Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 
to visitors of the B&B site

Aftonbladet has collected together four entertainment people who have been in the limelights during 2001 and asked them to have a look and analyze the "Entertaiment year 2001" The three persons are musician Robert Wells, Emma Andersson (took part in survival/documentary soap show Expedition: Robinson) & Qristina Ribohn (survival/documentary soap show "Farmen")

Amont others they must comment "...ABBAs triumph journey with collection records and the musical MM!":

Robert Wells: "Now we are speaking about by greates idols. I saw them already in 1979 at Hovet and I love Benny Andersson. But I was disappointed with MM!. Like to read the book, and then see the film. The story was indeed a little thin."

Qristina Ribohn: I met Benny and Hep Stars in 1971 when I was involved in arranging a raggar meeting at Sollentuna castle. A damn, what a ...it was.

Robert Wells: And I actually was with Hep Stars on a minitour in 1981. But ABBA's songs are reallu super. And this year they fill 30. 

Emma Andersson to Robert Wells: For me ABBA is something that my mother and father listened to. But I will actualy travel to London and see the musical. Though now when you nopw have told what you think about it.

Robert Wells: It is relaxing. You have indeeed no relation to the group far this, so you will love it. There are many who thinh tjat A-Teens has done all the songs. Did you hear the fine comments from A-Teens: "ABBA has had a part in our success" A part (??)

Qristina Ribohn: The music will never die

National Theatre in Washington now announces March 28 - May 12, 2002 as running period of MM!. The closing date was previously April 28.

In the middle of December Linda Ulvaeus made her debute at Dramaten, the national theatre of Sweden, in Pinocchio. Aftonbladet's review (which doesn't say anything of her performance) has a photo with Linda.

The Allsång på Skansen documentary that has been shown around Xmas time in Sweden, has obviously included a clip where Benny plays piano while Björn Skifs sings his USA number 1 "Hooked on a feeling"

While searching ther net I came to the news that a man called Rick Cornette will join the US tour cast of MM! in January in order to play Sky. The news item doesn't say we he play in the original or in the Tour 2 production.

Panorama's MM! article

Joe Machota's homepage's MM! photo gallery and latest pages have been updated

Pittsburgh Live's MM! (Broadway) review.

Karen Mason interview from iclassics

Like last week, also this week BAO is found fro position 21.THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION drops from 43 to 49.

The paper Crains NY Business has a MM! article, you can read it from Arts 4 All. Mainly it is an interview with Judy Craymer. It appears that the Japanes production is scheduled for end of 2002, and that the new, second US tour (doing the short stays) starts from Rhode Island.

Aftonbladet has today an interview with Lasse Berghagen. It appears that he has a deal to lead the popular show "Allsång på Skansen" also in the next summer. He hopes to have Per Gessle, Jerry Williams and Anni-Frid Lyngstad as guests!!!

DECEMBER 28
DANISH CHESS

The Danish producion of CHESS opened last Friday, so I have done some searching in the net dor articles. I don't really understand the Danish language, but it reminds a little Swedish, so I try to translate thew little I can:
 

Århus Stiftstidende's quick report of the premiere says that the prodction cost 15 million Danish Crowns. It includes also pics of guests and a shot from the show

Århus Stiftstidende's actual review includes two pics form CHESS (pic1 and pic2) It seems that the number of premiere audience  was 1.500 and totally 50.000 tickets have been sold.

Århus Stiftstidende's did also a pre-article which it, too, includes a picture from the musical.

Århus Stiftstidende's wrote earlier of tickets being released for CHESS and a nice pic of CHESS was put on it
 

Berlingske Tidene had a pre-article of CHESS, and they also reviewed the cast CD
 

Extra Bladet gave ***** of ****** for CHESS.

Jydske Vestkusten wrote a pre-article of CHESS and their review seems rather favourable.

Box office result of MM! on Broadway on week 51 was $933,589.22 

Dee Hoty has been interviewed also by The Macomb Daily.

Guardian's review of The Benny Andersson Band's concert in Glasgow.

Finish paper Ilta-Sanomat reports today (after Aftonbladet's article a few days ago) about ABBA saying no for reunion offers. They seem to use a pic of Björn in Finland in 1997.

Expressen has reviewed Swedish TV's BAO programme:

BENNY'S ORCHESTRA  WAS CHRISTMAS DAY'S HIGHLIGHT
 

Christmas Day's climax, it was a simple musical report about Benny Anderssons Orkester with the chorus singer Helen Sjöholm. When the feeling  breaks in through the TV screen, then it orks however simple it is. 

"Gustav III's marriage", TV-drama which is SVT's parade number during the Christmas, costs surely 30-40 times more, but isn't close when it comes to the joy of playing. 

