Saturday,December29,2007
The high expectations of the hundreds of revellers who thronged the National Theatre on Christmas Eve for the maiden edition of “Ghana Rocks with Ofori Amponsah and Friends” were dashed when the headliner, also known as Mr All 4 Real, failed to move their spirits.Ofori Amponsah, who has released hit upon hit over the years, was greeted with a standing ovation amidst an uproar of shouts and thunderous applause when he was introduced onto the stage. However, he simply could not hold the expectant audience.
With his carefully selected tracks, which perhaps, he had rehearsed with the live band, he tried with the vim and vigour to move the crowd from their seats but could not succeed as only a few people responded to his performance.
For the about one hour when he performed with the live band backed by two ladies, Ofori Amponsah, who has been noted for not performing well with a live band, moved from one end of the stage to the other without any creativity.
It was when he performed his new hit “Odwo” that he managed to get quite a number of the crowd to respond but even that was not very encouraging. For the rest of the tracks, some of the people responded at the start of the songs but took their seats before he even got to the middle of the songs.
Further, none of the artistes who have been featured on his numerous albums were present to sing their part of the songs, which created what could be termed as gaps in such songs like “Odwo.”
Due to their absence, he had to double as both singer and rapper on songs which he had featured Kofi Nti and Samini, among others.
A number of the patrons who spoke to the TW expressed disappointment about Ofori Amponsah’s performance and wondered why he is not able to stage a good live band performance.
“I expected something lively and different from him but what he gave us, to me, cannot qualify to be a real live band performance,” Eugenia, a fan who was at the concert said.
She said that she has been an ardent fan of Ofori Amponsah for quite some time now but was disappointed about his performance that night, but added “he is good in video clips.”
Another patron, Richard, told the TW: “I can’t understand why the organisers did not invite any of those who have been featured on his songs to sing their part for a big concert like this. I think this brought a heavy burden on his performance”.
Prior to his performance, Daasebre Ahuofe Dwamena, Kofi B and Shasha Marley, Lenny Akpadi, the hottest sensation in gospel music, Kwaw Kesse and the hei alhaji man from Cote d’Ivoire treated the audience with good musical performances which made the audience yearn for more.
Lenny Akpadi opened the curtain for the night with his hit “the Most High God” which seemingly turned the parked auditorium into a praises session in a church auditorium with handkerchief flying all over.
Daasebre Dwamena,Kofi B and Shasha Marley who played with the live band really performed with perfection that one wonders whether it was a live band playing or a compact disk as there appeared to be no difference.
But the man who stole the show, Kwaw Kesse, appeared from behind the audience in Father Christmas attire. He did not only dress as such, but gave away some of his CDs and other gifts to the audience as Christmas presents. His ‘abodam’ slogan, which he has associated himself with was on the lips of all.
The Ghana Rocks show was put together by Charter House Productions in collaboration with Onetouch.
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