera pop singer Filippa Giordano last year Anni-frid hasn't released a record since 'Djupa Andetag', 1996.

But now it's time again. Together with the schweiz entertainer Dan Daniell, Frida has recorded a single with two orginalsongs plus a cover of ABBA's 'I Have A Dream'. But the record won't be able to get through the shops, but from ABBA's German fan club.

Dan Daniell tells Metro that he and Frida from time to time sings at his restaurant in Zermatt. And that's where the whole idea orginates.

What songs are there on the single?

- 'Lieber Gott' sounds like a part of heaven, you just have to hear it to understand, says Dan Daniell. Frida commences the song by reading a Swedish prayer. ”Wenn Ich dann gehen muss ” is a ballad about that you have to live your life day by day, even when it's tough. 'I have a dream' has the same lyrics as the original but now has a touch of Greece.”

The money earned on the record will go to a cloister home for ophrans in Sibirien.

Agnetha releases album

This spring it's time for Agnetha Fältskog to release her first album since 'I Stand Alone' from 1987. The recordings started three years ago, but the producer Michael B. Tretow suffered from a stroke. After a break Agnetha has
kept on working with the orchestra leader Anders Neglin and the drummer Dan Strömkvist.

According to facts in the music magazine Billboard it is about a record with things that has meant something for the music's Greta Garbo. There are early 60s songs by artists like Brenda Lee, Connie Francis and Cilla Black.

Agnetha Fältskog's closest contact person, Staffan Lindé, doesn't want to confirm these facts though. Some songs has namely been written by Agnetha Fältskog herself. Any record contract isn't signed, but if everything turns out as planned an album will be released in March and a single in January.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

DIGGILOO AGAIN / B&B'S AWARD IN DN

Diggiloo did it one more time last Friday. They showed some ultra-rare seconds of Agnetha together with Sten Nilsson and Marianne Kock, who she toured with back in 1968. These were in black and white, and probably comes from the same program that the earlier screened moments of this tour were shown.

The Diggiloo board seems to have completely fallen in love with the program
'Vem har snott midsommarkransen?' from 1971. They showed two new sequences were they can be seen riding a bike and packing a bag. All very exciting.

And one of the teams that were competing in the program sang 'Bang-A-Boomerang'.

-----

DN reports what have already been reported by ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart:

Björn and Benny got their music prize

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus got the prize 'Lifetime achievement' when Musikförläggarna celebrated their 75 years as an organisation. Minister of Culture, Marita Ulvskog, was the one who handed out the prize. /.../

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

AUSSIE COVER VERSION OF "LIKE AN ANGEL..."

An Australian group has recorded a lovely version of "Like An Angel" on their new CD.

It's very simple featuring flute, harp, and cello.

The liner notes suggest those in the group know more than just a bit about ABBA.

You can listen online at their website.
http://www.chanson.com.au/

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney, Australia

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR CHESS DVD YET?

Don't forger that Skivhugget (website link above) have the Chess På Svenska DVD for pre-order. You can also see the cover there.

The release date is 12 November 2003 and the special price is only 188 SEK(US$23.50 / 19.79 Euro). Considering how expensive DVDs are in Sweden, this is a good price. Don't forget that if shipping outside the European Union, a further 20% is taken off the price.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR B&B

Björn & Benny attended the Swedish Music Publishers Awards this week at Europa Studios. (Where some ABBA videos were shot, the Super
Trouper album cover, too)

They took home the prize for a special Lifetime Achievement award. They looked good, joked around a bit on stage with plays on words (in Swedish, of course) and even performed a refrain of the Hooties Tiggarn från Luossa (if I got that right) with Benny on keys and Björn singing, quite well actually even though Benny had to prompt him on one of the lines. The audience of 800 ate it up. The award was presented by the Swedish Minister of Culture.

The other awards and winners were Lyricist and/or Composer of the Year went
to Kent’s Jocke Berg (presented by Titiyo), Most Significant Serious Work of the Year to the composition “Rösten dotter” (The Voice of the Daughter) by Tommie Haglund, Newcomer of the Year to singer/songwriter Elin Sigvardsson, Song/Work of the Year to the composition “Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake)” by Jörgen Elofsson, Per Magnusson and David Kreuger (recorded by Gareth Gates) and International Success of the Year to Jörgen Elofsson.

It was nearly a four hour affair, although the party went on quite long. The dinner (and drinks) was great and throughout they played all these great old and new videos. I think the highlight was an incredibly young Peter Jöback doing Step By Step. Interesting to see he still had the boyish charm, even when he was a boy. :-) Stikkan was mentioned quite a few times during the evening, even once by Benny.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

MORE ABOUT THE CHESS På SVENSKA DVD

CHESS DVD

From http://www.ginza.se

A little more on the bonus disc on the 2 DVD set of CHESS.

