Die Ander Ek
Although, at the time of release of "Die Ander Ek", Irene was a "new"
artist in the solo recording business, she had definitely paid her dues in
the industry.
During 1984 Irene started performing as lead singer in "cover" bands in
clubs countrywide and was subsequently spotted by manager and talent scout,
Louis van Wyk, who offered her the position as lead singer and bass player
in the very successful all-girl, multi-racial group, "Chess".
After "Chess" split up in 1988, Irene started performing with Steve
Hofmeyr's backing group, D.U.S.K..
In 1993, during the South African tour by German dance group, "Bad Boys
Blue", Irene performed as backing singer for the group and they were so
impressed with her that they asked her to be their guest artist on their
return tour in 1994. Irene, already known for her brilliant rendition of
any Tina Turner song, performed daily at the 1994 Rand Easter Show in a
solo spot with Steve Hofmeyr. The demand for recording and live
performances rapidly increased. BMG Record Company came to see Irene
perform and were blown away, offering her a five-album recording deal.
Steve Hofmeyr wrote most of the original tracks on Irene's way overdue
debut solo release "Die Ander Ek". The album consists of a combination of
Afrikaans and English tracks, with tracks like "Wie Is Die Vrou In Jou Arms
Vanaand" and "Wat Wil Jy He", which set land marks in the Afrikaans
industry, as wel as the English hit "Too Late For Love".
It was clearly only a matter of time before Irene - with her unique voice -
would be on everyone's lips and stereo's.
Cyclones and hurricanes always have women's names like Bonita or Cybil.
South Africa's own music cyclone stormed her way in- and onto the South African music scene
with this sensational all-original album.
The range on the album is impressive, containing everything from lyrical
love ballads to upbeat rock guaranteed to set your feet tapping. Some of
South Africa's top song writers, including Coenie de Villiers, Mynie Grove
and Steve Hofmeyr have written songs especially for this powerhouse, whose
husky and sometimes gritty voice has made her a firm favourite in the music
industry. "The album is full of intense emotions and conflict and deals with issues
that are important to me", says the vivacious, energetic artist whose
support for women's rights has intensified since she discovered that a
close friend was a victim in an abusive relationship. Part of the proceeds
of this album will be donated to POWA, a society active in the arena of
preventing abuse to women. Another organisation profiting from this album
is SAAV, a society campaigning for the ending of the unneccessary and cruel
experimentation with and vivisection of animals.
This CD consists of a very diverse sound, which made choosing a name for
this album so difficult - the choice was made to use the universal sign for
"Woman". "Woman" fulfills the promise Irene showed on her first album,
"Die Ander Ek". This is a much more sophisticated album, without
compromising commercial appeal. Says Irene: "Some of the songs on "Woman"
may be seen as controversial, especially the song about a single mother who
becomes a prostitute in order to support her child, "My Naam Is Nie My Naam
Nie". But that, unfortunately, is one of the many grim realities women all
over the world are faced with."
This album includes English and Afrikaans tracks - ALL ORIGINAL. Some of
the English tracks:-
"Fadin' Face of Love", "Foolish Hearts", "Tonight", "If You Want It" (on
this track it is quite easy to see why some people say her voice is similar
to Tina Turner's). Some of the Afrikaans tracks include "Bly By My
Vanaand", Die Kans Wat Nie Bestaan Nie", "Raak Aan My".
When recording this album some of South Africa's best known artists were
used. The album was recorded at Kaydee Studios and mixed at Downtown
studios. The CD booklet includes all the lyrics and some stunning
photographs of Irene !
NOW EVERY FAN CAN SEE HER LEGENDARY SHOES!!
Irene - THE VOICE - is here to stay.
She is
no storm in a teacup! But with the release of this dynamic artist's new CD
she would certainly be able to claim a new name: THE VOICE of local music.
On evergreen, we meet a singer who does not only entertain. She soothes
the soul, lifts your spirit and takes you away to a wonderful romantic
world. A heavenly place where you only have to close your eyes and listen
to the voice.
A wonderful collection of some of the world's most famous love songs
appears on evergreen. Amongst golden oldies like "Love Hurts", "Loving
Arms" and "Morning Has Broken", songs like "The Wind Beneath My Wings" and
"The Rose" take your breath away. On the latter, the voice of the man
himself, Steve Hofmeyr, can also be heard.
"My fans requested an album like this, and I like to keep them happy. But
at the same time I would not do something which I did not enjoy. Making
this album was special because I had the opportunity to sing songs which
have always inspired me, each one evoking a different, almost tangible
memory", says Irene.
There are also a couple of Afrikaans songs of which two, "Die Wonderlike
Liefde van 'n Ma" and "In Die Middel" are brand new releases, written by
none other than Mynie Grove. Another popular song which made Irene famous,
"Wie Is Die Vrou In Jou Arms Vanaand", appears on evergreen.
A stunning duet with multi-platinum seller Rina Hugo, "I Know Him So Well",
adds to the uniqueness of this album.
"It is an album that will satisfy everyone's taste", says Louis van Wyk,
Irene's manager. "We all have our favourite love songs and on evergreen
there is an evergreen for each of us.
All I wanna do is make love to you 
Evergreen
I know him so well (duet with Rina Hugo)
Love Hurts
Copyright © 1997/98