00:00 America's number one tribute act to the phenomenal pop group ABBA is hitting
00:05 the Philippine concert stage starting this week. ABBA Revisited joins us first
00:12 here on The Final Word. We're joined by Crystal, Andrea, Jeffrey, Joe, Jason and
00:19 Neil. Thank you so much. Welcome to Manila. Thank you so much for having us.
00:25 How does it feel like to be performing, Crystal, for the first time in the
00:30 Philippines? Well I have to say we're very honored to be here. It's been such
00:35 an experience. It was quite a long flight for us and a first for all of us so
00:38 we're very very excited. And you came all the way from Toronto. All the way. All the way from Toronto.
00:44 It's like a 16 hour flight. Yes, the longest flight we've ever taken. A little stopover in Hong Kong.
00:50 What about you, Andrea? I mean how did this whole ABBA Revisited group all
00:57 come together? How long have you been together? Well we have been together for
01:01 quite some time, for over 20 years at least. And we were in other projects in
01:07 the past with other groups and doing other tribute bands. They're doing backup
01:13 or lead and and then we kept the friendship going and then we decided to
01:18 start our own band and started ABBA Revisited. And how long have you been
01:24 touring now, Jeffrey? And where have you been? Of course now that you're in the
01:28 Philippines, where have you been around the world? Well we've played quite a few
01:32 places over the years. We've been to Dubai and where else have we been?
01:35 Malaysia. Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, South Korea. All over the United States.
01:44 Quite a bit. And all over Canada of course but also in the United States quite a bit.
01:48 And Joe, tell me what makes ABBA's song so special? My god, you just look like ABBA.
01:56 To me it's the songwriting team of Benny and Bjorn. You know they worked together
02:02 for so many years in this small cottage on an island in Sweden and came up with
02:06 these amazing compositions. They're just, they're timeless.
02:11 Timeless indeed. I mean I think this will be forever and ever in the minds.
02:18 Very catchy in the brain, yes. The minds of people all over the world, not only
02:22 Filipinos. Yes. I don't think ABBA music will ever die. Will ever die. No, especially
02:27 especially with the resurgence of the movies and the musicals, I think it's hit
02:32 a new span and really it's multi-generational because now we're
02:38 seeing a lot of fans that are coming out different ages. Before it was like you
02:42 know you'd see people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and up and now we're having
02:48 audience participation of kids that are like four years old knowing
02:52 every word and up to 21 and 30 like just all over. Not only the senior citizens
02:59 but also the Millennials, Gen Z's. Jason, don't you ever get tired of playing ABBA music?
03:07 Of course not. It's a lot of fun to play. The crowds are always into it,
03:14 dancing, singing along. It's a lot of fun. And what about you, Neil? Playing this
03:20 playing this music is just incredible. As Jason said, the crowds are into it.
03:25 They're there to see you and so we don't have to win them over if we were in
03:30 another cover band. Sometimes the audience will sit there waiting
03:35 for you to impress them but they know what they're getting and as soon as we
03:38 start playing the place goes crazy. And Jeffrey and Joe, what are some of the
03:44 most popular ABBA songs that your audience will always clamor for? I think
03:50 almost all of them. They're all hits. I particularly like Chiquitita and
03:55 The Name of the Game. Chiquitita? Yes, those are very popular songs. And we have
04:00 heard in the Philippines, of course Dancing Queen is the big song. I hope you sing
04:06 part of that song before the end of this interview. Fernando is also a very big song.
04:11 And what about yourself, Crystal? What is your favorite ABBA song?
04:19 That's a hard one. It's probably Chiquitita. I do like that one. It's hard to say.
04:26 There's so many great songs and it depends on the mood. Thank you for the
04:30 music. That's a good one too. The winner takes it all. You like that one? I like it.
04:36 Yeah, there's just so many of them, right? It's the wonderful harmonies that I always love to sing.
04:42 And it's just more enjoyable and fans really like it. And I can see, Andrea
04:49 and Crystal, that everything from this ABBA revisited performance is just so
04:56 authentic. From your costumes, I mean even to the hair and everything.
05:02 Thank you. Well, we try very hard to replicate them. And you know, because we want to
05:06 honor and respect what they've done and what they've built. Because we didn't
05:10 write the songs. But we've managed to make a decent living and traveling the
05:16 world and getting to do this. So it is an honor too and you want to respect that.
05:20 So we do take it seriously. Absolutely. It is really an honor to be singing
05:26 these timeless hits of ABBA. But here's a question. Have you ever met any of them?
