Abba - In Concert 1979
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Movie Reviews of Abba - In Concert 1979
Movie Review: Take it for what it is and enjoy it!
Summary: 5 Stars
Hey, fellow ABBA fans, let's relax a little bit! You're being WAY too hard on this DVD. Remember it's a 25 year old DOCUMENTARY, not a concert, and it was shot by a network that didn't religiously archive the footage because nobody at the time expected people 25 years later to care! There's plenty of full length numbers, and they rip! Having been lucky enough to have seen ABBA at the Music Hall in Boston during this tour (as did most of Aerosmith, the Cars and the J. Giels Band down in the front rows), I'm delighted now to own this DVD because it proves a point I've long tried to make to my sceptical friends. ABBA WERE UNDENIABLY A GREAT, GREAT LIVE ACT.
I've been professionally involved in the concert business for three decades, I've seen everyone pretty much, and though my personal tastes run more towards The Beatles, The Cramps and Garbage, I rank ABBA as one of the best live bands I've EVER seen on a stage. The vocals were spot on, the band rocked and were very tight, the energy level was through the roof. The group, especially Frida and Agnetha, were very lively, generous and vivacious with the audience, and the songs were just great. Frankly, it was an incredible, indescribable rush to see them live, especially if you'd waited five years for it.
For ages ABBA have been a guilty pleasure for those of us supposedly hip rockers, but unless you're a frigid snob you'll have to admit upon viewing this show that ABBA weren't a corny plastic disco machine - they absolutely delivered the goods. A totally legitimate act with nothing to apologize for. What's also great is that ABBA were based not just on unforgettable hook-laden songs and astounding voices, but there was a genuinely warm and mature sexuality exuding from that stage. Agnetha and Frida were women, not little girls. There bodies may not have been perfect (J-LO fans, you'll see a startling similarity between she and Agnetha in a certain way) but their talent and their sensuality knocks Britney's lip synced teasing schoolgirl trip right off the stage. ABBA actually sang every note live, mistakes and all - what a concept.
As to the extras, "Thank You For The Music" is probably my least favorite ABBA song, but on this disc Agnetha is just incredible, she nails it. Frida was the darker, more european side of things, handling more mature themes, and my fave, but if God ever put a more attractive woman on a stage than Agnetha in this film, I've never seen her. As to the sound complaints, if you run the disc through a good amplifier and speaker system there's no problem, if not some of the bottom is admittedly missing. But on the plus side the clarity of the vocals is astonishing, and within the instrumentation lots of little surprises I'd never heard.
Visually it's incredible - you can count eyelashes and pores, and the color is rich and true. So c'mon - lighten up everyone - a very well directed documentary, a very well edited piece of history at a pretty low price. It's a great disc of a truly brilliant band. Let's be happy for a very nice little gift to us all.
Movie Review: It's Worth 4.5 Stars.
Summary: 5 Stars
Abba was one of the greatest musical acts in the world and I notice that they're now nominated for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. It's about time! Hopefully, they'll make it on the first try. After all, in record selling they rank up there with The Beatles, Elvis Pressly, Frank Sinatra and several other heavyweights. What more do they need? People obviously love them and their music. They've earned it.
Abba had hit after hit on the world-wide scale but hardly left any imprint at all in the USA. I didn't even hear of them until about 1982 when I came home late one night and heard one of their songs playing on FM radio. The announcer said it was from their "Greatest Hits" album. I was very impressed by the song. "Greatest Hits?" Who are these guys? I bought the "Greatest Hits" album the next day. It was a really terrific album and every song was a winner. I was amazed! I remember telling a music friend about it, and he looked at me wondering if my taste was all in my mouth. That was a common reaction to Abba; They weren't taken seriously. They were kinda lumped in with the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond and the like as being very popular, but primarily among people who had no musical sophistication. Well, I think the play/movie "Mamma Mia" brought them back into public view and maybe their public perception began to change. I saw the movie/DVD and I enjoyed it very much and I'm enjoying the resurgence of Abba music enough to buy the "Abba In Concert" DVD.
"Abba in Concert" chronicles their 1979 tour of Europe and North America. It's an interesting look at the world-famous group and their world tour as it unfolded. I was reminded of "Spinal Tap," but please don't take this in a negative way. The DVD documents bits of their road life and includes abundant footage of them in concerts and plays about a dozen of their live songs. Most of the songs I recognized, but some were totally new for me. The filming and sound were excellent and it was fun watching the act live, especially those two very beautiful women. I might add that I'd never seen the group, except in photos, and I was greatly impressed with their concert personas.
It's hard for me to rate this DVD. I'd say it wasn't a particularly good documentary and I longed for something better, and it wasn't a very good concert film either. Many of the songs were incomplete. I longed to see more of them and hear more of their songs. Yet, flaws and all, I loved watching this amazing group in action and the DVD was very entertaining. I suppose it's worth 4.5 stars, but since I can't give that evaluation, I'll round it up to five. If you're an Abba fan, it's a must view!
