Number Ones Reviews

• Time for an upgrade!

  
  By A2JY7U9UZ6AE4G on 2006-11-29
  If the only ABBA CD you own is 1992's multimillion selling GOLD, then it's definitely time to replace that collection of classic pop music it with a newer compilation. The digital remastering on this CD is amazing, and ABBA sounds shiny and new and vibrant all over again!
  
  On the other hand, if Amazon still has THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION on sale for $9.99, pick that up instead. Same remastering, MORE SONGS! LONG LIVE ABBA!
  
  

• Couldn't escape if I wanted to

  
  By A3KJ6JAZPH382D on 2007-04-11
  The writing team of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and their respective partners in music and life, Agnetha Faltskog and Frida Lyngstad, basically invented Europop when they pooled their collective talents and became ABBA. One supposes keeping their past-affiliations names (Hep Stars or the Hootenanny Singers) wasn't quite as catchy. But then they wrote "Waterloo" for a Eurovision song contests and the musical universe suddenly altered.
  
  That one song pretty much laid out the template for Abba's world domination to come. Frothy melodies wed to instantly catchy choruses sung with frothy harmonies by the twin female singers. "Number Ones" captures that cotton candy in all its seventies glory, as the band rocketed from pop-stars to international phenomenon. As their songs moved from the catchy singles like "Ring Ring" and "Waterloo" into the later seventies, ABBA wisely embraced disco and created the immortal "Dancing Queen." They were so insanely wealthy from their worldwide hitmaking that they were forced to take payments in commodities instead of cash, that is how omnipresent the likes of "Dancing Queen" and other dancefloor smashes like "Voulez-Vous" and "Gimme Gimme Gimme" became.
  
  Thus we have yet another ABBA greatest hits. The standard before this was "ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits," and at a slightly higher cost (but frankly, with more songs than I needed) was "The Definitive Collection." While "Number Ones" boasts remastered sound over "Gold," we lose "Does Your Mother Know" and "Lay All Your Love On Me." ("The Definitive Collection" includes those as well as "Ring Ring.")
  
  It also becomes obvious why this compilation was released as soon as the first song begins to play. Thanks to Madonna, who nicked the hook for her own "Hung Up," "Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)" has opened the door for a whole new generation of ABBA fans. That is all fine by me - if a new crew of kids can learn the value of genuine musical composition, then I am willing to give "Number Ones" a hearty recommendation.
  
  

• Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.....

  
  By A2P8XH74FAUQH on 2006-12-10
  Once again Univeral Music is milking the ABBA cash cow. With the world wide MEGA success of 'ABBA GOLD' why on earth is this compilation needed? With that said, the ONLY territory possibly needing this CD is the USA. Why? The USA is the only country where 'GOLD' has never been remastered or repackaged. In fact, it still has the incorrect ABBA Logo using the wrong font! 3 songs from 'GOLD', "Does Your Mother Know", "Lay All Your Love On Me" & "Thank Your For The Music" have been replaced on 'Number Ones' with "Summer Night CIty" & "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do". For some strange reason, the USA edition only has 18 tracks whereas the European version has inlcuded "Ring Ring" to total 19. (The USA DVD does contain all 19 songs). Another plus for the US is the full versions of "Voulez-Vous" & "The Name Of The Game" are included. (GOLD had the edited versions). If you're looking for a single CD containing most of ABBA's biggest hits, then 'Number Ones' is nice. But for the extra few bucks, I would get double CD 'The Definitive Collection' I choose to give this CD 5 stars because I LOVE ABBA!
  
  

• Not new remastering

  
  By A2WCM95GPISEEH on 2007-01-19
  Bad news for reviewer Michael Allen, but the official sources confirm these are the 2001 remasters - none have been done since, so if you have the 2001 album reissues, they will sound exactly the same as this. This is just another repackaging job.
  
  

• It's All About the Money, Money, Money but the Songs Are Incredible.

