Introduction
Michael B. Tretow: The Unsung Architect of ABBA’s Sound
This video celebrates Michael B. Tretow’s 79th birthday, highlighting his crucial, often overlooked, role as the “fifth member” and sound magician behind ABBA’s iconic music. While Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson are credited for melodies and lyrics, Tretow’s engineering and production were vital in crafting the band’s distinctive sound.
Tretow’s Innovative Techniques
Tretow’s genius was evident from ABBA’s first song, “People Need Love,” where he adapted Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” technique by layering instruments and vocals. He further refined this for “Ring Ring,” ABBA’s first number-one hit, by overdubbing tracks at altered speeds, creating a unique “sparkle of sounds.” Crucially, his goal was always to enhance the sound without losing the human element. He used technical aids like harmonizers to widen and enlarge the sound, constantly refining his methods, even seamlessly transitioning from analog to digital recording with “The Visitors” album.
A prime example of his innovative spirit is “The Day Before You Came,” where he experimented with a sequencer to create the song’s distinctive, almost “threatening” synthetic flute sounds. This continuous exploration of new techniques contributed to ABBA’s timeless sound, making their music sound “ahead of its time” rather than merely “modern.”
The Creative Synergy
The bond between Björn, Benny, and Michael was incredibly strong, described as if “they each had a part of one and the same brain.” Tretow’s musical versatility, sensitivity, and shared sense of humor fostered a creative environment where ideas flowed freely. Björn and Benny not only valued his technical expertise but also his ability to maintain enthusiasm during long recording sessions. He was also credited with recognizing and equally compensating Tretow, which was uncommon for an engineer.
Other Key Factors to ABBA’s Sound
Tretow himself credited several other factors for ABBA’s unique sound:
- The Studio Environment: ABBA’s own Polar Music Studio, opened in 1978, was instrumental. Its isolated recording booths and rooms with varied acoustics allowed Tretow to experiment with microphone distances, capturing sounds both up close and from a distance without interference. This blended traditional and modern recording techniques.
- Timing and Technology: The rise of new recording technologies during ABBA’s prime played a significant role.
- Agnetha and Frida’s Vocal Abilities: Tretow immensely praised their “marvellous craft,” noting their exceptional control, precision, and ability to infuse genuine emotion into every vocal performance. Benny Andersson himself affirmed that their voices were “the most important ingredient of our overall sound structure.”
Tretow’s Legacy
Tretow continued to work with the individual members on solo projects and the “Chess” musical. His dedication to fans was remarkable; he played rare and unreleased ABBA recordings on his radio shows and was instrumental in the creation of the “Thank You For The Music” box set, which included “ABBA Undeleted” – 23 minutes of outtakes he had meticulously preserved by running a separate tape recorder during sessions.
In 2001, Tretow suffered a stroke, leading to his retirement from public life and music. Despite this, his contributions to ABBA’s success and enduring appeal are immeasurable, solidifying his status as a true “magician” of sound.