As noted several times here and elsewhere, ABBA's producers regularly "pushed" their two singers' limits. If this blog is read at all, the group gained some excellent results from that hard work.
Sometimes I think that ABBA stretched soprano Agnetha Fältskog's vocal limits, though she possessed quite a range. [aŋˈneːta]
That is one reason why I enjoy Agnetha's post-ABBA, English solo albums. Though she's at her most affecting (for me) when she "packs" her pure voice with emotion (linked example here, also), her (often) more relaxed, better-slotted solo efforts are enjoyable as well.
FWIW, I select a few of my own favorite solo songs from Ms. Fältskog in this post (link). Here are a couple of others however, which -- though not worldwide hits -- perhaps show how easily she could "knock off" a pleasant-sounding effort. And please don't discount that. IMO, some of the substitutable, dancing exhibitionist "singers" of today would do anything to (be able to) sound like the Swedish star. Give me euphonious Agnetha any day, please. (Pls. also see the end of this post, however....)
As I think many fans - old and new - realize; a voice and videogenic presence to be cherished. (Both ABBA singers, in fact.)
(This super-pleasant first one I believe is actually pre-ABBA. Thanks to YT's "ji61m" for the song post:)
Links to a couple of other seemingly "effortless", but good solo songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOJH7EYqJ9Y&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j-MkNGv4BA&feature=related
An old one, but nice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKKNTUProaM&fmt=18
P.S. As many know, one particular, current female recording artist - almost the exact opposite of Agnetha in several ways - still has a chance to be great. If she doesn't throw it all away: (YT link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP_gCSBZXi0
2010 update: Here's another possibility. Not familiar with this singer, but I like what I've heard so far: Imelda May at the 2010 Grammys (link)
And, FWIW: I have respect for this popular artist, who paid some dues (even though very young) on the way to where she is today. Just wish she would sing more (she's capable of doing that) and "style" (e.g., talk,"rap", chant, use an affected voice) less (much). (But I'm old.): Lady Gaga is a "performance artist" however. Being "just a singer" (even if you're one of the few who can actually do that) has been so over for sooo long....to the general detriment of popular music.
2011 update: FWIW, like many others, I'm increasingly enjoying some of Lady Gaga's pop music creations, and the performer/person herself....
(Link to one YT video:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I
2010 update: Here's another possibility. Not familiar with this singer, but I like what I've heard so far: Imelda May at the 2010 Grammys (link)
And, FWIW: I have respect for this popular artist, who paid some dues (even though very young) on the way to where she is today. Just wish she would sing more (she's capable of doing that) and "style" (e.g., talk,"rap", chant, use an affected voice) less (much). (But I'm old.): Lady Gaga is a "performance artist" however. Being "just a singer" (even if you're one of the few who can actually do that) has been so over for sooo long....to the general detriment of popular music.
2011 update: FWIW, like many others, I'm increasingly enjoying some of Lady Gaga's pop music creations, and the performer/person herself....
(Link to one YT video:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I
Blog note: This entry is backdated to better fit within the order of posts here.
Link to full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/
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