Helen rarely sang lead in the Carter Family group and seemed content to focus her efforts on harmony and instrumental backing. She played a variety of instruments including accordion, autoharp, guitar, piano and mandolin.Anonymous, (1989). Circle Always Unbroken for Helen Carter Jones: Daughter Recalls Early Days. Free-Lance Star, Fredericksburg, VAAnonymous (1987). The Carter Family Editor's note: this item is believed to be a publicity sheet issued by PolyGram Records, the Carter Family's record label at the time Many writers and historians list Helen Carter as the best overall musician and most talented songwriter among the Carter Sisters.Salon.com (1999). Musician Anita Carter dies at 66Hawkins, M. (2009). June Carter: Hillybilly Favorites, liner notes. British Archive of Country Music, UK Helen Carter was largely responsible for arranging the group's vocals. It was not uncommon for some songs to have multiple key changes as each group member sang a verse or as the entire group varied vocal combinations throughout the song. Another remarkable technique, difficult to describe and rarely recorded, had the group members solo-singing small segments of lyric lines or even portions of individual words. The effect was a seamless transfer of the lead vocal from one singer to the next. Sometimes the switch was so subtle that it could go unnoticed except to the most discerning ears of long-time fans. Often the group sang in a chorale type arrangement that was reminiscent of old-time gospel music singing. In this style the various lead vocals were woven throughout the song and changed unpredictably. A harmony voice could be thrust into the lead vocal within fractions of a second and then fade into the background just as quickly a short time later. Helen Carter was also widely regarded as the Carter Sister most in touch with the group's rich musical tradition and the one most dedicated to its preservation.Zitz, M. (1999). Loss of Helen Carter Strikes Fans. Free-Lance Star, Fredericksburg, VAFergerson, M. (1954). Carter Sisters Led by Mother Maybelle. Pickin' and Singin' News. Along with her mother, Maybelle Carter, Helen Carter was recorded by the Smithsonian Institution in 1975.
