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Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
John Aizlewood's rating
Reader rating
Nothing to prove: Andersson’s beard, haircut and teddy bear shape remain
Having co-written the 380-million-selling Abba canon — unquestionably the finest but secretly among the darkest in pop — Benny Andersson has nothing to prove.
More than a quarter of a century on, nobody understands this more than Andersson himself.
Hence, the eight-years-old Benny Andersson Band who made their English debut with a 150-minute free show in celebration of Sweden’s ascension to the European Union presidency, before a healthy proportion of London’s 50,000-strong Swedish community.
Andersson’s beard, haircut and teddy bear shape remain but those who had brought their Abba banners were sorely disappointed by the 16-strong ensemble offering mostly traditional Swedish folk in the vein of Andersson’s pre-Abba Hep Stars.
Helped immeasurably by two delightfully bickering singers, the feisty Helen Sjöholm and the crumpled but droll (“don’t go to bed as enemies; stay up and fight”) Tommy Körberg, this meant a slew of polkas, accordion-led waltzes, a lovely Moon River and snatches of Bach and Shostakovich.
Versions of Roll Out The Barrel and O, Sole Mio were as unspeakably hideous in practice as they are in theory but the ferocious, xylophone-led Jehu and the Swedish folk tune När Tvenne Hjärtan Sla were unspeakably jolly. Tellingly, the highlights were the Abba-esque divorce epic (“there’ll be a van ...”) Fait Accompli and the Abba-esque surge that was Story Of A Heart, both, far from coincidentally, co-written by Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Abba’s songwriting team.
And what of the elephant in the room? After two hours and 28 songs, Hasta Mañana appeared. I Do, I Do, I Do and Why Did It Have To Be Me? followed (hardly Abba gold but delivered with life-enhancing oomph) eventually followed, as did the sense of how a more liberal sprinkling of Abba and less rolling out of any wretched barrels would have made for a special occasion.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Sorry John Aizlewood, you’ve taken a bit of a pasting but the above posters have it spot on. It seemed like the audience was made up largely of Swedes and Abba fans and as such were certainly not “sorely disappointed” at the lack of Abba songs. Those who have followed each member of Abba’s career since the band’s demise know what Benny’s path has been. And of course the Swedes already knew of his love of traditional Swedish folk music before, during and after Abba; like most of his countrymen, it was inculcated in him from an early age. Once you’re aware of his inherant musical and cultural influences, and listen to Abba's music with fresh ears, it’s easy to spot the line through from that folk heritage. Agreed, there were a few “unusual” song choices but it was all a bit tongue in cheek and it was a pleasure to witness the Swedes, young and old, readily dancing their traditional dances on Saturday evening. It’s a real shame that not a lot of us Britons have similar traditions to call upon.
An English version of Benny & Bjorn’s musical “Kristina” is being presented for the first time in English in New York in September, with, I believe, a recording to follow. You acknowledge the Abba canon as being the finest in pop - I urge you to take a listen to Kristina and discover yet another aspect of the man’s eclectic talent; not all pop, not just folk, and, like Saturday’s concert, certainly not disappointing.
- Chris, London, UK
A good concert on a fine summer evening, with refreshing, different,
and original, sounds and interpretations.
Amazed to see and hear that such a small orchestra
could play so wide a range of musical styles very well. And for
a number of hours, without any long noticeable gaps between
musical numbers. A skilled talented team who all made it
seem so easy to perform.
Apologies to Benny that we English aren't as light on our
feet, and are rather too inhibited to do informal dancing. But now
that we've heard and seen the format for a Swedish folk/dance event,
I suppose we ought to take more action to learn the
dance steps for the next concert, as well as more
words in Swedish.
And I also really think you ought to take the band to
Scotland, Benny.
No, I didn't expect a whole load of ABBA songs - if anything,
it was much more fun to hear a different set of melodies.
- Keith, London, UK
"but those who had brought their Abba banners were sorely disappointed by the 16-strong ensemble offering mostly traditional Swedish folk in the vein of Andersson’s pre-Abba Hep Stars."
I don't think the Abba fans who attended this event were at all disappointed, because most know a lot more about the development of the work of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus before and after the Abba years than the writer of this article seems to (The Heps Stars were a rock group; it was Björn Ulvaeus's pre-Abba group who had folk roots).
I became a lover of the music of Abba in 1976 and have been on a rich and varied musical journey with all four of them since. There was musical life before and after Abba (indeed there was musical progression within the Abba years too), and those of us who have kept up with it have enjoyed a rich musical landscape ranging from rock through folk to opera. I travelled from Germany for this concert knowing exactly what to expect and enjoyed every minute of it. I will also be travelling to New York in September to see the English premiere of the concert version of the Andersson/Ulvaeus musical "Kristina" in Carnegie Hall, and hoping that the critics reviewing this have done their homework sufficiently not to expect "Mamma Mia II". That way their minds may be open to the concept that Andersson and Ulvaeus can write brilliant music in a completely different musical vein from Abba.
