NEW BENNY ANDERSSON ORKESTER TRACK

Benny has written and recorded a new piece of music with Benny Anderssons Orkester, and with vocals by Helen Sjöholm. The lyrics are written by recently-announced Mamma Mia! collaborator Peter Dalle.

The piece is the title track of a new film that has just been released in Sweden (the official release date was 25 December) that is called "Skenbart". It is directed by Peter Dalle (who also plays one of the characters), hence Benny's involvement, while the lead role is played by Gösta Ekman, who has cropped up in most of the film projects for which Benny has written music.

The rest of the music for the film has been written by Adam Nordén.

The film itself is set in 1945, is filmed in black and white, and much of the action takes place on a train. It is the thriller-comedy category. The time in which the film is set may suggest something along the lines of a 1940s sounding "Vår sista dans" type composition.

These are all the details I've had so far, hopefully some more soon. Has anyone seen this film/knows more, etc...?

Thanks to ABBAMAIler Paul Carter London, UK

DUTCH RADIO TOP 2000

Every year listeners of national Dutch radio station Radio 2 vote for the "Top 2000 Best Songs Ever". The complete list of 2000 records will be broadcast from 26 December to 31 December.

Below you find the top 10 plus the ABBA related records:

1 - Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 2 - Eagles - Hotel California 3 - Deep Purple - Child in time 4 - Led Zeppelin - Stairway to heaven 5 - Meat Loaf - Paradise by the dashboard light 6 - Guns 'n Roses - November rain 7 - Animals - The house of the rising sun 8 - Boudewijn de Groot - Avond 9 - Alan Parsons Project - Old and wise 10 - Rolling Stones - Angie

46 - ABBA - Dancing queen 55 - ABBA - The day before you came 77 - ABBA - The winner takes it all 89 - ABBA - Eagle 248 - ABBA - Thank you for the music 416 - ABBA - I have a dream 426 - ABBA - Happy New Year 463 - ABBA - Chiquitita 508 - ABBA - Fernando 536 - ABBA - One of us 605 - ABBA - Waterloo 673 - ABBA - Mamma mia 706 - ABBA - Knowing me knowing you 728 - ABBA - S.O.S. 832 - ABBA - Super trouper 1020 - ABBA - Does your mother know 1085 - ABBA - Gimme gimme gimme 1250 - Agnetha Faltskog - Wrap your arms around me 1257 - ABBA - Take a chance on me 1306 - ABBA - Summernight city 1463 - ABBA - Money money money 1481 - ABBA - The name of the game 1521 - Murray Head - One night in Bangkok 1858 - Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson - I know him so well

Only The Beatles (54), Rolling Stones (35) and Bee Gees (22) have more entries in the list than ABBA.

For those interested, the complete list including positions in 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 can be downloaded as Microsoft Excel file from http://top2000.omroep.nl/cgi/2002/top2000/downloads/top2000_2003.xls

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robert Verbeek, Duiven, The Netherlands

FERNGULLY FOR SWEDISH TV

Ferngully - the movie that Frida did Swedish vocals for will be shown on TV4 on the 1st of January at 10.15.

So set your VCRs and enjoy this classic children's film.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

WACKY CHESS RUMOURS

(The first time I have seen ABBA described as a 1960s band!)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/382302.cms

Kylie, Nicole to play Chess?

SYDNEY: Aussie pop singer Kylie Minogue and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman are possible leads for a film version of the musical Chess.

Chess was written by 60's band Abba's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus with Tim Rice and an internet rumour has it that Kylie and Nicole are possible candidates, reports the Herald Sun .

The last movies Minogue did were the flops, Cut and Sample People but, her calendars still sell well in Britain.

and the source of this story:

http://heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8252206%255E2902,00.html

Kylie and Nicole: Chess pieces? The Eye 25 Dec 2003

An Internet rumour has Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman as possible leads for a film version of the musical Chess.

Chess was written by Abba's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus plus Tim Rice. The last movies Minogue did were the flops Cut and Sample People.

But her calendars still sell well in Britain.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

AUSTRALIAN CHARTS

Not much to report on the charts. Australia: The Definitive Collection CD is now out of the Top 50. ABBA GOLD DVD is back on the chart after five weeks off, at #39.

Australian End Of Year Charts 2002 & 2003:
For 2002, The Definitive Collection DVD was #13. For 2003, The Definitive Collection DVD was #18. For 2003, The Definitive Collection CD was #55. Even though The Definitive Collection CD charted well in 2002 #10 and for 14 weeks (gold) it didn't sell enough to get on the end of year Top 100.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

MAMMA MIA! IS #1 IN VEGAS

Some good news direct from the Las Vegas production of MAMMA MIA!. The show just been rated the #1 show in Vegas by the city's top entertainment columnist (in this town, that's a HUGE deal!). Here's the story, excerpted for brevity:

LAS VEGAS SHOWS: Charm of local cast propels 'Mamma Mia!' to best new Strip production of the year

By MIKE WEATHERFORD REVIEW-JOURNAL

Cursed be the Internet and the honesty it enforces.

Fingertip access to reviewjournal.com and all my show reviews of 2003 keep me from doing a serious "1984" number on my less-than-ecstatic impressions of the year's big, newsmaking entries into Las Vegas entertainment.

In fact, none of the three most heralded debuts of 2003 drew an "A" when originally reviewed: Cirque du Soleil's erotic "Zumanity" and Celine Dion's "A New Day ..." showed how too much money can result in too much confusion, compared with the local debut of the global phenomenon "Mamma Mia!" long after the kinks had been worked out.

Still, it just doesn't seem right to ignore major investments that drew international attention and instead give the top honors to one of the perennials.

So the revisionist fix is in. I have since revisited both "A New Day ..." and "Mamma Mia!" I throw in the towel on "Mamma Mia!" for the No. 1 spot. I still think the book often sinks to the level of a bad TV sitcom, but the local cast sells the fluff with such charm you hardly care.

"Mamma Mia!" also appears to be the year's most influential debut. The Queen musical "We Will Rock You" seems a lock for Paris Las Vegas next year, and other potential theatrical musicals, including "Phantom of the Opera," will have "Mamma Mia!" to thank for the ability to expand their running time beyond 85 or 90 minutes.

