ABBA - Ring, Ring (Deluxe Edition - Re-Issue)

****

So nice to hear these great written songs in a deluxe package!

When the songs for this album first started being recorded I was two years old and when the album was finally released in 1973 I was six. I first became aware of it's existence I suppose in the 90's, but I have never heard it until now!!! Well, what can i say?? My mother had one ABBA LP which I listened to in the early 80's, one or two tracks stood out and i played them over and over until I discovered Visage, Tears for Fears and OMD etc. A lot of people think of ABBA as ''urrrrgh'', sickly sweet lovely purdy little songs that are devoid of sharp edges so as not to offend anyone. I am one of those people, but sometimes iIdon't want to be stabbed in the fingers. Also you can't go wrong in using ABBA as a template for your own song construction, there was a lot of learning going on in the creation of this album and listening to this was a learning experience. Written and produced by Bjorn and Benny some songs were written before the girls joined up. As I have mentioned below, one song in particular facilitated the forging of ABBA.

'Ring, Ring' is a song about a girl sitting by a phone on a dark dreary night waiting for her man to call, it's a foot stompy hand clappy track with interesting emphatic drum beat and effective guitar flourishes that bring the song to life while 'Another Town' is a song about the end of relationships feels as if it was influenced by The Bachelors and has a laid back feel augmented by a flutey flourish.

'Disillusion' is a song about coming back to reality after a relationship ends and dealing with the ghosts that continue to haunt until allowed to fade. While stand out track 'People need Love' was written to promote Benny and Bjorn as a duet while Agnetha and Anni Frid were just guest singers on the track. The ballad was written before the 'Ring, Ring' album had been planned ajd the audience reaction to it was unexpected!!! ABBA were formed.

'I saw it in the Mirror' some would say is ''an uninspired attempt at laid back R'n'B'' i think it's one of those tracks you listen to in the middle of wine induced self pity and when your face feels like it's melting. It has musical filigree flourishes though that perk you up before you sink back down again, dirge like bass completes the picture. And then we have 'Nina pretty Ballerina' that snaps you out of your wine induced self pity and says ''Hey miserable!! Where's the Schnapps?! but not too much, you have to work on Monday!' It reminds me of me when I worked from 6am til 4pm Monday to Friday, daydreaming on the job with a continuous soundtrack playing on a loop. It reminds me of girls in the 80's dancing around their handbags. I like the muted guitar accent used through out this & the pitch bend / choo, choo at the beginning. Excuse me a moment would readers, i have to put a hand bag on the floor......

'Love isn't Easy (But it sure is hard Enough)' is quite clearly a country song with absolutely no sexual innuendo, honest! Even though I find myself thrusting out my hips when i hear the emphatic bang of the drum. Remember folks relationships aren't easy you have to work at them ok!

Reminiscences is the theme for this next little ditty and it's called 'Me and Bobby, and Bobby's Brother' I'm reminded of a time way back in 76 when me and...... whoops sorry got sidetracked there! This piano driven piece of nostalgia is put together in a Carpenters / David Cassidy kind of way and sums up for how much of the music in the 70's would sound, unless of course you were prepared to go sonic skinny dipping to see what was under the surface...

Treat him well 'He is your Brother' is another song telling us to be nice to our fellows because one day we might need their help. Country rock in vibe this has a nice tight bass that keeps the song together along with a subtle saxophone in the background' I imagined myself on my back floating down a river of custard towards a sea of cream with my head being bashed by marshmallows studded with boiled sweets.

'She's my kind of Girl' has a Beach Boys / The Doors feel to it. seeing that this album was recorded in the early 1970's you'd expect it to have a 60's morphing into 70's feel about it. I quite like this track. If you like early 70's Swedish Soft Porn then check out the film 'Inga II'.

'I am just a Girl' is one of those songs that were a staple on 70's telly, Think Val Doonican singing his tunes surrounded by doe eyed kids swaying in sync with each other or those toe tappers churned out by The New Seekers, Those trumpets do it for me! la,la,la,la la la la! plain girl who never gets noticed then gets noticed and life begins. 

This album is a great piece of history and the added bonus items on this release make it even better for any ABBA fan and to understanding the album so I think this is a really good purchase for anyone wanting to get into the early work of the band.

Review by Claudia Black

Check Out! the Video for 'Ring, Ring' Below...