- Eileen Mcdonald, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
I came to London specially for this concert and it exceeded my expectations. I am a keen fan of the music of Benny Andersson and I esp. appreciate his post ABBA work. I really advise everyone to study Andersson magnus opus Kristina fran Duvemala. I enjoyed the concert at the beautiful Hampstead Heath very much. Helen and Tommy are the best of singers and Mr Andersson was as relaxed as can be. The whole atmosphere was extremely relaxt, and all the diehard ABBA fans that I haven spoken too agreed that it was the most memorable afternoon ever.
It has taken music journalist all over the world 20 years to confess that they like the music of ABBA, and it will take another few years before they will fall for the post-ABBA work of mr Andersson.
But does it matter? No, because lots of people have enjoyed the concert last Saturday, and like ABBA, that’s the only thing that matters.
- Marco Dirven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
I am a keen Abba fan, but I also love Benny Andersson's Orchestra (or the Benny Andersson Band to use the UK name). I have wanted to see them live for years, but never thought I would get the chance, so it is fair to say my expectations were high. My expectations were exceeded. It was definitely the best concert I have ever been to, and they could have gone on for another 2 and a half hours as far as I was concerned. The point is that Benny can write, and he and the band can play and sing, great music in a number of different syles, a fact that the concert amply demonstrated.
- David Cramp, Cambridge, UK
I am a lifelong Abba fan and went to the concert. I was not expecting an Abba tribute and I certainly wasn't disappointed. In fact both myself and my husband thought it was one of the best concerts we have ever been to. The eclectic mix of Swedish folk and show stopping numbers like Fait Accompli was uplifting. The atmsphere was so friendly and relaxed.
We thought the little fat guy singing O sole Mio was like a "Paul Potts" moment. Who would have thought he could belt out a number like that? It was far from hideous.
Of course the Abba numbers were just fantastic and I was glad they stayed away from the Dancing queen /mamma mia stuff and chose songs best suited to the Band. "Why did it have to be me" was pure magic,seeing Benny rocking out on the piano had to be one of the highlights.
I have to say that I was wondering if the folk music would be our kind of thing but having heard those wonderful foot tapping numbers I went straight out and bought the album.
We truly feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful event. Its a moment in time we will never forget!
- Lisa Hubball, Skegness, UK
I completely agree with the previous post. If he the reviewer had only Listened to the score for Kristina he may of realised that Andersson is a supreme melodist who has matured into a composer who, whist true to himself manages to encompass pop, folk and classical music into a massively entertaining concert experience. In thirty years of gigging. From The Who to a fledgling Blur and the wretched concert experience of Enimem, this was something special. It's funny you single out a comedy number as a lowlight, and forget the whole crowd singing along to the obviously ingratiating "roll out the barrell" If you want Abba go see Bjorn Again. Everyone else went to see Benny Andersson. I've never heard such after show praise from a crowd. The only lowlight were the fiddle players during a costume change and break for Mr. Andersson who played for 2 1/2 hours
- Paul Winnett, London
I agree with the other commentators - this concert was not an "Abba-Tribute" or "Greatest Hits Show" and it wasn't meant to be that way! Most Abba Fans which attended the concert knew about it and were not upset at all!
It was a Benny Andersson Band Concert and those concerts are famous in Sweden for jolly dancefloor filling folk oriented music. Unfortunately: in London this dancefloor was missing.
On the ther side I agree with the reviewer: It is a concept which is hard to understand outsite of Sweden - and the upcoming BAB Album will leave many british record buyers confused...
Stefan, Germany
- Stefan, Germany
My Swedish partner and I attended the Sweden On Stage event on Saturday 4th July, 2009. We enjoyed The Benny Andersson Band with Helen Sjöholm, for the lively Swedish folk music and ABBA-esque pop. It was beautiful weather, friendly family company, a great afternoon out in London. I have just written to The Swedish Embassy in London thanking their team for all their work and asking for a repeat performance next year 
- Sophia, Primrose Hill, London, UK
Bennys work since ABBA has stuck closer to his roots.The Benny Andersson band or BAO as they are known in Sweden have recorded together since 2001.
They have released numerous cd albums over there.As the press release states..Swedish folk,40's and 50's style songs,nostalgia and pure pop.I think the concert covered all that but in Sweden all families dance together as the band have a dance floor at the swedish concerts.
There were alot of ABBA fans from the fan club and not, from the world over and not just Sweden either and got what we have come to know and love with BAB..Anyone turning up expecting an ABBA type tribute show hasn't followed the work of Bjorn and Benny since 1982.If I mentioned swedish duo Gemini or Josefin Nilson would you even know they recorded albums in english of Benny and Bjorn material?
It's like saying anyone turning up at their musical 'Kristina' will expect to see a happy 'mammia mia' type musical!.
ABBA haven't recorded since 1982.
ABBA and solo work fans were not let down..read the reviews on the sites that matter...the fan sites.The british media haven't a clue what goes on musically in Europe.
- Darren, Crewe,uk
