Dala-Demokraten 100227
By: JENNIE-LIE KJÖRNSBERG
Languorous violins and voices that swung from the deepest deep up to notes that reached the ceiling of the church in Mora. Small talk with a humorous twinkle. Tjejvasekonserten [the concert for the female skiiing race of Vasaloppet] was something extra special/out of the ordinary this year with artits like Helen Sjöholm, Orsa spelmän and Tommy Körberg.
This year it was culture before racing, but Mora church was as packed as always on the traditional concert in connection with the female skiing race. Orsa spelmän begun by playing to the honor of girls and women. Like in ”Anna’s visa” where one could sense a father’s pride of his daughter. Of course they also played ”Koppången”. And how they played! Perra Moraeus solo on a violin at first, and then a crescendo of more violins plus a tone of accordion and guitar in the background. That this reporter hardly was the only one with goosebumps was proved by the standing ovation, applause and wolf whistles the musicsians got when they left to make room for Helen Sjöholm.
Naturally she was a worthy successor on stage. Already with the first number, ”Horgalåten”, she showed sample of her rich voice spectrum. Between delicate ballads by among others the Gärdestad brothers and the powerfull ”Gabriellas sång” she kept a light-hearted tone. Helen Sjöholm showed that glitter and show off is not required. It’s quite sufficient with a strong stage presence and genuinely beautiful song.
Tommy Körberg continued the concert as it had started, switching between serene seriousness and more frolic tunes. Like when he first sang the Swedish version of ”Bridge over troubled water”, with a soft, dark, mellow voice, and then brilliantly pulled off Astrid Lindgren’s ”Fattig bonddräng”. All in all a brilliant mix of artists, songs, minor and major notes.