Here's my take on the year in entertainment on the Strip.

1. "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay -- Besides the strong cast, after so many topless jiggle shows for Dad, isn't it time Las Vegas had a hit that lets baby boomer moms bond with their teen daughters?



The full story can be found here:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Dec-28-Sun-2003/living/22826751.html

...but here's the top ten list condensed:

1. "Mamma Mia!" 2. Cirque du Soleil's "O" 3. Second City (improv comedy show) 4. "Blue Man Group" (the last big show I was on) 5. Celine Dion "A New Day" 6. Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" 7. Tom Jones (appears at MGM about 4 times per year) 8. David Copperfield (same as Tom) 9. Clint Holmes (permanent show at Harrah's) 10. Siegfried & Roy

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Merrick Wolfe, Las Vegas, USA

CHESS / JOSEFIN STORY

- Both Aftonbladet and Expressen's TV-booklets have pictures from Chess - and Aftonbladet has a highly made-up
picture of Josefin Nilsson on the cover.

The Russian chess player Anatolij Sergievsky leaves the USSR during the Cold War's most stormy times to play chess with the American Fredrick Trumper.

The tensions grow when Anatolij flies to west and a love story complicates his life.

The musical "Chess" premièred 1986 but came to tour the world around before Björn and Benny took it home to Sweden and Cirkus in Stockholm. With a completely new translation and a couple of new songs the musical premièred again February 2002. "Chess" became a huge success and got five + by Aftonbladet. SVT recorded the play and it's now finally shown for everyone who missed it. Before the shows start there will also be a small documentary how the musical came to life.

In the main roles we see among other Tommy Körberg, Helen Sjöholm och Josefin Nilsson from Ainbusk, who in the play made her musical debute by playing Svetlana.

Josefin who has done everything from films to records had receieved offers about musical roles earlier but always refused, but this time she finally said yes.

- I have to try before I say yes and the music is wonderful.

When she in addition got to hear one of the new songs there was no doubt.

- Benny made a new song for me, the bausjkasong. Then I said yes in one hour, she says.

Josefin felt no pressure on herself despite of the fact that it was the well-known musical "Chess", with the even more well-known composers Björn and Benny who had made the musical.

- I met Benny when I was 18 years old, so it rather felt safe that he was there.

She tells with warmth about all involved in the play and how fun they had behind the stage.

- Tommy would never stop saying a joke just before we would go in and fight on stage, and me who has trouble staying serious, says Josefin.

This spring Josefin will have some time off, then she will start working on a solo album that she hopes will be released this autumn, but it's not impossible she will return tothe musical scene in the future.

- "Chess" has given me a taste of that too, she says, but I have to find new ways of developing myself all the time.

Written by Corinna Björk

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

WANNA BUY AGNETHA'S CAR?

Aftonbladet writes about Agnetha's first car being for sale on the internet in Germany. Here's my translation of the article.

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

http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,408679,00.html

For sale: ABBA-Agnetha's very first car

Agnetha Fältskog's first car is for sale. Her Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 from 1969 is being sold on internet in Germany.

-There usually are some for sale, says Connie Bertling, car enthusiast who owns the same kind of car among other things.

But the value of the car is increased if it once was driven by Agnetha Fältskog. The German seller claims that this was the singers first car. The convertible is white with red vinyl interior and walnut colored dashboard.

Feminine and luscious

The car is being advertised on the car website autoscout24 and on eBay. It's described as beautifully shaped, feminine and luscious, and possible buyers are also given the history of the car.

The car was manufactured in December 1968 in Coventry, England, and exported to Leyland-Triumph AB, Göteborg. Agnetha Fältskog saw it and bought it on 12 June 1969, writes the seller, who also has uploaded an old document of title with the singer's name on it.

Drove the car for a year

She drove the car for about one year before it received a new owner. The car was in Solna, Malm・ Trelleborg, Andersl and Skurup before it ended up in Hamburg in Germany. It was fixed up there. But a few details remain for the enthusiast to fix, for example the doors don't really close - a known phenomenon for the car, the seller writes.

By Lena Olsson

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

I found the website where it's being sold:

http://eng.autoscout24.com/home/index/detail.asp?ts=5772913&id=23689324&sc=&make=2120&model=&pricefrom=0&euroto=0&zip=

If the link doesn't work, go to:

http://eng.autoscout24.com/index.asp?language=ger

Then search for Triumph Spitfire, and then in the listing, click on "TRIUMPH Spitfire MK III von Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA)". If you then click on "More pictures" below the image of the car, a window pops up showing pictures of the car from different angles, and there's also a picture of Agnetha and Björn. In the picture Agnetha leans against a car that looks like it could be the actual car.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

FRIDA AT THE OPERA

December 23 was Queen Silvia's 60th birthday and yesterday evening Stockholm Opera put on a special performance of "The Nutcracker" in commemoration.

Frida was among the guests and was accompanied by an unknown companion.

There has been at least one picture published in Expressen, though not included in their online version. Frida is wearing a fur coat (hope it's a fake!) and is looking very good indeed.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London UK

MAMMA MIA! UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I walked past The Prince of Wales theatre in Leicester Square last night, where Mamma Mia! will be opening in May 2004. There's a large banner hung outside advertising the opening next year and with the Mamma Mia! bride wearing a builder's hat, as the theatre's being refurbished. The banner above eads "Digging the Dancing Queen"...

Happy Christmas to all!

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter London, UK

CHESS ON SWEDISH TELEVISION

Chess will be broadcast on SVT1 on 1 January, 2004 between 8pm and 10pm, as well as a program called 'Historien om Chess' between 1950 and 2000. See

See web link above.

It's also broadcast again on Saturday 17 January, 2004 between 2.3pm and 5pm on
SVT1.

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

BJÖRN ON IRISH TELEVISION

Björn was in Dublin this weekend just gone, and appeared on the Irish TV chat show 'The Late Late Show' on 12 December, hosted by Pat Kenny. Björn said that he was a regular visitor to Dublin and that he owns an apartment there (presumably as Emma Ulvaeus is at university there).

