Guest blogger: Florence Ziethén
The autumn leaves are changing to fiery colors and the cold is starting to penetrate. The heat and the solar energy seem to at least have stayed with Helen when she summer merrily and full of energy kick starts her autumn tour in Vara.
In a blazing firework of tones, genres and composers the audience comes along on a musical journey through Helens own repertoire as well as parts of the international music history.
Many of the songs have their base in the original folk roots, where Helen’s creations from the album Visor are given new life in the spotlight. The American People’s Movement is not far away either when the tones of among others Joni Mitchell makes one ponder the meaning of life in “Both sides now”. This broad musical spectrum Helen weaves together with her personal musical breakthrough in Kristina with the hit song “You have to be there”.
Between these great pieces of music, it’s time to put on high heels and a glitter dress as innovative music from the musical “Life is a popular song” by Jonas Gardell and Fredrik Kempe gets the seated audience to sway along in the rows. The dance continues with the slightly rusty Swedish chart topper “You are my man”. The audience are treated to thrills and a roller coaster resembling music ride, from 18th century creations to the music industry of today.
Helen is the best singer in the world and has a voice that can put gild to most music that has been written with her Nordic folk voice. Perhaps that’s precisely why these songs fit her like a glove and gilded in the clear limelight when everything finally falls into place.