The bonus disc documentary is a Mona Nörklit (Benny's wife) documentary lasting 80 minutes entitled "Musikalen som kom hem" (The musical has come home) which is a behind the scenes film with shots of the rehearsals, set building, dress-rehearsal etc.

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

BJÖRN TO OPEN ART GALLERY

Some news about Björn. He will open a gallary for the art in "Beatrix Theatre". This is from a Dutch language site www.musicalfan.nl.

Since 'The Phantom of the Opera' was a production by Joop van den Ende it has been a tradition to put an art gallery for every new production in the theatre. In style of the musical.

For 'Mamma Mia!', which will play soon in the Beatrix Theatre on the Utrechtse Jaarbeursplein, Janine van den Ende has chosen more than 60 paintings, drawings, and sketches from national and international pop music artists.

'Pop Star Art' would be open on 9 N-ovember on 15.00 by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, right before the premiere of the musical 'Mamma Mia!' There will be art works from Paul McCartney, Ron Wood, Barry Hay, David Bowie, Ex-Monkees member Mickey Dolenz.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Laura Tillema, Zwaag, The Netherlands

CHARTS - W/C 24 OCTOBER

Here are the chart stats for the week beginning 24 October 2003.

Canada: 20th Century Masters is up 12 to #86.
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is down 9 to #35, The Definitive Collection CD is up 9 to #37, GOLD DVD is up 1 to #19

And nothing else that I have seen on any of the charts I regularly check.

Thanks to super-chart-tart ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

FRIDA FOR DUTCH MAMMA MIA! PREMIERE

Today a full page with an Mama Mia artical in the Dutch biggest news paper Telegraaf.

According to the Stage Holding manager; Frida will attend this premiere as well as Björn and Benny next Sunday.

He also say that the demand for the premiere tickets is very high. US$80 has been bid per ticket because of the free gift the audience will receive...a music box playing ABBA music.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jerom Schol, Schagen the Netherlands

AGNETHA'S COMEBACK - AFTONBLADET

http://www.expressen.se/expressen/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=112&a=74970

Agnetha's comeback is approaching

In March Agnetha Fältskog will make a sensational comeback. Then the ABBA-star's first album in 17 years will be released.

- It wouldn't surprise me if there will be more albums now, says her coworker Staffan Lindé.

It's as close to a comeback as you can get. In great secrecy Agnetha Fältskog is recording a new album, with the producers Anders Neglin and Dan Strömkvist.

According to Benny Andersson's and Björn Ulvaeus' coworker Görel Hanser, the former ABBA colleagues aren't participating in the work with the album.

Own songs

For the first time since the beginning of her career, Agnetha Fältskog has written some of the songs herself.

- There is her own material, but I don't know if it'll end up on the album, says Staffan Lindé.

Agnetha Fältskog herself thinks it's too early to talk about the recording process, so he's the one answering the questions. Staffan Lindé is the managing director in Agnetha Fältskog's own company and has worked with her ever since 1984.

- Firstly, it was important to her to feel that her voice was still good and it was. Now she's very satisfied, says Staffan Lindé.

The work on the album began three years ago, but was interrupted when ABBA's legendary sound technician Michael B Tretow suffered a stroke. About a year later the recordings resumed, with Dan Strömkvist as a replacement for Tretow. In January a first single will be released and then in March the album. A Swedish record company has already signed her and the international interest is enormous.

- Since the news broke, TV-companies througout the world have called, says Staffan Lindé.

Breaks her silence

It's almost been 17 years since Agnetha Fältskog recorded an album. The star has lately lived a very secluded life on Ekerö, west of Stockholm. Speculations about her private life in the media have also made her avoid the limelight. But now she's preparing herself to once again talk to the media.

- Earlier she hasn't wanted to agree to any interviews since she didn't have a project to talk about. Everybody has only been curious about how she lives, but she doesn't want to talk about her private life. But now she wants to talk about her album.

Staffan Lindé describes Agnetha Fältskog as a happy individual, who looks forward to making a comeback.

- Yes, really. She is happy and she thinks this is fun.

By TT

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

http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/telegram/0,1082,62467630_640__,00.html

Comeback near for Agnetha Fältskog

In March Agnetha Fältskog makes a sensational comeback. Then the ABBA-star's
first album in seventeen years will be released.


-It wouldn't surprise me if there will be more records now, says her
coworker Staffan Lindé to TT.


It's as close to a comeback you can get. Agnetha Fältskog is in great
secrecy recording a new album, with the producers Anders Neglin and Dan
Strömkvist.

By TT

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

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Paul Carter in London, UK and translator extraordinaire ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

ELVA KVINNOR ON CD / GEMINI DELAYED

Sony Music in Sweden are considering a CD release of Agnetha's 1975 masterpiece solo album "Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus"!