  
  By A1N7YA81ZI4KAF on 2006-12-08
  When a group is as universally popular as ABBA you can rest assured that those in charge of their catalogue will take advantage of this overwhelming popularity. If you were to believe the statistics, the Swedish Super-group has sold more than 360 million units worldwide, making them one of the biggest selling acts in the history of popular music trailing behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. It should not come as a surprise that this compilation was released even though there are several others available that already showcase the talents of this lovable foursome. There's the 20th Century Masters collection (CD) featuring ABBA which was certified Gold in the US, "The Definitive Collection" (CD and DVD) and the most popular of them all "ABBA GOLD: Greatest Hits" (CD and DVD) which was certified 6 x platinum in the US and has sales of over 25 million world-wide. So what is the point of this new release titled "ABBA Number Ones" which like their previous compilations have been released in both CD and DVD format? The title of one of ABBA's hits comes to mind: "Money, Money, Money". For the millions who already own "GOLD" and "The Definitive Collection" purchasing "Number Ones" would be pointless since they already own these songs. However, for the millions of fans (like myself) "Number Ones" is just another compilation to add to your ever growing collection.
  
  "ABBA: Number Ones" showcases all of the songs that topped the charts internationally (The DVD version includes all the videos to these classic songs and as a bonus, they throw in a live version of "Waterloo", 2 other live performances which were sung to a backing track and a Number One scrapbook which lists all the countries the respective singles topped the charts in, although some of the lists are incomplete since it omits countries several of these songs reached the top). Evidence of ABBA's overwhelming international appeal is that if you were to tally up all of their number ones, you would get a number well over 100. Missing in action however is "Does Your Mother Know" which reached # 1 in Belgium and the Top Ten in several other territories including Canada, "Eagle" which topped the charts in Belgium and "Lay All Your Love on Me" which was a top ten hit in the UK and reached # 1 in the US Hot Dance Club Play Charts in the early 80's.
  
  ABBA's success in North America paled slightly to their massive appeal elsewhere however to state they were not successful in the US and Canada will be an inaccurate statement. In the US, the group had 20 singles reach the Billboard Hot 100 within an 8 year time frame out of which 14 reached the Top 40. They also scored a # 1 hit on the singles chart with "Dancing Queen" (featured here), two # 1 hits in the Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts with "Fernando" and "The Winner Takes It All" (featured here) and a # 1 in the Billboard Dance/Club charts with "Lay All Your Love on Me" (not featured here). In Canada they scored no less than 14 Top Forty hits out of which 8 reached the Top Ten and 6 consecutive Top Ten albums including a # 1 with Greatest Hit: Vol 2.
  
  To the few who have not been exposed to these timeless and immaculate pop gems, "ABBA: Number Ones" may be a good place to start with since it's reasonably priced and offers their biggest hits but keep in mind that "The Definitive Collective" is far more extensive and may be a better buy. For the millions of ABBA fans out there, what can I say since you already own these songs? But knowing the passion this group inspires among their fan-base, I wouldn't be surprised in knowing that when entering your favorite music store, the first thing you do is extend your arm and grab this CD/DVD off the shelf and pay for it at the counter. I can't blame you since I have done exactly that. That is the power of ABBA's music
  
  
  
• Essential ABBA
  By A3HSH8SA2TOMQI on 2006-12-03
  Even though other ABBA compilations already exist, this is still a well put together collection of tracks. It's safe to assume that the songs in this album were number one hits in countries around the world since their only chart topper in the US was "Dancing Queen". Hence, this collection truly underscores their global popularity.
  
  Strangely the booklet is devoid of credits so it's not known who compiled or produced the disc nor does it say anywhere which countries the songs reached number one. But unlike other compilations "Gold" and "The Definitive Collection" the lyrics to the tracks are printed so you can actually sing along while it's playing.
  
  New and old fans alike will love this album. It's great to play during long trips and/or parties. You'll be hard pressed to touch the skip button on this one.
  
  
• A Flawless Pick!
  By A253N0VGVOZX09 on 2006-12-05
  As noted by previous reviewers, if you own 'Gold' it's time to update!
  The new 2005 remasters by Johan Funemyr, DCM are top-notch compared to the 2001 remasters by John Astley with Michael B. Tretow in my opinion. This collection includes all the great hits from around the world, with the exception of 'Ring Ring' (found on the import double CD release). This album would be flawless if they had used the original single version of 'Summer Night City' because the extended part was added using "non-digital" efforts and has a noticeable drop out when the song picks up at the single version.
  Drop this CD in and press play. You will NOT be dissapointed! I can only DARE you to try and turn it off!
  Oh, and for you Madonna fans...she's quoted in the forward!
  
