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John Aizlewood's rating
, Another Abba star is Björn as Kylie joins the band
By
John Aizlewood
14 Sep 2009
If it's impossible to think of a more perfect pop group than Abba, then it’s probably because there isn’t one.
However you take them — frothy dance floor fillers or impossibly melancholic chroniclers of love, loss and loneliness — nobody has done it better and by resisting the ego and wallet massaging that a reunion would bring, they have shown dignity beyond the call of pop duty.
Last night, 35,000 people flocked to Hyde Park — many dressed as their heroes — on a blustery autumnal evening, where catering was hopelessly inadequate, queuing for the lavatory lasted longer than Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s solo career and they still skipped home, lives enhanced by a sweet-natured two and a half hours.
Kylie Minogue made her first and last British appearance of 2009. “You look delicious,” she told us. Straight of hair and glittering of trouser suit, she made a fair fist of Super Trouper without quite capturing its pain, but, after changing into a flowing white dress, she returned to deliver When All Is Said And Done, further proof Abba were not only a singles act. Accompanied by Abba’s Benny Andersson on piano, she delivered this bereft break-up song with a power, authority and believability I had thought she was incapable of.
The evening was not without its naff and perplexing moments. Lulu was reliably hopeless on Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight), competition winner Jodie Prenger gurningly ghastly on One Of Us, while Chaka Khan seemed unfamiliar with The Winner Takes It All. Oh, and call me a stickler for detail, but three Chess excerpts, one from the Andersson-Björn Ulvaeus musical Kristina and some old Swedish folk tunes are not technically (or, indeed, actually) Abba songs.
Yet, with material as magical as Abba’s, it would have been hard to fail. Dignified, eloquent speeches from Andersson and Ulvaeus added to the sense of occasion. “Life can be pretty wonderful,” purred Ulvaeus and after The Feeling reclaimed Knowing Me, Knowing You from Alan Partridge; Nerina Pallot equalled Minogue’s glamour and Beth Nielsen Chapman caused goosebumps the size of speed humps on Fernando, you could see what he meant.
Best of all though came near the end, when the BBC Concert Orchestra and some of Abba’s touring band charged through a supertight medley of unimpeachable splendour against a backdrop of fireworks. Abba, fireworks and the rain holding off. Ulvaeus was right: life can be wonderful.
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Reader views (7)
The evening was a tribute to Abba. And as Abba's Fantastic songwriting team it was fantastic that parts of Chess and Kristina were included. I had goosebumps during Kerry Ellis's version of "You have to be there". Kristina is an amazing achievement for Benny and Bjorn ! Apart from Lulu (bless her!),Chaka Khan (dreadfull) and Jamie Cullum( who should've stayed at home- he murdered My Love, My Life) the evening was Fabba. The only things missing were Agnetha and Frida !! I loved it I only wish I'd drunk more champagne before jamie cullum came on stage !! Benny who said us brits are mad and Bjorn who looked very overwhelmed are so well loved as part of music legends that us brits adore. Am proud to be an Abba nut and so enjoyed Thank you for the music !!
- Debbi Burns, Bucks, 15/09/2009 09:12
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The Times reviewer thought that Chaka Khan was "the highlight of the evening". And she (the reviewer, I mean) is dead serious about that.
What is she on??
- George, USA, 15/09/2009 02:52
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Although Jodie Prenger may have "gurned" she sang 'One of Us' brilliiantly and got one of the loudest cheers of the evening. The cast from Mama Mia were great and we agree, possibly the best part of the evening was definitely the medley at the end - fabbaulous!
- Julie, London, 14/09/2009 15:03
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That review is spot on. Kylie was iconic. Chaka Khan committed murder with violence on my favourite-ever song! Luckily I was able to concentrate on the angelic backing vocals and the orchestra. They both nailed the song as the gods (Bjorn and Benny intended). Elaine Paige was her usual glorious, imperious self. Lulu ??? Jamie Cullum a discordant row as per usual (though he is cute!).
But what of Chris Evans? Someone throw a sack over that man before he does irreperable damage to Radio 2. He is a total embarrassment, waving his arms around in time with every syllable he utters and never saying anything remotely funny or respectful. He really has the perfect face for radio, but unfortunately the most annoying voice to go with it.
Apart from that, it was the most sweet-natured evening, even though the weather didn't really play its part. The fireworks were fantastic, as was the orchestra. We all went home lighter of heart and grateful we had made the effort.
- Gill Matthews, Croydon, England, 14/09/2009 14:08
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Kylie's version of 'When All Is Said And Done' was definitely collaboration of the night - simply stunning.
- Mark, London, 14/09/2009 14:06
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I dont know what event you went to but there was no queing for the toilets! Also, the event was called "Thank you for the Music"! Not "A Stream of Abba Songs" I think they did a good job appealing to the wider audiance and not just hard core Abba fans.
- Adam, Ealing, 14/09/2009 12:08
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You can't really blame them if they did 'I Know Him So Well' (from Chess) - it's definitely the greatest Abba song that never was an Abba song.
- Alison, London, 14/09/2009 10:56
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