Sony Music have found a few tapes from old Agnetha recordings including
the master tapes of "Elva Kvinnor..." A 2004 release is a definite possibility. However, at this stage there is no definite timeframe for the release. As the old saying goes "it won't happen overnight, but it will happen!"

The releases of the Gemini CD/CDs will be postponed until spring next year
(2004) I talked to Anders Glenmark yesterday and there are discussions to release a single as well with new Gemini songs in cooperation with Benny and Björn.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Rob Beuving, Assen, Holland

Billboard Magazine - updated article on Agnetha's album

Edited By Barry A. Jeckell. October 27, 2003, 11:25 AM ET

ABBA's Fältskog Plans Solo Set

ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog is putting the finishing touches on her first album in 16 years for release in March 2004. Basic recording of the album is finished, with final overdubs and tweaking nearing completion. A single is planned for release in January on an as yet undetermined label.

Her last album was 1987's Peter Cetera-produced "I Stand Alone." The Atlantic Records set produced a top-20 Adult Contemporary hit duet with Cetera, "I Wasn't the One (Who Said Goodbye)."

Fältskog quietly returned to the studio in 2000 with an idea of recording songs that have inspired her. The project was put on hold when trusted friend and ABBA sound engineer Michael B. Tretow suffered a stroke, but work
later resumed with Anders Neglin. Neglin's credits include playing keys on Brenda Russell's "Get Here" album and transcribing ABBA's master tapes for the "Mamma Mia!" musical score.

"Agnetha chose music that is very important to her from earlier in her life," Neglin says. "As we started to get into it we added our own colour to the songs."

Neglin brought drummer and producer Dan Stromkvist to the project in January. "We decided to produce the album together - the three of us - and
we have worked since as a trio."

Unlike ABBA co-star Frida Lyngstad, whose 1996 No. 1 comeback album was in
Swedish, Fältskog's outing -- a 15-track acoustic set recorded with a full orchestra -- is in English and includes songs originated by legends Brenda Lee and Cilla Black.

According to Staffan Lindé, who handles business affairs for Agnetha Fältskog Produktion AB, a label deal has yet to be confirmed, but the artist has licensed her post-Polar Music recordings to Warner Music Sweden.

Written by Jeffrey DeHart, Stockholm

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

COVER FOR NEW FRIDA / DAN SINGLE

Here is the cover for Frida's charity single with Dan Daniell.

WWW.JOBACK.NU UPDATED

ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham reports that he has updated his Peter Jöback web site, Jöback Now!:

Anyway, www.joback.nu has been updated with the following:

Main page:
- new main picture plus miscellaneous others

News page:
- Peter in Melodifestivalen
- covers for the new single and DVD
- details about new single and DVD
- nice picture of Peter and Sissel
- four more concerts added to tour

Discography page:
- cover and details for promo soundtrack "Där regnbågen slutar"
- cover and details for promo songle "Jag kommer hem igen till jul"

Mamma Mia' is a bopping butt-bumper

October 19, 2003 Detroit Free Press
by Terry Lawson Free Press Columnist

September, 2000: I have just exited a screening of particularly depressing Eastern European drama at the Toronto International Film Festival and am walking up Yonge Street, when I pass a theatre from which happy, shiny people are pouring forth. Everyone is in high spirits, and two middle-aged women are singing, of all things, the ABBA song "Dancing Queen" and bumping each other's butts.

After shooting them a self-reflexive scowl, I look up at the marquee, which reads "Mamma Mia! The ABBA Musical!" From somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I recall that said ABBA musical was a big hit in London. At the same time, I admit to myself that sometime in the late '80s, after hearing Elvis Costello sing "Knowing Me, Knowing You," I was forced to admit that those two ABBA boys, Björn and Benny, sure knew how to write infectious pop songs. Anyone who can resist "Waterloo" or "The Name of the Game" has either adapted curmudgeonism as a philosophy or died.

Still, "Mamma Mia!" seemed silly, with its story of a soon-to-be-wed woman who invites the three men she suspects of being her father to a Greek island to stitch together a procession of ABBA hits. So I resisted when the show went to Broadway, and when it landed in Detroit, too.

But I finally succumbed to the second go-around, which is at the Fisher Theatre until Nov. 15. And when it was over, my more-cynical-than-I-am companion and I forewent our usual post-show sprint to the parking lot to bump butts and sing "Dancing Queen." For the record, neither of us own a pair of Dockers.

Somewhat concerned, I immediately called Sweden and spoke to Bjorn Ulvaeus, who with Benny Andersson wrote all those songs. He was the one convinced to commission a TV special built on ABBA material. He said he gave a provisional OK, with the caveat that no lyrics be altered "just to make some silly story work better." The TV show mutated into "Mamma Mia!," which Bjorn agrees is indeed extremely silly but also ridiculously entertaining.