I don't know how the music report has come about, but I can imagine that the producer Mona Nörklit, who is married with Benny Andersson, has known the the mood, when the musical guys meet and and has chosen to show this. And she has done it ion the right way and has avoided creating something solemn.

Here the gang of guys walk from the rehearsal local to the restaurant and Benny has his accordian on his shoulder. When they cross the wide street in the profile, they look like a few more than seven dwarves are marching to the mine. 

In the narrow quarter restaurant they eat beefsteak with red onion, have a snaps and a few beers and play a few songs. It is cramped, warm, messy and actually an impossible place for a TV recording, but the joy of playing vibrates and Benny's smile could be a child's if it there wasn't the the grey beard. 

And the few more than seven dwarves of course have their own Snowhite. She comes in a little later, gets a kiss on the cheek from Kloker  Andersson and sings, without a microphone, with a happy Benny at the piano. 

When the guys' choir join in on the refrain of the Svensktoppen hit VÅR SISTA DANS, so Snowhite hears that the dwarves' beer has housed in their vocal cords and that they sing mostly with their heart.

But what does it matter. This sounds splendid and Snowhite, Helen Sjöholm, has precisely the right voice for this 40's song written in the 2000's. I wish I would been there in the restaurant that evening, had a snaps and a beefsteak, and had had a cjance to listen to Benny Anderssons orkester. 

Then the article reviews other TV programmes of the holiday season .

MM! USA Tour oves to Detroit this week.

Detroit News has a pre-artciel with three very nice pics, one of B&B.

Detroit Free Press has two interviews: with Björn and another one with Dee Hoty

Aftonbladet has today "news" about ABBA saying no thanks for offer to re-unite for 10 billion Crowns. Aftonbladet as countless other publications, have written about this many times. But this time AB writes about it because  BBC2's programme on January 8 will handle it. The AB article has nothing new about the whole thing

According to Aftonbladet's reporters, BENNY ANDERSSONS ORKESTER was 84th best record of 2001.

7. (7.)Real Group: Allt det bästa
21. (27.) Benny Anderssons Orkester

The official Louise Pitre site has again some news regarding coming press articles:

Louise will be on cover of Spring issue "Health Views" Magazine. 

She will also appear in cover of March issue of "More" magazine

April issue of "Rosie" Magazine will have Louise with entire cast of MM! in the cover.

The week 50 / 2001 was another good week for MM! at Winter Garden Theatre. The box office result was $907,903.

Minnesota Star Tribune has interviewed Dee Hoty

Björn and his daughter Anna were among the celebrities who attended the Stockholm premiere of LORD OF THE RINGS. Aftonbladet asked the guests have they read the book and Björn replied:

-Yes, I am an old Tolkien-fan, even if it is a long time since I read the books

Stuart Adamson, front man of the band Big Country has died at age of 43. He contributed the song HEART OF THE COUNTRY to Frida's album SHINE.

Kajsa Hammarlund, 23 years old, becomes the first Swede to have a role in the London production of MM!, writes HD, but doesn't mention which role she will do.

..has an interview with Louise Pitre.

Thanks to Paul Carter, an updated list of the Benny connected songs of the Tweltf Day concert at Berwaldhallen on January 5, 2002:
 

Act 1: 16.00 - ca. 17.00
Helen Sjöholm & Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra: INNAN KÄRLEKEN
Benny Anderssons Orkester: HADANGERVIDDA
Tommy Körberg & Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra: INNAN KÄRLEKEN
Helen Sjöholm & Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra: RAVILLAC
Helen Sjöholm & Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra: IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
Benny Anderssons Orkester & Helen Sjöholm: VÅR SISTA DANS

Act 2: 18:ca.19:00
Tommy Körberg & Swedish Radios's Symphony Orchestra: Molins Fontän
Helen Sjöholm & Swedish Radios's Symphony Orchestra: SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY
Benny Anderssons Orkester: POLSKA
Tommy Körberg & Swedish Radios's Symphony Orchestra: Möte med musik
Benny Anderssons Orkester: CIRKUS FINEMANG
Benny Anderssons Orkester & Helen Sjöholm: MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
Benny Anderssons Orkester: LAUREEN
Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg: YOU AND I 

Obviously Act 1 of the concert is Part 1 of the televised version and Act 2 of the concert fills the Part 2 of the TV screening.

