I guess one can regard these as credentials too.
* Michael Jackson and Sopia Loren was at an a-ha concert in Los Angeles 1986
* Madonna sang a latin version of " Take On Me " on the TV show Saturday Night Live in the USA 1985
Beiträge von Morten
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NRK has a list where you can vote on the best Norwegian song ever.
a-ha is represented with 5 songs:
Take On Me
The Sun Always Shines On TV
Hunting High aand Low
I've Been Losing You
Stay On These RoadsHowever, ifa-ha should have a chance, I think everyone should vote for Take On Me. It is currently on 5th place
http://www.nrk.no/tidenesnorske/
Click on the song Take On Me ( or any other a-ha song on the list ), write your comment in the box, labeled " Din kommentar " add your name in the field that says " Ditt navn " and click on " Klikk her for å stemme på denne låta ".
You can apparently vote as many times you want.
The voting will end on the 16th
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Certainly does not beat the original. Edyta has even changed the text. She's singing it as she would sing it to a man, not a woman.
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A-HA LIFTED THE ROOF
***** 5 dots on the dice
KÕLN ( VG ) It took 20 years to get there, but a-ha has become a fully grown band.This, Morten HArket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar Savoy proved yesterday evening in front of 16 000 souls at the opening of the Europa tour in Kõlner Arena. It's clear that a-ha has enjoys themselves on stage. Today we talk about a band that has reconciled with their past, their peculiarity and not least their eccentricities..
The fact is that Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar Savoy, seems relaxed and harmonic even on an evening where the premiere nervs most likely is on the outside of the skin.Such things makes for a memorable experience. Among them, " Cozy Prison " and " Holy Ground " two very beautiful ballads that was executed brilliantly to the audience delight.
But the absolute highlight proabably came with " Summer Moved On ", where HArket demonstrated what a fantastic voice he has, holding the note in the high chorus in a little eternity, and where a mighty impressed Magne Furuholmen throwed himself spontainesly down on his knees and hailed the singer.
The singalong during " Hunting High and Low ", also that heavely rearanged in an half accoustic, luxuriant and organic version, was also very moving.
A rough and almost rockie " Take On Me " made the concert hall explode of happiness. The roof almost raised itself.a-ha is not a concertmachine. The ones who are into that, will always find little failures. Harket struggled for instance with certain vocal parts on the first 4 - 5 songs . It also sounded a little tootless and tame until the sound was put in correct place.
The 2005 version of a-ha, is still lightyears better than the uninspiring , and burned out a-ha I experienced ( the journalist ) I saw in Copenhagen in 1994.A-ha has'nt only had a remarkable comeback. They have released their potential and gained a new life as something more than just a prehistoric thing that could live okn only nostalgia and milking of old hits.
Review by Espen H. Hansen of Norwegian newspaper VG -
German recordcompany muscles and - money, supports a-ha's new career. The band themselves, call their album " Analogue " their debut album.
Jochen Schuster is the man that signed a-ha to Universaø Music Germany, when Morten, Mags and Paul decided to change " home " after 20 years with Warner.
- For me, a-ha is still one of the world s best pop bands. It is'nt often one gets to do such a signing, and I had to grab it.
- And then you had to dig deep in your wallet ?
- Nah, it's a fair deal. Completely fair, says Schuster secretly.
BIG ENTHUSIASM
However he does'nt try to hide that it will be comitment for a-ha now. Both in Germany and otherwise on the continent, inthe UK and after a while in the USA.
- Not a bad word about the people at Warner, but they did'nt even release the latest albums in England. Now I sence the enthusiasm in the businesss, also over there.
- Why ?
- The boys still look fresh, even though they have gotten older. " Take On Me " is 20 years now. Besides, a-ha is considerd to be godfathers of such populare bands as Keane and Coldplay.
- What makes a-ha special ?
- That they are 3 different persions, comming from differet planets, but who even so has their own odd chemistrie when they get together, says Schuster.
In the bio ( notes ) that follow " Analogue " that's being released next week, Mags explains that the internal problems, almost created the musical focus on the bands last album.
This time, the trio has been more gathered.
- We feel almost that this is a new debut album, and I'm very satisfied with the fact that everyone has worked together for this album this time. It has made the album more focused, says Mags
The transicio to Universal has also been positive.