"Catherine Johnson came up with this idea of connecting two generations of women, and a mother-daughter relationship, through the songs, and it was very simple," says Bjorn. "And it never took itself too seriously. But I was still nervous when the show premiered in London. I thought we'd get murdered. I mean, come on, it's ABBA."

Instead, it got great reviews and huge audiences and became one of those shows people go to see again and again. It celebrated its second Broadway anniversary last week and is still playing Toronto, London and eight other cities, while the road show could go on forever.

Bjorn looks at all this with bemused but enormous appreciation, he says, feeling gratified "that these songs have obviously taken on a life of their own. I would have never expected it, even when we were selling millions of records."

He says that he and Benny and Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have been offered "stupid money" for an ABBA reunion concert or tour, but it will never happen, because "we could never match all that expectation."

"You should not feel so funny you enjoyed this so much," says Bjorn. "But I understand how you feel. I'm as surprised by all this as anyone. I don't really know why people love this so much. I suppose it just makes them feel good and not worry so much."

O brother, there art thou.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's London Agent, Paul Carter

ERASURE GREATEST HITS ALBUM

Erasure released a greatest hits package on 20 October, 'The Very Best of
Erasure'. It is released in several formats:

1. The standard CD featuring 'Lay All Your Love On Me', 'Take A Chance On Me' and 'Voulez-Vous' (but no SOS).

2. The standard CD plus a bonus CD titled 'Erasure megamix' which includes 'Take A Chance On Me' as one of the songs in the mix.

3. A DVD version featuring promo clips, including all four ABBA covers. Also bonus material, including a live section, which may have some of the ABBA songs.

4. A VHS version with the same promo clips but no bonus section.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's London Agent, Paul Carter, London, UK

FRIDA IN SWEDISH MAGAZINE

Frida is in the current issue of 'Se och hör' (22 October). Using a pre-blonde hair days picture, they write that Frida was spotted having lunch with Queen Silvia in Stockholm recently and that they were talking about Bruce Springsteen (did 'Se och hör' have listening devices installed at their table???)

Some further pictures have also been published of Frida at the premiere of 'Kikki Bettan & Lotta' at Cirkus on 3 October. In two of the pictures she is with Görel Hanser and they both look fantastic.

Frida is also in the German magazine 'Bunte' attending the Mentor gala in Zurich. She is pictured with German TV host Thomas Gottschalk.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's London Agent Paul Carter, London, UK

BILLBOARD.COM TALKS ABOUT AGNETHA

Former ABBA star Agnetha Fältskog is set to release her first album since 1987. The record will reportedly feature English-language material and may include new recordings of songs by such artists as Connie Francis and Brenda Lee, who inspired Fältskog early in her life.

Fältskog and Anders Neglin will oversee production, according to Staffan Linde, who manages business affairs for Agnetha Fältskog Produktion. Neglin provided the transcriptions from ABBA's master tapes for the score of "Mamma Mia!"

Fältskog returned to the recording studio three years ago to "test her voice" on demos with the idea of recording her first album since the Peter Cetera-produced "I Stand Alone." But the project suffered a major blow when ABBA engineer Michael B. Tretow had a stroke. A label deal has not yet been confirmed, but Fältskog's production company has licensed her past solo recordings to Warner Music Sweden.

The album may hit stores in early 2004, Linde says. Fältskog's female ABBA co-star, Frida Lyngstad, released a Swedish-language comeback album in 1996, which went straight to No. 1 on the Swedish charts.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ryan Cameron, San Diego, USA

A*TEENS / JÖBACK IN MELODIFESTIVALEN

Swedish Eurovision competition (Melodifestivalen) news:

According to Expressen, A*Teens are now confirmed for entry #1, and unfortunately there will be no Helen Sjöholm for entry #27. But the biggest news is, of course, that Peter Jöback will be doing entry #19 !!!

And there are yet four entries to be announced - as there will be 32 entries, just like the two previous years. SVT say they've asked Per Gessle to write one of the the four remaining entries.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Tony Becker, Stockholm, Sweden

DAN / FRIDA SINGLE PRE-ORDER

It is now possible to pre-order your copy of the new Frida single through the ABBA Remember web site.

See page http://www.abba-news.de/dan-daniell-1.html

The price is Euro 25 (including postage and packaging). Payment is only accepted in in cash (banknotes / bills only, no coins) to the adress mentioned.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robert Verbeek, The Netherlands

AGNETHA SINGLE?

Here are some further details on Agnetha's recording efforts from Intermezzo's news page:

Many thanks go to Staffan Lindé, who told us further details about Agnetha's
planned album: The album will be in English. It is planned for release in March or April 2004. Maybe there will be a single in January!

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's London agent, Paul Carter

MAMMA MIA! PREMIERES

The Dutch premiere of Mamma Mia! is only a couple of weeks away, in Utrecht
on 9 November.

