We were rapt. All of us, completely absorbed by the sheer brilliance of his dexterity, and the full, rich, deep, satisfying, intellectual music he was creating tonight! It was sacred, spiritually uplifting music, and it engulfed us like a force. It was compelling stuff, beautiful, loud, hushed, and resonate. Everyone was attentive, listening to every strum, every pluck, every timbre, and, indeed, every silence he made!
His reputation preceding him, we had an idea what to expect, but the show this “melodist of elegant sensuality” Richard Bona, recognized as one of the planet Earth’s ‘five revelations of the past decade’ gave last Saturday night, was quite simply, fantastic!
“He’s good!” ace fashion designer Kofi Ansah, who dressed the MC for the night, Ms Akosua Busia, sitting front of me, repeated several times as Bona delivered multiple ‘harmony and song’ with his five-man band when they played to a crowded National Theatre in Accra.
I couldn’t agree more! But really, good is an understatement. He’s incredible! His whole band was just fabulous. They played like a recording playing back, with every muted syncopation and melodious crescendo perfectly replicated in every song. Sometimes, it was like hearing music coming in from some faraway place in the dead of night. Like from a radio set on low volume in the next room. And then suddenly the whole hall was filled with sweet, sweet explosive sound! It was a magical experience, this concert featuring the Cameroonian storyteller and music gem Bona, who is completely nimble-fingered on the electric bass guitar! World-class!
At times, it was almost as if you could see the treble and bass clefs emanating from Richard’ strumming, floating, and dangling around the room like in a painting. The lights, mixed with the smoke, washed the stage in Technicolor and made it all look so surreal, the sound, surround! It seemed Black City Studios, who supplied the equipment - the mixing console and speakers - set the right tuning! The Casley-Hayfords, Binky and his Dad Ralph, as always, did a fantastic job.
Richard’s face, at varying times, was illuminated, frowned, squinted, happy, engaged, throughout the evening as he communed with us from the stage. What a guy! The auditorium responded accordingly too, as if in a trance. We were mostly quiet, in deference, as if to offer him space to focus, but many times too, other than the spontaneous applause, we would burst into laughter when he gave one of his quips. Particularly, when he said Ghana was beautiful and that he had had a big bowl of fufu earlier on! The guy’s a clown as well. You don’t get many performers who are also that entertaining! Akosua had said she read he was shy, I don’t think anyone from the show will agree with that! Maybe on a personal level, but on stage Richard Bona is as lively as they come, consummate, and worth every single penny spent to see him, even if just to be in his company!
His voice! It’s like a cross between George Benson and Al Jarreau, topped with a dash of Baaba Maal for ethnic effect! Melodious, easy on the ear, it tickled with reverence and fluidity, and floated all over the room in many versions. Later that night, it reverberate in my head as I slept and even through the following few days! I’m still on a high!
It was a good night. There were so many happy faces, at least everyone seemed really elated after the show and didn’t want to rush off. The lobby of the theatre was jammed packed with folk who hadn’t seen each other in years, catching up, embracing, and shaking hands, touching base! And the talk was of what a fab concert it had been. Even the choice of opening act, the unique traditional-contemporary band, Takashi, was so apt. They, earlier, set the tone for the night with some really exciting pieces, and a dancing Kojo Essah on vocals! Nooq Entertainment, and the Jazz society of Ghana, which organized the show, hit the right note. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Pretty inspiring! I was charmed! It was a great party, and I had my blast!
And I observed that a number of organizations including three banks, Fidelity, Data and Standard Chartered, all chipped in to bring the event to fruition. They must be applauded for joining pioneers like Stanbic –who sponsors our local jazz festival -, and Agric Bank – who once contributed to our Ghana Music Awards - as supporters of the arts in Ghana! Without such support, as was reiterated by Ms Busia, the arts would quite literally die in Ghana. And what are a people, if they cannot express themselves through art, the science of being! So here’s to you corporate institutions who see fit to support worthy programs in the arts. Kudos! And to those who haven’t as yet, please do.
So I’m taking a break on Sunday afternoon window shopping at the Accra Mall and I find this new joint serving fast fish dishes. Oceansting, it’s called and like a typical diner, the set up is simple with booths and a counter from where you order. I tried their grilled calamari with French fries. At GhC6, I thought it was expensive, but tasting quite savory, I considered it was a great option from the usual burgers and chicken!
Fish is always a healthier option, that’s why this Saturday I’m shooting off to the Pacific Club Farms Hotel at Lashibi. Just off the Nungua-Ashiaman road, you’ll find the Club which will be hosting its next ‘Special Tilapia Show’ and angling (fish hooking) session from 10am. With Ostrich Khebabs as side attraction, join me for the day-long program where we can also bop our heads to some live-band music.
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