- it has given us a new degree of enthusiasm around us. It is good to have people around us who are ambisious on our behalf. So far our life with Universal has been like a honeymoon. We'll see how long it will last, laughs Mags.
3 ALBUM
According to the Universal boss Jochen Schuster, it will last for a long time. The contract with a-ha is for 3 albums.
- What is special now is that the boys are already willing to plan a new album and a new tour. One sence that they are really committed, says Schuster.
- We have worn out the Warner gang, now it's these peoples turn, says Mags.
In Kõln, last night, a-ha started their " new " career and tour infront of 16 000 people, about half of them Norsk Hydro employes on jubilee party.
FESTIVALS
The tour last until christmas, but there will be more in 2006.
- The album comes out in the UK in January. US date is not confirmed, but we are working on it. There will be a lot more concerts next year, likely also in the USA and festivals in the summer, says Jochen Schuster.
- The boys must be tuned for work, now...........................
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According to Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten:
" An unusually weak German audience that were almost silent in almost an hour. Not even the classic singalong on Hunting High and Low got the crowd going, without embarressing correction from the stage...................... "
Hmm........................
Does'nt sound as a good opening for a-ha, this............................
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Reborn in Kõln
ARNE HALVORSEN
ROBERT HOFTUN GJESTAD
Köln
Morten, Mags and Paul are on new label and better friends than in a very long time. This evening ,, they start their most important world tour in 14 years.
- We still have much to give, especially internationally. We have now changed recordlabel, and so we will have to see what happens, says Morten Harket.
20 + years after the breakthrough as " Take On Me " climbed to the top on the US single chart, 9th october 1985, a-ha is again on the road.
At the Kõlner Arena this evening, the world tour begins to coincide with the release of their 8th studio album " Analogue ", that will be releasedin a week. Before christmas, 24 concerts awaits around Europe. After christmas, their might be possebilities for South America, Asia and maybe the USA.
In November the album will be released to around 30 countries.
The release in the UK will have to wait until New year, while a release in the breakthrough market, USA, is being discussed at this time.
MORE INTEREST
On stage tonight, stands 3 gentlemen who has been bitter and almost sworn enemies for many years, however now like eachothr better than in a long time.
And the interest around them, shows that they might have their most important autumn ahead, since the comeback, 6 years ago.
* Last year, they were again on top 20 on the album charts in England, with their hits collection " The Singles 1984/2004 "
* Earlier this autumn, they were back in the US, after 19 years since their last concert there.
* In august they played for 120 000 at the free concert in Frognerparken, Oslo.
* This autumns concert at Wembley Arena was sold out instantly.
And not least
* Since the last studio album " LKifelines " they have changed from Warner to Universal and receaved fresh millions from the biggest record label in the wolrd.
MORE TO GIVE
Aftenposten ( Newspaper in Norway ) met Morten Harket in Brazil this autumn, as he was on a sponsor job for Norsk Hydro. Harket told that he was looking forward with joy to the music and the meetings with the audiences and the feeling of being on the road again.
Since, Morten trip ito Brazil, a-ha has been in Germany for a coupe of weks, doing international promo. It has never been Harkets favourite thing, but he says that he is motivated for another round, even though he also dread it.
- my problem is the stage, the noice and the difficulties, hering my own voice. I have a demanding song technich and can often pressure my voice to much.
ON THE ROAD
The popstar hysteria that made Morten Harket fisically and physically exhausted earlier in the career, is on the other hand easier now, even though there are still a-ha fans that follow them around the globe.
- I am 46 years old, and experience the world differently than 20 years ago. I have also got my dose of showbusiness and don't use much energy on useless things, as back then.
This evening he, and Paul and Mags back on tour, 3 years after their last European tour, however no adittional concerts for Norway are scheduled yet.