Gary Peterson
Movie Review: Heavily edited but still pure ABBA magic ! ! !
Summary: 5 Stars
I would like to respond to the many reviewers who abruptly state their dissatisfaction with this DVD. I for one, would like to commend Universal for finally releasing this and showing us ABBA's on stage magic. This documentary was originally released in 1979 and there was a strict time limit which explains why most of the songs had to be edited. It is a shame though, since the 1979 tour consisted of over 20 songs but it's not Universal's fault so let's not take it out on them. The DVD does offer a few bonus track- The Way Old Friends Do, I Have a Dream (un-interrupted version) and Thank You for for the Music.I have seen several concerts in my time, live and via television and I must say ABBA is one of the better live bands. I can't state how aggravating and disappointing it is to listen to your favourite band sound like bad karaoke and butcher their songs live on stage. Energetic live performances does not excuse losing your voice mid-song and having to ask for the audiences help to finish the song. I find that annoying especially when I pay big buck to listen to the artist sing, not the audience. It's a trick used by several performers that are lacking in the vocal department. ABBA never had to resort to that kind of concert trickery because the girls voices are sublime. Agentha's vocal's are superb on Chiquitita, Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie and Hole in Your Soul and her live rendition of Thank you for the Music is outstanding- as good as the studio recording. Frida's I Have a Dream is also exceptional and one of the DVD's highlights is The Way Old Friend's Do- a beautiful song sung beautifully by the girls. My only complaint is with Does Your Mother Know, although it's a great song and the live version is quite exciting, Bjorn was not a great singer and I would have rather seen another song sung by the girls instead.
The band is also quite good and they do a great job in re-creating the music live. It's true that the overall feel of the music is different than in their recordings. The sound is not as polished but then again, it's a concert and the sound is suppose to sound raw and hard-core. The heavy drums & electric guitars give the songs a harder edge and is in sharp contrast (and a refreshing change) to the more glitzy studio recordings.
Any of ABBA's hardcore fans should own this DVD, although incomplete, it gives us a unique glimpse of a live ABBA concert. For those wanting more ABBA live, try to get your hands on ABBA-THE MOVIE as it offers (even more than ABBA IN CONCERT) great concert footage. Let's just hope Universal releases it on DVD soon.
Movie Review: A good taste of ABBA live
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a particularly expensive title, but the quality of the this release is top notch. The picture quality is excellent and so is the sound. There isn't any degradation of the footage, amazing since this is from 1979. This DVD gives anybody an idea of the energy and talent ABBA brought to the table as artists. Bonus features include full versions of 'The Way Old Friends Do' and 'I Have A Dream'(same as the promo version) and a really good version of 'Thank You For The Music'(detailed as missing some footage but you can't really tell, all the lyrics are intact). There are a couple of interviews with the tour promoter and the producer of the film as well. You don't learn much but it provides good commentary on the project, and the band as well.The only criticism I have is that there are no interviews with anybody in the band, but that isn't surprising given their seclusive nature. Still this is a good buy for anybody who likes ABBA.
As stated in the above review, it should be noted that this is NOT a complete concert and some songs are heavily edited. Somewhat disappointing considering ABBA's live set consisted of 25 songs during this tour. This was originally a television special over in Sweden in the first place and reminds me of an early version of 'Depeche Mode 101' in as far as following the band around in the early segments, interviewing a few fans and edited songs. The cd is really the only way to get a more full set of ABBA live tracks, but given this is the only footage commercially available of ABBA live it's great for what it is.
Movie Review: Reflections for those NOT ABBA fans
Summary: 5 Stars
In my explorations of the popular music that was being played in the 60 some add years after the people I was seeing, Benny (Goodman), Tommy (Dorsey), Mildred (Bailey), Louis (Armstrong) and their confreres, I came upon Abba. Glancing at some of the reviews for this disc by those who Knew (know) them, I expect that you and I can pretty well ignore them. W can't say that this is representative or unrepresentative ABBA, that this is much more commercial than .......whom we have not yet heard or better than.... whom we have not heard either. Taking it only from my viewpoint, this is an excellent introduction to their music. I don't have much use for the documentary form to find out about musicians but I did not find it obtrusive here. The music? I would say anyone who has heard the Boswell Sisters or the Rhythm Boys would have no trouble enjoying the sound ABBA produces. No, I could not make out the lyrics most of the time, but they give me the feeling that with the right audio equipment I might, that is to say, they convey the feeling that they want me to hear the lyrics and are enunciating for me. Just a feeling. I suppose I would label this "middle of the road Rock" but with no awareness of the range of what exists on both sides of the road. So I commend it as a starting point for those who want to explore their work and the work of others generically associated with them.