He was asked about of ABBA's concert in Dublin on 15 November 1979, although he said he didn't remember ever being in Dublin.

Björn was asked about Agnetha and Frida, and said that Agnetha had her new album due for release in 2004. He said that Frida divided her time between Swizerland and Majorca. Talking about ABBA's formation, he said that he and Benny could not help but fall in love with the two beautiful girls.

Asked about ABBA reforming, and about the ABBA clothes, he said that the only time he would wear outfits like that again would be in front of his wife on a Saturday night...

He was also there to promote Mamma Mia!'s opening in Dublin, and also said that a production was planned for Russia in 2004. Kristina was planned for Broadway, although no date was set for that.

There was a short clip of the video for 'Waterloo' shown, as well as part of the London cast singing 'Mamma Mia'.

Björn was also wearing glasses throughout the interview. You can also see last week's show at: www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/video.smil (though didn't get this to work myself).

There's also some info about Björn's appearance at:
www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/index2.html

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Super-Fan Paul Carter,London, UK

ABBA 2004 RELEASES

ABBA UPDATE FROM UNIVERSAL MUSIC, SWEDEN

IN CONCERT DVD

You all know we're waiting for the In Concert DVD. We still hope to release this in March but have not received the sound mix yet. I'd like to give you an idea of the content although it's not confirmed and will not be until we have the sound ready. But briefly - it will contain the full concert film, of course, mixed in Stereo Surround sound. The bonus section will contain at least 3 songs from this concert but not included in he film previously released; The Way Old Friends Do, I Have A Dream and Thank You or The Music. TYFTM is a brand new edit, never seen before.

We will also include new filmed interviews with people behind the scenes; Urban Lasson - Director and Thomas Johansson - Tour Promotor. In addition to this there will be trailers and a still gallery. Also there will be a luxury booklet with new liner notes by Carl Magnus Palm.

WATERLOO - 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

We are planning to release a very exclusive special edition of the Waterloo album on 6th April 2004. It will be enhanced with various bonus tracks and a new booklet. More info to follow on this one!

We will post information of those releases on abbasite.com as soon as it's official.

In addition to this, Mamma Mia! is also celebrating the 5th Anniversary in April and a press release has just been sent out informing of the musical reaching Sweden in 2005.

There will be lots of more activities in 2004 - for sure.

Thanks to ABBAMAIler Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

SWEDISH PRESS SAY MAMMA MIA! "COMING HOME"

Small notice in Dagens Nyheter:

Mamma Mia is! coming home

After being seen by 10 million people around the world, the ABBA-based musical Mamma Mia! is coming home to Sweden. Björn and Benny's performance moves in at Cirkus in Stockholm in 2005. The musical has been playing for five years at the original stage in London and at the moment it is being showed at ten other places around the world. This spring the auditions start. Peter Dalle and Niclas Strömstedt is working with the translations. Everything is going to be spoken and sung in Swedish.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Linda Granqvist, Stockholm, SWEDEN

MAMMA MIA! WORLDWIDE UPDATES

SWEDISH PREMIERE ANNOUNCED!

It has been confirmed that Benny Andersson's and Bjorn Ulvaeus' musical MAMMA MIA! is to open in Sweden - in Swedish! The musical will premiere at the Cirkus Theatre in Stockholm on February 12, 2005. Catherine Johnson's book will be translated by Peter Dalle and the lyrics by Niklas Stromstedt. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at the end of August 2004.

SECOND GERMAN LANGUAGE PRODUCTION ANNOUNCED!

Following the phenomenal success of the first German language production, now in its second sell-out year at the Operettenhaus in Hamburg, a second German production will open in July 2004 at the Palladium Theatre in Stuttgart. This will be the first time that a major musical production will have played simultaneously in two German cities.

INTERNATIONAL TOUR ANNOUNCED!

A new English language International Tour will debut at The Point in Dublin on 9 September 2004, marking the show's Irish premiere. Tickets are now on sale. The tour will then move to Edinburgh, where the Scottish premiere engagement will play from 12 November 2004-29 January 2005 at the Playhouse.

The tour then moves into Continental Europe. Edinburgh will be the tour's only UK date. The London production continues an open-ended run.

LONDON TICKETS AND TRANSFER

The London production has now extended booking until Saturday 5 March 2005. The production moves to the restored and refurbished Prince of Wales Theatre from 27 May 2004. The final performance at the Prince Edward Theatre will be Saturday 22 May 2004. Choose Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7.30pm for best ticket availability.

A LONDON MILESTONE!

It has been confirmed that the original London production of MAMMA MIA! has now grossed over £100 million at the Box Office. By the time the production celebrates its fifth birthday (on April 6, 2004), it will have played over 2000 performances and been seen by over 3 million people.

THE WORLD'S # 1 SHOW!

With more productions playing simultaneously around the world than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is now the world's number one show. There are currently 10 global productions: five in North America (Broadway, Las Vegas, Toronto, and two US tours), an Australasian tour , three foreign language productions (Japan, Germany and Holland) and the original London production, which opened in April 1999.

MAMMA MIA! AT LONDON'S GATWICK AIRPORT

For the next two years, MAMMA MIA! is exclusively branding the London Gatwick South Terminal arrivals hall. The London cast officially launched the sponsorship on 19 November. A MAMMA MIA! branded airplane is suspended overhead and trails a welcome message to visitors from around the world. Signage and billboards promote the musical's Greek Island setting. During the holiday season, a giant Christmas tree is displaying MAMMA MIA! ornaments.

MAMMA MIA! LIGHTS UP LONDON'S OXFORD STREET

Visitors to London's most famous street are being welcomed this year by a Christmas message from the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!. The city has provided the backdrop and foundation for the shows extraordinary growth and popularity. Now, by way of thanks to London and the millions of people who have supported and enjoyed the show, MAMMA MIA! has staged its own personal thank you to everyone as sponsor of this year's Oxford Street illuminations. The cast of MAMMA MIA! performed live on 21 November before Enrique Iglesias officially switched the lights on.

