Abba - In Concert 1979

Abba was one of the greatest musical acts in the world and I notice that they're now nominated for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. It's about time! Hopefully, they'll make it on the first try. After all, in record selling they rank up there with The Beatles, Elvis Pressly, Frank Sinatra and several other heavyweights. What more do they need? People obviously love them and their music. They've earned it.Abba had hit after hit on the world-wide scale but hardly left any imprint at all in the USA. I didn't even hear of them until about 1982 when I came home late one night and heard one of their songs playing on FM radio. The announcer said it was from their "Greatest Hits" album. I was very impressed by the song. "Greatest Hits?" Who are these guys? I bought the "Greatest Hits" album the next day. It was a really terrific album and every song was a winner. I was amazed! I remember telling a music friend about it, and he looked at me wondering if my taste was all in my mouth. That was a common reaction to Abba; They weren't taken seriously. They were kinda lumped in with the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond and the like as being very popular, but primarily among people who had no musical sophistication. Well, I think the play/movie "Mamma Mia" brought them back into public view and maybe their public perception began to change. I saw the movie/DVD and I enjoyed it very much and I'm enjoying the resurgence of Abba music enough to buy the "Abba In Concert" DVD."Abba in Concert" chronicles their 1979 tour of Europe and North America. It's an interesting look at the world-famous group and their world tour as it unfolded. I was reminded of "Spinal Tap," but please don't take this in a negative way. The DVD documents bits of their road life and includes abundant footage of them in concerts and plays about a dozen of their live songs. Most of the songs I recognized, but some were totally new for me. The filming and sound were excellent and it was fun watching the act live, especially those two very beautiful women. I might add that I'd never seen the group, except in photos, and I was greatly impressed with their concert personas.It's hard for me to rate this DVD. I'd say it wasn't a particularly good documentary and I longed for something better, and it wasn't a very good concert film either. Many of the songs were incomplete. I longed to see more of them and hear more of their songs. Yet, flaws and all, I loved watching this amazing group in action and the DVD was very entertaining. I suppose it's worth 4.5 stars, but since I can't give that evaluation, I'll round it up to five. If you're an Abba fan, it's a must view!Gary Peterson

Hey, fellow ABBA fans, let's relax a little bit! You're being WAY too hard on this DVD. Remember it's a 25 year old DOCUMENTARY, not a concert, and it was shot by a network that didn't religiously archive the footage because nobody at the time expected people 25 years later to care! There's plenty of full length numbers, and they rip! Having been lucky enough to have seen ABBA at the Music Hall in Boston during this tour (as did most of Aerosmith, the Cars and the J. Giels Band down in the front rows), I'm delighted now to own this DVD because it proves a point I've long tried to make to my sceptical friends. ABBA WERE UNDENIABLY A GREAT, GREAT LIVE ACT.I've been professionally involved in the concert business for three decades, I've seen everyone pretty much, and though my personal tastes run more towards The Beatles, The Cramps and Garbage, I rank ABBA as one of the best live bands I've EVER seen on a stage. The vocals were spot on, the band rocked and were very tight, the energy level was through the roof. The group, especially Frida and Agnetha, were very lively, generous and vivacious with the audience, and the songs were just great. Frankly, it was an incredible, indescribable rush to see them live, especially if you'd waited five years for it.For ages ABBA have been a guilty pleasure for those of us supposedly hip rockers, but unless you're a frigid snob you'll have to admit upon viewing this show that ABBA weren't a corny plastic disco machine - they absolutely delivered the goods. A totally legitimate act with nothing to apologize for. What's also great is that ABBA were based not just on unforgettable hook-laden songs and astounding voices, but there was a genuinely warm and mature sexuality exuding from that stage. Agnetha and Frida were women, not little girls. There bodies may not have been perfect (J-LO fans, you'll see a startling similarity between she and Agnetha in a certain way) but their talent and their sensuality knocks Britney's lip synced teasing schoolgirl trip right off the stage. ABBA actually sang every note live, mistakes and all - what a concept.As to the extras, "Thank You For The Music" is probably my least favorite ABBA song, but on this disc Agnetha is just incredible, she nails it. Frida was the darker, more european side of things, handling more mature themes, and my fave, but if God ever put a more attractive woman on a stage than Agnetha in this film, I've never seen her. As to the sound complaints, if you run the disc through a good amplifier and speaker system there's no problem, if not some of the bottom is admittedly missing. But on the plus side the clarity of the vocals is astonishing, and within the instrumentation lots of little surprises I'd never heard.Visually it's incredible - you can count eyelashes and pores, and the color is rich and true. So c'mon - lighten up everyone - a very well directed documentary, a very well edited piece of history at a pretty low price. It's a great disc of a truly brilliant band. Let's be happy for a very nice little gift to us all.

I would agree, that with the reviews which state that compared to "live concerts" that other artists do, this one does not stack up in terms of quality of film and sound engineering. Also, it is done more in a documentary sense rather than being a straight on concert. But, as it is with any number of people who are excellent musicians, one cannot blame them for the times in which they performed. In terms of a concert feel, this one will probably have to do. There are some nice ballads, but don't be surprised when this one will tend to rock. You do get the concert feel which is different than, for instance, programmed videos with lip sync. With all that said, if you like Abba, it is still worth having.