The Seoul production is still due to open either on 24 or 25 January 2004.
No word on the Spanish production that had a rumoured start date of 10
December in Madrid this year.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

DAN / FRIDA SINGLE

The web site ABBA Remember have this to say about the Dan / Frida single:

The Benefit single 'Lieber Gott' should be ready for dispatch starting from week 46 (beginning on 10 November). After Frida made another small correction to the single covers, now all work is settled.

The single contains the following songs:
"Lieber Gott"
"I Have A Dream"
"Wenn ich dann gehen muss" (this title exchanged)

The price amounts to 20. - Euro. In addition is 5 euros for postage and packing (world-wide).

Put 25. - Euro per single (only notes, no coins!) into an envelope and send to the following address:

ABBA Remember
Fredy Wyler-Schaub
Hofmattweg 17
CH-4450 Sissach
(Switzerland)

Note please your return address completely and clearly. After receipt the dispatch takes place.

I would like to point out here that ABBA Remember has the absolute exclusive
distributing right, since only I am responsible for the selling of ALL singles. If another fan club or the disk trade liked to also offer this single, it must refer to me.

Fredy Wyler
24.10.2003

Thanks for this translation to Paul Carter, London, UK

GOLD 2CD BOX / AGNETHA-CHRISTIAN CD

The release date for the 2 CD Box of ABBA GOLD and MORE ABBA GOLD is set for release on 27 October. That is on this Monday. Here is a picture of the release: http://www.ginza.se/Archive/Images/item_img/12206.jpg

And... the Agnetha/Christian CD 'Guldkorn' was released yesterday. So Agnetha is still around and positive about the music business as she must have approved it.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

BJÖRN ON ABC TV'S "LOVE IS IN THE AIR"

ABC-TV in Australia are currently showing a history of pop music in this country.

This Sunday will be the third episode and it has been promoted with a clip of Björn introducing Countdown that was filmed in Stockholm in 1976.

Make sure you watch ABC-TV's "Love Is In The Air" on Sunday 26 October 2003.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Harold Hanlon, Sydney, Australia

NEW DUTCH MAGAZINE FEATURES MAMMA MIA!

There is a new magazine out in Holland called Musical Magazine. It will come ut only twice a year, and the introduction price is Euro 2,95. You can also join the Musical Club for free, you will then get the magazine for free, 4 newsletters a year, the right to be the first to buy tickets for new productions.
You can also join at www.musicals.nl and you can win 5 x 2 tickets for Mamma Mia!

The first magazine is loaded with articles on Mamma Mia. On the cover a picture of Simone Kleinsma, who plays the part of Donna. A 3 page article on Simone's part in Mamma Mia, with some nice photos taken in Greece. A 2 page article on Celine Purcell and Oren Schrijver who play Sophie and Sky. A 3 page article on the women behind Mamma Mia, Judy Craymer, Phyllida Lloyd and Catherine Johnson. And a 3 page interview with Bjorn.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Monique Hoevens, Tilburg, The Netherlands

MAMMA MIA! FREE CD

Dutch ABBAMAILERS should know that you'll get a free 3 track "Mamma Mia-The Musical" CD if you buy the candy-box 'Celebrations', the candy-box with small Twix, Bounty, Mars etc.

I saw this on a TV commercial recently

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Lex Corbach, The Netherlands

BJÖRN & BENNY'S "BOOM, BOOM"

Benny & Björn have a writing credit on the Vengaboys' track "Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom"?

I was looking at the ASCAP.com website and entered "Boom, Boom..." into the query field, and the credits come up with Andersson / Diepen / Driessen / Ulvaeus.

So then, I pulled out the CD and played it and the first few lines of the verse are sung to the tune of the first of lines of the verse of Lay All Your Love On Me!

On the CD that I have, the track on does not credit Björn & Benny.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ian Smith, Perth, Australia

FRIDA STORY IN "SPAIN" MAGAZINE

Here's the article from "Spain" magazine, which mentions about Frida living in Mallorca - well, she did until she sold that house three years ago!

-------

Anyone who studies the official history of the much-maligned song contest will assume that Spain's greatest Eurovision claim to fame is the 1967 victory of "La La La" - a song distinguished by using the word 'la' no less than 138t imes. To improve their Eurovision track record, perhaps Spain should consider adopting ABBA member Frida - Anna-Frid Lyngstad in full, or 'the red head' to the uninitated. For it is she who spends much of her time at her house in Andratx just west of Palma on Mallorca.

In 1979, after the group had finished filming a TV special in Spain, Frida stayed on to shoot her feature film debut in Seville. It's true that 'Ga På Vattnet Om Du Kan' (Walk on Water if You Can) was filmed in Swedish by a Swedish director but location is everything.

