Customer Reviews

In Japan

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Both discs have great footage of ABBA in their hey day during this Japanese Tour. It was nice to see them interact with everyone and to see how humble and hospitable the Japanese culture is. Makes me want to visit. All that aside, I was a little disappointed that most of the songs were performed in lip sync. Furthermore, I wasn't too impressed and actually distracted by the Japanese "Solid Gold" Dancers that appeared while the group played and sang, but I guess that is what they agreed upon. I actually enjoy live performances and while these DVD's showed some great interviews, etc, I enjoyed the ABBA in Concert DVD much better. I know it's a matter of personal taste but that's my 2 cents!

This is the long overdue presentation of ABBA's tour in Japan and concert on Japanese television.We have previously seen poor quality video clips and fuzzy lifts on Youtube of the TV show,but this DVD is professionally produced by Polar Music with excellent photography and sound.The 1978 show included all the group's big hits at the time(e.g.,Dancing Queen,Take a Chance on Me,SOS,Eagle,Fernando,Waterloo,Money/Money/Money,The Name of the Game,Knowing Me/Knowing You,and Thank You for the Music;also presented are my personal favorites-That's Me,Summer Night City,Tiger,and If It Wasn't for the Nights).The Japanese sponsors of the show added a lot of supporting dancers,decoration,stage effects,and back-up musicians which evidently reflected what they considered proper and necessary for a rock group--it's a hoot!The documentary portions of their travels in Japan are interesting and well-done too. This is a must for true ABBA fans!

Clearly, much care went into the production of this DVD release. The quality of the video from the original full frame (1:33 to 1) video tape masters from this 1978 TV special are very good. The re-mastered sound, both the monophonic audio from the original live numbers, as well as the stereo remasters of the official studio versions of these hit songs that are re-inserted to match these performances, is the best yet. The DVD audio alone serves as a new quality audio reference for these standards.
The lip-sync production numbers are enjoyable, moreover, Agnetha in particular does justice to these lip syncs. She seemed to really care about how these performances came across and really connected with the camera and it shows. I saw only one short lip sync error in the whole presentation. Original introductions by the four, Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Anna-Frid are intact as intros to three numbers, as well as the tag-finale.
The live numbers, such as SOS, Thank you for the music and Money, Money, Money are an added treat. As a time capsule, the remastered Abba hits, and the rare look at these two talented ladies, who steal the show, this release is a must for new viewers as well as existing Abba fans. More insights to the band and those times are well showcased in the Documentary and slide show special features. They call it a "Fly on the Wall" documentary.

Although some of the musical performances from the TV special are available on YouTube, they can't compare to seeing them in full DVD resolution, on a proper screen and with a proper sound system.
The live performances are the highlight, in my opinion, especially a truly stunning rendition of "S.O.S," backed by no fewer than 14 strings and 12 horns.
The women are, unsurprisingly, just stunning, particularly in several numbers where they wear simple sequined jumpsuits that have a timeless look that can't be said of many of their costumes from that era.
The "fly on the wall" footage is interesting. Frida seems to have a wonderful sense of humor, and Agnetha seems incredibly warm. They all seem to be politely answering questions from the press that I suspect by then they'd heard a thousand times before. Their schedule for both visits appears absolutely grueling, and I was left wondering how anyone could find the energy to make their living that way. And it's hard to believe that there was a time when even members of the world's most popular and best-selling group would carry their own luggage on and off the plane, no entourage to be seen.

This is for ABBA fans only. The first Nov 1978 disc is pretty interesting with Japanese TV. Three of the songs are recorded live, Money Money Money, SOS, and Thank You for the Music. The rest are recorded tracks from albums which can be a little boring because the music videos are so much better but its better to have the boring anyway. It nice to see their outfits and how they interact with the Japanese TV.

Japan during this time where huge into the Carpenters, so it made sense that ABBA came to Japan to win them over. Also the Japanese were so into taking video a lot more than Americans or Europeans were. They wanted to record everything. It shows here, cause they recorded a lot of nonsense but it adds layers of the behind the scenes that I will get into.

November 1978 Benny and Frida were married a month before. This was the only month in which they were in public as two part married couple in a group. It looked amazingly too perfect. It was. Unlike the other releases of The Movie and even Live 1979 this shows us some things about their public lives the Japanese didnt even release at the time. You can tell Agnetha was not very happy with Bjorn behind the scene, it looked quite forced. I'm sure this Japanese trip was the icing on the cake for Agnetha to call it quits. Which was January of 1979 made public to the world.

The bonus disc behind the scenes in 1980 was the most interesting. Cause its almost like a keep secret no one knows too much about. They were there about a month in March. Agnetha again looks alone. This time you can clearly see Bjorn's girlfriend and that ABBA were pushing themselves for this tour. Now they showed RARE clips of live show but the Japanese ruined the live recording, really upset, As good as new for example was shown from tour but dubbed by studio recording. Horrible. I'm sure they dont have original soundtrack of it. Such a huge disappointment. The Japanese also showed warm ups from the tour and showed Frida and Benny still in a close relationship. The Japanese filmed a lot of stuff which would have been considered rubbish by most people but looking back 30 years its a great history piece of ABBA after their prime hey day of 1976 to 1977.

i like this dvd from the begining. the music is clear and fresh. the shows are funny and like a new presentation. the pictures are like a new. excellente resolution. if you like abba you must buy it.

One of the many TV Specials by the second greatest group ever. Haven't opened my copy yet, but glad to get an upgraded quality video of the show, with behind the scenes extras. Since Universal puts out every project that producers approach them with in an attempt to get cleared, as the other monopolies do, the fans should suggest other material in the corporate vaults, such as the numerous TV appearances in the US (such as "Don Kirshners' Rock Concert", "Wonderama", "American Bandstand", "Dinah", etc.) & all over the world. Most appearances are lip-sync, but the appealing interest is in seeing Agnetha appear on stage, at any opportunity.