DUTCH PREMIERE

MAMMA MIA! premiered in The Netherlands on Sunday 9 November, The Dutch language production opened to rave reviews at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht and all Box Office records have been smashed. DeStem acclaimed the show as: "PURE ENJOYMENT FROM START TO FINISH!"

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

NEW NOT ABBA RELATED BOOK?

I was just looking up Amazon UK and came across this new yet-to-be released
book title: Not Abba: The Real Story of the 1970s by Dave Haslem.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007146396/ref=pd_sim_b_dp_5/202-2971416-5599819

Looking up the author's other works, he seems to specialise in small-picture niche topics. Guessing from the title, he doesn't like ABBA and is trying to lessen their importance in the 70s. Guess we'll have to wait until September next year for confirmation.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Ian Cole, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

SWEDISH MAMMA MIA!

From Metro:

Strömstedt translates Abba

"Mamma mia!" will be staged in Swedish in 2005. Peter Dalle and Niklas Strömstedt will translate the Abba musical.

Benny Andersson's and Björn Ulvaeus' succesful musical will now be performed in Swedish. It's already being played in ten different places throughout the world and on 12 February 2005 it'll be Swedish premiere at Cirkus.

"Mamma Mia!" is based on Abba's songs loosely put together as a story. Dalle will translate the story and Strömstedt will translate Abba's English song lyrics to Swedish.

Strömstedt began working on the project in April, but Peter Dalle hasn't begun to translate the English story until now.

The original story takes place on a Greek island. The storyline in the Swedish version will presumably take place in Sweden.

- We probably want to make all the characters Swedes, says Dalle.

In March there will be auditions for musical artists in Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö.

The British director Paul Garrington will direct the Swedish production together with Marianne Mörck as assistant director.

Mikael Forsell/TT Spektra

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

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Jeffrey de Hart in Stockholm, Sweden and Claes Davidsson, Florida, USA

AUSTRALIAN CHARTS

Here are the stats for the week beginning 5 December 2003:
Australia:
The Definitive Collection -
DVD is back in the chart at #29
CD is back in the top 50 at #48.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

AFTER DARK/HEP STARS BOOK

There was an article in Stockholm Metro today - reported on www.raffem.com, which is that the Swedish drag queen group After Dark is going to participate in Melodifestivalen in Malmö on March 13, and are to wear Agnetha's and Frida's outfits from Brighton. I take that to mean reproduction costumes, rather than the originals.

And CMP has updated his website at:
www.carlmagnuspalm.com/current/hepstars.html to say that The Hep Stars book is currently scheduled for publication in April 2004.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

FRIDA / DAN SINGLE HAS LANDED!

Well, I now have Frida & Dan Daniell's single. It is great to have *new* material from Frida to listen to in 2003...

Everyone has seen the cover already (design by Heinz Julen), but it looks even more odd closer up. I can't quite work out if Frida's eyes are closed on the blurred picture of her or not. The plastic wrapping around the single comes with a sticker indicating that proceeds go to the charity 'Kinder in Not'.

The record has is on the lable of BM Records, and the credits read that "Ein Traum wurde wahr - Danke Frida und allen Fruenden von A-Z!" The production of the single is creidted to MAMA (Mattherhorn Art Music Agency). No indication who played the instruments on the recording, or which studio it was recorded in.

So track-by-track:

Lieber Gott (4'44) (G. Jacobs/ D. Livrano/ C. Stadler)

This is a prayer in German set to music. This must be the first time Frida has recorded in German since recording Waterloo in German back in 1974.

With minimal backing music throughout the track, it begins with Frida and Dan singing in unison, Frida in her higher, ethereal voice):

Frida & Dan:

Sag mir, lieber Gott
hoerst du mich?
dieses Gebet geht an dich
Oh, lass die Welt nicht untergeh'n
Lass uns fuereinander, fuereinander einsteh'n

Then the next bit is spoken by Dan, with Frida adding whispery backing
vocals as indicated:

Dan: Warum (Frida- Warum)
muessen wir uns bekriegen? (Frida - Warum)
Warum faellt es uns so schwer zu lieben? (Frida- lieben)
Warum sind wir voller Hass (Frida- Hass) und Neid
und haben nie fuer andere Zeit?

Then sung by Frida:

Frida: Warum muss das sein?

Dan then speaks the next bit, with Frida again adding backing:

Wieviele Menschen (Frida -Menschen)
muessen noch grundlos sterben? (Frida - sterben)
Wieviele Herzen
noch gebrochen werden?
Wieviel Leid
muss noch gescheh'n? (Frida - gescheh'n)
Sag mir worin liegt da der Sinn?
Versprich mir,

Then in unison, Dan and Frida say:

dass ich nicht alleine bin

The chorus sung by Frida and Dan:

Sag mir, lieber Gott
hoerst du mich?
dieses Gebet geht an dich
Oh, lass die Welt nicht untergeh'n
Lass uns fuereinander, fuereinander einsteh'n

Then another spoken part from Dan, backed by Frida:

Wer sind wir (Frida - Wer sind wir)
die ueber Gerechtigkeit richten
während wir die Welt vernichten? (Frida - vernichten)
Wer sind wir nur? (Frida - Wer sind wir nur?)
Wir toeten unsere Mutter, die Natur

Sung by Frida: Warum muss das sein?

Frida & Dan : Warum (several times)

Then Frida recites The Lord's Prayer in Swedish:

Fader vår som är i himmelen.
Helgat varde ditt namn.
Tillkomme ditt rike.
Ske din vilja, såsom i himmelen så ock på jorden.
Vårt dagliga bröd giv oss idag,
och förlåt oss våra skulder, såsom ock vi förlåta dem oss skyldiga äro,
och inled oss icke i frestelse utan fräls oss ifrån ondo.
Ty riket är ditt och makten och härligheten i evighet.
Amen

This is great! But it really reminds of listening to Frida's part in the children's film 'Ferngully', and especially the start of the film where she introduces the story. It is almost as if she is telling a story here as well.