However if one listn to what their manager Brian Lane said last year, as " the new" a-ha had signed a new 3 album contract, the goal is clear:
World dominance again !
http://www.aftenposten.no/kul_und/musikk/article1144601.ece
29.10: Köln
03.11: Athen
05.11: Thessaloniki
11.11: Wien
13.11: Brussel
14.11: Paris
16.11: Basel
18.11: Amsterdam
19.11: Frankfurt
20.11: Berlin
22.11: Magdeburg
23.11: Hamburg
25.11: München
26.11: Friedrichshafen
28.11: Stuttgart
29.11: Dresden
30.11: Rostock
03.12: Birmingham
04.12: Glasgow
06.12: Manchester
07.12: London
09.12: Nottingham
10.12: Brighton
11.12: Cardiff -
Does anyone know why the Celice single has been posponed to the 10th of October ? Is it only here in Norway ? Has it been released in Germany today ?
How dissepointing, and no info about it until I arrived to the recordstore today.........................
I'm angry. Not promising at all............... -
In Norwegian newspaper VG today. A two page spread of pictures from the Celice video and a small interview:
Raw Sex in New a-ha Video
Here you can see the first exclusive pictures from a-ha’s new video to the single “ Celice “, where the group is not only adding, but pouring on with strippers, sex and sadism.
In the video, a-ha conducts an, on all accounts explicit reference game with their own history. Both in form and contents, “ Celice “ plays on the half animated, video to a-ha’s big breakthrough video “ Take On Me “.
However the innocence is deffinetly lost, after 20 years – the “ Celice “ story includes sex-scenes, from topless strippers and intence love via S / M dominans and oral sex. Very little is left to the imagination-
Adult Version
- The video is, I guess an adult version of “ Take On Me “. It’s about people who has lost their sence of direction in the hunt for meaning – and loneliness in the aftermath of lost innocence, writes the songs writer, Magne Furuholmen, in an email to VG ( Norwegian newspaper )
He would’nt come with additional comments. The video is directed by Joern Heitmann, who earlier has been Rammstein’s video director.
The video “ Celice “ has yet not been shown in Norway, but the single itself will be in stores on Monday. A-ha’s recordlabel in Norway, Universal Music, says that they are awaiting a go from the label in Germany, before they release it to Norwegian television broadcasters. Because of it’s rough content, the video “ Celice “ may be getting just as much trouble getting shown, as “ Velvet “ did at a time, because of the necrofilia accusations.
“ The Cilice Belt “
How you look at the video, may be on several layers. Mags has in an earlier interview with Aftenposten, admitted that the song “ Celice “ itself is inspired by Dan Brown “ Da Vinci Code “. The title refers to “ the cilice belt “, a belt around the tigh with sharp spikes, that cuts the one who wears it into blood as a constant reminder of Jesus sufferings. In the book, the belt is used by a munk with close relations to the mighty catholic organisation Opus Dei.
That’s why it’s perhaps not so strange that the cover of “ Celice “ contains red stains, that can be understood as blod, or that it has several similarities to the bookcover of “ The Da Vinci Code “.
The videos, sexual refferances in adittion corresponds with another function that the the belt with spikes had, - that the pain should undermine the flesh’s desires in a most effective way.
a-ha’s new album is expected out on 7th of November in Norway, a week after they start a bigger tour of Europe. After what VG has reasons to beleave, there will probably be an additional single release before the album arrives. A highly current song as second single would be the title track “ Analogue “, that is co produced by Max Martin.
To see pictures, go here:
http://www.cdd.ee/forum/index.ph…did=4849&start= -
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Anyone know who the director of the video is ?
Who's the girl ? Anyone famous ?
The video loks fantastic, however if it includes to much sexual explicit content, it can be a problem with promotion in certain countries..................................................................
Is it Magne who plays the main role ? -
I don't think they did it for publicity hansenB. I don't think it was planned.
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You're very keen on getting that picture, hansen
The picture is from the newspaper VG in Norway. Unfortunetly the article was only published in the paerversion and not on the web. Thats why it is of the quality it is. -
editAdmin:no pictures are visible on the forum with your link
Sorry for the bad quality of the pictures, but they were only available in the paperversion of the newspaper. They were over two pages, so I had to cut and tape alittle.
The pctures are fromthe impromtue performance a-ha did with some streetmusicians at Time Square, NY -
Happy news for all Britons:
In my mailbox this evening:
Hi Morten,
Album is going to be released in the UK on 7th November, single will be in January 06.