After the group disbanded, Frida would often spend time at her Andratx property. And when she made her comeback after a long sabbatical from the music industry in 1996, she chose to promote her album, Djupa Andetag, from her Balearic home.

The album cover features photos of the non-blonde one (although confusingly
in recent years she has reached for the peroxide bottle) relaxing on the island and shows her expansive pad, perched on a cliff top above the sea.

Frida had planned to construct further houses on land that she still owns on
Mallorca, near the Santa Ponca gold (golf? - my note) club, but the tragic death of her husband, Prince Ruzzo, in 2000 seems to have put everything on
hold.

Whatever the future might hold, the fact remains that she was a trendsetter for the rich and famous who have invested in houses on the most glamorous of the Spanish islands.

Although Frida is now 57 years old, she seems to embody the stylish late middle age which so many of us aspire to and which the Spanish have got such a gift for. After a lifetime in the limelight and now a chilled existence in the Balearics, life was not always so good for Frida.

Her Norwegian mother, Synni Lyngstad, was left pregnant by a German officer
who returned to his home country after the Second World War. Frida was born in 1945 in the small town of Narvik, but her mother died when she was only two years old. Frida's grandmother took her to live in Sweden, where she
encouraged her granddaughter's singing talent. Her first performance - at the age of 13 - was at a charity concert for the Red Cross.

Her rise to fame was not without its difficulties. Frida became pregnant with her first child, Hans, at 15, married the father Ragnar Fredricksson and had another child, Liselotte, before the couple divorced. Despite having children so young, Frida was never prepared to giver up her singing career.

After moving to Stockholm she met and became involved with Benny Andersson.They later teamed up with another couple, Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, and the rest, as they say, is pop history.

While some may question ABBA's right to a place in Spain's music hall of fame, it is unarguablly true that on any given weekend in any Spanish resort you will see people, both old enough and young enough to know better, throwing their hands in the air and shouting "mamma mia'. In one sense at least, ABBA are as Spanish as sunburn.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's London Agent Paul Carter

MAMMA MIA! MAKES WAY FOR MARY POPPINS

Following up on their story from a few months ago, the Sunday Times has reported that Mamma Mia! is set to leave the Prince Edward Theatre in London next year, to make way for Mary Poppins (a Cameron Mackintosh/Disney collaboration) which opens at 'the Eddie' on the 15th December, 2004.

Mamma Mia! will move to the (refurbished) Prince of Wales theatre.

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

BAO ALBUM FOR 2004 RELEASE

I wrote to Mono Muusic about the possible release of a new Benny Andersson Orkester album this year. This was the reply:


"Thanx for your mail. No CD this year. Probably late spring next year.

Regards, Mono Music AB"

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Gé Teunissen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

CHART NEWS

Here are the chart stats for the week beginning 17 October 2003.

Australia:
The Definitive Collection CD is up 1 to #47
The Definitive Collection DVD is up 12 to #26
ABBA GOLD DVD is up 5 to #20

Switzerland, ABBA GOLD is back off the chart.
Canada: 20th Century Masters is back on the chart after a 7 week break. 114-106-98. It has now spent 121 weeks on the top 200 and 101 weeks on the Top 100.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

LIZ PHAIR'S FAVOURITE SONG

Maxim Presents Blender Magazine Oct 2003 "The 1001 Greatest Songs" has
several artists naming their top 20 favourite songs.

Liz Phair:
#1 - ABBA "Take a Chance on Me" (1978) A creamy mid-career confection from the Swedish avatars of Europop, from "The Album."

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Rod Reynolds, Los Angeles USA

NO SUBTITLES FOR CHESS PÅ SVENSKA

I wrote to Mono Music to ask about the up-coming release of Chess På Svenska on DVD and the possibility of including English sub-titles. Not good news I'm afraid. Here's the response I received;

"Thanx for your mail.

It will be no subtitles.

Kind regards,

Jocke/ Mono Music AB"


Anyone else think that Mono are doing themselves a disservice by not including English sub-titles?

Thanks to ABBAMAILer David McKenzie, Lobethal, South Australia

IS IT FRIDA'S OLD MALLORCA HOUSE FOR SALE?

Just back from a business tripette where I travelled using Easyjet. The inside back page of the in-flight mag carried an advert for properties for sale through www.firstmallorca.com.

Big pic in the middle of the page of a v familiar looking swimming pool, patio and beautiful view over distant bay. Text below says

'Andratx. Superbly private villa above the harbour in a lovely protected
environment. 3 bed, 3 bath, pool and garaging. 1,450,000 Euro.'