And finally they both sing together twice, with a falsetto backing vocal at one point from Dan (?):

Sag mir, lieber Gott
hoerst du mich?
dieses Gebet geht an dich
Oh, lass die Welt nicht untergeh'n
Lass uns fuereinander, fuereinander einsteh'n

And this track ends with Frida and Dan saying 'Warum' again several times.

All in all, I like this a lot. The melody is quite sad, but really grows on you after a while.

I Have A Dream (4'33)

This has a piano introduction, then Frida and Dan sing in unison throughout. Frida sounds very beautifully Swedish ( I ha-eve a dream...) and tends to sing in the higher ranges of her voice. Again, there is a minimal backing track, mainly the familiar guitar part and some percussion. Their voices blend well together although Frida's voice is slightly more dominant.

Not much to say more than that, apart from that it's very pleasant to listen to and great to hear Frida sing an ABBA song again. I hope that Björn and Benny get to hear this...

Track 3 is 'Wenn Ich Dann Gehen Muss" which has quite a nice tune. Now, we had been told that this is Dan singing on his own, and he is certainly the lead voice. However there is definitely a backing vocal there, though which sounds female, but not much like Frida. Or is just Dan singing in a high voice? I'm really not too sure.

Overall, on these recordings Frida sounds really good. She is mostly singing in a higher range of her voice (though certainly not her 'operatic' voice as in La Barcarolle, so you do not get to hear much of her deeper tones).

I love it that she is able to do some projects like this, and I hope that she'll continue along this path and maybe do something again next year. ;-)

And also, wouldn't this kind of release specifically directed towards ABBA fans be a good way of letting us hear some of the wonderful material currently gathering dust in the Polar tape archive?

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

MORE ON THE MOVIE / MAMMA MIA! RELAUNCH

There are some stills from the TV broadcast with Frida at ABBA -The Movie at
www.raffem.com, and you can see Görel and Frida together.

There was also an article on the event in today's Stockholm Metro, with this translation also to be found at www.raffem.com

ABBA was given a new life, in the cinema. A restored copy of "ABBA - The Movie" had its premiere at Filmhuset in Stockholm yesterday night.

- It's a great idea that you take care of the films of Ingmar Bergman and ours, says Annifrid Lyngstad and laughs.

Two of ABBA came to Filmhuset to see "ABBA - The Movie", a show which turned out to be a meeting for them who worked during ABBA's world tour in Australia and were filmed by Lasse Hallström.


-It will be wonderful to meet many of them here, said Annifrid Lyngstad who
made one of her rare public appearances.


-I don't think so much about that time, says Benny Andersson, but it will be
real fun to see the movie.


Lasse Hallström who is nowadays a very well-known director in Hollywood
wasn't there. He is working with his latest film in USA.


"ABBA The Movie" was restored by Swedish Film Institute and it is one of the
projects started to rescue old films. A brand new soundtrack was made with
help of new technical solutions and a band found at the Polar Music Studios.

Among the invited guests there were musicians, journalists and critics. Many of them wrote very negative articles about the ABBA film in 1977. But it seemed to be forgotten now, 26 years later.

- I was the only one who wrote positively about "ABBA The Movie" then, says
one of the journalists working for "Expressen".

The film will be shown in Stockholm in December and in Gothenburg and Malmö in January 2004.

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Also it seems that Mamma Mia! is due to 're-premiere' in London on Friday 4 June next year, which is currently down as the opening night at its new home at The Prince of Wales theatre off Leicester Square, and this evening is likely to act as a relaunch for the musical in London. The last night at the Prince Edward Theatre is Saturday 22 May. Originally, there were due to be performances starting at The Prince of Wales on Thursday 27 May, so possibly there are going to be a week or so of 'previews' prior to the proper opening on 4 June, although no tickets have so far been released for this interim period.

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Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

GOLD DELUXE IN NEW ZEALAND

For interested Kiwis, I saw the ABBA GOLD Sound+Vision deluxe triple pack here in New Zealand a few days ago. It was retailing for a very reasonable price of NZ$59.95.

I'ver also seen - obviously imported - copies of the 2CD ABBA GOLD that has the bonus disc with 10 tracks from MORE ABBA GOLD locally. It was selling for just over the price of a regular CD. (NZ$36.95, regular full-price CDs are between $32.95 and $34.95).

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

MAMMA MIA! CAST MEETS BUSH

This in from the Mamma Mia! updates mailing list:

The smash hit musical Mamma Mia! and the President at the 80th lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC.

The US touring cast of the sell-out sensation Mamma Mia! will perform a medley of holiday hits this Thursday 4th December, 03 at 5pm on the Ellipse, near the White House, in Washington, DC. Following the performance, they will assist President and Mrs. Bush with turning on more than 75,000 lights to illuminate the trees. Festivities will continue with Shirley Jones of Lonestar, Twyla Robinson, the Voena, The US Coast Band and Merlin Olsen as Santa Claus. Mamma Mia! is currently performing at the National Theatre in Washington DC (1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW).

Thanks to Fab ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

ABBA THE MOVIE PRESS RELEASE

This is the press release from www.abbasite.com on the showing of ABBA -The Movie:

ABBA's classic 1977 feature film was celebrated as part of the Swedish Film Institute's restoration programme and the Institute's 40th Anniversary celebrations.

December 3, 2003

ABBA - The Movie, Lasse Hallström's 1977 feature film made during ABBA's tour of Australia, has recently been restored and received a special gala screening yesterday at the Swedish Film Institute in Stockholm. The screening, which was a part of the Film Institute's 40th Anniversary celebrations, was attended by former ABBA members Frida and Benny, who both thoroughly enjoyed the event. "I think it's fantastic that the Film Institute looks after these movies and renovate them so that they can be preserved the way they originally were," Frida told a television reporter.

The screening of the movie was preceded by an opening speech by Åse Kleveland, the Director General of the Film Institute. This was followed by a short lecture by Anita Falk, in charge of the Institute's restoration project, who told the audience about the work done on ABBA - The Movie.

