Agnetha's delightful 'trädgård' (1975)

Only one word....

For voice fans, sometimes that is all that it takes to appreciate singer Agnetha Fältskog and her past efforts.

Much of the following is an attempt to put something into words via this brief post  -- that really cannot be.

So, if you'd like, please start off with a couple of listens to Agnetha's delightful song from her 1975 Swedish solo album, Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus, entitled, "En egen trädgård". (English translation: "A garden of my own." Like most others on Elva Kvinnor..., Ms. Fältskog wrote the melody for it.) 

A current YouTube link in a new window: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGKM8L5s5gI  

(It's also available via iTunes (new window):  http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/agnetha-faltskog/id13118309?trackPage=2#trackPage%29


A 'period piece', from the twentysomething. A happy tune from the mid-1970s, perhaps reflecting what the artist has stated (subsequently, pages 42-46) as being (around) a (generally) good time in her life. Humorously and playfully done, a young woman's fantasy 'garden'... inside of her "fifty square" city apartment. (Ed. note: Per this linked interview with song lyricist Bosse Carlgren, Agnetha is portraying another young woman in this song, and also via other songs on her album...)

(Dancing House In Prague by Petr Kratochvil.This image is in the public domain.)

For this blog effort however; focused upon Ms. Fältskog's special voice, even just one sung word can transport listeners.... (Yes, or a couple...)

'En Egen Trädgård' is an example of Agnetha the vocalist at her brightest and playful best. (Headphones suggested.) She seems in total command. (As with later examples, I often think Ms. Fältskog sings her best on some of her own (composed) songs.)  The happy tune's high notes are hit with still-girlish enthusiasm. (I.e,., no pinching or tensing in the high voice.) Her chipper, yet a little pleading "Isn't it fine, isn't it the finest in town?" (loose English translation)...directly engages the listener. The whole song is bright and a little sassy, but evident mirth breaks out in the next stanza - about the "thousand fish in the bathroom 'lake'..." - via that clear, clear voice. (I.e., the song line beginning: Jag har tusen fiskar i badrummets....)

(Also: "Jag går naken och fri har i mitt paradislund..." -- Ja!)

The entire song also features some nice, mini-scale "runs" from composer Agnetha, allowing us to enjoy her precise (vocal) navigation of them. (Agnetha's boisterous (but musical), running-up-and-down "la-las" near the song's middle -- a little listener's paradise...)

It is the final song refrain, though that captivates most of all. (Beginning line: "Har min egen trädgård pa femtio kvadrat, två rum och kok...") Experienced singer Agnetha beautifully softens and (further) sweetens her vocal in this closing refrain. (Her voice seems to become a little 'dreamy'....)

Have a good listen to the artist sweetly (and blithely) stretch-out/emphasize syllables here. Ex. 'Trädgård', sung as "traaay-gord" (loose interpretation attempt). "Köket" ...as 'shehhhhck-et' (rough attempt, again). Etc.
It is precious; but the star's charming singing makes it work. (Also credit to lyricist B.Carlgren for employing words that (seemingly) facilitated this.)

The extended syllable here in "traaay-gord' (and others): It's a sweet-sounding, metallic "buzz" in your ears! Agnetha's briefly gets her larynx, pharynx or whatever other vocal resonation components buzzing (or "burring") as she lengthens. It's difficult to really describe....so I'm going to give up trying.

Other than: To me, Agnetha's sweetly lighthearted vocal stretch-outs (here) evoke the image (even the feeling) of....An ice skater sliding to a quick, hard stop on the ice; a cool, refreshing shower of ice crystals spraying all over us. (The listeners.) Or, perhaps, something like the cool, fine, wet spray of water jets nicely chilling you by the displays at a (hot-day) farm-stand....Or, the guy with the Husqvarna power saw shooting off a shower of ice shavings (on you), as he carves out a section of those famous, Scandinavian ice hotels....(But those that land in your mouth taste sweet, like a "snow cone" - of course.)

... It's now getting a little ridiculous here. But Agnetha's syllable draw-outs capture the listener, as does the entire sweetly softened refrain of her enjoyable melody.  We briefly glide along, with her.


Please enjoy young Ms. Fältskog's bright rendition of this long-ago song for yourself . (Via the links above for as long as they're available.)  

