BOOK COVER

This is the cover of the book, officially launched in Brisbane on Tuesday 16 December 2008.

Visit http://www.abbaletthemusicspeak.com or http://www.christopherpatrick.com.au for more information or to order!

ABBA : Let the music speak – interview with Chris on YouTube!!

Fantastic 10-minute segment with Chris on Channel 7’s national “The Morning Show” broadcast live across Australia from their Sydney studios on Friday 24 April ~ visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W3UevrqJNw
to see the interview!
Cheerz all
Matt
Graphic designer / Production editor
http://www.abbaletthemusicspeak.com

A long-overdue update from me! I’m pleased with the enthusiastic response I’ve had to my book, both in Australia and internationally.

Most recently, I took part in a feature interview for the March issue (#98) of the Official International ABBA Fan Club magazine, entitled “Two Books, Two Authors, Two Fans”. I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss so many aspects of the writing and publishing process, and I thank Helga van de Kar for inviting me to contribute.

Earlier this year, I was invited to appear as a regular weekday
guest with Brisbane radio 612 ABC’s breakfast presenter Spencer Howson
(http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2009/01/wake-up-with-bj.html?program=612_breakfast). We discuss and play ABBA, musically speaking, album-by-album, track by track.  For the first time on Brisbane radio, every single ABBA song ever recorded (excluding Spanish versions) is being featured. Unfortunately the segment goes to air at 5.50am every morning … a bit early for most, but there has been a very positive response from listeners who enjoy hearing ABBA on a station that traditionally excludes the group from its playlist. (We record one album’s worth at a more civilised hour
once every two weeks, in case you’re wondering.) The breakfast show has won the first ratings battle of the year, which is heartening news.

Now the book has been out for several months, I have started to receive emails and enthusiastic reviews from readers around the world, soon to be included on my updated website. Thank you all for your support!

Best regards,

Chris Patrick

BOOK REVIEW : “HERE IS A MAJOR REFERENCE…”

ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK reviewed by Barbara Baker;
published in Brisbane’s The Courier-Mail (ETC section, p62) Saturday 03 January 2009

“GUARANTEED – with this book to guide you – you will never listen to an ABBA recording the same way again. The familiar “simple” sound is in fact composed of layers of imaginative and technical complexity, and Brisbane musician Chris Patrick analyses them right down to the use of the AKG-440 microphone, the “group’s trusted standard”.

“A life-long fan – many of the black and white illustrations are from his own collection – Patrick has broken new ground and won the endorsement of other ABBA experts and of musicians such as Judith Durham.

“He includes the personal histories of the group, but only as they affect the music. Frida’s break with Benny, for example, resulted in her “volatile and pitiless” rendition of verses in Should I Laugh Or Cry. He focuses on the quartet’s musical evolution and the unique skills each brought to it.

“By including excerpts from scores, and explaining them at both laymen’s and trained musicians’ levels, Patrick proves that Benny and Bjorn have always put melody first. But then they find “the right blend of colour to fully express the emotional character of a song.”

“He explains what this means musically. He can’t always avoid jargon, but there is a glossary; there’s also a timeline, selected discography and index.

“The book is in three parts: The Albums, The Sound, The Melodies, allowing individual songs to be approached from different angles. Here is a major reference for fans, musicians and the general public (but have recordings handy), enlivened by Patrick’s enthusiastic prose where past glories “erupt”, and where performances are “quirky”.”

ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK BOOK LAUNCH PHOTOS

Host Howard Ainsworth, presenter on 4MBS Classic FM and the doyen of Brisbane radio, graciously compered the launch event (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Graphic designer and production editor Matt Tesch describes the 'birthing process' for the book (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Judith Durham, former lead singer of Australian music phenomenon The Seekers, was our special VIP guest speaker at the official launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

A very delighted author Chris Patrick acknowledges the crowd at the book launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Judith Durham signs a copy of ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK for Chris (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Crowds queue at the launch for signed copies (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Judith & Chris meet an adoring table of Ilse, Pene, Rose & Mimi at the launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

It's standing-room only at the book launch! (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Guest speakers Matt, Howard, Graham & Judith listen to Chris at the book launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Queueing for signed copies at the book launch! (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Proud authorial parents Robin and Nick Patrick at the book launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

WONDERFUL BOOK LAUNCH last night!