Swedish TV personality Pekka Heino then introduced the film and invited guests on to the floor to ask them questions about ABBA in general and The Movie in particular. Among the interviewed guests were Frida, who shared some of her memories of the 1977 Australian adventure, Claes af Geijerstam, sound engineer on the tour, and Maritza Horn, one of three backing vocalists in ABBA's tour entourage.

Much to the delight of the audience, costume designer Owe Sandström had brought along some of his costumes from the 1977 tour, including one of the wigs used during the mini-musical The Girl With The Golden Hair.

Among other members of ABBA's inner circle in attendance at the screening were backing vocalist Lena-Maria Gårdenäs, guitarist Janne Schaffer, former Polar Music Vice President Görel Hanser and photographer Anders Hanser.

The restored version of ABBA - The Movie will be used when Polar Music International/Universal Music release the film on DVD. This release is currently scheduled to occur within the next few years.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

BENNY / FRIDA IN AFTONBLADET

Aftonbladet has pictures of Frida and Benny from yesterday's "ABBA The Movie" event (click on web site link above)

Below Frida's picture it says:

- I remember the movie very well, I've seen it many times, even in the past few years. The story probably isn't that fantastic, but it's good for what it is, said Annifrid Lyngstad.

And below Benny's photo:

- It's been a long time since I saw the movie last time, but it was good then. Lasse managed to make a pretty good movie under the circumstances, Benny Andersson said at the premiere.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, 40% Gay in Orlando, Florida, USA

ABBA THE MOVIE PREMIERE REPORT

The premiere of the restored version of ABBA - The Movie was fantastic! All four "ABBAs" were supposed to show up, until the press got wind of it, so we had to settle for two, Frida and Benny.

There were floodlights marking Filmhuset even though there was a heavy cloud cover and it had drizzled rain most of the day. Over the entryway was a giant screen with the ABBA - The Album ABBA heads floating across the screen in a dark bluish/purpleish color (which matched the front of the invites and tickets) that was transparent and could be seen from both sides. Pretty cool.

Inside was a nice champagne reception with some pita sandwiches to hold everybody over until the dinner party afterwards. That lasted almost an hour before everyone went into the 350 seat theatre. The backdrop on the movie screen was ABBA - The Album artwork without the text. There were a few speeches, one by the head of Svenska Filminstitutet, one by the woman in charge of the restoration (spoke to them both at the afterparty and it's a fascinating story), and a few Q&A sessions that included Frida, Owe Sandström (who brought The Girl With The Golden Hair costumes and a wig with him), back up singers, journalists and others. They even credited Bright Lights, Dark Shadows and had Carl Magnus Palm stand up to thunderous applause and he waved to the crowd.

Then Frida went back and sat with Benny, with Hans between them, as ABBA - The Movie began. Although not perfect, the image was amazingly sharp and clear. They made a big issue out of the fact that this was the first time it was ever presented in stereo in Sweden as in the 70s all theatrical sound systems were in mono. It seems they also acquired a print with four channel quadraphonic) sound but that it was presented in stereo which, as you can guess, it two channel. We couldn't figure that out because the sound wasn't correct anyway, with way too much echo. Not sure if it was the way the original sound was mixed, if it was a flaw in the print or if it was the sound system itself. It's not that it ruined the experience at all, just occasionally hard to understand dialogue and the music was a bit unbalanced.

They said they had problems with the sound system earlier in the day at the press screening. Neither print nor sound have been digitized. That will be Universal's job when the time comes for the DVD.

The dinner was scrumptious. The wine, though unusual, was excellent. Can't remember if it was Peter or Magnus who said that the food was the best ever served at an event such as this. But it most definitely was. There was lots of mingling and talking and chatting and gossipping and even a little dancing. It was a fantastic night!

You have to be a member of Filminstitutet (or Cinemateket?) to see the four upcoming shows. Membership is something like 80-100 crowns and then the entry fee itself is about 40 crowns. But I guess you should sign up fast as I think the showings are in smaller theatres.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jeffrey de Hart, Stockholm, Sweden

ABBA IN UK INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

There was a small but tongue-in-cheek article on ABBA in the UK "Independent on Sunday" supplement "Talk of the Town" last Sunday (30 November 2003), with a picture of ABBA circa 10 April 1974 after the Eurovision win - black and white with the girls on a baggage trolley and Björn & Benny on either side, in front of the Waterloo sign at the one and only London station. Great photo - I am sure I have seen it before but the real photo freaks may be interested to take a look because it might have a slightly different angle to the other ones seen in the big glossy books.

Unfortunately, no website link to the supplement - bummer - it's a great little mag with lots of interesting and well written articles. This issue was about "London 1977, memoirs of a suburban punk" so obviously, ABBA had to make an appearance! If our UK pals haven't checked it out before, do yourselves a favour. Despite the overwhelming number of crap tabloids in the UK, one of the delights of living here is that you at least have a choice of some excellent papers, like this one. Anyway, article is:

"So, apparently, there's this new 5-minute-wonder pop group, from - where was it you said, Keith? - Sweden?? - you're having a laugh mate, who ever heard of a group from Sweden? (Safe cars, dodgy films, that's your Swedish export business). Anyway, they've got some daft name like Ibbi or Ubbu or something. No one will remember a blind thing about them come Christmas, but the two dollies are supposed to be quite tasty, might as well send one of the smudgers down to Waterloo for the photo-op. Why Waterloo? I don't know, perhaps they like trains or something, give me Cilla Black any day of the week...."

As photo-op gimmicks go, this one must come somewhere near the bottom of the pile marked "imagination failure". The Swedish beat combo have a jaunty little hit song called "Waterloo", so let's stage a shot of them at....well, all right, possibly Wellington Barracks would have been a bit too oblique, but there are limits to the acceptable degrees of Bloody Obviousness. The concept is tacky, the poses are stagey and the costumes are just what you would expect of April1974, but on balance, the image provokes a smile rather than a sneer. I stopped sneering at ABBA at around the time "Dancing Queen" was released, when an alarmingly hip guitarist, noted for improvising freely along to his John Coltrane records, fixed me with an ugly stare and said with some belligerence that it was the most exquisitely crafted single since
"Good Vibrations". He had a point.

