"Lily James sang really well – good singers make the job easier. Pierce Brosnan is good too. Everyone jokes that he's not very good but I think that's just because nobody wants to see James Bond in romantic scenes like that."
Although Benny will not be lending his vocals to the movie, he confirmed he will be making a cameo.
Benny Andersson admits the truth behind ABBA's split ahead of upcoming reunion tour
And teases some great singing in Mamma Mia! 2 from Pierce Brosnan...
BY NICOLA AGIUS
2 OCTOBER 2017
88
Benny Andersson has opened up about why ABBA split.
During an interview on ITV's Lorraine today (October 2), the star explained there were several factors that contributed to the band's break-up in 1982.
He said: "Things were happening in real life too, not just in [our] working life. [Anni-Frid Lyngstad and I] got divorced, [Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog] got divorced. At first we still worked together though because we knew what we had."
When ABBA originally called it a day, the break was only ever supposed to be temporary.
However, when Benny and Björn were approached by West End icon Tim Rice in the early '80s to start writing music for theatre productions, the reunion was delayed
Lorraine on ITV ✔ @ITVLorraine
Benny explained: "We were on a break when Tim came along. He gave us these opportunities and afterwards, we were like what's the point in going back [to performing] because we like theatre so much?"
Now though, 35 years after the band parted ways, ABBA are getting back together and planning a huge virtual reunion tour.
"If everything goes to plan, we will be back in digital form at the beginning of 2019," he said. "It is going to be a virtual tour but everything will be live.
"It will be as though we are out on the road because the whole set-up is live. It will just be us four singers that are in digital form."
Ahead of the tour, Benny will be working on blockbuster sequel Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Lily James and Dominic Cooper.
The star has produced the music for the soundtrack but will not be singing in any of the songs.
"I spent all summer recording the music," he added. "I didn't intend to but I just couldn't keep my hands away from it. If I didn't do it, I knew the music wouldn't be the way I wanted it to be.
"Lily James sang really well – good singers make the job easier. Pierce Brosnan is good too. Everyone jokes that he's not very good but I think that's just because nobody wants to see James Bond in romantic scenes like that."
Although Benny will not be lending his vocals to the movie, he confirmed he will be making a cameo.
Mamma Mia! 2 will hit cinemas in summer 2018. Lorraine is on ITV, weekdays at 8.30am.
http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/mamma-mia/news/a839547/abba-reunion-tour-benny-andersson-split-interview/
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Home>Music>Music News>Benny Andersson discusses reasons for ABBA's split & their 'virtual reunion' planned for 2019 Benny Andersson discusses reasons for ABBA's split & their 'virtual reunion' planned for 2019
ABBA Reunion
03102017
They're one of the best and most iconic pop bands of all time, but ABBA have never reformed since splitting in 1982.
In a way, you have to admire their integrity for doing so - but a 'virtual reality' reunion and tour that was touted earlier this year is coming to fruition and should be on the road by 2019, according to Benny Andersson.
Andersson appeared on ITV's Lorraine yesterday to discuss both the tour and Mamma Mia 2 - and he also spoke about the reasons behind the band's split and why they never got back together.
"Things were happening in real life too, not just in [our] working life," he said. "[Anni-Frid Lyngstad and I] got divorced, [Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog] got divorced. At first we still worked together though because we knew what we had."
He added that the break was supposed to be temporary until he and Bjorn Ulvaeus were approached by Tim Rice to write musicals - including 'Chess'. "We were on a break when Tim came along," he said. "He gave us these opportunities and afterwards, we were like what's the point in going back, because we like theatre so much?"
Of the 'virtual reunion', he said: "If everything goes to plan, we will be back in digital form at the beginning of 2019. Ot is going to be a virtual tour but everything will be live.
"It will be as though we are out on the road because the whole set-up is live. It will just be us four singers that are in digital form."
A good or terrible idea? We'll have to wait and see...
http://entertainment.ie/music/news/Benny-Andersson-discusses-reasons-for-ABBAs-split-amp-their-virtual-reunion-planned-for-2019/397806.htm
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In a chat with the ITV show he also stuck up for former Bond hunk Pierce Brosnan, who has been slated for his singing in the first Hollywood blockbuster.
Benny, 70, said: "I spent summer recording the music for that. I didn't intend to, but I couldn't keep my hands away from it.
