ALIVE
In 2010, singer, songwriter and actress, Helena released her
first DVD and bonus CD – ‘Helena Hettema -Alive’ for which
she was nominated for a SAMA -South African Music Award.
Accompanying Helena, the recipient of awards ( SABC 2
Geraas - best Female Vocalist, PE Herald Showtime, Vonk
and SAMA nominee) and one of SA’s top cabaret artists in a
tour de force, are her late pianist, the brilliant Andre Wessels
and celebrated double bassist Nippy Cripwell.
This soulful DVD comprising of 30 of Helena’s top favourite
songs performed countrywide over the years was shot with
a live audience at the popular Centurion Theatre in Pretoria.
Some of her legendary SA favourites such as Mannetjiest
Roux, Sprokie vir ‘n Stadskind, Toemaar die Donker Man
and Tolbos in die Wind (written by Helena for the Sonkring
TV series) are also featured as well as the nostalgic
Rooiwynliefde with lyrics by Marianne Venter and music by
the late celebrated composer, Christa Steyn and given to
Helena to perform. There are also the well-loved Helena
Hettema originals - Divided Heart (written on Brighton Beach
near London) in ’97 and a new composition Goodbye to the
Living.
A highlight of the DVD is a duet with her late father, legendary
double Springbok Jan Hettema on Nat King Cole’s tender
Unforgettable and his nostalgic rendition of Mooie Amsterdam
in Dutch, special to him since he was born in Friesland in the
north of Holland.
Andre Wessels also delivers a brilliant solo á la Rick Wakeman
of the Beatles’song, Eleanor Rigby.
The DVD is wide ranging covering styles such as the French
chanson, folk, jazz, rock and pop-folk. Helena who is
multilingual sings in English, Afrikaans, French, Italian and
German on the DVD.
Alive, the DVD and bonus CD was nominated for a SAMA
(South African Music Award) in the category Best
Jazz/ Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD
Press comments:
“And boy, can she sing. Hettema has a voice that ranges from
crushed silk to wet gravel and she uses it with sensitivity and
skill. Great opportunity to see one of South Africa’s finest
performers in action. Peter van der Merwe – Pretoria News
“Onlangs het Helena die wêreld in die DVD (Alive) vertel hoe
‘alive and well’ sy is.” Elretha Brits - Volksblad - Bloemfontein
“ Her renditions are full of fire and passion ... a deep, soulful
and expressive style, She has star quality … the presence,
vocal power and interpretive skills to spellbind her audience…
also a competent composer and lyricist of note
- Audio-Video review.
“Helena Hettema, our own home grown SA cabaret star was
brilliant and compared well with the best international artists.”
- Kormorant - Gauteng
“Baie dankie vir jou kuier by Kwêla … ons kyk en luister lekker
na ‘Alive’ - geluk met die mooi produk.”
- Die Kwêla span - Johannesburg