So, a small belated cheer for Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, graceful transcenders of old tat. Which one did you fancy, mature reader?"

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Michael Kyriagis, London UK

TV4 ABBA THE MOVIE REPORT ON THE WEB

For those that doesnt know the link for streamed news reports of TV4

http://tv4.se/visa/?innehall=/nyheterna/videosida.asp

Tisdag 22:00 report, they have the ABBA report at the end of the news report.

Also, if the link doesnt work, go to tv4.se and hit nyheterna, there you have a link to it, middle right, "webb-tv" and also they have the report on the main nyheterna page a little lower.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer David Pearson, Québec/Canada

BENNY GOES RELIGIOUS

The church of Sweden has issued a new book of hymnsand Benny is included with his and Ylva Eggenhorn's Millennium Hymn.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Linda Granqvist, Stockholm, SWEDEN

FRIDA PICS AT RAFFEM

There are some pictures of Frida's interview on TV4 at the showing of
ABBA - The Movie in Stockholm tonight at www.raffem.com

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

FRIDA ATTENDS ABBA - THE MOVIE

In the 10pm news last night there was a 2 minute reportage about ABBA -The Movie.
A special cinema run began today as I understand it. Benny, Görel and Janne Schaffer were spoted but the main star in the reportage were Frida. She’s still blond. She said she was glad that filminstitutet (Swedish Filminstitute I guess)have “saved” the movie .

She also said that she very randomly goes to premiéres etc. Especially not ABBA-related. On the question how she felt about being a part of Swedish films history, she answered that she can hardly understand that.

- It’s wonderful that we are a part of it. It’s about the same as when we started due to the strong left-wing movement. It feels good to be accepted everywhere. A nice kind of victory. Tha’s how it feels

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Christian Thomasson, Kungälv, Sweden

AGNETHA, BJÖRN & BENNY'S INCOME

Some facts published in Aftonbladet. It's the time of year when the earnings of Swedish celebrities, politicians, musicians etc. are published. So here are the numbers for 3 of the former members of ABBA:

Björn Ulvaeus, 58
Taxable income:
1,812,800 kronor (SEK)
$242 833.44 (USD)
€201 127.67 (EUR)
£140,504.52 (GBP)
$332,403.73 (AUD)

Fortune/capital:
11,532,205 kronor (SEK)
$1,544,839.30 (USD)
€1,279,632.85 (EUR)
£893,887.83 (GBP)
$2,113,944.95 (AUD)

Benny Andersson, 56
Taxable income:
2,043,700 kronor (SEK)
$273,773.53 (USD)
€226,775.68 (EUR)
£158,415.35 (GBP)
$374,595.48 (AUD)

Fortune/capital:
67,699,002 kronor (SEK)
$9,070,112.18 (USD)
€7,512,033.01 (EUR)
£5,247,654.93 (GBP)
$12,410,306.24 (AUD)

Agnetha Fältskog, 53
Taxable income:
782,000 kronor (SEK)
$104,778.70 (USD)
€86,773.66 (EUR)
£60,617.17 (GBP)
$143,357.99 (AUD)

Fortune/capital:
45,007,376 kronor (SEK)
$6,030,822.67 (USD)
€4,994,713.83 (EUR)
£3,488,595.97 (GBP)
$8,259,694.48 (AUD)

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson,Orlando, Florida, USA

AGNETHA TRACK MAKES DJ'S TOP 20 TUNES!

Capital Radio DJ and UK TV presenter/personality Chris Tarrant presents his top 20 tunes:

16. Man: Agnetha Faltskog

"When Ingrid and I got married we chose all the songs together, but I didn't know that she had found this beautiful song on an obscure solo album by ABBA's Agnetha Faltskog and had arranged for a musician and a local girl, wih the most amazing voice, to sing it in church. It was Ingrid's song to me and there wasn't a dry eye in the house."

There's also a small picture of the lady from 1973/4 in red and silver Ring Ring outfit.

How refreshing to read something like this. She wrote this herself didn't she? One of my favourites too.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Sara Russell, Sandhurst, UK

MAMMA MIA! IN SCOTLAND

ABBA STAR'S SCOTS PREMIERE:
REBJORN Swedish pop legend takes his smash hit musical to capital city


From UK's Sunday Mail (see weblink above)

By Mickey Mcmonagle

A MUSICAL featuring songs by a one-time Swedish folk group 20 years after they were hits may not sound like box office gold.

But Mamma Mia! the smash-hit which introduced Abba's music to a new generation of fans has broken all records.

Now Bjorn Ulvaeus, one half of the supergroup's songwriting team, has revealed plans to bring his show to Edinburgh.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mail he told us Mamma Mia! will have its Scots premiere at the Playhouse on November 16, 2004.

When the musical was launched at London's Prince Edward Theatre in 1999, Bjorn expected it to be something of a nineday wonder.

He never imagined that, almost five years on, it would still be packing them in all over the world.

Bjorn said: ''The first night was nerve-wracking and it was such a relief to see the reaction from the audience smiling faces, people nodding to each other as they realised what it was all about. We knew then that we were on to something.

''I had thought it would at best be a short run in a London theatre but we soon realised it was something special. Of course, I never expected this it has exceeded all our hopes.''

An estimated 10 million people have seen the show and for Bjorn, 58, the excitement of working behind the scenes in theatre far outweighs the buzz of performing on stage before a screaming audience of Abba fans with Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni Frid Lyngstad.

He said: ''I actually thought being on stage was quite boring. We toured for four or five months during the seven years we were together and the first week was always exciting. After that it was just repeating itself completely, reproducing the thing we had once created. I didn't feel the thrill at all.''

So while many musicians yearn for their former glories and often try to recapture them with ill-fated comebacks or new projects, Bjorn is more than happy to be away from centre stage.

He said: ''I really don't feel the urge to perform at all. Benny does sometimes he has his own band and does perhaps 10 gigs a year to get rid of the desire. But I just don't feel that way.''

Bjorn and Benny's first foray into theatre came immediately after Abba split in 1982. They worked with Tim Rice to create the musical Chess, which spawned the No.1 smash I Know Him So Well for Barbara Dickson and Elaine Paige.

