Entertainment of Wednesday, 23 March 2005

Source: Pentecost Fire

IVY AGYARE - The Gospel Powerhouse Finally Drops an Album

As a household name in the Ghanaian gospel circuit in the American Midwest, IVY AGYARE?s long-awaited album finally emerges and it is a good one. ?My God Has Done it Again? is a 9-track album with variety and substance presented with a clever blend of Twi and English. For fans and others who have seen Ivy perform, the wait was worthwhile.

On Saturday March 12, the music lovers of Columbus (OH) and nearby cities were the first to hear tracks from this album as well as experience the electrifying performance of this gospel diva as she showcased songs from the album. The 3-hour event featured celebrated gospel giant Helena Rhabbles, the Columbus Mass Choir, as well as other local acts.

Rev. John Kwamena Bassaw of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church exhorted the audience on the relevance of gospel music in evangelism, whiles Rev. John K. Appiah, the Ohio District Pastor of the Church of Pentecost, USA moderated the launch. The first two copies were purchased for $1,000 by the chairpersons whiles the well-wishers and supporters displayed their faith in Ivy?s talents by paying handsomely for their copies of the album.The newly-wed Helena Rhabbles did not disappoint as she performed her most popular hits.

With creative input from internationally-accomplished musician-producers like Marx Morris and James ?Boggie? Quartey, this album serves a full-course plus a little something for the road. All the original compositions on the album were by Ivy who did all the lead vocals as well.

The album opens with a vivacious rendition of an old-school chant ?Soro Soro Ogya? (Fire from Above). With fantastic percussions and well-fitting voices, these songs set the tone for what is about to come on the album. A Twi/English presentation of ?Peace Like A River? followed by the upbeat ?Eyaweh? (He can do it).

Ivy taps into her sultry vocal power on the 6 remaining tracks which include "Jesus S'aifo" (Jesus the Warrior), "Me wo Obarima bi" (I have a man - as in the man JC), "Meda Yehowa Ase" (I'll thanks Jehovah), "Jesus Metwer wo" (I'm leaning on you Jesus) and "Okyeso Nyame" (Provident God), as well as the title track "My God Has Done it Again".

The varying tempos of the songs of this 9-track album establish Ivy's vocal versatility. Recorded at the JPower Studios in Columbus (OH), this album is out now in most African Markets.