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Thursday, May 7, 2009

ABBA's 'Disillusion' (1973)

© 2009-2010 (original portions only)

A link is below to another worthwhile YT video tribute, featuring an underrated early ABBA song, "Disillusion".

The track is from the Ring Ring album, and is the only song-writing contribution from Agnetha Fältskog featured on any ABBA album. She wrote the melody, and I assume co-writer/husband Björn Ulvaeus either wrote or guided the lyrics, etc. (Credit: This source indicates that Bosse Carlgren wrote the words for the Swedish version of this song („Mina ögon“, link below. That version appeared on Ms.Fältskog's 1975, full-length solo album, Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus ).)

As usual it's sung nicely, though Agnetha goes on to (even) better performances in later songs. (Pronounced [aŋˈneːta].) Aside from being her only released ABBA effort, 'Disillusion' is notable in some other ways: Another good example of how clear her singing voice is, and how "bright" it sounds - even in a forlorn song. (Young Agnetha adds inflection and employs her interpretive skills to render the appropriately "disillusioned" vocal.) Though overtly sadder than most, this effort is like many of ABBA's songs: Sad or melancholy in message; yet sparklingly delivered.

Also note how precisely the artist hits every sung note here. She's right on each one....(Heard even better on higher-fidelity recordings.)

And, of course, how the early-ABBA song seemingly portends what (apparently) was to come in the Fältskog/Ulvaeus marriage.....

Enough words: Please click on Ms. Fältskog's picture below for a link to the '2Shaymcn' You Tube video presentation/tribute. (Then please come back....)  
(Hope that it remains posted...2Shaymcn's videos are linked here with that YT channel creator's permission.)


(Photo: Agnetha Fältskog, ABBA, Ekeberghallen, Oslo, Norway, January 28th 1977. Author: Helge Øverås)
(Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJBvfkL0s0&fmt=18   Updated note: A slightly higher-sound-quality tribute video is currently available here (no guarantees):) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ZSboCx1XQ

P.S.: Sugar-sweet-voiced.... another Agnetha "trademark". Plus: Good volume in the refrain from the young singer....

A beautiful, clear, feminine voice...on display.


Bonus: YT link to the artist's Swedish version of this song ("Mina ögon"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5retRoHsupg&fmt=18
(Thanks to 'ji61m' for posting/producing it.)
FWIW, I happen to prefer the more smoothly sung/recorded, slightly more subdued ABBA (English) version. UPDATE:"Mina ögon" has become quite a favorite (of mine) as well. It's worth a couple of listens... Sweetly done; also featuring (Agnetha's) one-of-a-kind plaintiveness. (Angst/wailing mourning in that amazing voice as well, via the refrain. A stellar rendition.)  Add'l update: I see that this Agnetha fan/expert offers high praise for the song effort (link): http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-9932-90.html


Finally, please enjoy YouTube commenter "'MsCaptainSensible"'s highly-rated observation, displayed below the (YT-linked) ABBA rendition (of this song). Says it well, re Ms.Fältskog the artist....




Link to my full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/


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