Checked out the website and found a more detailed listing at:
http://www.firstmallorca.com/main.asp?nav=&sview=1&cc=en&PropID=773

There are a stack of pics of the interior and exterior at:
http://www.firstmallorca.com/main.asp?details=1&sid=6011&pid=773&cc=en

You may remember this property from Frida's "Mitt i livet" TV special released to promote her "Djupa Andetag" album in 1996.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Kaarin Goodburn, Kettering, UK

An contrasting opinion from on this matter from another fan:

I reviewed my tape from 1996 (Mitt i Livet) on Fridas house in Spain and I do not believe this information on your website is correct. It looks like another unit in the same complex as Frida's. In the TV special, the kitchen cabinets are cherry not white, different tile, different pool fence (black) and the main room has vaulted ceilings with wood. This is obviously a different unit for sale on your website.

BJÖRN INTERVIEW IN DUTCH NEWSPAPER

The Dutch newspaper "telegraaf'' had a story on Mamma Mia! and a short interview with Björn.

He sais that ABBA will never reunite, despite the daily requests they get for doing their thing once more.

He also tells us that, in the old days, they did not realise how big they were. It was only with the London premiere of Mamma Mia!that they realised what the world actually thought about them.

Jerom Schol, Schagen, The Netherlands

CHART NEWS FROM JEFFREY

USA, Billboard, October 25, 2003

Top Pop Catalogue Albums
TW, LW, 2WA, WOC, ARTIST; TITLE, PEAK
24, 24, 23, 327, ABBA, GOLD - Greatest Hits, 7
28, 28, 26, 63, Cast Recording, Mamma Mia!, 12

Top Music Video
TW, LW, WOC, TITLE, PRINCIPAL PERFORMER(S), YOR
37, -, 4, GOLD- Greatest Hits, ABBA, 2003 (DVD)

SWEDEN, Hitlistan, Week 42, 17 October 2003
För Nr Ant plac veck Artist Titel

DVD ALBUM Vecka 42, 17 October 2003
8 5 6 ABBA ABBA GOLD - GREATEST HITS
16 ÅT 54 ABBA DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

AGNETHA ALBUM DEFINITE!!!

ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart in Stockholm tells us that rumours of Agnetha releasing a new album are true. Jeffrey works in the music industry and has many connections with people at Swedish record companies. This is what he says about Agnetha and a new album:

"It's more than wishes and mumblings. Maybe it's another six months away (approximately), but it's about to become reality!

In fact, it obviously has always been true, just that the recording has been going at a leisurely pace. It simply has taken this long to do what she wanted to do with the record, due to one reason or another. There never was a real deadline or need to rush it on anybody's part. Now it's nearly there.

How do I know? Well I am unable to divulge that right now."

NO MORE AGNETHA FROM ROYAL RECORDS

This message has been posted on the Royal Records website.

Royal Records International WILL NOT release any more Agnetha Fältskog albums in Swedish.

This is a decision made after good consideration and is so far final.

The main reason is that, after the, according to my opinion, good releases of the Agnetha Fältskog Vol 1 and 2 CDs, some people still expressed their dissatisfaction with the products and the, in their eyes, unprofessional releases.

Let me tell you something: It was very hard work invested in these releases, and I am not a professional. It has been a hobby, not a profession. And still, I am proud of the releases I did on my label. They were no American-style releases with huge financial efforts but simple and yet effective ones with the aim that nobody would have to buy expensive bootlegs only because big record companies are not willing to release the original albums by themselves, thinking the releases would not be profitable enough. And according to the latter they may even be right. I invested more than I got back. So there was no financial reason for the releases.

It was by all means a try to make the releases as "beautiful" as possible with the possibilities a one-person enterprise has. I had very good help and assistance, too. But I did co-ordinate everything as well as I could. But some incidents like the disappearing of some tapes used for the Volume 2 album, occurred within the Sony Music premises in Sweden made things even worse.

Therefore I will restrain myself from doing any other Agnetha Fältskog release. I do not want to disappoint people any longer letting them wait endlessly. I will co-operate, maybe, when I am asked to by lending my ROYAL RECORDS label. But nothing more.

I will concentrate on Celtic (Irish) music and to recommend other music not shown on MTV like Alternature / Evelin Samuel from Estonia.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ralph Steiner, Germany

DIGGILOO DOES IT YET AGAIN

Even more amazing rare footage was shown on the most recent episode of "Diggiloo" on Swedish television...

- Björn singing with Sten Nilsson (late 1960s-early 1970s). A bit later than the TV-special Sten did with Agnetha, but still very near in time.
- ABBA at Eurovision Song Contest. A small clip where the group members can be seen kissing!
- Frida - Söderhavets Sång. The famous clip showed for the fourth time since it was filmed (I suspect: at Gäster Hos Hagge; Melodifestivalen medley and now Diggiloo). - Actually they played the song 'Härlig är vår jord' as the whole thing this clip was in was Melodifestivalen-related stuff -- and it seems like the master tapes have been lost for this thing too!! So perhaps there only exist a sound tape at Sveriges Radio's archive.

