Unni Wilhelmsen - Things on their way out

things on their way out
just things on their way out
things are coming
and things are going
but these are on their way out

a fork is rusty
an old can of corn
a friend doesn't call anymore
and that blanket is torn
a dried out plant
that record I hate
underwear, too small
and the pieces of a plate
a bag full of garbage
the ebb of a flu
one glove that I've lost
and the feeling of you...
an empty mascara
last years christmas cards
a t-shirt that bores me
used tickets won't get me far
a pet that died
and a thought that just occurred
that lightbulb is broken, I think
and the things that you were...

things on their way out
just things on their way out
things are coming
and things are going
but these are on their way out

Unni Wilhelmsen, Things on their way out, 
on To whom it may concern, 1998.

Unni Wilhelmsen - Live

As Unni reports on her website that in 2008 she did one concert in Bodø Kulturhus, accompanied by a local rhythm group and sinfonic orchestra. She sang some of her songs in rearranged versions and some cover songs. Those included some jazz classics and other cover versions, for example Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" or "Cry Me a River". The concert was recorded but until now Unni didn't think about releasing it as an album. But here it is - and it's lovely!
I can't say which song is my favourite - they are all beautifully orchestrated, some with simple piano accompaniment, others with strings and some lovely sax or flute solos. Together with Unni's stunning voice it's a whole album full of goosebumps songs, very moving, at least for me.

Unni Wilhelmsen

More than ten years ago a friend introduced me to a Norwegian singer/songwriter who quickly became one of my favourite artists, Unni Wilhelmsen. To Whom It May Concern was her first album and I know all the songs by heart. They spoke to me at the time and they still do. On her website she explains a lot about herself, her music and her lyrics. It somehow sums up why I like her music so much:

"I sing what I can't say. Maybe in music I find myself. I get to know me a little better for each song I write. Music plays a part in almost every aspect of my life and has done so from an early age. [...]"

The list of musicians she mentions as her inspiration includes some very familiar names:

"The creative universes of Suzanne Vega, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Nick Drake, Tori Amos, Imogen Heap and many others have enchanted me for years. I feel like I’m part of a musical inheritance that recognizes itself in their music."

Over the years I kept track of her music although Norwegian music wasn't easy to come by sometimes. After the first one only her newest album Seven was officially released in Germany. One of the seven albums is in Norwegian and it was only a few weeks ago that I could purchase it.
After all these years I finally got to listen to her live. She was on tour with Katzenjammer and Unni was the reason why I got the concert ticket in the first place. It was magic to hear her sing and also great to talk to her for a few minutes after the show. She signed my CD and was happy to meet a fan.
That I am.

Both Sides, Now

Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
and feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and they snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
from up and down, and still somehow
it's cloud illusions I recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
as every fairy tale comes true; I've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go
and if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
from give and take, and still somehow
it's love's illusions I recall.
I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "I love you" right out loud,
dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed.
Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
from win and lose, and still somehow
it's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all.

Unni Wilhelmsen covering Joni Mitchell song Both Sides, Now, 2010, composed in 1969