I created and uploaded this video in dedication to Matt - "producermattpop" on YouTube - for his awesome mash-up mix of Blondie's "Hanging On The Telephone" and ABBA's "Ring Ring". Footage is taken from the official music videos of ABBA's "Ring Ring" along with Blondie's "Hanging On The Telephone" and "Picture This". Enjoy!
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Sunday 11 October 2009
Update: October 2009
Dear readers,
I'd just like to draw your attention to a few recent changes.
Firstly, you may have noticed the return of the post feedback feature. The feedback feature was actually first available a while back, but after I switched to this new template it disappeared for some odd reason. Under each post, you will see two feedback buttons entitled "More like this" and "Less like this". I'd appreciate it if you could help me make the blog more enjoyable for you by voting for your preferred option once you have read a post.
Secondly, I have replaced the regular Blogger tag list with a new tag cloud (you can find it in the sidebar on the left). Words that appear larger have a greater number of posts associated with them, and vice versa. Simply click on a word to be taken to a page containing all posts tagged with that word. Incidentally, I'm also in the process of "cleaning up" the tags - deleting negligible ones and adding new ones to make searching for posts easier.
I hope you appreciate these changes. Please do subscribe if you wish (it's much appreciated!), and remember you can always share your thoughts via the Visitorsbook, the link to which can be found at the bottom of every page.
Thanks for stopping by!
I'd just like to draw your attention to a few recent changes.
Firstly, you may have noticed the return of the post feedback feature. The feedback feature was actually first available a while back, but after I switched to this new template it disappeared for some odd reason. Under each post, you will see two feedback buttons entitled "More like this" and "Less like this". I'd appreciate it if you could help me make the blog more enjoyable for you by voting for your preferred option once you have read a post.
Secondly, I have replaced the regular Blogger tag list with a new tag cloud (you can find it in the sidebar on the left). Words that appear larger have a greater number of posts associated with them, and vice versa. Simply click on a word to be taken to a page containing all posts tagged with that word. Incidentally, I'm also in the process of "cleaning up" the tags - deleting negligible ones and adding new ones to make searching for posts easier.
I hope you appreciate these changes. Please do subscribe if you wish (it's much appreciated!), and remember you can always share your thoughts via the Visitorsbook, the link to which can be found at the bottom of every page.
Thanks for stopping by!
More Rarities
I'd like to post a few ABBA snippets that I apparently haven't got around to posting here before. With my primary reason for running this blog being to catalogue all known ABBA rarities in existence, I felt it wouldn't be fair to leave them out indefinitely. ;) Here's the first batch.
In The Arms Of Rosalita (Snippet)
This is an early demo version of Chiquitita. The excerpt heard here is from the TV documentary that ITV first showed us about a decade ago, entitled "The Winner Takes It All". ITAOR featured lead vocals by Frida, contrary to Chiquitita with its Agnetha-driven lead. Interestingly, apparently a third version of the song - Chiquitita Angelina - was sung by both girls in unison.
Get On The Carousel
This song is an early version of what was to become Hole In Your Soul. It was performed live by ABBA during their 1977 tour of Australia, which is how this recording originated. The version heard here is the complete song - not the edited version that can be heard in ABBA: The Movie. The sound quality isn't pristine, but it is an excellent arrangement, none-the-less!
I Am An A
I Am An A is a song written for the 1977 tour - with lyrics contributed by all four members of the group - jokingly depicting themselves as "A, B, B, A". The song was never considered for the studio, but parts of the chorus were later recycled into Free As A Bumblebee. As FAAB song never progressed beyond the demo, the melody surfaced once again in the chorus of I Know Him So Well, from the musical Chess.
Monsieur, Monsieur (Snippet)
The early version of My Love My Life, recorded for the Arrival album in 1976. It's a shame about the talking over the music!
To Live With You
An attempt to record B&B's earlier song Lycka with English lyrics, To Live With You was recorded in 1975, but never got further than the demo. A solemn number with an exquisite melody, it's a shame about the dreary lyrics!
In The Arms Of Rosalita (Snippet)
This is an early demo version of Chiquitita. The excerpt heard here is from the TV documentary that ITV first showed us about a decade ago, entitled "The Winner Takes It All". ITAOR featured lead vocals by Frida, contrary to Chiquitita with its Agnetha-driven lead. Interestingly, apparently a third version of the song - Chiquitita Angelina - was sung by both girls in unison.
Get On The Carousel
This song is an early version of what was to become Hole In Your Soul. It was performed live by ABBA during their 1977 tour of Australia, which is how this recording originated. The version heard here is the complete song - not the edited version that can be heard in ABBA: The Movie. The sound quality isn't pristine, but it is an excellent arrangement, none-the-less!
I Am An A
I Am An A is a song written for the 1977 tour - with lyrics contributed by all four members of the group - jokingly depicting themselves as "A, B, B, A". The song was never considered for the studio, but parts of the chorus were later recycled into Free As A Bumblebee. As FAAB song never progressed beyond the demo, the melody surfaced once again in the chorus of I Know Him So Well, from the musical Chess.
Monsieur, Monsieur (Snippet)
The early version of My Love My Life, recorded for the Arrival album in 1976. It's a shame about the talking over the music!
To Live With You
An attempt to record B&B's earlier song Lycka with English lyrics, To Live With You was recorded in 1975, but never got further than the demo. A solemn number with an exquisite melody, it's a shame about the dreary lyrics!
More ABBA Gold Anomalies IV (Videos 11 - 15)
Here are the latest in MarkPMus's More ABBA Gold Anomalies video series, which is in fact almost at an end! However, the videos are interesting as ever; hardcore ABBA fans...take note! ;)
I Wonder (Departure)
Lovelight
Head Over Heels
When I Kissed The Teacher
I Am The City
I Wonder (Departure)
Lovelight
Head Over Heels
When I Kissed The Teacher
I Am The City
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Madonna Sings "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room"
If, besides from ABBA, you're a stringent Madonna fan such as myself, you'll appreciate this video. It's a version of Like An Angel Passing Through My Room that Madonna recorded some time during the period 1998-2000. It would have ended up on the Ray Of Light or Music albums, had she chosen to release it.
Madonna's take on the song - in my case, at least - takes a little while to fully appreciate. It's quite different from ABBA's version, and Madonna's vocals are not quite as suited to the arrangement as the elegant solemnity of Frida's. However, it is still not a bad piece at all, and so kudos to Madonna for choosing to give her own interpretation to such a beautiful song.
Madonna's take on the song - in my case, at least - takes a little while to fully appreciate. It's quite different from ABBA's version, and Madonna's vocals are not quite as suited to the arrangement as the elegant solemnity of Frida's. However, it is still not a bad piece at all, and so kudos to Madonna for choosing to give her own interpretation to such a beautiful song.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Update: October 2009
Howdy folks,
I'd just like to quickly let you know that you've no need to fear - I'm still alive. ;) I'm swamped right now with the university lifestyle, so please excuse my apparent disappearance over the last few months. Hopefully I'll be back with you soon with more updates. For now, enjoy this little something - and keep the ABBA love alive. :)
I'd just like to quickly let you know that you've no need to fear - I'm still alive. ;) I'm swamped right now with the university lifestyle, so please excuse my apparent disappearance over the last few months. Hopefully I'll be back with you soon with more updates. For now, enjoy this little something - and keep the ABBA love alive. :)
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