Frida

Country of origin:

Norway

Type of music generally:

Mainstream Pop/Rock

Status:

Most recent release, Djupa andetag (1996)

See also:

The The ABBA site's bio for Frida

The Ectophiles' Guide entry for ABBA, Frida's former band

Comparisons:

ABBA?

Covers/own material:

Covers

General comments:

Best known as the brunette from ABBA, Frida (full name Anifrid Lyngstad) had a solo career both before and after her time as a member of that pop phenomenon. If it weren't for that connection it's unlikely that she would attract much attention. Her voice is fairly distinctive but there's nothing in her singing to suggest that she's anything more than a fairly run-of-the-mill pop/rock ballad singer. Her pre-ABBA records were sung in Swedish, including the album Frida Ensam which featured an early version of the song "Fernando" later recorded by ABBA. (nightwol@dircon.co.uk)

Recommended first album:

Something's Going On. (nightwol@dircon.co.uk)

Recordings:

• Frida Ensam (1975)
• Something's Going On (1982)
• Shine (1984)
• Djupa andetag (1996)

Something's Going On

Release info:

1982—Polar (distributed by Polygram)—POLCD 355

Availability:

Generally available

Ecto priority:

Low

Group members:

Frida—vocals

Guest artists:

Peter Robinson—keyboards
Daryl Stuermer—guitars
Mo Foster—bass
Phil Collins—drums, percussion, backing vocals
Don Myrick—saxophones
Michael Harris—trumpet
Rahmlee Michael Davis—trumpet
Louis Satterfield—trombone
Skaila Kanga—harp
Martyn Ford Orchestra—strings

Produced by:

Phil Collins

Comments:

Phil Collins pulled out all the stops to lift this album above the level of the ordinary. The sound world is instantly recognizable to anybody familiar with his first solo album, right down to the use of Earth, Wind & Fire's Phoenix Horns as the brass section. This and his powerful drumming provide much of the excitement, as Frida works her way gamely through a selection of moderately up-tempo rock songs. The limitations of her voice are rather exposed in one or two places and nowadays this is only an important album for dedicated fans and completists. In its day, though, it sold around a million copies and I still enjoy spinning the CD every now and again. (nightwol@dircon.co.uk)

Thanks to Steve Fagg for work on this entry.