Thanks
Chareen
and this:
Hi Morten,
All future A-ha queries should be directed to Chareen Steel who works in the press department at Polydor. Polydor will be releasing the single/album. -
In an article today it is stated that Norsk Hydro pays a lot of money to get a-ha to play at the Frognerpark and another free concert in Germany.
Morten is the one that get the most paid and works the most for Norsk Hydro, since he will do some adittional commercial work in relation to Hydro's celebration.
Many people is interested in knowing how much they get, however everyone around a-ha refuse to comment.
It also says that renting the Oslo Spectrum that a-ha has done for their rehearsals for the uppcomming tour is very expensive. The price is usually 500 000 NOK per 24 hours. a-ha has rented it for two days. ( 77,504.81 USD or 63,016.60 EUR or 42,953.08 GBP )
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a-ha has rehearsed for two weeks, wich is unusual long for the trio.
- It will be a new sound. We've been down in our toybox and digged out old songs and rearranged them. Worked very hard on that. It has been a vitamin injection. We're a totally connected band now, says MAgne Furuholmen.
- In fact we've actually included songs that we've practicly never played before, wich is an extra inspiration, adds Pål Waaktaar Savoy.
- There will be a whole lot of new songs on Saturday. It's important to find a balanse and the expecttaions that people have
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In an interview in Aftenposten this evening, a-ha says that they will play old and new songs on the concert on Saturday.
- We've started from scratch. With a new sound. We will play old songs that we have'nt played live before.
They also says that the song " Celice " is indeed partly inspired by a torture belt and that the book Davinci Code has been an inspiration.
Aftenposten: - Magne, you have written the song " Celice " Why this title ?
Magne - I don't feel like talking about the single. We are here to talk about the concert.
Aftenposten: - But this thing with " Celice " is something that many got to know about through the film " The Davinci Code "
Morten HArket: - Chastity belts is something that we've had since the middleages. It did'nt arrive with " The DavinciCode "
Magne: - but it's not a chastity belt..................
Aftenposten: - So you were inspired by the book ?
Magne: Yes, well it's one of several inspirations. It's a lovesong about an instrument of torture.
Morten: - It's a description of how wit is in the band.
Aftenposten: - Oh yes, you've told previously of your collaboration problems
Morten: - It was ment as a joke.............
Magne: - We never write love songs. Thats why we write songs about torture. Nah, it's a straight forward love song.
Morten: - You just put that about " Celice " in there............... He, he ( pause )
Magne: - But you were'nt interested in the concert...No ........... Ok then we know that ( makes sign to move on )
Aftenposten: - Oh yes we do. Tell us about what kind of plans you have for the concert and how it feels to play such a big free concert.
Morten: - Well, it will be exciting naturally. It is always........You never know. This wa what it was like before the concert at Ullevall too...........You never know.....and that became a great day........Because people came with a fantastic attitude.
Pål: - We rely on peoples attitude
Morten:- Yes one can say that. But it really was a fantastic day. However now we start at it again, refreshed.
a-ha say that they will play new and old songs. They have developed a new sound. They will play old songs that they have never played live before.
The press does'nt get to know what this new direction is all about. Before I manage to ask, managment steps inn.
Dagbladet ( anothe rnewspaper ): - Every Norwegian is more or less dedicated a-ha fans.
Aftenposten: - Is it like beeing on hometurf, or........................?
Pål: - Yes, but there is still much that.........One must have somewind behind. Things does'nt automatically goe on tracks.....................
Magne: - New recordcompany, new album, new tour, same old, same old.....We have the best rehearsing place in town ( Oslo spektrum )
Aftenposten: - You can't describe anything about the new direction in your music ?
Magne: - No
Managment steps in again and asks that the pictures be taken. Norway's 3 largest newspapers are here, with a photographer each. They get alltogehter 28 seconds to take the photos to their 3 million readers, before their managment says: -Now we have to go inside and work a little.
All the press: - Goodbye and good luck
All a-ha: - Goodbye
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I have the song on CD. It's cool
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From what I know, a-ha sold 200 000 copies of Hunting High and Low album in JAPAN.
In adittion there are also many special edittions and maxi singles and EP's released only in Japan, that has also sold well.
Francois at the French a-ha site has made a very good list at his site :
http://www.aha-fr.com/
Go to discographie
The numbers are gathered from Warner sources and is proabably the most accurate list there is.