The ABC trip to London... ABBA, Belfast and a cruise ship! COMPLETED 8/6 - Page 11 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Saturday 23 June – part twelve: from the infamous “open air” to toilets and a plane!
Next in the Super Troupers ABBA exhibition, it was into a replica of the recording studio the band used to use. Sadly it no longer exists, so this is the closest you can get and again, you really felt as if you were somewhere in Sweden here. As you entered, we were all handed a set of headphones and then heard everything our guide said through those while we were in here. There was a very special reason this was done.
Money, Money, Money was played to us, which we all knew very well. However, then our guide isolated elements of it, so first we heard just the bass, then the piano, then Frida’s vocals on it and, perhaps best of all, the drumming, especially as you can hear him singing along! It will certainly make me listen to that song in the future in a whole new light.
We were then asked to go into the recording area. We heard the “missing verse” from Dancing Queen, then our guide got us to sing the chorus, except let’s just say it’s just as well she sang along, as she didn’t get much support from us!
From the studio, we headed out into the “open air”, set up to give you the feeling of being in Sydney for one of their famous, or in this case, infamous concerts. I say “infamous” because there was a deluge beforehand and they had to put down boards, so the band could walk through the mud from their caravans to the stage. Ironically, later on we would see tickets to this very gig that said “we play rain or shine”, so I guess they had no option but to go ahead.
In here, they also had holiday snaps from the band. I cannot begin to tell you how slim they all were! I hate them… Their passport photos were also displayed here and I swear they all looked like models in them. Why can’t all passport snap be like that?
As we were in here, the lights actually went out, so I guess we’d overstayed our welcome and I quickly hurried out, along with the mum and dad.
We emerged into a corridor, packed with more items to look at, but we didn’t have time. Given we were a small group and I’m not aware we had a group following us, a couple of minutes extra in here would have been appreciated, especially as the next area was very weird. You emerged into the toilets of a club, which had Frida’s outfit from one of ABBA’s tours and some ticket stubs. I really did not like this section much and frankly couldn’t wait to get out of here.
We then headed into a flat, which was a recreation of the scene from the One of Us video. Now if you know this song and think about the lyrics, it was about the break-up of Agnetha and Bjorn’s marriage, so it’s pretty poignant. There were packing crates in here, complete with one that had their wedding photo in. It was beautifully done, but so sad.
There was also what I can only call a “love letter” from a fan, saying that she would always love ABBA and the future work the band members did, as they were splitting up. It almost broke my heart, as I would’ve written something similar frankly. I remember being so sad that it seemed as if everything was over. Of course, they never actually formally announced they were splitting up.
They had a press release from Frida, saying she was leaving Sweden to get some peace and then we saw their last ever interview as a group. I stood there fascinated, as I remember watching that as a kid. I remember thinking at the time that things weren’t quite right and our tour guide did point out how awkward all the band members were.
Thankfully they didn’t leave it on such a sad note, which was a relief to me, as I was nearly in tears in here. We went into a “plane” and sat down to watch a final tribute to them, a film about their legacy, which definitely meant you left on more of a high. It was a nice ending.
All in all, it was very well done, albeit unusual. I’m not sure everyone would like it, I’d definitely say it was an acquired taste. I did enjoy it, but equally I’m not sure I’d recommend it to other people, as I wouldn’t want to send other people in there for them to not have the same taste as me.
When we came out, we headed back to London Bridge Tube station and caught the Tube back to North Greenwich, where we’d started the day, picked up the car and drove home. It had been a lovely day out in the capital in superb weather and I’m glad we did it.
The weather today was dry and sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s. Today we walked 5.3 miles The best thing today was visiting HMS Belfast. The worst thing today was that weird toilet scene in the ABBA exhibition. Today we tried visiting Super Troupers And the result was it was neat and very different to the ABBA museum. The most magical moment today was seeing the barge go under Tower Bridge.
Next: another, very different day trip to London...
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I’m trying to imagine whose idea it was to have part of the tour include toilets? A bit strange....
Otherwise sounds like a good tour, and a nice way to spend part of your day.
Sounds like lots of details for true ABBA fans. A lot would have been lost on me though! Not sure I understand the purpose of the toilet room either!!
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Sounds like a good tour and quite unique! A love the idea of them playing various tracks and separating the various elements of the music with the bass, drums, vocals etc. It definitely lets you hear it differently and appreciation for the music! I've heard tracks done like this on albums with alternate takes and mixes from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin among others and quite cool to hear the tracks you know so well this way! Just sheds a different light on these famous songs. Quite interesting with the rest of the tour with the Sydney concert, the letter from Frida (quite sad) and the final tribute film. I was always a big fan of theirs and would certainly enjoy this!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Sounds like a good tour and quite unique! A love the idea of them playing various tracks and separating the various elements of the music with the bass, drums, vocals etc. It definitely lets you hear it differently and appreciation for the music!
That was very neat and something I've never come across before.
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I've heard tracks done like this on albums with alternate takes and mixes from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin among others and quite cool to hear the tracks you know so well this way!
I bet it is really cool.
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Just sheds a different light on these famous songs. Quite interesting with the rest of the tour with the Sydney concert, the letter from Frida (quite sad) and the final tribute film. I was always a big fan of theirs and would certainly enjoy this!
I thought the letter was the saddest by far. You'd love this. I personally can't wait for the new music from them that's due out later this year - if I remember right?
I thought the letter was the saddest by far. You'd love this. I personally can't wait for the new music from them that's due out later this year - if I remember right?
I've heard this as well. I hope it's good but not sure if it can top their previous music as will be difficult. Although, they're probably not striving to top their music but just good music. Hope they still have some good creativity in the tank!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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I'm actually listening to ABBA tonight as you're inspiring me Cheryl! Just love them!
I think I mentioned this but Led Zeppelin used ABBA's Polar Studios to record their final studio album of "In Through The Out Door" which came out in 1979. You know "Fool In The Rain" and "All My Love."
Quite some stories with members of ABBA and Led Zeppelin during this time and I know I mentioned this to you at one time. Sad to say the song "All My Love" which Robert Plant wrote the lyrics to is about the pain he experienced when he lost his son unexpectedly at around five or six years old from a virus. Came on sudden and he died so sudden. I can't think much worse than than as a parent and losing one of your children like this!
Not to derail this but he has another song which is the subject of the loss of his son. It's a good song and pay attention to the lyrics! It's called "I Believe."
Sorry to bore with this as you may not be interested. It's a good song and this is a live version, which sounds better! Enjoy!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 08-07-2018 at 11:31 PM..
I've heard this as well. I hope it's good but not sure if it can top their previous music as will be difficult. Although, they're probably not striving to top their music but just good music. Hope they still have some good creativity in the tank!
I'm sure they have. I don't think they'd bother producing anything new unless they were happy with it and I think their standards are exceptionally high.
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Great start to this tour. 
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It will certainly make me listen to that song in the future in a whole new light. 
Ironically, later on we would see tickets to this very gig that said “we play rain or shine”, so I guess they had no option but to go ahead. 
Their passport photos were also displayed here and I swear they all looked like models in them. Why can’t all passport snap be like that? 
It was beautifully done, but so sad. 
Just sheds a different light on these famous songs. Quite interesting with the rest of the tour with the Sydney concert, the letter from Frida (quite sad) and the final tribute film. 
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