Abba 1978: Live in Japan

For those of you that have seen or !gasp! purchased the bootleg version of this TV special, here's a chance to own not only a remastered version of that special, but all the little extras that come along with this (2) disc version. First off, a description of what this is...this is a TV special. They shot this for Japanese television in 1978 and what was customary then was that not all the songs are performed live. Some are lip sync. Note-this is not a live concert! They only perform for the television cameras and not a live audience. Some of the songs are clearly the recordings while others are performed with musicians behind them (Thank You For The Music) as an example.

The extras include a 'fly on the wall' documentary on the second disc, and on the first a behind the scenes of ABBA in Japan doing promotion and preparing for this TV special. It is in Japanese but english subtitles are available.

Picture quality and sound are great -the bonus track which is 'If it Wasn't For The Nights' is already in the special. The bonus is a remix of that same track
**Also note this is full screen not letterboxed. What more can I say? If you love ABBA and haven't seen this pick this up! If you have, take a look again, this remastered version plays beautifuly and worth having in your collection.

**UPDATE 11/6 - This review is for the 2 disc version, it is my understanding that there is also a 1 disc version that does not include the fly on the wall documentary which by the way is 'ABBA in Japan 1980.' That bonus documentary is a behind the scenes view of ABBA's tour of Japan in 1980. Sound quality on that is fair and includes snippets of there live performance but no complete songs. The second disc also contains a gallery of photographs set to music and a gallery of record sleeves for both LP's and 45's released in Japan.

ABBA's recorded music are readily available. Their official videos - what they intend to promote, for the public to see - are easily accessible, too.

But these behind-the-scene, fly-on-the-wall footages are rare. Thanks to this DVD release, we're able to appreciate the human side of ABBA.

I'm impressed that the cameras followed them from the minute they stepped out of Tokyo Airport's gates to moments before they boarded a plane back to Sweden. And in-between their arrival and departure, are some of the best-captured tender and candid shots. Like when Agnetha picked up a Japanese boy so his mother could take a photo of them. Or when she looked rather pensive, listening to cassette tapes of music by other artists (but never ABBA, LOL). Or when she hugs a crew member, and slowdanced with Frida, though dressed in a bath robe with her [hair] rollers still on... and on her way off the stage during a rehearsal, stopped to say HELLO to another crew. These show how beautiful a person she is, inside and out! And though ABBA were all aware of the cameras, there were no pretenses - I don't think. Sure, they must have been physcally exhausted due to their hectic schedules, but they were ever so accommodating to the ever-present cameras.

I don't have a problem with lip-synching as long as these are in-synch. And one reviewer already noted how attentive these girls were, knowing exactly which camera to face for their close-up shots. The dancing went very well, too, particularly in "Tiger", where some intense leg movements were showcased. I can't help but wonder, is this the "shy" Agnetha I know? Dancing her heart out with this male Japanese dancer she hardly knew! LOL.

It is a bit sad to watch and compare their 1980 return trip with their 1978 trip; how certain things have changed. Some weariness have started to show, although they still truly want to please their fans. Bjorn was quite insensitive, I must say, to be bringing girlfriend Lena along. And because my focus tends to be on Agnetha [only], I could sense what [hell] she was going through at the time. She suffered alone and quietly, putting up a brave front. And for that, I will always admire her professionalism. She's a mighty fine classy lady!

This hour long television special was made in Japan and originally broadcast in late 1978. It features the group performing many of their most well known songs as well as some album track (up until 1978). Most of the songs are mimed to playback and 3 are performed live and all are an absolute pleasure to watch. "Tiger" and "That's Me" for instance have several dancers dancing in the forefront and it works quite well. You even see Agnetha and Frida get close and personal with some of the dancers and the opening track, "Eagle" is lavishly done. What I loved about this program however, were the live renditions of their songs namely "Money Money Money", "SOS" and "Thank You for the Music". All are splendidly performed by the girls backed up by the boys, an orchestra and featuring some unique arrangement. Agnetha is specially delightful during her performance of "Thank You for the Music" and the confetti assault that ensues. I only wished they would have performed more live tracks. There was a certain edge in these performances in both the instrumental delivery and the girls solid vocals. It was surprising they didn't perform "Waterloo" live since this was a song that won them first place at The Eurovision Song Contest and as evidenced in "ABBA The Movie" and the excerpt that is shown in "ABBA- In Concert", this is a song they pretty much perfected singing. With all of that said, this is still a gem of a show that every ABBA fan will enjoy. It features the girls at their finest and their charming presence is a pleasure to watch.

This DVD does offer a few bonuses, one is a mimed performance of "If It Wasn't for the Nights" which features a different sound mix and an interesting documentary of ABBA's hectic schedule while in Japan and like in "ABBA-The Movie", Agnetha's famous bottom is brought up once again. There is a scene in which Agnetha, looking all glam'd up, walks in front of the television camera towards the stage and the camera man childishly (and unprofessionally) lowers his camera to take a few shots at Agnetha's curvaceous bottom. You can't really blame him considering the gorgeous blonde was a sight to behold but come on, let's be professional here. It did manage to get a few chuckles from us while watching this but I am sure Agnetha Fältskog was not amused. An interesting booklet is also included and I must say since I watched several of these performances on YouTube, it was refreshing to see these again, in full screen with great sound and picture quality. It took 30 years but it was worth the wait. I only hope they release the entire "Dick Cavett Meets ABBA Television Special" with extras sometime soon. Recommended.