Bjorn said: ''Chess ran for three years in London, which was good, but it was disappointing on Broadway. We went straight from the West End to New York which we shouldn't have done we should have gone on tour first, the usual way. It was our first experience, though, and we had a great time Tim was a great guy to work with.''

Despite the hiccup in the US, Bjorn and Benny realised their future lay in theatre. They went on to produce a musical in Swedish, Kristina, about emigrants to the US.

''I realised that I love to work in theatre, '' Bjorn explained. ''It's such a wonderful environment, every aspect of the entertainment business is involved in a musical. It's so wonderful.

''I'd worked on Chess, then on Kristina in Sweden, and was so excited by the whole process of seeing a show come together so I wanted to do another one.''

That was the moment Mamma Mia! was born. TV producer Judy Craymer had approached Bjorn and Benny about putting together a TV show, based on Abba songs.

Then writer Catherine Johnson joined the project and came upwith the story of a young girl planning her wedding on a Greek isle using the extensive Abba back catalogue including such famous hits as Dancing Queen, Knowing Me
Knowing You and The Winner Takes It All as a soundtrack.

The rest is history. Mamma Mia! was an instant hit and sparked a whole new wave of Abba-mania, popularising the band's high energy, sugar-coated pop all over again. Bjorn said: ''It's so weirdthat's happened there are so many good songs out there from the 70s so why have ours lasted so well?

''I'm constantly amazed. In every corner of the earth they know our songs.

''Before the Mamma Mia! revival Abba were distinctly uncool. But suddenly people started recording our music, stations were playing it more, that all helped the musical.'' It seems obvious that the key to Bjorn's success over the years has been the on-going partnership with Benny.

Bjorn said: ''It's amazing, we are like brothers. I think we have lasted together because both of us have not been afraid to grow and take a new step, we never want to repeat anything.

''As long as we both feel it's something new, it's worth doing.

''If you have a partner you should stick with them as long as it works people split up because that is no longer the case. If one stops his development it becomes impossible.''

The pair are on reasonably good terms with their former Abba co-stars their ex-wives Agnetha and Frida. Bjorn said: ''We have a good relationship with the girls but we don't see them very often.

''I see Agnetha more often than Benny sees Frida because we have a grandchild so there are birthdays and occasions when we meet.

''Frida lives in Southern Switzerland but she comes to Stockholm every now and then and pops in to say hello it's all very friendly.

''There's nothing I'd change, looking back especially seeing that 25-30 years later our songs are still out there. Professionally I have no regrets.''

Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

MORE MAMMA MIA! FOR 2004

Here's the latest news on Mamma Mia! for 2004:

There will be a international touring production that will premiere at The Point, Dublin on 9 September 2004, previews starting on 4 September and through to 8 September.

The last night in Dublin is on 6 November 2004.

After that, the production moves to The Edinburgh Playhouse. The previews are from 12 November 2004, with the premiere being on 16 November.

The Edinburgh production closes on 29 January 2005.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

LISTEN TO DUTCH RADIO SPECIAL

On 7 November there was a radio special on the Dutch radio (TROS) program Poster. It is an interview with Björn with a Dutch interviewer, about ABBA and Mamma Mia! I think it was recorded recently. The spoken text (by the DJ) is partially in Dutch, but mostly Björn is talking. Also lots of music, quite nice. I heard an old song of Agnetha that I had never heard before ("När Jag Va Fem" from her album "Som Jag Är". Björn produced that album).

You can listen to the program online at http://www.trosradio2.nl/.
Go to the button 'Poster', and go to 'Selecteer een uitzending' (Select a broadcast). Select ABBA and then click on the link 'Beluister de uitzending' (Listen to the broadcast).

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Gé Teunissen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

===========

The TROS Radio 2 Poster special played some interesting ABBA (related) songs:
- She's My Kind Of Girl
- Agnetha's När Jag Va Fem
- The 'Waterloo' medley from the 1994 4-CD box set
- The long version of 'Summer Night City'
- 'I Wonder' (departure) studio version
- Thank You For The Music (Doris Day version)
- Slipping Through My Fingers (Live version Dick Cavett)
- The Day Before You Came
- Lay All Your Love On Me
- Under Attack

Björn says that he remembers that they were in Holland to promote 'People Need Love'. Maybe the group visited our country too early 1973, when Björn, Benny and Frida toured Austria and Belgium with Inger Brundin.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer, Trijnie Dijkema - Hoogezand - The Netherlands

WHAT'S ON LUDVIG'S SITE

Ludvig's web site is in English and opens with a picture of a very trendy looking
Ludvig with the following quotation:

"I'm sure they where great
so artisticly (sic.) bold
but I'm so much fucking better
youth outsmarts the old"

The English is a bit twisted but he seems to have a grasp of the Anglo-Saxon vernacular...

This is followed by:

"Expectations and comparisons are difficult to avoid in this case so we might as well get to the point. Ludvig is the son of Benny Andersson and therefore occasionally branded as "The son of ABBA-Benny"."

There's also:
A discography (ok a single and a coming soon single)
Lyrics (which don't work)
A band profile
A press page (empty) and some links (obscure).

And that's about it. Nice design though.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Cliff Docherty, Wembley, UK

THE MOVIE / LUDVIG'S SITE

Aftonbladet also picked up on the ABBA-The Movie story, not that they had anything new to say:
www.aftonbladet.se/vss/telegram/0,1082,62638632_640__,00.html

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

Ludvig now has his own official site at www.ludvigandersson.com, though I couldn't get past the first page as it's a over-complicated flash site that my computer didn't like (is there any reason why artists can't have simple, informative sites nowadays?).

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

ABBA FEATURE IN SWEDISH MAGAZINE

The web site www.raffem.com reports on the December/January issue of Swedish entertainment magazine 'Premiär' which has a large article about ABBA in it. Some scans can be seen at that site, and the article is written by Anders Lundquist. He also writes an analysis of each ABBA album and mentions the current projects such as DVD releases and 'Chess på svenska'

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK