More precise information about yesterday's concert on here: Setlist details from MTV Unplugged concert
Very interesting take on the "Brother" album. It did not click for me, though, but you are right, it does feel like it came from a very personal and organic way of collaborating for Morten. And as I pointed the Rick Rubin thing is a very personal fantasy - I understand the undeniable comfort and organic feel of working with a close creative circle, but I have always wondered what would happen if he were to be greatly challenged by someone out of his confort zone. Just a thought... As for the over-analyzing, well one is bound to do that after 30 + year following this Norse trio... who is itself prone to over-analyzing. One thing is sure, as you say, it's that it's down to the music, and with a-ha we have been spoilt with an abundance of riches.
Other then my spelling mistakes and bad grammar, remind me not to post in a hurry while being busy at work, I didn't really look into those quotes from Paul about Alan Tarney. I assumed, wrongly I now think, you were refering to some recent stuff he said. But yes reading some of the things in Jan Omdahl's book, it makes you feel like only "Scoundrel Days" was done right. There is alway one member having problems with the way an album is produced or whatever. There is the bit in Omdahl's book with Paul saying that it was a mistake to go back with Alan Tarney on "Stay on These Roads". It can be tiresome at times, but as said I try to ignore it as much as possible and just enjoy the music the band has released. And there is indeed plenty to enjoy.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall there also being some bickering and regrets on Paul's part expressed just as "Cast In Steel" was being issued which was a bit dispiriting (not necessarily about Tarney but about the way the album had been made, etc...). There is absolute wiseness in purely sticking to the music and tuning off the drama surrounding it... but there is also something to be said for the bickering of the band coming in the way of the music, if you know what I mean? But then it may just be part of their creative dynamics. In any case I will continue to enjoy their music past, present and, let's hope, future, intensely. As I wrote before, I got very taken with CIS and I never expected a band that was the first act I ever saw live to still command my attention and respect 30 years later. And the set list for the new concerts does look super promising.
I'm the one who needs to learn not to post hastily. I meant to add that you got me thinking about being appreciative for the music while it's here. In the wake of so many meaningful talents passing away recently, we should absolutely be grateful that a-ha is very much alive and kicking - and in Morten's case apparently endowed with Viking magic DNA - and actively producing records and concerts, both as a group and solo acts, for us to enjoy (and over-analyze!). This is no small feat and you are right, there is rejoicing to be done about them being out there still.
This article makes me optimistic Etter 30 år med «tension» fant a-ha tonen igjen i kampen mot en felles fiende
Working with Lars Horntveth seemed like the greatest idea if he made them stand as a unit against him He should produce the next LP!
Interview with a-ha at Giske Seems like they got in tune. Let's enjoy it while it lasts Now would be the right time to hit the studio for a new album. I think Nigel Godrich could be a good choice when they have burnt out Lars Horntvedt. A similar no fuzz guy that they could agree on hating...
a-ha fan here checking in. Great thread! My fave has always been Scoundrel Days then Hunting High and Low then Stay on these Roads, then Minor Earth... time to revisit the others and listen to cast in steel as well.
According to the community manager from the French a-ha fans website, the tour next Summer would not be part of the MTV unplugged. This is intriguing. New album in the works?
A new album that soon would be great, but I don't think so. It's good to know that they are enjoying themselves and each other's company now but this project deals with their past and already recorded songs. The unplugged gave them a natural and agreed on dogma for the direction too. Deciding direction and picking new songs for the studioalbums is what causes them trouble. Anyway, the high spirits in the a-ha camp makes it very likely that they genuinly want to get on with the album plans and discussions sooner than later. It sounds more like they are planning to play summer festivals in Europe.
Okay, now I kinda want to see that version of the unplugged concert where they play in front of the "The Sun Always Shines On TV" mannequins... A bit bummed that there was no EOTSWOTM and CIS but overall psyched about what they chose and all the other news. More a-ha to come = big yay.
Yes, I know I am probably a dreamer on this one. I find it a bit strange that they are supposed to come back to France though - when last year's concert was far from being soldout - if it isn't for new material/new live-sound. In any case, it has to be a different kind of concert if they want to get an audience. But I might have over-interpretated the reported good vibes in the band plus the fact that new material has already been played.
By the way I just got the deluxe editions and the demos are great. wow! New appreciation here for Memorial beach and East of the Sun!
There is an interesting Pål-induced weather/time sequence (in French, both translate by the same word "temps") taking back isn't it? Here I Stand and Face the Rain/October/The Soft Rains of April/The Living Daylights/Early Morning/Rolling Thunder/(seemingly) non-stop July/Dark is the Night/Memorial Beach/Minor Earth Major Sky/Summer Moved On/The Sun Never Shone That Day/Afternoon High/Break in the Clouds (I'm missing some for sure)
Speaking of Paul and France/French, there's a very interesting interview in the current French issue of French Rolling Stones, lots of insight into his writing/working process. Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, songwriter discret au 50 millions d'albums vendus - Interview - Rolling Stone Amongst other things, he states that MEMS may be his favorite album (as it is linked with a happy moment, his son's birth), but that he has some vivid recollections of recording MB at Paisley Park. He goes on explaining that Prince had a huge hangar-like space for shooting videos, where a-ha ended up putting all their instruments, turning all the light outs for one recording session. "We were in total darkness and we felt like we were playing in a huge void. It was a very peculiar atmosphere." On the subject of covers, which was touched upon a few posts back, he cites Kings of Convenience's version of "Manhattan Skyline" as one of his faves (I cannot but agree on this, KOC's versions rocks). He also dispels the idea that he specifically writes material for Savoy or a-ha, stating that basically he uses whatever he feels is his best material at the moment of the deadline.
I share your feeling. Pretty much floored by the quality of the demos, especially EOTSWOTM. Overall, with all the deluxe editions, it was fascinating to get a glimpse into the thought/creative process of the band, witness how some versions got merged and turned into beautiful hybrids. Though the demos from EOTSWOTM give the sense that there was less tweaking that had gone on between the demo and recordings stages, no? I was also very grateful for the inclusion of the NRK session- cannot tire of that one, pretty stellar performances by all and the vocals are out of this world (though I go back and forth between hating and liking those sax solos!). Pretty informative liner notes, too, though I wondered why there was no input from Morten in those, mostly Paul and Mags- is it a question of them being considered the primary authors of the songs / producers? Would have loved to hear how harmonies and vocal performances were conceived in regard to the music. So, has nothing at all transpired of the sound direction of the Unplugged concerts? Do we only have the set list and that's it?
The two meanings of temps in French make perfect sense to me. I can rarely remember in what year things happend but almost always are memories tied to a season and if it was sun, rain or snow. Myker, I have now actively compared these and I think you are right about the inspiration, what an attentive great find! (I totally digress but "Sentimentalist" is such an amazing song that deserved a much bigger audience. I checked Sondre out on different services and found that he despite ambitious touring seems to have some trouble reaching out with his new material For example circa 90000 monthly listeners on Spotify but when you look closer they are not listening to his great latest albums but primarily to old hits and his many coversongs. I believe he perhaps even should consider to quit doing them. A still young songwriting artist of Sondre's calibre should have people listening to his own songs. In comparison our favourite enquirer and purveyor of kinky innocence, Jenny Hval has circa 65000 monthly listeners but they are all listening to her original and latest songs. Her audience has a very nice geographical spread too.The right places - Oslo, Brooklyn, Paris, London, Berlin..) Pål has said this many times and the long separation of the songs from context and sound explains many very different things. He not writing designated songs to any project but picking what is ready to go raises some new questions regarding the Savoy songcredits though. In a-ha who has written what has always meticulously been noted. Savoy release almost everything as co-writes (but not by the whole band as some do it). The purpose was probably to lift Lauren but I think the result is the opposite. Production perhaps yes, but do we really believe that all these songs were cowrites? If Pål by own admission don't write Savoy-songs and Lauren otherwise doesn't do anything on her own without Pål the doubt is not necessarily mean spirited but fair. It would give her greater acknowledgement if they especially singled out what is actually by her. Many good things I/we probably wrongly credit to Pål. Lauren directed this shortfilm 2013 the credits says music by Pål only, but in a Q&A he said that he wanted the song on Savoy's next and that it was Lauren's...? (By the way the film is filmed in the Savoy/Waaktaar vacation house in Woodstock. Definitely not a classic modest Scandinavian cabin. Bolstered bedframes in a cabin... ) I could co-sign every word of this. One can not overestimate the importance of Morten infusing the tension you describe in the music and aura of a-ha. Pop/rock songs only really exist in the performance and the forms that reach the audience. And it often does not go through the brain as much as the heart and sex. I agree that it worked the best when this particular detached sensuality came through naturally. Real, may it be in sex, gore or beauty, is always alluring. Savoy? Pehaps they can be sassy but I doubt they all of a sudden can bring it out if they indeed need it for this "playful and disco-tinged" album, it is not their energy. It is easy to disregard image, edge and coolness as something superficial but for an indie/alt band of Savoy's sort the identity and feel you transmitt is crucial and as I said before that was what they were lacking their last run. My opinion only of course. And just my preference but I think Lauren's vocals often was an obstruction. Especially her contrieved "14-year old voice and accent" she utilises on some up-tempo songs is a complete turn off. I think it is very likely that Cardigans and Nina Persson served as an inspiration for the vocals as well as the turn to retropop. They were socialising in NY and Cardidans clever retro pop achieved what Savoy sought after, even making some waves in the US. (a-ha then picked their producer Tore Johansson for some tracks on Lifelines.) Nina Person's sensual girl-woman voice was completely real though, as was her sex-appeal. I just watched the video for "Laundromat" and ouch that was awkward. Not promising to get a new Pål/Lauren/song/video collaboration where the attempt to be sexy feel that contrieved and dorky. So strange. It looks like a school project but this is primarily not about budget but judgement and taste. And there is something awkward with this couple well above 50 trying, and I mean trying, to make something sexy utilising a young woman of 20.
Keeping on with the Sondre Lerche digression: Agreed on "Sentimentalist", especially after having seen it performed live with such intensity recently (in front of, yes, sadly, a very scarce audience much to my chagrin and surprise). Thank you for the Pål songwriting insight. I was actually going to ask about thoughts on Lauren's input. One thing I appreciate about a-ha is that there never was, to my knowledge, any "Yoko narrative" in the band. Lauren was involved, and I think to great results, in the filming of the American tour way back in the 90s,etc. Somehow that has always struck me as another positive for the band. I may need to dig deeper into Savoy, but so far I have to say that they do not get me the way a-ha does. A song like "Velvet", really like the Savoy version, but truly brought to another level, as far as I'm concerned, when it became an a-ha song (also amazing video, and this is probably for another post/discussion but a-ha has been so great at steadfastly providing arresting, iconic, timeless videos and visual identities). But again may be a case of needing to give it a good listen- any recommandations of must-hear tunes by them? So interesting about the Nina Person connection who I feel, incidentally, pretty much could fall in that same area as Morten of icy and sweltering (though with a more restricted vocal range but arresting stage persona - saw her in Paris, I think circa"Long Before Daylight"/ "Super Extra Gravity", and wow what a stage presence). Not so sure about that "Laundromat" video... but that cabin is indeed very plush
