The 1969 World Series was only played once. We had the super connection here with pitcher Jerry Koosman of the New York Mets. Reminiscing on the 1960s? The Series will be near the top, enshrined with affection. We might forget that if the two teams played ten times - ten different Series - well the Orioles might feel their oats.
And what about the Vikings with Joe Kapp? We wince at the possible alternate history, us Viking fans. We wince because we can only imagine it.
So the '69 Series was a one-off. Ditto the Super Bowl with the Vikings and the Chiefs, the latter coached by the fellow who made the quite un-P.C. remark re. our defense: "They're like a Chinese fire drill." Well, un-P.C. by today's standards, in spades of course.
I was expressing nostalgia about something once when a friend, in a fun-poking way, rolled his eyes in effect and said "yes, and let's get the 1969 Mets and Orioles back together and watch it all happen again."
Well, the thought is pertinent now because of our miracle-like digital age. My, we see the gaping 40-year hiatus of ABBA come to an end! If these souls really are God's gift to popular music, why the eternity-like layoff? The four performers haven't been just sitting around, naturally, but they have not been ABBA. Until now.
The digital miracle is that they are attempting to present themselves as young again. Many of us probably have mixed thoughts about this. Initially we're ecstatic. The ABBA-inspired musical and then the movies were a huge infusion of ABBA hype once again. By "hype" I don't mean to diminish the talent of the four performers. We can all agree that's boffo. But the "tribute" efforts seemed almost to give the group an image inflated beyond their actual heyday.
People my age remember pop music as "top 40" background from the radio. ABBA was big to be sure. But they were part of a wide universe of recording talent. The 1980s got going. ABBA might have kept riding the wave of its '70s momentum. Instead, as one of the group members recalled in an interview, the group became "very uncool."
How on earth could that happen? Think of the ecstasy their comeback is inspiring now, on the assumption that this group was God's gift to popular music. No one would want to take any luster off the claim. But consider: a hiatus of 40 years? It's not as if a group member died as happened with the Beatles and Lennon.
The four seem the picture of health today. But my, they have aged. For them to be recorded today, it would be as their 70-year-old selves, perhaps with a tweak from contemporary recording tricks? Think "auto-tune," though I'm not completely sure what that's all about.
ABBA is re-forming on the rather edgy assumption that the public prefers seeing their younger version. Early press reports lacked clarity on this. As the facts roll out, it seems the group will have a "tour." From a fixed place, a specially designed arena in London, and we'll see "avatars" of the four accompanied by a live band. The avatars will make us feel we're in the '70s again.
We'll be serenaded, in effect, by the original images of the performers. Like they were preserved in amber? Well. . .
Can the tech miracles of today accomplish much? Can it push aside all obstacles or complications? Sometimes it seems true. In the long run, will the public buy this iteration of ABBA?
People were turned on by the musical and the movies. But those were separate products from what we're seeing now. What we are seeing is a very rare attempt at presenting alternate images, mind you. It's as if we're going to see "cartoons" or their equivalent.
If it succeeds, congratulations. But maybe we should hold our water a little. Pop culture trends can be inscrutable. What about the wide array of current young pop music talent that is out there?
Let me venture to say that the Australia-based group "Tonight Alive" does music a lot like ABBA and in my view is just as appealing. Their songs are just as catchy. They call themselves "punk" but that's a stretch in my view - it's simply great music. A better description would be "power pop." The lead singer is Jenna McDougall, one of those total "naturals" with her talent.
These are genuinely young people.
ABBA? Well, they bring fascination for my generation which was young and restless in the 1970s. Early 20s in age, many of us, not in a hurry to join the ranks of the "real world." It has been written of us that we did "stay at the dance" too long with many of our youthful distractions. We have tried to conceal this fact with our own children. We deny our own aging process, totally, so it makes sense we'll buy the new iteration of ABBA.
Let's just stay in the 1970s? I think we're dreaming. To the extent we all see images of young and vigorous performers doing pop music, wouldn't we prefer the "real deal" with real young people?
It has been said of aging "rockers" that it just doesn't work any more because rock music is the province of the young. There is a primal restlessness or rebelliousness that springs naturally from late-adolescent or early adult hearts. It is a yearning to not let go of the simple joys and impulsiveness of youth, before the inevitable obligations of adulthood take over.
I have written about "Tonight Alive" that they are at a crossroads too. I suggested it would be best for them to re-invent themselves with new music that departs from their previous stock in trade. And yes there are risks in doing that. Risk is pervasive throughout pop music and all pop entertainment. Sometimes you have to try to strike while the iron is hot. Take a chance on finding that "lightning in a bottle" with a piece of work that might not work in any other time, in any other year. I mean, if "Strawberry Fields Forever" were to be written and submitted by some obscure songwriter today (obscure like me), well. . .
Of course, established stars can break through with "idiosyncratic" works. But even that is no slam dunk.
The four souls of ABBA live up to the work ethic 100 percent, based on what I've read. Arguably their breakup of long ago reflected some over-work.
Pop music is loaded with talent at any given time. A "big name" helps, but there are never any guarantees. Artists "at the top" might be among the most insecure people. ABBA's marriages dissolved as a classic example of how personal relationships cannot survive intense work pressure, IMHO.
The fans from long ago don't have the luxury of presenting ourselves as "avatars." Some press reports say "holograms" but I guess that's inaccurate. We'll get more clarity as time goes by. Do I wish them luck? Oh, why not?
I remember discussing the Beatles song "Free As a Bird" with a local musician acquaintance. Why did the surviving Beatles do it? I mean, a rough cassette tape of an unfinished Lennon song, with rough edges smoothed out somewhat, but not enough? I felt Lennon would want to strangle the other three, were he alive. I suggested to my friend, "they did it for the money." The response: a mere smile.
So maybe that's the answer with the ABBA foursome in 2021. Thank goodness our memories of the 1969 World Series remain preserved in old videos!
More on "Dancing Queen"
My "Morris Mojo" podcast for today, Sept. 7, first day after Labor Day, is inspired by the fine ABBA song "Dancing Queen." The song is not simply a celebration of women and dancing, although it's fine if you want to look at it that way! Remember Meryl Streep jumping off the dock? I invite you to listen to my podcast:
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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