Capable Agnetha: Effortless efforts

© 2009-2010 (original portions)

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

Blog note: This entry is backdated to better fit within the order of posts here.

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

Amy Amy Amy

Nice but rough YouTube clip of Amy Winehouse performing live from the better days. (All the way back in 2007. Link below.) I really like her live (un-blown away), though she was great in any form. The dress here is perfect for her trademark awkward shimmy - done well in this performance.

A superstar-level talent, especially with that soulful contralto. Highly watchable too. No one else seems as good right now so let's hope she can pull it together and write and perform again someday.

Link to this video

(For anyone who's been away to Venus (sampling what our planet will resemble after we pump our underground carbon stores into the atmosphere)): MANY other Amy music videos are available online, including this popular one. Also at her site, here (opens a player).)

So.... how'd we get from Amy the 5-Grammy winner to Amy-out-of-control? (Recent news clip form 'The Bild' below, as one example.) A few reasons for sure, but you can begin with the major one: drugs --- most definitely including alcohol.
Damn, Amy: Don't toss it all away. At least don't mess up that great voice while you're f-in' around. (If only she would read...anything..)

clipped from www.bild.de Amy Winehouse behaving badly in the Caribbean It seems Amy Winehouse is starting to get bored of her peaceful Caribbean holiday - the troubled star is getting up to her old tricks of drinking heavily and behaving badly. The 25-year-old singer was having dinner in the restaurant of her hotel on the island of St. Lucia when she chucked a glass of water in the face of a fellow female diner for no apparent reason. 'The Sun' reported that she then tried to start a fight with her! A source told the newspaper: "Everyone wants Amy to disappear. Her attack on this guest was the last straw. "She walks around in the same grimy bikini bottoms each day with her boobs on show, gets drunk, gropes waiters and is rude to male staff. She’s hardly the most popular guest." Oh Amy, when will you learn...

Update:YT link to this post's "title track" (by Amy): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms97mz3H69E