30/4/10
[Q15] LUGARES RELACIONADOS / Related places: ABBA
EL NUEVO DISCO DE ROXETTE NO ANTES DEL 2011 / Roxette's new album won't be out before 2011
Hay novedades sobre Roxette. Siguen inmersos en una gira que les está llevando con éxito por diferentes localidades de Europa, la Princesa Victoria de Suecia cuenta con ellos para su gala nupcial y también están trabajando en el nuevo disco. La grabación se realiza en el estudio Aerosol Grey Machine en Skane, al sur de Suecia. Per ha comentado que la grabación va muy bien y que tienen entre manos un disco excellente. Está sonando muy bien. Grabarán 16 temas. Pero Per no cree que el disco salga este año, ya que piensan descansar durante el verano, aparte de algún que otro concierto, piensan tenerlo acabado para octubre, tal y como lo ven ahora, pero el álbum no se editará hasta febrero del 2011. Puede que haya un single para navidad. Y también comentó que la voz de Marie está fenomenal.
There are new about Roxette. They continue with their tour which is taking them successfully around different locations throughout Europe, Sweden's Princess Victoria counts on them to take part in her wedding gala and they are also working on their new record. The recordings are taking place at the Aerosol Grey Machine studios in Skane, Southern Sweden. Per has commented that the recording is going very well and that they've got a killer album on their hands. Most things feel tremendous. They'll record 16 tracks. On the question if the album will be out before Christmas he responds that they're taking a break over the summer, and they'll be done in October the way it seems now. The album will likely be released in February 2011. And hopefully they'll pop out a single for X-mas. He also said that Marie's vocals are exceptional.
[Q14] LUGARES RELACIONADOS / Related places: ANA TORROJA, HOTEL MISIANA, TARIFA (CÁDIZ)
29/4/10
KATIE MELUA: ESTRENA NUEVO ÁLBUM / Premieres new album
Video "THE FLOOD":
Video adelanto/preview "THE HOUSE":
BOSÉ CARDIO-TOUR 2010: Fechas en España / Spanish dates
16/07/2010 Naron (A Coruña)
18/07/2010 Manzanares (Ciudad Real)
24/07/2010 Ceuta
31/07/2010 Burriana (Castellón)
01/08/2010 Ibiza
04/08/2010 Vigo (Pontevedra)
07/08/2010 Baeza (Jaén)
10/08/2010 Benidorm (Alicante)
17/08/2010 Villarrobledo (Albacete)
24/08/2010 Noia (A Coruña)
28/08/2010 Marchena (Sevilla)
01/10/2010 Barakaldo (Vizcaya)
02/10/2010 San Sebastián
07/10/2010 Lugo
08/10/2010 León
09/10/2010 Salamanca
11/10/2010 Zaragoza
28/4/10
BJÖRN ENTREVISTADO PARA PERIÓDICO CANADIENSE / Björn interviewed for Canadian newspaper
"BJÖRN IS STILL A SUPER TROUPER"
Concerned the show would be a tell-all about the famed Swedish group – which broke up in 1982 – Ulvaeus and his long-time songwriting collaborator Benny Andersson only agreed to Craymer’s proposal once she assured them the production would be a totally original musical. After countless rewrites of the script (by Catherine Johnson) the show was finally ready to go, and debuted to wide acclaim April 6, 1999 at the prestigious Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End.
In a phone call from his home in Stockholm, Ulvaeus admits he was a quivering mass of nerves that night, since he was unsure an audience would appreciate the light-hearted tale of a single mom and her daughter seeking to find the identity of her real dad. He worried for naught. Mamma Mia! has been seen by over 40 million people worldwide, and has premiered in more cities faster than any other musical in history – and this week, the musical returns to Toronto for a five-week run.
The 65-year-old Swede talked to The Globe about the show’s lasting appeal, his friendship with the ABBA band members (including ex-wife, Agnetha Faltskog), his elation when Meryl Streep accepted the lead in the movie, and his new obsession, his three grandchildren (including one babbling away in the background).
So how did the musical actually come about?
Judy approached me at the end of the eighties, but with an idea for a TV program. It wasn’t a musical at all. That didn’t go anywhere. Then Judy introduced me to Catherine Johnson, who is dark, funny, clever and witty – and I thought perfect to write a musical. Benny and I had ground rules: There could be no changes to the lyrics or the music. And I made it clear that if at any time I felt this wasn’t good enough, or that it would hurt the catalogue of songs or the group in any way, I’d pull the plug.
But it turned out to be great fun. The fact that this little show –– which we all thought would have a limited run –– is where it is now, well, it’’s quite incredible.
The London production is now in its 11th year. On Broadway, its ninth. And it’s returning to Toronto, where it’s already grossed over $170-million and been seen by more than three million people. What is Mamma Mia!’s appeal?
The timing was right. Most shows during the ‘‘80s were quite sombre, such as Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera. This was light and funny, bright and happy. Plus the audiences knew all the songs. But mostly I think it’s because of the story. I’ve heard critics who have dismissed Mamma Mia! as simplistic. But that’s stupid, because it’s a great story for these songs.