"It's been fun. Lily James sings really well.
"And Amanda, She did in the previous film too - they are good singers, it makes it easier."
Entertainment reporter Ross King then quipped: "Pierce Brosnan, not so much so?"
Yet Benny insisted: "He's a good singer.
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VOCAL QUEENSAbba star Benny Andersson praises Lily James and Amanda Seyfried as ‘great singers’ while he talks Mamma Mia 2
The singer, 70, has recorded new material for the Hollywood flick's follow-up. He also confirmed he has a cameo role in the film
By Beth Allcock, Showbiz Reporter
2nd October 2017, 10:01 amUpdated: 2nd October 2017, 12:30 pm
ABBA legend Benny Andersson has praised the vocal talents of Lily James and Amanda Seyfried as he revealed he has been recording the soundtrack for Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again.
The Swedish singer told today's Lorraine show he was left very impressed by the two female leads and especially Downton Abbey star Lily, who plays a young Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again!
ABBA legend Benny Andersson revealed he has been recording new music for Mamma Mia 2
6
ABBA legend Benny Andersson revealed he has been recording new music for Mamma Mia 2
He said new arrival Lily James and Amanda Seyfried were 'great' singers, as was Bond star Pierce Brosnan
6
He said new arrival Lily James and Amanda Seyfried were 'great' singers, as was Bond star Pierce Brosnan
Benny said working with talented singers like Amanda Seyfried helped the artistic processGETTY IMAGES - GETTY
6
Benny said working with talented singers like Amanda Seyfried helped the artistic process
In a chat with the ITV show he also stuck up for former Bond hunk Pierce Brosnan, who has been slated for his singing in the first Hollywood blockbuster.
Benny, 70, said: "I spent summer recording the music for that. I didn't intend to, but I couldn't keep my hands away from it.
"It's been fun. Lily James sings really well.
"And Amanda, She did in the previous film too - they are good singers, it makes it easier."
Entertainment reporter Ross King then quipped: "Pierce Brosnan, not so much so?"
Yet Benny insisted: "He's a good singer.
Benny, 70, insisted Pierce Brosnan too was a good singer - but people didn't want to see the Bond hunk in a romantic role
6
Benny, 70, insisted Pierce Brosnan too was a good singer - but people didn't want to see the Bond hunk in a romantic role
"Everyone's joking about that, but he's a good singer.
"I just think it's a matter of you just don't want to see James Bond in a romantic situation like that."
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Benny - one-quarter of the ABBA line-up - then confirmed he would have a cameo in the upcoming flick.
Meanwhile, little is known so far about the Mamma Mia 2 cast - except that the film will be subtitled Here We Go Again.
Benny was chatting to Lorraine's entertainment reporter Ross King
6
Benny was chatting to Lorraine's entertainment reporter Ross King
As the original film is back on the songs of ABBA, the second film will also be a musical.
When the film is released, it will mark the 10-year anniversary of the original film's release.
So far, picture house Universal has promised that some of the songs featured will be new songs not in the first flick, but "some old classics" will also make an appearance.
Little is known about the plotline for Mamma Mia 2GETTY - CONTRIBUTOR
6
Little is known about the plotline for Mamma Mia 2
Ol Parker, the man behind the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films, will be writing and directing the new instalment.
The film has been given a preliminary release date of July 20, 2018.
However, bosses have yet to announce the film going into pre-production and as a result, the team have yet to shoot any new material.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/4592240/abba-star-benny-andersson-praises-lily-james-and-amanda-seyfried-as-great-singers-as-he-talks-mamma-mia-2/
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VIDEO
Piano
Das Album ab 29. September 2017
http://www.universal-music.de/benny-andersson/videos/detail/video:450107/thank-you-for-the-music
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Mis à jour à 12h12, publié le 01/10/2017 à 12H02
Benny Andersson, le co-fondateur d'ABBA, voyage en solo depuis la dissolution du groupe mythique. 34 ans après, il a choisi de dépouiller ses tubes légendaires et d'autres moins connus de toute orchestration pour les réunir dans un album intitulé "Piano" . Un opus enregistré sous le prestigieux label Deutsche Grammophon qui rappelle quel compositeur inspiré est Benny Andersson.
Sur la pochette en noir et blanc les cheveux ont blanchi mais le visage de Benny Andersson n'a pas tant changé que cela. Et sur ce visage encore un peu rond flotte un léger sourire du genre : "Vous voyez, je suis toujours là et je vais peut-être bien vous surprendre."