This image is in the public domain.

And, as appealing as Agnetha's singing is, 'En Egen Trädgård' is not included in her recent My Very Best compilation. (It's probably topped by a few of her other songs from Elva kvinnor, alone... ) 

There are many good solo efforts to choose from: Please enjoy an 'Agnetha solo top ten +'  from this blog here (new window).

Added info.: For additional background, enjoy a detailed interview with Elva kvinnor... lyricist Bosse Carlgren via this excellent forum topic: (link, new window)  http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-6692.html

Blog note: This post is backdated to better fit within the order of entries here. It's actual creation date in August, 2011. Polite corrections to this post are welcome.

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

Songwriter Agnetha Fältskog: Elva kvinnor i ett hus

Brief commentary: A link follows to a "wiki" (encyclopedia article) providing good information about the making of Agnetha Fältskog's  Elva kvinnor i ett hus album. ('Eleven Women In One House'. ) As I continue to become more familiar with the singer's extensive Swedish recording catalog, I may add a few (additional) observations of my own. But for the time being a link to the present Wikipedia article is here.

Included further below are (YouTube) links to a couple of current favorites from the 1975 album. It is notable that Agnetha composed many of the songs and produced the album (with Michael Tretow's overall guidance) - as a young woman in her early-to-mid twenties. (Bosse Carlgren supplied (interesting) lyrics for most...) That (still) was not commonly done by female singers at the time....

There are some appealing melodies on "Elva Kvinnor..."  And an array of them.

Per the article linked above the demands of rising super-group ABBA (and also new motherhood) prevented Agnetha from fully realizing this album project. Her songwriting abilities - (ironically) perhaps improved by working with ABBA's burgeoning songwriter/producers (B. Ulvaeus and B. Andersson) - were not developed further (at the time), as focus narrowed to her primary role with ABBA.

It is difficult to glean the full meaning of the songs unless you are familiar with (the) Swedish (language). Agnetha's sweet, feminine voice is beautifully on display however, as she was further improving in this area as well....The singing star is in fine voice for this entire album. It is subjective but I detect confidence, even happiness and enthusiasm in that voice (here), at times. (Aside from "the usual" sweetness, clarity, brightness, etc., etc.) Plus - it seems - a bit of a "sense of urgency". I.e., perhaps a solo album project that already-very-successful-and-capable, age 'twenty-something' Ms. Fältskog really wanted to create and produce, at that stimulating time within popular music. In short, via vernacular: She's "up for" this album (project). (Agnetha also was pregnant/a new mother during its recording (1973-75). And she reportedly took some singing lessons around this time, as well.)) But various demands upon her probably made it difficult (to achieve her goal, or "vision")....(Note: Ref., C.M. Palm, Bright Lights, Dark Shadows, pp.280-284.)

YouTube video posters 'Ljus85' and 'ji61m' (respectively) have included English lyrics for the two album tracks linked below. Focusing upon the singing and the songwriting: To my ears these are first-rate songs (below) composed by young Agnetha, from an overall 'decent' 1970s album. Please enjoy as a sample - as long as they remain posted. (Some YT song/tribute videos include English translations of lyrics.) :


(YT link, new window) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cWH3JBoNzw

 (YT link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRL1XBH8DLE

"Bonus": Current link to a third song....Happy tune; absolutely beautifully done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGKM8L5s5gI 

More about this bright song is offered via a recent post (link, new window).

Plus: Another excellent (in-Swedish) effort (from this album, written by Agnetha) is briefly noted/linked via this post (link, new window)....

A somewhat more detailed review of this album is linked here: http://felpin80.tripod.com/ata/id35.html

Additional, worthwhile fan/expert commentary (etc.): http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-9720.html ....AND an in-depth interview with Bosse Carlgren re the making of Elva kvinnor... plus more is detailed in this well-worth-it forum post. (Comments are interesting, too...)
(link, new window) http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-6692.html

And an iTunes link to songs from the album: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/elva-kvinnor-i-ett-hus/id290169064

(Note: A couple more links to excellent, additional songs from "Elva Kvinnor..." are included in the previous post here: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/2009/06/agnetha-selected-songs-in-swedish.html)



Note: This post is backdated to better position within the order of entries here. Its actual creation date is November, 2010. Updated, 2011.

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