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Live Review |
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Bjorn Again Shine As Bright As Ever.
Cheltenham Town Hall - Monday 3rd
March 2008
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Photography by David and Garry Peck. |
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Review by Kathryn
Courtney-O'Neill |
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Can you believe that "Bjorn Again"
have been around the world and back again for nineteen years and
continue to wow the crowds with a highly polished show that is
difficult to criticise. It never gets boring, it's always fun and
highly entertaining and the music, can you really say your are
able to sit in your seat for long?
The good thing about this ABBA tribute
band is that they are not afraid to experiment and don't
necessarily stick to the tried and tested formula of the 'Greatest
Hits' show which in my humble opinion would bore me to tears.
There is only so much I can take!
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Over the years they have performed
ABBA album tracks to such a high standard and the occasional
Agnetha and Frida solo track, an extremely brave move for which
they deserve much respect, especially pleasing hard core ABBA
fans. It also confirms why they remain at the top of their
profession.
Well, the band didn't have a gig
booked for Bristol (shame on Bristol depriving us of such
a fabulous show.) so Cheltenham Town Hall was the venue of choice,
although the town is full of one way systems - ultimate nightmare!
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This time around the stage set is all
rather simple yet effective with 'Bjorn Again' banners and
inflatable balloons in the shape of 19 and a massive inflatable
birthday cake complete with candles. The show opens to the dulcet
tones of radio DJ Tony Blackburn introducing the band, a bit of
background history and then into the music introduction of
"Arrival". The band bound on stage and open with the Eurovision
winner "Waterloo" followed by "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After
Midnight)" and then "Super Trouper". There is plenty of banter
between Agnetha Faltstart, Frida Longstockin, Benny Anderwear and
Bjorn Vol-vous and they certainly believe in audience participation
when it come to the song "Honey Honey" with boys verses girls in a
singing contest. We never ever know who the real winners are!
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Frida and
Agnetha get the chance to show off their voices with "Knowing Me,
Knowing You" and "S.O.S" respectively and then we move into the
acoustic set of the show with Frida asking everyone "Are we feeling
romantic?" whilst Bjorn takes off
his jacket with one or two innuendos being said. Benny arrives on
stage with an accordion and shows he is a true musician. Now that is
authenticity because the real Benny Andersson does play the
accordion and whilst with ABBA did play this on tour too! However
Bjorn Again use this to their advantage with "I Have A
Dream", "Thank You For The Music" and "Hasta Manana" an early album
track sung brilliantly by Agnetha and accompanied by some of the
best harmonies I have heard in ages. Even Frida's rendition of a
later album track "Our Last Summer" is on an equal par and with a
powerful ending to boot. Both are wonderful highlights of the show
and also go to prove how influential ABBA's music really is.
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Bjorn Again then close
the first half of the show with two rocking numbers. "On And On And
On" and "So Long". Complete with dance moves that many of the
audience were copying and two mini 'Dancing Queens' of no more than
10 years old who were determined to show they were have a good time,
it only goes to prove Bjorn Again and ABBA's music reach across the
generations. And the costumes worn by the band are as authentic as
you can get with the 1977 tour tunics a favourite.
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Tony Blackburn is back
again with his radio presentation and Bjorn Again swoop into the
second half with the album track "Eagle". This always has great
guitar riffs that cannot be faulted. Then into dance mode with "Voulez
Vous", "Summer Night City" superbly executed and rarely played by
anyone else on the live circuit and "Lay All Your Love On
Me". One of the all time favourites that has remained in the show
since I first saw them in 1991 is "Ring Ring" and considering it
wasn't a big hit single for ABBA in 1973 or 1974, the audience
love it and copy the dance moves. It is amazing to watch. And the
banter in a small instrumental break in the song remains on top
form everytime. "Fernando" is always inspirational as a swaying
audience love this song and they sing along quite happily too.
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Benny and Bjorn then
seize their chance to become 'rock gods' whilst the girls leave
the stage for a costume change. They shout "Are you ready to rock
'n' roll?" I'm still waiting for some to shout out no! for a
laugh, but it hasn't happened during my presence. And as soon as
the music intro starts the crowd are turned into Status Quo fans.
They do a stomping version of "Rockin' All Over The World" before
the girls return to the stage and sing "Money, Money, Money"
throwing the boys money into the audience as some sort of pay back
maybe? Who knows?
Next thing the
audience are bounding up and down to "Take A Chance On Me", finger
pointing to "Mamma Mia" and the girls flirt with the guys in the
audience to "Does Your Mother Know". I always love this song being
performed by Bjorn Again because no other tribute band can match
this performance of the song. But it's over too soon and the crowd
are demanding more with an encore. But there is a surprise for
Frida when a real birthday cake and the audience sing 'Happy
Birthday' to her. Definitely unexpected.
The songs "Chiquitita"
and the highly acclaimed "Dancing Queen" are the final two songs
for the night and the 1 hour and 45 minute show is over way too
soon. Despite this and a bit of a long drive home, "Bjorn Again"
continue to shine as bright as ever and remain at the top of their
game.
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