Ambolley shines, Lumba disappoints at MOGO 07

I can recall that at the end of last year’s Music of Ghanaian Origin show held at the International Conference Centre, the audience was promised an improved performance this year.

The much publicized annual Ghanaian musical event, put together by Citi FM with the help of some sponsors, took place at the National Theatre.

Some of the artistes billed to perform are well known. Contemporary musicians who have carved a niche for themselves in the Ghanaian music scene.

The selection of the artistes remains the prerogative of the organisers but one would like to know why Paapa Yankson, Pauline Oduro and Mac Tontoh, who participated just last year featured again this year. The show is becoming repetitive.

The good old Gyedu Blay Ambulley performed wonderfully well to the admiration of the audience and was the toast of the night. He thrilled the audience with his carefully calculated steps of break dancing of some sort.

You don’t necessarily have to like his songs but you cannot certainly be bored when he performs.

Indeed, the Western boy received a deafening clap and cheers from the audience, including Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower and Youth Employment and MP for Okaikoi North. Ambulley promised to release some of his latest hits done in the US before Easter, next year.

Earlier, C K Mann, Paapa Yankson, Pauline Oduro, Ramblers Band took their turn. Mac Tontoh of Osibisa fame, performing without any member of the original group managed to play the much-liked ‘Come with Me’ but failed to impress the audience.

Not even his fifteen masquerade dancers could excite the people. Unfortunately, Attah Mensah, Citi FM Managing Director, in the middle of the programme had to take responsibility and apologized to MTN concerning the attire the masquerades wore.

Then came Batman Samini. He announced to the expectant audience that he was added to the list of the artistes at the eleventh hour and could therefore not rehearse.

But he lit up the atmosphere with his spectacular performance.

Nana Acheampong, whose songs are commonly played at parties, funerals, and social gathering mounted the stage with four sexy lady dancers and two boys.

On this day however, his fans were disappointed because the sexy dancers were a ‘sorry’ sight. At a point, one of the ladies realised her jean skirt was rather short and the ‘thing’ could be captured by the photographers, reduced her perfomance.

The big disappointment of the musical night was the poor performance by Daddy Lumba. Perhaps for strategic reasons by the organisers, he was billed to perform last. Now fairer, dressed simple with a plaited hair, Lumba appeared on stage with the hope to set the place ablaze and crown the night, only to be frustrated by the breakdown of the key board.

The show was interrupted several minutes before the fault was rectified. Lumba lamented that he often encounters such disappointments when he sets out to give out his best.

Expectation of the audience was dashed because the Sappers Band failed to play the needed back-up instrumentation for the ace musician to perform.

Lumba had to apologised to the fans. He and his long time friend, Nana Acheampong did one of their hit songs in the 80s ‘Yen ye aka akwantuo mu.’

It is safe to conclude that last year’s event was a better performance as the fans danced, were more excited, attendance was great and there were no apologies and unnecessary interruptions.

MOGO, which seeks to celebrate the past and inspire the future has come to stay and Citi FM should be commended for the initiative to sustain original Ghanaian high life music.

For well patronage in the future, those who attend the event should be assured of organized transport to take them to and from the event venue.