On savait depuis longtemps que pour composer des titres comme "Waterloo", "The Winner Takes It All", Mamma Mia", "Money, Money, Money" ou "Dancing Queen" (entre autres) qui ont agité la planète entière pendant le règne d'ABBA il fallait avoir un sens aigu de la mélodie. "Piano", enregistré chez Deutsche Grammophon, le confirme sans l'ombre d'un doute.
Les Mémoires d'Andersson
40 ans après, Benny Andersson a choisi "d'atteindre un certain noyau central commun à tous ces titres". Il s'est alors rendu compte que plus il les "déshabillait", plus il ressentait la musique, que ce soit une musique créée l'an dernier ou il y a 40 ans. "D'une certaine manière un peu étrange, confie-t-il, j'ai l'impression de jouer mes mémoires".
Comme un clin d'oeil à l'histoire c'est "I Let The Music Speak" qui ouvre l'album. Un titre prémonitoire "Je laisse parler la musique" qui figurait sur le dernier opus d'ABBA "The Visitors".
Et Benny Andersson laisse parler la musique des 21 titres qu'il a retenus de la plus belle des façons.
Il a pioché bien entendu dans le registre d'ABBA avec 6 titres dont "Thank You For The Music".
Pour Benny comme pour nous c'est l'occasion d'un grand retour en arrière. L'occasion de se remémorer le titre original et de comparer.
Pour Benny Andersson, il y a eu une vie après ABBA. Une vie ponctuée d'albums solo et de comédies musicales à succès. Avant "Mamma Mia", cela a commencé avec "Chess" le musical co-écrit avec son compère d'ABBA Bjorn Ulvaeus : l'histoire d'un triangle amoureux lors d'un championnat du monde d'échecs. C'était deux ans après la fin d'ABBA. Josh Groban en a été un des interprètes.
C'était quelque chose de nouveau pour Benny, une façon de ne pas rester sur la même voie, fût-elle couronnée de succès, toute sa vie. Une nouvelle écriture qui imposait l'ajustement de plusieurs paramètres : musique, chansons et mise en scène.
Benny Andersson a retenu 5 titres de "Chess"...mais pas le méga tube "One Night In Bangkok" dont on se demande ce qu'il pourrait donner en version piano. Mais le compositeur a peut-être bien en tête de réaliser une version "Piano" de son musical.
Que ce soit "You and I", "Embassy Lament" ou "Anthem" de "Chess" ou "Aldrig" extrait du musical " Kristina fran Duvemala", les titres dépouillés de l'orchestration originale révèlent une partition plus riche que celles des tubes d'ABBA dont l'efficacité reposait sur quelques notes bien assemblées.
Avec "November 1989" Benny Andersson s'était fait plaisir cette année-là dans un album très inspiré de musiques traditionnelles suédoises. Il avait connu un grand succès dans toute la Scandinavie. "Stockholm By Night", le joyeux "Malarskolan" et "Trostevisa", les trois titres qu'il a choisi de revisiter au piano deviennent plus universels, plus accessibles aux non scandinaves.
Au final "Piano" apparaît comme l'album de la sérénité. La sérénité d'un compositeur qui, ayant emprunté la voie du disco et de la pop jalonnée de disques d'or, de paillettes, a eu envie de se poser pour rappeler qu'avant de prendre des couleurs les mélodies s'écrivent simplement sur des touches en noir et blanc.
"Piano" de Benny Andersson
La track list
1. I Let The Music Speak
2. You And I
3. Aldrig
4. Thank You For The Music
5. Stockholm By Night
6. Chess
7. The Day Before You Came
8. Someone Else's Story
9. Midnattsdans
10. Målarskolan
11. I Wonder (Departure)
12. Embassy Lament
13. Anthem
14. My Love, My Life
15. Mountain Duet
16. Flickornas Rum
17. Efter Regnet
18. Tröstevisa
19. En Skrift I Snöen
20. Happy New Year
21. I Gott Bevar
Par Jean-Michel Ogier @Culturebox
Rédacteur en chef adjoint de Culturebox
Musique
http://m.culturebox.francetvinfo.fr/musique/benny-andersson-joue-abba-en-mode-piano-solo-surprenant-262955
