The Definitive Collection Music

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I was certainly around during the 70s, but I fell into the category of being far too serious about Deep Purple etc to be seen dead with an Abba LP. I was certainly aware of Abba -- it was one of the many contradictions in the British teenage bloke psyche that we watched 'Top of the Pops' whenever we could. And anyway, my Dad fancied the blonde one -- Agnetha, not Benny.

So buying this marvellous compilation is part nostalgia, and part demonstration for my own children of what pop used to be like.

This 2CD set takes us chronologically through Abba's history. There are four tracks which precede the historic 'Waterloo' Eurovision winner. Even after that 1974 victory, you sense that the group are still feeling their way towards a defining formula. To my ear, it's only when they created 'SOS' (track #9 here) that they found the correct gear, and from then on they never looked back.

Abba stood for very high production values, attractive videos, middle-of-the-road pop and wholly inoffensive lyrics. (As revealed in the sleevenotes, Bjorn was always more concerned with the sound of a word than its meaning.) From that point, the lead vocals on all the singles would always be performed by the girls. Abba absorbed disco, but never pretended to be creating black music.

My favourite Abba song is one of the last, 'One of Us', which has many flaws but a gorgeously plaintive chorus. Agnetha really meant those words as she sang them on the video. It was 1981, the band was nearing the end and, by that stage, even I fancied her.

To people who haven't already purchased an Abba CD, I cannot recommend this highly enough. The remastered sound is excellent, bringing out the acoustic guitar particularly well. And the accompanying booklet is informative and contains some pretty photos, without ever saying which is of Bjorn and which is of Benny. Newcomers like me can get confused, but I guess it doesn't ultimately matter.

Yes, I broke down and shelled out the cash to purchase this definitive Abba collection a few days after I purchased Abba Gold.

This one is much better. It has all the hits, and most (if not all) the singles Abba put out between 1972(?) - 1982.

If you told me a month ago I would really be diggin' Abba I would have said you're crazy. But thanks to a co-worker, I discovered (or should I say re-discovered since I'd known about Abba since their reign as the chart toppers of the 70's and the first couple years in the 80's.

Now they are back and better than ever in this 2 CD definate compilation.

My favorites on this CD: of course most of their most popular tracks, Dancin' Queen, Waterloo, Take A Chance On Me, Knowning Me Knowing You, The Winner Takes It All, and Fernando, as well as some lesser known stuff, Eagle, Voulez Vou (sp?), Visitors, I Have A Dream, and Angeleyes.

Great stuff. Now I'm tempted to get the DVD of their videos.

Highly recommended.

They're not only "Swedish Super-stars", but have captured the hearts of America, young and old...my personal stand outs are ~ "KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU"..."THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL"..."DANCING QUEEN"..."WATERLOO"..."RING, RING", all unforgettable classics.

The entire album is a highlight within itself...but I must make mention of this ultimate golden classic "FERNANDO", back in 1976 this song was played everywhere, couldn't go anywhere in the WORLD, and now to hear this classic re-mastered, gotta love it.

Before closing, would like to mention the wonderful review by Gavin J. Wilson, from the United Kingdom...his review appears on the same page with mine, thank you Gavin for giving us a honest review from the heart, which proves music is still the universal language ~ ABBA!

Total 2-CD-Set ~ UTV Records 314-649-974-2 ~ (2001)