Describe opening night in London.
The first time we saw it with an audience was the preview, and none of us knew what to expect. We had done so many interviews, explaining this was not a show about ABBA. But I bet half the audience still thought that’s what it was. I was watching people in the crowd and at first they didn’t know what the hell to make of it. You could see the puzzlement and I was very worried. Then after about five or 10 minutes, I could see people starting to smile. And I’ll never forget that moment, because it was such a relief. You and Benny had some influence on the actors chosen for the feature film.
Did you think Meryl Streep would take the bait?
We knew she liked it because she had written us a long letter saying how much she loved [the stage version]. Originally, the three female dynamos were going to be younger, like the musical. Then someone came up with the brilliant idea of making them older. And the dream, then, of course, was Meryl. We knew she could sing. So we asked her. And she said yes, just like that. It was very daring of her. And we were over the moon.
Benny and I both think Pierce has a warm, interesting voice. Very folky. We actually liked his voice. I don’t quite understand it when people say he’s an awful singer. We don’t think he is.
Do you still see the rest of your band?
Well, Benny and I are the best of friends so we see each other at least once a week. Netta [Fältskog] and I have three grandchildren together, so I also see her quite a lot at birthdays, Christmas, etc. Frida [Anni-Frid Lyngstad] travels to Stockholm quite often, and we get together. So we’’re all still good friends. When the band split, it was because we felt there wasn’t the same energy any more.
Is there any truth to talk of a reunion?
None. There are always rumours about that.
Any regrets?
Personal things, definitely, which I wouldn’t like to mention. When it comes to my career in the entertainment business, no. I’’ve been amazingly lucky. After ABBA split, I thought we’d be finished. To be here, now – I still ask myself, how did this happen? My life is full. My grandkids are all here now, swarming around me. And that one making the noise, he’s the second youngest – and he’’s got a good set of lungs.
Mamma Mia! returns to Toronto’’s Princess of Wales theatre April 28 and runs until June 27.
27/4/10
"ARRIVAL", ABBA & MIKE OLDFIELD
Abba incluyó un par de temas instrumentales en su álbumes. El más famoso fue "ARRIVAL" ("Llegada") que sirvió de título al cuarto LP del grupo del año 1976. Este tema instrumental ha tenido varias versiones por otros artistas, el más famoso la versión de Mike Oldfield, que "copió" la cubierta del disco con su propio helicóptero.
Video "ARRIVAL" en vivo/live Mike Oldfield:
25/4/10
SHARLEEN SPITERI NIGHT OF THE PROMS-CHARLEROI (24/4/2010): "XANADU" EN VIVO / Live
Cantó también/She also sang: "ALL THE TIMES I CRIED", "SAY WHAT YOU WANT" & "BLACK EYED BOY"
Video "XANADU" en vivo/live Night of the Proms, Charleroi (24/4/2010):
Video "SUMMER SON" en vivo/live Night of the Proms, Charleroi (24/4/2010):
23/4/10
24/04/2010: TVE REPITE CONCIERTO "LA PASIÓN" DE LUZ / TVE repeats Luz's "La Pasion" concert
PHIL COLLINS: VUELVE CON MÁS VERSIONES MOTOWN / Is back with more Motown cover versions
Phil Collins está empeñado en superar sus problemas físicos y no deja de sorprender a todos aquellos que le daban por retirado. Collins, ya tiene nuevo proyecto, "GOING BACK" ("Regresando"). Además de ser su primer álbum en ocho años, será un tributo al sonido Motown, una de las cunas del soul y rhythm & blues. Collins logró concretar varias jornadas de grabación junto a The Funk Brothers, el grupo original de sesiones del sello Motown. El disco contará con un extenso catálogo de canciones que en su momento fueron popularizadas por astros como Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, The Four Tops y The Supremes. El album saldrá en septiembre pero Collins piensa hacer un preestreno de canciones entre el 22 y 25 de junio próximos con una serie de shows en el Roseland Ballroom en New York. Incluimos video de una de sus primeras versiones Motown "CAN'T HURRY LOVE" ("No puedes darle prisa al amor").
22/4/10
BENNY AL PIANO DE ELTON JOHN EN LA FIESTA POST-KRISTINA / Benny at Elton John's piano at Kristina after-party
20/4/10
BENNY & BJÖRN: EL LARGO CAMINO DE VUELTA A CASA... / The long way back home...
" ...But the most determined celebrity travellers were Abba’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The songwriters launched their new musical, Kristina, in London on Wednesday.
But when all UK flights were grounded the following day, Benny and Bjorn decided to take the long way home.
A coach was hired to take them to Dover, where they caught a ferry to Calais. There they boarded a bus to Copenhagen and a train took them to Malmo and on to Gothenburg in Sweden. On Friday they were due to board another train home to Stockholm, their spokesman told Swedish paper Aftonbladet.
A flight from London to Stockholm would take two hours – but their gruelling journey took 30 hours. Mamma Mia!"