Sensational atmosphere at the official launch at The Queensland Orchestra Studios in Brisbane’s West End last night. It was a beautiful summer evening overlooking the river, with fantastic food and drink provided by a small army of “Team Patrick” volunteers for the 120+ guests.
Keynote speakers touched on their relationships with Chris’ musical career, and the evolution and ‘birth process’ of ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK, capped off by the delightful and charming words of our VIP guest Judith Durham of The Seekers fame.
Dozens and dozens of still images. and hundreds of minutes of footage, were taken, and we hope to be able to post a selection here in the very near future.
Meantime, Ian Cole, who we were also thrilled could join us from Sydney specially for the occasion, has posted his own illustrated account at http://abbaworld.wordpress.com/

PS ~ I SAW ABBA MANIA TODAY ON THE GOLD COAST!
What a sensational show it is too: everything Chris (who’s playing cello in the band’s string section) said it was, and more ~ incredible atmosphere, audience participation and, perhaps best of all, meticulously authentic renditions of the famous four, their costumes, singing and stage presence … I closed my eyes several times and would swear I was listening to a studio album track!
This is an absolute ‘must-see’ show for anyone living in or visiting Southeast Queensland in the next two months of its season.
More from Chris when he’s recovered and has a chance to compose himself!
Cheers, Matt

BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED AND ARE BEING DESPATCHED!!

Hi everyone

Production editor Matt here, just letting you know that Chris and I and his team have spent this afternoon unloading the delivery truck, stacking and storing the books, and starting the mailout process for everyone who’s placed an advance order.

It’s been an exhausting but exciting day, but we were lucky that Brisbane’s stormy summer weather stayed fine – if a little humid – for the crucial stages of the arrival of the shipment!

And if you want to know what one tonne (or 1.7 cubic metres!) of books looks like – and feels like to carry – there are several people who can tell you: me, for one!

Chris is making a few posts elsewhere before he collapses in a heap tonight; he luckily has a hectic schedule of media interviews (radio, newspapers, etc) this week, as well as his eight performances in ABBA MANIA on the Gold Coast … and that’s all before the official launch for his book next Tuesday 16 December in Brisbane!

RSVPs for the event, featuring our VIP guest Judith Durham of The Seekers fame, are coming in thick and fast from around Southeast Queensland, but there’s still time to register your interest, if you use the “Contact” link on Chris’ website/s – http://www.abbaletthemusicspeak.com or http://www.christopherpatrick.com.au or – before Thursday this week (11 December).

So far – in less than six hours!! – we’ve managed to work our way through despatching all the Australian domestic orders, and the international orders begin tomorrow with The Netherlands and Europe followed by our enthusiastic supporters in the USA, South America, Asia and the Middle East.

Our intention is to have all pre-orders underway before the end of this week, so there is a very very good chance they will be received before Christmas … wherever you are!

A very long, dedicated and difficult journey – for Chris himself,  and for the other people who’ve believed in his vision and helped along the way – is reaching an exhilarating climax, and we are looking forward to our readers’ comments and reviews as you start to receive your orders.

One or two more posts to come before we can properly wish you all Season’s Greetings, but hopefully there will be a magical surprise under the chimney or in the stocking for you!

Chris and his book on live Brisbane radio interview today!

Hello everyone!

This post is from Matt Tesch, Chris’ production editor and book designer ~ it wouldn’t really have been appropriate for Chris to post his own review of this morning’s live radio broadcast, so I’ve stepped up to the plate!

Thanks to Brisbane’s ‘home’ of classic FM radio 4MBS, and the doyen of Brisbane radio for many decades, presenter Howard Ainsworth, listeners were treated to two hours of Chris’ selection of music by Benny and Bjorn in the “Music Lover’s Choice” program (which went to air 0800-100 AEST [Qld] time), and many informative insights from Chris about his music choices.

Listeners were treated ~ literally ~ to a fascinating program compilation ranging from “Arrival” through material from CHESS and KRISTINA to BAO pieces ~ and “Thank You For The Music” as a seminal conclusion!

There were also references a-plenty to the fantastic “ABBA Mania” production at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast, which I’m looking forward to seeing on 17 December, the day after the official launch of ABBA: LET THE MUSIC SPEAK.

News of and details about the book launch function will be posted in the next few days on website/s:
www.christopherpatrick.com.au or www.abbaletthemusicspeak.com … if you are in Southeast Queensland and would like to attend the launch, please visit, and use the “Contact” link to register your interest, as numbers will be limited and RSVPs before Monday 08 December are essential!

PS:4MBS will re-broadcast today’s program on Monday night (01 December) from 2200 AEST (Qld) on 103.7 FM, or, alternatively, you could listen online at that time on http://www.4mbsclassicfm.com.au/

ABBA Mania on the Gold Coast

ABBA Mania - the audience on its feet!

ABBA Mania in action - the full cast on stage!

Chris with cello, looking very yellow ... illuminated and looking on during a break

Hi everyone!  Here are some pics of me playing in the fabulous ABBA Mania show, which is enjoying an extended season at one of Australia’s premier tourist hotspots, Queensland’s Gold Coast.

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO FOR THE BOOK!

