Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson - "Lycka" (1970, 2006 Reissue)

Lycka is a 1970 album released by folk/rock duo Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson, who later became the male half of ABBA. Most of the songs feature lead vocals by Björn. The songs show the influence of Brian Wilson, "Ticket to Ride"-era Beatles and traditional Swedish folk music. LYCKA was produced by Björn and Benny with Bengt Bernhag and engineered by Michael B.Tretow. Benny and Björn played on the tracks with two Swiss musicians, drummer John Counz -drums and bassist -Gus Horn. S.O.Walldoff was responsible for the orchestral arrangements and during the 2006 re-release some songs were included such as the early recordings with the two girl half of the Swedish pop-group ABBA Anni-Frid Frida Lyngstad who was married to Benny Andersson and Agnetha Faltksog who was married to Bjorn Ulvaeus the successor album Ring Ring was their next album released this time with the girl half in 1973.
Digitally remastered edition of the first recordings by the duo hired by producer Stig Anderson as in-house songwriters his Polar Records label. The title track "Lycka" (lyrics by Stig) was released as a single, but it's b-side, the Salvation Army-style "Hej gamle man!" became a hit, topping at No.1 for 5 weeks on the Swedish Top 10! The song's success was partly due to the fact that Agnetha & Frida appeared on backing vocals, the first time the quartet recorded together. "It was the birth of ABBA in a way," Frida recalled many years later. "I don't think it would have become such a hit if Agnetha and I hadn't been on it". All four first sang together in public on a trip to Cyprus in 1970 for the duo, accompanied by their wives, and all were awestruck by their vocal blend. Among the 14 bonus tracks on this edition is "To Live With You", the English translation of "Lycka", re-recorded by the duo n English in the mid-70s, appearing on this CD for the first time.

01.  Lycka  (3:06) 
02.  Nånting Är På Väg  (2:19) 
03.  Kära Gamla Sol  (2:26) 
04.  Det Där Med Kärlek  (3:01) 
05.  Välkommen In I Gänget  (3:10) 
06.  Lilla Du, Lilla Vän  (2:51) 
07.  Hej Gamle Man!  [with Agnetha Fältskog & Anni-Frid Lyngstad backing vocals]  (3:22) 
08.  Liselott  (2:58) 
09.  Kalles Visa  (2:36) 
10.  Ge Oss En Chans  (3:40) 
11.  Livet Går Sin Gång  (3:54) 

2006 re-issue 
12.  She's My Kind Of Girl  (2:46) 
13.  Inga Theme  (2:33) 
14.  Det Kan Ingen Doktor Hjälpa  (2:29) 
15.  På Bröllop  (3:07) 
16.  Tänk Om Jorden Vore Ung  (3:53) 
17.  Träskofolket  (2:32) 
18.  En Karusell  (3:06) 
19.  Att Finnas Till  (3:32) 
20.  Hey, Musikant  (3:24) 
21.  Was Die Liebe Sagt  (3:56) 
22.  Love Has Its Ways  (2:42) 
23.  Rock'n Roll Band  (3:07) 
24.  Merry-Go-Round  (2:42) 
25.  To Live With You  (2:53)

Label - Polar