Sundsvalls Tidning 130506
By: JERKER ULLERSTAM
Photo: PRESS PHOTO
SUNDSVALL Since she had twins two years ago, Helen Sjöholm hasn´t worked that much. But now the Sundsvall born star is in the news again and comes to Sundsvall and Norra Berget with Benny Andersson Band in July.
18 years ago Sundsvall born Helen Sjöholm met Benny Andersson. She got starring roles in his musicals Chess and Kristina från Duvemåla. Twelve years ago, she got new confidence with BAO. The happy band consists, besides the renowned bandleader and songwriter, of greats like Tommy Körberg and Orsa Fiddlers with Kalle Moraeus.
– There is an incredible joy of playing. It´s folk music and it´s dramatic. We play schottische, pop and rock, Helen Sjöholm says.
BAO is not a full time employment. The band only exists sometimes. They don´t tour frequently and when they do, it´s mostly in the summer.
– We don´t play unless everyone can come. That’s the deal, and maybe the reason we don´t play that often. We meet shortly before the tour starts, maybe a week, and rehearse intensely. It´s experienced musicians and the whole concept is based on that it´s not over rehearsed, she says.
Helen Sjöholm thinks it will be incredibly fun to play at Norra Berget on July 25. BAO hasn´t been to Sundsvall before.
– I’ve been wanting for this for a long time and it will be a unique musical evening.
The evening before they play in Piteå and Helen Sjöholm hopes the Sundsvall residents will find their way up to the mountain and to the dance floor built up for this event.
– When we´ve played before it becomes quite a festival and towards the end a bit like a rock concert. For me it’s always special with Sundsvall because I was born there and it’s fun with Norra Berget, there’s a dance culture there.
As a solo artist, she has sung in Merlo Castle a few times. Now she comes to Sundsvall with an experienced band and with a dear singer at her side.
– I enjoy working with Tommy, he’s the best. He just gets better with age, too. He´s a very free and outspoken man who sets high standards for himself. He combines a high work ethic with playfulness.
For the past two years, Helen Sjöholm hasn’t worked very much. Most of the time has revolved around her twin children, but now she gradually has begun to get started with her musicality.
– I love my job, to sing and act. On Saturday, I have a concert with Magnus Carlsson from Weeping Willows at Gävle Concert Hall. It´s something completely new to me. We do songs by for example Nick Cave and Depeche Mode. In the summer I will also tour with Jojje Wadenius. We will, among other things, visit the Skule Festival.
THIS IS BAO
BAO consists of bandleader Benny Andersson (accordion and piano) and Leif Göras, Olle Moraeus, Perra Moraeus, Kalle Moraeus och Nicke Göthe, Orsa Fiddlers, (violin etcetera ) Göran Arnberg (harmonium), Janne Bengtson (flute), Pär Grebacken ( saxophone and clarinet ), Jogga Ernlund (bass), Calle Jakobsson (tuba), Leif Lindvall (trumpet), Lars Rudolfsson (accordion), Jörgen Stenberg (drums) and Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg on vocals.
MORE ABOUT BAO
Since they formed in 2001 they have had eleven songs on the Swedish charts and Du är min man (You Are My Man) holds the unlikely record of 278 consecutive weeks.
SONGS ON THE SWEDISH CHARTS IN SELECTION
2001-2002: Vår sista dans (Our Last Dance), 2004-2009: Du är min man (You Are My Man), 2007-2008: Fait accomplit, 2009: Sommaren du fick (Story of a heart), 2011-2013: En dag i sänder (One Day at a Time), 2012-2013: Vinterhamn (Winter Harbour).