* Dec 25, SVT1 21:30 "Benny Anderssons Orkester" (1/2 hour documentary)

* Dec 28, SVT1 20:00 "Allsång på Skansen (allsång på Skansen sommaren 2001)", best parts of summer 2001 Allsång-concerts

* Dec 29, SVT1 13:20 "Benny Anderssons Orkester" (1/2 hour documentary) re-screening
* Dec 29, SVT1 13:50 "Allsång på Skansen (allsång på Skansen sommaren 2001)", best parts of summer 2001 Allsång-concerts, re-screening

* Jan 6, SVT1 21:15 "Baluns på Berwaldhallen", first part of Twefth Day's celebration concert at Berwaldhallen (with BAO, Helen Sjöholm, Tommy Körberg etc) on January 5.

* Jan 12, SVT2 17:00 "Baluns på Berwaldhallen", first part of Twefth Day's celebration concert at Berwaldhallen (with BAO, Helen Sjöholm, Tommy Körberg etc) on January 5, re-screening

* Jan 13, SVT2 17:00 "Baluns på Berwaldhallen", second part of Twefth Day's celebration concert at Berwaldhallen (with BAO, Helen Sjöholm, Tommy Körberg etc) on January 5

DECEMBER 17
BAO CONCERT IN JANUARY

Now I have details of the January 200 live appearance of Benny Anderssons Orkester. The band will take part in Berwaldhallen's traditional Twelft Day's celebaration concert on January 5, and the show will be screened on Swedish TV the next day.

The planned songs of Benny & co are:
Tommy Körberg & Swedish Radios's Symphony Orchestra: Molins Fontän
Helen Sjöholm & Swedish Radios's Symphony Orchestra: SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY
Benny Anderssons Orkester: POLSKA
Tommy Körberg & Swedish Radios's Symphony Orchestra: Möte med musik
Benny Anderssons Orkester: CIRKUS FINEMANG
Benny Anderssons Orkester & Helen Sjöholm: MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
Benny Anderssons Orkester: LAUREEN
Helen Sjöholm & Tommy Körberg: YOU AND I 

There may well be changes in the programme.

VÅR SISTA DANS is stuck into position 2 of Svensktoppen, this week with 301 points.

Benny Andersson fans have goot time around Xmas/new Year. Swedish TV send a lots of programmes including him:

Dec 25, SVT1 21:30 Benny Anderssons Orkerster (documentary)
Dec 28, SVT1 20:00 Allsång på Skansen, best parts of summer 2001-concerts
Dec 29, SVT1 13:20 Benny Anderssons Orkerster (documentary) re-screening
Dec 29, SVT1 13:50 Allsång på Skansen, best parts of summer 2001-concerts re-screening
 

A NEW LIVE APPEARANCE:
Jan 6, 2002 SVT1 21:15 Balus på Berwaldhallen, celebrations from the Berwaldhallen-concert hall, with Benny Anderssons Orkester, Helen Sjöholm, Tommy Körberg etc.

Article from Expressen:
 

BENNY PLAYS AS THANKS YOU FOR A MEAL 
 

Benny Anderssons orkester likes to do unannounced performances. 

Preferably at pizzerias. 

Now Benny's wife Mona Nörklit has made a film about her husband's pleasant bad habit. 

After Benny Anderssons orkester has rehearsed they often go together to eat something. They drag along their instruments with them. In occasions like this, it happens that Benny and his men break out into a spontaneous dinner concert. On the restaurant floor. Among chairs and 
tables. 

-They can not stop themselves. They act that way. They talk, play and eat. And it is a fantastic experience, says Benny Andersson's wife Mona Nörklit who has now made a film about her husband's pleasant bad habit. 

The half an hour long documentary "Benny Anderssons orkester" that will be showed on SVT on Christmas Day is recorded at a restaurant in Stockholm in the last spring. Besides Benny Andersson appears among others the spelman Kalle Moraeus and singer Helen Sjöholm in the varied orchestra. Among the songs that are heardcan be noticed the Svensktoppen hit VÅR SISTA DANS.

- My intention was to try and capture their enormous joy of playing music. They have so much fun and it is infectious. That was my aim and I think it can be noticed, says Nörklit.

She tells further on that the same course of events took place when Benny Anderssons Orkester visited Glasgow for a concert in the last autumn. 

- After the rehearsals they were about t ogo for a pizza in a little pizzeria and because they had their instruments with them they did a spontaneous performance even there. This happens as soon as they get together.

So it is  not impossible that one can get a concert as a dessert when one one time sits and eats a  pizza.
- No, jright so. It is precisely so.

2.(6) Ainbusk: I midvintertid
7.(7.) Real Group: Allt det bästa
27.(23) Benny Anderssons Orkester

The official homepages of Louise Pitre and Tina Maddigan are being updated daily.

Maddigan's MM! photo gallery in worth having a look at.