  
  
  
• Another ABBA comp, but still good
  By AMFOXLC616SPR on 2006-11-25
  ABBA comes out with another greatest hits setlist with "Number Ones." Nothing beats "Gold" but this one has an attractive package. I gave it five stars, because these are awesome, timeless songs. Madonna loves them, Gwen Stefani too, and anyone else will love to have this to take a trip down memory lane with ABBA. All the fans want them to renunite. Hopefully Benny, Bjorn, Frida and Agnetha decide to one day.
  
  
• ABBA Number Ones is Number One!
  By A37ZLT2SAL9XY2 on 2008-02-11
  I received this album as a gift and now I listen to it constantly. I bought it for the person who gave it to me. She and I both agree that you can't choose a favorite song on this album because they are all so great. Any ABBA fan should include this album in their collection because the 18 songs on it really capture their talent and they're just so much fun to sing! I love that the album comes with lyrics, also. In my opinion, out of all ABBA hits albums, this one is the best, especially for the price; you won't find a better value for your money. It has all the songs that made ABBA so popular and continues to keep their music alive today. You won't be disappointed and you'll want to play it loud again and again.
  
  
• Global Sucess!
  By AWPODHOB4GFWL on 2008-08-01
  These eighteen ABBA's songs represent the best and you probably won't tire of them. It is amazing that four Swedes (Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus as writers and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog as the main singers) could take such simple English clichés and turn them into pop music magic. Despite sometimes maddeningly simple lyrics, the song arrangements were unnervingly catchy and the multi-level layered compositions are fascinating. The keyboards and synthesizers were used in some of the more ingenious ways during the seventies to produce that unmistakable ABBA sound. The energy and nearly anthemic enthusiasm emanating from each song marked them all as instant classics, no matter how jaded or cynical the listener. It is doubtful if you read the song list here that you would not know the melody. The one ironic thing about this groups phenomenal success, is that of over 400 million album sales, they only had one number one hit in the US - "Dancing Queen" - but when you look at world-wide markets, each one of these songs hit the number one spot at some time. That's quite an achievement.
  
  
• Something new? Anyone?
  By A15RCR0Z06P7Y8 on 2008-07-07
  The stars I give are, I assure you, for the songs themselves. I have been an Abba fan from the beginning and bought the 45s, the LPs, cassettes and CDs. But this is getting to be a little much. We get repackages of THE SAME SONGS OVER AND OVER AGAIN! Come on now, all the fans know that there is a lot of suff in the vaults just waiting to see the light of day (the oft-bootlegged "Just Like That" comes to mind), not to mention demos and alternate takes. I know that Benny & Bjorn are perfectionists but it's been long enough. Let's hear some 'new' Abba - it's not like the original songs are going to vanish. Heaven knows we have enough copies of them.
  
  
• Great Album
  By A3RM20LQBKMNX8 on 2008-08-15
  What's there to be said? It's ABBA!! All the great songs and memories.
  
  
• GREAT CD !!
  By AXA95L9B9DKM4 on 2008-08-25
  Bought this CD for my mom. She LOVES ABBA, and after seeing the movie "Mama Mia" I just had to get it for her !!!
  She called me at work to thank me with the CD blasting in the background.
  My mother is 78 years old !!!!
  
  
• ABBA CD
  By A28XGI2J40RUD3 on 2008-09-02
  This product was as good as I expected. After seeing Mamma Mia I wanted to be able to continue to enjoy the great songs, and this CD provides me this opportunity.
  
  The process of receiving the product however, was less than satisfactory, and I am not sure that I will be using Amazon.com anytime soon for my purchases. It took almost 2 weeks to receive the product and until the day before the product arrived I received very poor customer service. I do appreciate the customer service person that I spoke with the final time - he was VERY helpful and offered the refund of the shipping costs.
  
  
• ABBA
  By A3HFZE0C7I42IC on 2008-09-03
  I ordered this CD after seeing the ABBA movie. It contains all the hits that I was aware of as well as a couple I had not heard. Excellent.
  
  

• ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits
• Mamma Mia!
• The Definitive Collection
• Mamma Mia! The Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1999 London Cast)
• ABBA: Number Ones