18/4/10
"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE", BLACK
17/4/10
ZERMATT UNPLUGGED FESTIVAL: FRIDA EN VIDEO-ENTREVISTA TV / Frida on TV video-interview
BENNY MATIZA: "LAS POSIBILIDADES DE QUE ABBA VUELVA SON NULAS" / Benny backtracks: "The chances of an Abba reunion are zero"
The London Evening Standard has a small article referring to the ABBA reunion story.
Here we go again...? Er no, says ABBA's Benny:
ABBA's Benny Andersson has backtracked on hints he made last month that the legendary Swedish band could re-form.
Andersson made headlines all over the world when he suggested there could be a way back by saying: "Yeah, why not?" After a performance of Kristina a couple of nights at the Albert Hall, he said: "It was a misunderstanding. Probably my fault. If you were to say to us, 'You know, I have this good idea, why don't you start the old band again?' I'd just say, 'Yes, what a great idea.' It was irony. I didn't mean to upset people. The chances of a reunion are zero."
14/4/10
"KRISTINA": EN CONCIERTO, ESTRENO HOY EN LONDRES / In concert, premiere in London tonight
13/4/10
BENNY COMPONE UNA CANCIÓN PARA LA BODA DE LA PRINCESA VICTORIA DE SUECIA / Benny writes song for Sweden's Princess Victoria's wedding
Daniel & Victoria
10/4/10
HOY SALE NUEVO LIBRO DE ABBA / Today new Abba book released: "THE ABBA GUIDE TO STOCKHOLM"
Slide "The ABBA Guide to Stockholm":
9/4/10
THE BEATLES: 40 AÑOS SEPARADOS / Broke up 40 years ago
ANTONIO VEGA: CONCIERTO HOMENAJE ESTA NOCHE EN MADRID / Tribute concert tonight in Madrid
[Gold] MARLANGO: RECITAL EN CORUÑA ESTA NOCHE / Concert in Coruña tonight
El nuevo álbum incluye colaboraciones de voces como la de Jorge Dréxler, Suso Saiz, Rufus Wainwright o Ben y Leo Sidran. Estos cantantes han querido participar en la nueva aventura que sus tres amigos plantean como un viaje a aquel lugar donde te gusta jugar y esconderte de niño. Una casa en el árbol para desconectar de la realidad y ver las cosas con cierta distancia, de ahí que la crítica hable de él como un disco más dulce y luminoso. Sus letras hablan de las cosas que les gustaría hacer y de las que ya han hecho, por eso conecta con la ilusión y los sueños que uno tiene cuando es pequeño.
Doce años han pasado ya desde el encuentro de la actriz y el pianista, pero fue en 2004 cuando publicaron su primer álbum completo, "MARLANGO", con influencias de rock y jazz. Este gran estreno también lo compartió el neoyorquino Oscar Ybarra, quien se incorporó al proyecto en el 2002 aportando la música de su guitarra.
Video "ENJOY THE RIDE" ("Disfruta del paseo") en vivo/live:
Video "IT'S ALRIGHT" ("Todo está bien"):
8/4/10
LO NUEVO DE DANZA INVISIBLE ES UNA VERSIÓN DE EDDY GRANT / The latest by Danza Invisible is an Eddy Grant's cover version
7/4/10
LOS MÁS ESCUCHADOS DE LA DECADA EN GRAN BRETAÑA / The most played artists of the decade in the UK
Madonna fue la artista más escuchada en el Reino Unido durante la última década. La cantante lideró la Lista de los Artistas de la Gente, una encuesta realizada por PPL para la BBC Radio 2. Los resultados que se recogieron utilizando datos de emisión radiofónica, televisiva y reproducción pública en bares, clubs, restaurantes y otros negocios se hizo pública ayer. The Sugarbabes son el único grupo de la lista que surgió durante la última década.
1. Madonna
2. The Beatles
3. Robbie Williams
4. Queen
5. Take That
6. Sugababes
7. Elton John
8. Elvis Presley
9. Abba
10. Coldplay
La lista completa/The complete list:
11. Pink
12. U2
13. Kylie Minogue
14. Stevie Wonder
15. Oasis
16. Scissor Sisters
17. Rod Stewart
18. Girls Aloud
19. The Rolling Stones
20. The Stereophonics
21. Bee Gees
22. David Bowie
23. The Beach Boys
6/4/10
36 AÑOS DE "WATERLOO" 36 years ago
Por último, el día 6 de abril también es el aniversario de "WATERLOO", hace ya 36 años de la victoria de Abba en Brighton...
MAMMA MIA, EL MUSICAL CUMPLE 11 AÑOS Y PASARÁ POR A CORUÑA / Mamma Mia the Musical is 11 years old & will stop in A Coruña
Benny & Nina
Mamma Mia elenco español/Spanish cast
5/4/10
AGNETHA 60, HOY / Today
Abba Mikory's Blog:
3/4/10
MIGUEL BOSÉ: 54 AÑOS DE ÉXITOS / 54 successful years [Discografía/Discography]
Linda (1977)