A fan called "Irish Tony" has put an interesting link to the ABBA discussionforum at dotmusic. It is a recent interview with Björn in Irish Times newsletter. 

MM! USA Tour will visit Denver (Center Attractions) around Christmas 2002.

The offcial CHESS site has been updated. The best part is Anders Hanser's 15 minutes long slide show of the 1984 concert tour to  five European cities, including also great sound clips. Really wonderful piece!

If you click MEDVERKANDE, and from there Ensemble or Orkester you will find it now updated. Many familiar names from KFD productions among them certain Ludvig Andersson. However his bio is not yet available.

Best of Broadway in San Francisco now advertises the new visit of MM! tour.

The official Tina Maddigan site has opened

MM! brought in $894.097 to the box office of Winter Garden Theatre last  week.

Finnish singer Jari Sillanpää covers GULDET BLEV TILL SAND (in Swedish) on his new CD. Yesterday he performed the song on TV.

286 points that VÅR SISTA DANS got, helped the song to remain number 2 at Svensktoppen.

Björn Ulvaeus commented in Aftonbladet the death of George Harrison:

-George Harrison and the other Beatles members were the reason that I began to think about writing songs, the yhave meant unbelievably much. It is tragic that he is gone, he was far too young to die.

The official Louise Pitre site has again news about Pitre's appearances:

1) Louise will be performing at a benefit for the FDNY Family Assistance Fund at the Triad Theatre on Dec 28th at 6:00pm - located at 72nd st between Broadway and Columbus
2) Louise will appear on the "Pure Oxygen Show" on the cable Oxygen Network on Tuesday,     Dec 14th at 12:00 noon Eastern time - check channel listing.

The site is being updated all the time, keep checking the photo galleries etc!

6. (25) Ainbusk: I midvintertid
7. (9) Real Group: Allt det bästa
23. (36) Benny Anderssons Orkester

...are available now at Playbill site: page 1 and page 2

..from Playbill

From the news of the official Louise Pitre site:

1) Louise will appear on a Bravo TV special "Arts and Minds" on December 22nd
2) Louise will be in the December 14th issue of "People Magazine"

$938.294 was the box office result of MM! at Winter Garden Theatre on week 48 / 2001

ULVAEUS DISCUSSES ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE FESTIVAL

-I have become more and more convinced that the Visfestivalen is a very big trademark for Västervik. 

Björn Ulvaeus has been at home in Västervik to meet with Visfestivalens board to which he belongs.

-A major survey had proved that folks connect Västervik with Visfestivalen. That it something tha tall parties understand.

Björn tells tha the has together with Hans Schwatx and Bengt Nylander has discussed about the future.

-It was a long time ago when artistes performed for free at Visfestivalen and because the numebr of audience at castle ruins is limited, we must take help from sponsors.
-We have good ones but contacts must be maintained

Ideas for the future?
-There are many and not least from Hansi. Hansi wants indeed to draw back in three-four years, and the question is to find before that a replacement.

Björn Ulvaeus?
-That would hardly mean any retempering

A long distanced work has begun and it looks after all promising for the survival of Visfestivalen.

Björn Ulvaeus has more than Visfestivalen to think about. CHESS will be staged in Stockholm in the spring and it seems to be hard to get a hold on tickets?
-The interest has been very big, and now the whole CHESS comes in Swedish

At the same time KRISTINA is being translated into English and MM! has been huge success in London.

Is there anything new going on?
-Ideas and considerations always exist, but right now nothing concrete for a new musical

Then comes something very homely:
-It is actually very hard to find something new

Dagens Industri writes about the prices of paintings by Anders Zorn. Amazing prices have been paid for his paintings and on Tuesday at Bukowski's auction the boom is expected to continue.

DI writes that actually it was two ABBA members, Benny and Frida who practically started the rise of prices f art in 1980. Benny bought Zorn's "Reflexer" painting for 860.000 Crowns, a record price at that time, and he still has the painting. 

The paper also mentions that Frida bought privately the Zorn painting "Les Baigneuses" for 1 million Crowns, and sold it for 17 million Crowns in 1990 at Christie's in London, right before the markets collapsed a few months later. The price that Frida got for "Les Baigneuses" is highest price ever paid for a painting by Zorn and second best price for all Swedish paintings, number one is Strindberg's "Underlandet" for which was paid 22,6 million Crowns, also in 1990. The price od "Les Baigneuses" went down, like many other paintings' prices, it was auctioned in 1993 for 4 million Crowns.

Like last week, VÅR SISTA DANS is also this week number 2 of Svensktoppen radio chart.

Louise Pitre's official site has been offline for a while. Now it has re-opened with a completely new look. However the site is still under construction so many features remain to become available.