05:33 Have you met any of the original ABBA members? Or have you been given the
05:39 blessing of the ABBA group? No, I wish. Maybe one day. Hopefully soon. I don't know. You never know.
05:47 You have to get out to that side of the world. I did perform once with
05:52 another version of the group at the Swedish Ambassadors, the Swedish
05:58 Ambassador to Washington's house. And he said, he called us over afterward and
06:05 said, put his arm around me and said, I had the real Benny Anderson at my house
06:09 last week. Mm-hmm. Look at that. Of course, the original members are Anna Fried, Bjorn, Benny and Agnetha.
06:14 Yes. ABBA. So what will make the audience feel that you're really taking them on a
06:24 musical journey through time? I'd have to say it's, we start, I don't want to
06:32 give it all away. Just a preview. And we definitely explain the songs and their
06:38 history. And I think a big part of our show is audience participation. We want
06:43 to see everyone up and dancing and enjoying themselves. And you know, music
06:48 could be so, so special. And it could be like, you know, when you smell something
06:53 and there's a scent and it brings you back. It's like hearing a song and all of
06:55 a sudden you're transported back in time to a memory, you know. So that's what we
07:01 want to do for our audience. I mean, when I go to a karaoke place, that's the first
07:06 thing I play to really get all my friends and family up and dancing. And
07:13 that's Dancing Queen. So you're an ABBA fan then? I've been an ABBA fan for a
07:18 long, long time. And I even have their vinyls. I even have their CDs. And I get
07:24 to watch, of course, their videos on YouTube. So Rico, are you going to come out to a show then?
07:28 Absolutely. Okay, well we're gonna bring you up on stage. Bring you up. So what else can we
07:34 expect from the concert, gentlemen? All the hits, lots of dancing, some jokes,
07:43 singing, some singing, costume change. So of course, you're not only performing in
07:50 Metro Manila. Where else will you take your act around the country? I mean, you
07:57 have basically three concerts in the Philippines. So let us know where you'll
08:02 be performing starting tomorrow. Starting early, very early tomorrow. We won't get
08:06 much sleep tonight, but that's okay. We are going to Cagayan de Oro at
08:11 Lepken Cay Center. And then we're flying back to Manila and playing at the
08:17 Ocada Casino. And our last show will be at the Angeles City Filipino Casino.
08:25 So 8, 9, and 10. Wow, 8, 9, and 10. And after, of course, your tour here in
08:31 the Philippines, where will it take you? Well, we return back to Toronto. We're
08:36 home for a couple days and then we fly out west on the west coast of... So you
08:42 are just here in Asia for the Philippines? Yes. Wow! Isn't that fantastic?
08:50 Actually, we're home for one day. One day. One sleep, laundry, and then go. See your kids and get out the door.
08:57 What have you experienced so far in the Philippines? And what have you
09:02 experienced over the last 24 to 48 hours? Traffic!
09:07 Yes, I didn't think you were going to say it. You know what? With Jesse Cambosa as your producer, you'll be whisked
09:16 through and fro hotels and the venues without any traffic. They have been so
09:23 loving and so generous and organized. And very hospitable. We felt at home from the moment we landed. So Jesse and his team have been amazing.
09:34 So Crystal, Andrea, Joe, and Jeffrey, maybe you could sing a few lines from some of
09:42 our favorite ABBA songs. Do you want to do Dancing Queen? Dancing Queen! Sure, we can do that. Yeah, sure.
09:47 Great! Ladies and gentlemen, ABBA revisited Dancing Queen.
09:54 Friday night and the lights are low, looking out for a place to go.
10:02 Where they play the rock music, getting in the swing. You come to look for King.
10:10 Anybody can be that guy. The night is young and the music's high.
10:22 Where they play the rock music, everything is fine. You're in the mood for a dance.
10:29 Come on, gentlemen! And when you get the chance, you are the Dancing Queen.
10:38 Young and sweet, only 17. Dancing Queen.
10:47 Feel the beat on the tambourine, oh yeah. You can dance, you can jive.
10:59 Having the time of your life. Ooh, see that girl. Watch that scene. Dig in the Dancing Queen.
11:15 ABBA revisited live here on The Final Word on CNN Philippines. Thank you so much for joining us.
11:23 Crystal, Andrea, Jeffrey, Joe, Jason, and Neil, have a great and fun time here in the Philippines.
11:32 Thank you. Thank you. Mabuhay! Thank you.
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