Pictures can be seen at http://www.raffem.com this time

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

KRISTINA TRANSLATOR ON DESERT ISLAND DISCS

Herbert Kretzmer was the guest last week in BBC Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs' (broadcast last Sunday, repeated on Friday). He briefly mentioned Kristina towards the end of the program.

The presenter, Sue Lawley, asked him what his latest project was, and he said that he'd been asked by Benny and Björn to translate "The Emigrants" (as he called it) into English.

Some blurb from the program (see website link for this story):

Sunday 12 October, repeated Friday 17 October
This week Sue Lawley's castaway is the journalist and songwriter Herbert Kretzmer. Born in South Africa in 1925, he came to Europe after World War II. For a while he lived in Paris, playing piano in a bar. He rubbed shoulders with Jean Paul Sartre and became friends with one of France's greatest singer-songwriters Charles Aznavour. The two formed a musical partnership and Kretzmer re-worked many of his songs into English - including the hits "Yesterday, When I Was Young" and "She" - which more recently was recorded by Elvis Costello for the film Notting Hill.

His day job was as a journalist and Kretzmer wrote celebrity profiles for the Daily Express - he says his most memorable interviewees were "writers and fighters" - including George Foreman, Muhammad Ali, Truman Capote and Arthur Miller.

But it wasn't until he was nearly sixty that he had his greatest success. The director Cameron Mackintosh was working on Les Miserables but did not have a "book" - that is, a set of songs that he could produce. He remembered a chance meeting he'd had with Kretzmer, recalled the songs he'd written and
his connection with France - and invited him to write the lyrics. The show has been running in London for the past nineteen years and has played all over the world.

Now aged 78, he continues to work. He is currently collaborating with the former ABBA musicians, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus on another musical.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's London Agent, Paul Carter, London, UK

FAB NEW SHOTS FROM CHESS IN NEW YORK

There are some really good pictures from the Actors' Fund Chess In
Concert performance to be found at Theatermania (click website link above)
including one of Benny, Björn and Tim with Josh Groban.

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

NEW PICS OF FRIDA

There are two new pictures of Frida at the Mentor awards on Intermezzo's
news page at:

http://home.t-online.de/home/r.grafunder/ehome.htm

Intermezzo also has the link to this (as they say, rather unlikely!) story about a UK ABBA 'tribute' band:

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/0300entertainment/0500music/page.cfm?objectid=13492788&method=full&siteid=50081

Abba's seal of approval

By Gordon Barr, The Evening Chronicle (Newcastle)

ABBA tribute show Mamma Mia! The Concert bagged the ultimate accolade when it went on safari to Africa.

The touring show - which includes an authentic live tribute to the Swedish supergroup and is at Newcastle City Hall on Monday - received the personal approval of original ABBA member Agnetha Faltskog when it played in Kenya.

"We performed at the five-star Hemmingway Resort in Mombasa whose guests include the likes of Bill Gates and Richard Branson," says Paul Roberts, who plays Agnetha's ex-husband Bjorn in Mamma Mia!

"In the audience was the real Agnetha. To say we were nervous about putting on a good show is an understatement."

Paul needn't have worried. Mamma Mia! has successfully toured the world in the last six years and is a slickly-choreographed, all-live production.

"Agnetha's famed for not being particularly outgoing, preferring to live deep in the Swedish countryside and keeping herself to herself," says Paul.

"So we weren't disappointed that we didn't get to meet her after the show. She was on holiday after all.

"But the hotel's owner Dickie Dick said to us Agnetha told him she loved the show and thought our performance was spot on."

Four professionally produced acts are packed into the Mamma Mia! concert show, including a 60s special, which features a tribute to Lulu, and a fast-moving Grease spectacular.

Topping the bill are the acclaimed Bee Gees Magic and ABBA Magic stage shows.

Paul Roberts plays guitar and Owen Parker, who plays Benny, is on keyboards while Anna MacDonald and Bonitta Delaney - who play blonde Agnetha and brunette Frida respectively - sing live. There's also a backline of five other musicians.

They play many of ABBA's hits, including Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Winner Takes It All, Mamma Mia, Money, Money, Money, Take A Chance On Me, Waterloo, I Do, I Do, I Do I Do, I Do, I Have A Dream and Voulez Vous.

-----------
Thanks to our London Correspondent Paul Carter

LUDVIG'S TV APPEARANCE A SUCCESS

Benny's son, Ludvig, did a great interview on Swedish TV this week.

We got some taste of the music for his new album, and it's much better than the first single! He was interviewed in the studio (Mono Music), seen taking a walk outside the Mono Music house, in his apartment.

There were also some other shots which I suspect were not taken at Mono Music, but in some kind of studio (I suspect they were these shots were taken with a non-professional camera and in a more non-professional manner).

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden