ECHOES of the Christmas holidays

The only criticism for Accra-based radio station 97.3 Citi FM, during the Christmas holidays, is that it failed to organize as much events as would have been expected.
As has become a key trait of the Accra-based radio station, the station staged two memorable events in 2007 that has now become the major talking point in every part of the capital city.
It is a fact that the year 2007 has passed away effectively and a new year has just begun but the majority of the Accra population cannot stop talking about the two events.
First was the Music of Ghana Origin Show (MOGO), staged on the 1st of December at the National Theatre.
For a show that had been built around the legendary OSIBISA group, it came as a surprise to most patrons when the organizers of the event announced that OSIBISA was not on the bill and that LUMBA BROTHERS will be the surprise package.
OSIBISA had become so attached to the programme that it did not make sense to think that they will not be there.
The organizers, however, promised that the main artistes will not fail to delight the teeming fans.
Apart from LUMBA BROTHERS, celebrated high-life legends, such as C.K.Mann, Paapa Yankson, Mac Tontoh, Gyadu Blay Ambulley and the Ramblers Band were also lined up to perform.
After weeks of consistent promotions and advertisements, the 1st of December came in grand style and many a Ghanaian was dreaming of a night to savour and reminisce for years to come.
By 6pm, all roads leading to the National Theatre were packed with cars of different brands and shapes, rushing to get the better part of the theatre room for a wonderful night.
The Ramblers Band (not the original members) begun the show and boy, if not for their appearance, nothing could convince one that they were listening to a different formation of the Ramblers Band.
One elderly gentleman, who obviously adored the Band in the 1960’s, remarked that he thought he was actually hearing Eddie Sogah, Joe Atiso, Jerry Hansen and Charles Kojo on stage.
They performed ‘immortal’ songs such as ‘Ama Bonsu, Knock on Wood’ and ‘Ahomka wom’ to the delight of everyone present.
C.K.Mann stormed the stage and was so energetic that, most people wondered if he was really 70 years.
The popular ‘ADWOA YANKEY medley’ took the entire auditorium by storm and almost everybody got up to move to one rhythm or the other.
Paapa Yankson followed immediately after clad in an all white outfit interspersed with black strips.
He showed Ghanaians what they have been missing with his gentle but humorous approach to his songs.
He got everybody engrossed in his performance so much so that the Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Mawuena Dumor could not help but join him on stage.
In the minutes that followed, Ms. Dumor was on the floor, flanked by Paapa, and they both danced their hearts away.
‘OKUKUSEKU’ was one song, performed by Paapa that shook the hall of the theatre, bringing a large chunk of goose pimples in its wake.
Mac Tontoh came along with his masqueraders, to add to the growing tempo in the room, obviously created by the previous artistes.
Gyadu Blay Ambulley (the BRRRRR man) was next on the bill.
His was a performance that perhaps can pass for the BEST OF THE NIGHT.
He could virtually play all the instruments on the stage-from the guitar to the saxophone and the piano-he did everything and sang to rapturous applause from the crowd.
One highlight of his show was when he saw C.K. Mann, amongst the crowd and impulsively made a song out of it-in fact everything came so naturally to him.
BATMAN SAMINI (not really a highlife musician) took his turn and got all the marks for stagecraft.
The main artistes, LUMBA BROTHERS, did not disappoint, as they gave us memorable times with some of their greatest hits.
‘Obi Ate Mi Su Buo’, ‘Aka Akwantuom, Min Sei Da, amongst others.


The second show was dubbed ‘DECEMBA2REMEMBA’ and it was staged at the Accra International Center (AICC).
Initially a party for all hiplife artistes, it was generated into a full event last year with the organizers explaining that they were convinced the time had come to take the event to a different level-SAMINI was projected as the main performance at this particular show.
Following a postponement of the programme from its initial 24th December date to 28th, many were those who thought it might not live up to expectation.
But perhaps, the saying is true that says ‘Mishaps may be blessings’.
The turnout at the AICC on the 28th was just magnificent.
The dress code was white and jeans, a decision which gave the whole programme some uniformity.
The crowd would not stop trooping in-in fact they filled the hall to an extent that some had to stand outside the main auditorium and witness the event.
MzBel opened the event with some decent displays. Her stagecraft was not bad at all and the ladies backing her were ‘easy on the eyes’ as well, which made the whole thing wonderful.
KOFI ‘B’, one artist that still has the old highlife touch, was next in line with an effective rendition of songs like ‘koforidua flowers’. Perhaps not the best when it comes to stagecraft, Kofi B gave a life band performance that impressed many.V.I.P, one of the most celebrated hiplife groups in the country, ‘flew’ from nowhere onto the stage and got the hall screaming helplessly.
TIC TAC gave a live stage performance that was absolutely breathtaking.
He captured the attention of all present, especially the girls, and moved in correct tandem with the MEGASTAR band-it was mind boggling.
OKYEAME KWAME and his brothers, staged a poetic performance, which could compare to most poets on the African continent.
They recited and sang and danced their souls out.
Others such as Nana Quami, Praye and Wutah, showed why they are the next big things in the hiplife industry with their exhibitions.
The only gospel musician among the lot, Kwaku Gyasi, got, perhaps, the biggest applause for the night.
Songs such as ‘WASIDA YE BEBRE and ‘JEHOVAH most HIGH’, got almost everybody singing, including the Muslims (no pun intended).
Last but not least, the STAR ATTRACTION of the night, BATMAN SAMINI, did not fail his teeming fans as he managed to repeat his performance during the MOGO event.
Though he came late, he succeeded in keeping majority of the audience rooted to their seats in the hall to witness the show.
It was such a memorable night to remember that some individuals begun enquiring about the artistes that will be on the bill this year.
I thought that was quite early but the news is that the legendary OSIBISA, comprising Teddy Osei, Mac Tontoh, Sol Amarfio, Bessa Simons and the rest, will be making their third appearance on the show this year in DECEMBER.
So keep your fingers crossed and pray for December to arrive in time for another show to REMEMBER.