Agnetha Faltskog

With the musical +Mama Mia selling tickets so strongly in 2005 that it seems destined for a Broadway run through at least 2009, it's easy to forget the existence of the singers who were ABBA. My Colouring Book was Agnetha Faltskog's new album for 2004, and it's distinctly in a pop vein, comprised of music that she's known throughout her life, starting with the Kander & Ebb title track. Even her rendition of Jackie DeShannon's "When You Walk in the Room," despite a heavy beat from Dan Stromkvist and some highly amplified guitar playing from Magnus Bengtsson, is very orchestra-heavy. Though the settings in no way parallel anything done by ABBA, Falktskog's voice retains the simple purity of tone and expression that she brought to the group's sound 30 years earlier, enough so that serious fans are likely to enjoy this CD, especially attributes such as her stripped-down rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon" and her covers of standards such as "Sealed with a Kiss" and "The End of the World." The sound is excellent and the playing is impeccable, in settings that range from an instrument or two right up to a full band and orchestra accompaniment. [This version of the album includes bonus material.] ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide