Mamma Mia Bass Cover

Happy Birthday to Benny Andersson who was born on this date in 1946 and who was one of the major driving forces behind the success of ABBA.

"Mamma Mia" by ABBA off of their, self-titled, third album which came out in 1975 and featured Mike Watson on bass.

Lynn and I went down to the city yesterday to see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes. While it's not really my thing, it was a good time... better than the last time we went. The last time, 7 years ago, we went to a 2:00pm show on a Saturday and it was the first time I'd ever experienced human grid-lock. There were so many people packed into the area surrounding Radio City and Rockerfeller Center (where the tree is) that you, literally, could not move. We arrived, as advised, an hour early to get on line to get into the show and we still missed the first ten minutes, and they were still seating people 30 minutes into the show which was a bit distracting. This time, we went to the first show of the day, 10:00am. We were on the train at 6:30am and into Grand Central Station before 8:00am. We walked around Grand Central for a bit (it's really an amazing building) and stopped for a light breakfast on the way. Lynn got a big, fancy coffee which was served in a big bowl. When we got to Rockerfeller Center we had a clear view of everything we wanted to see and were able to walk around freely and comfortably. The show was great, but things were starting to get crazy out on the streets as we made our way back to Grand Central to catch our train.

I'm playing the Aria Pro II SB700. I recorded this video a few years back, shortly after I got the bass and it still had the Bartolini replacement p/u that it came with. The original p/u was included with the bass and I had that reinstalled shortly after. I've since sold both of the Aria basses.

[oxouk]

I learned this awhile back. Such a fun song to play. Sometimes it’s just fun to hold it down steadily hitting those 8th notes.

[curtisphilumalee]

Back when this song came out if you requested it to be played on the pa in the local Boys Club you would get your butt kicked. Only Deep Purple Black Sabbath and Led Zep filled the pa.
Now as a 62 year old I can appreciate the structure of the song. I just can’t let my childhood friends know.
Thanks for the upload

[PookBidault]

Always a treat to hear you play ABBA. You seem a little bit more Swedish every time you do.

[RCSmiths]

ABBA has really exotic and groove-centric music, especially backed up on the bass' clean rhythm! Cheers for this one!

[TracerGTRider]

Sounds great...those staccato notes and that tone really punch!

[bicho_reactor]

Hello, Troy. I declare myself a great admirer of your work, your sound and your basses. I send you a big hug from Buenos Aires, Argentina!

[mowler]

Morning from Toronto! fun bass line sounds great as usual

[hunterhippensteel]

Brings back good memories of when I played bass in the pit orchestra for my school's Mamma Mia musical, I remember watching several of your ABBA covers while trying to learn all the songs for it, they were super helpful. Keep up the good work

[Twobarpsi]

ABBA puts me in a time machine, back to when music was pure and respectable. Those women's voices sound so good together, it's almost as if their singing is the equivalent of someone running an ice cube up and down my back! No computers or plugins here, just pure talent! Speaking of which, excellent playing and articulation. I enjoyed your hammer on slides 0:54 in the pre chorus (?), along with the pumping verse groove 🤘!!

[FrancescoBignardi]

Such a wonderful bassline, glad to see this played by you Troy

[Robil]

Yes! I picked this too as a hell-fun song on bass. Even when all other elements are kinda softy in a ..softy kinda song the bass still kicks ass - so beefy, it dominates.

[jeffchabot]

Found your bass covers for Rush, but love the Abba covers and more!

[alexr]

What a fun tune! I never realized before how great the bass line is - thank you Troy!

[WimRijksen]

Thanks Troy, good stuff as always. I appreciate the very gentle hammer-ons. More like tap-ons really.

[suzannewasmund]

This was THE song when I was a kid that made me want to play bass. It’s not particularly challenging or Geddy Lee- but this was the start for me. ❤ Thanks for playing it!

[jcburn]

Great song, and well played. I learned this to play and sing in a cover band in the early 2000s. I like how you have to mute each 8th note to help the rhythm "pump".

[crashkamio]

This cover hit the spot. I've been on the biggest ABBA binge this year listening and relistening to all their albums and also have been revisting your ABBA covers through out the year. As always you did amazing! You really nail those slightly muted staccato 8th notes in the verses, they're so smooth sounding.

Glad you had fun seeing the rockettes! Sounded like chaos the first time, glad it was a much more pleasant experience this time around.

[samhelsel]

Love it! Great job Troy. Loving the Aria as well. I found one for sale but it's in Japan. I don't trust the shipping process! Anyway, thanks for posting.

[jmalk]

Good Job! I think I told you a little while back that I saw an outstanding Abba tribute (from Sweden) touring the US currently and Mike Watson is actually touring with them. Very cool to see him play these songs he originally recorded.

[MrStevie]

What a brilliantly inventive Bassline, Brilliantly executed. Thanks for sharing.