“ABBA: LET THE MUSIC SPEAK” should arrive from the printers next week, and every one who’s placed an order should receive their copies before Christmas. More news about the Brisbane launch later this week, on this blog and also on the news page of www.abbaletthemusicspeak.com

Book update & ABBA Mania!

Hi everyone

Firstly, thanks for your patience! I’m happy to say the book is on its way from the printers and should be available end of Nov/early Dec. I’ve received an advance copy and it looks sensational! Check out my website for more details: www.christopherpatrick.com.au is now live and fully functional, with news, reviews, previews, how to order the book and more.  

It’s an amazing coincidence that, not only do I have my new book on ABBA’s music due for release in a few weeks, I’m also playing cello in an eight-piece string section in the fabulous UK show “ABBA Mania”, currently here in Australia for a limited season at Conrad Jupiters Casino on Queensland’s Gold Coast. It’s a brilliant visitation of ABBA’s live concerts from 1977 and 1979, resplendent with live strings, quite a rarity in ABBA tribute shows today.  Everything from Benny’s signature instrumental “Intermezzo No. 1″, “I Have A Dream” complete with a different school choir every night, and classics  like “The Name Of The Game” and “I’ve Been Waiting For You” are all superbly brought to life.  No gimmicks, just pure, gorgeous ABBA. Highly recommended! Check out the photo of me with the ABBA Mania! members on my website. 

More news soon!

Cheers,

Chris Patrick

Why I wrote ABBA LET THE MUSIC SPEAK

Here are a few thoughts on why I decided to write the book…

I wanted to redefine the public perception of ABBA. Knowing full well I faced an uphill battle against the hype, the glam and the image (allperpetuated of course by the interminable army of tribute bands) only made me more determined to see it through. I accept the fact that kitch sells records, but surely the doubters must concede that ABBA’s staying power is aforce worthy of exploration beyond the “simple unpretentious melodies” theme served up by journalists.

My aim with the book was to ensure ABBA’s musical credentials were given the attention they deserve, and to rekindle and restore that one-time euphoria we’ve all experienced at some point in our years of fandom. (Something that has waned considerably for some, tarnished in part by years of overkill from the formula-based tribute army and Mamma Mia! publicity machines no doubt). Remember that sense of wonder and elation when you heard an ABBA song for the very first time? Remember when that song massaged your emotional nerve centre in the most intoxicating way?

I want all my fellow fans (and also the detractors!) to be intrigued by the fact that “The Winner Takes It All” and “Super Trouper” have a chordal musical progression in common. That Frida could sing as high as Agnetha in falsetto register and did so with style – as upper harmony vocalist – on several ABBA songs. That Benny and Bjorn re-used good melodic hooks often during the ABBA years (as a teaser, hum the opening verse bars of “Dum Dum Diddle” and “The Way Old Friends Do”). That identical melodic verse phrases reappear in the choruses of some songs. That the importance of “the power of three” (do-re-mi) was a pivotal force in the construction of ABBA’s melodies. That some songs fell a little short of the ABBA blueprint for success, and musical insights given as to why.  That “The Winner Takes It All” is the quintessential example of ‘musical economy’. That “The Visitors” is not far behind it.  That B-sides and cast-asides like “Crazy World”, “Put On Your White Sombrero” and “Just Like That” deserve their moments in the sun; excerpts from each (complete with chord charts) appear in print for the very first time!

I’ve had a fabulous time delving into the archives to discuss my insights into what makes us feel the way we do about ABBA. When a grinning Björn said, “Why us? Why me?” for the umpteenth time on that 2001 BBC doco series “Walk On By – The Story Of Popular Song”, a spark within me ignited. Four years later, I set out to give the oldest member of ABBA some answers. It’s been a heaven-sent task to examine, in a relaxed and non-academic way, what ABBA did to create music that continues to endear. I hope it will be one in the eye for the “Neil McCormicks” of this world!  (I might even send Neil a copy, although I’m under no delusion that I’ll convert him.)

And to think my book will be unveiled to the world in the same month as the burst-of-adrenalin release of “Mamma Mia! The Movie” on DVD, which is sure to give those of us who enjoyed the film a chance to relive the buzz of the first viewing on the silver screen.  What a happy coincidence. Like everything though in life, nothing good lasts forever. Regardless of outcome, I draw much pride and a sense of closure now that the book has been completed. The fact that my production editor (an old school mate who’d never bought an ABBA record in his life) rang me one evening, compelled to seek out not just a compilation, but at the very least a box set, made me realise I’d struck the right chord. As the blurb on my back cover says, “don’t we all have an ABBA album somewhere which we would like to enjoy rediscovering?”

Here’s to our individuality as ABBA fans, and our right to enjoy ABBA’s music if, when and how we want to!