Amy Newman Returns With A Double

Fans of popular gospel diva Amy Newman can now heave a sigh of relief because she is set to explode again after “missing in action” for a long while.

As though making up for her long absence, Amy Newman is back in a grand style by releasing two albums at once. Wongya Meooo and Nyame A Woho Ye Dzen will be launched on Saturday at the International Central Gospel Church, Takoradi.

A visibly excited Amy told Showbiz that she is looking forward to the great launch because she has starved her fans for a long time, “ I wanted to come out last year but things did not go as I expected so I decided to do it this year which marks my 20th anniversary of singing the gospel,” she said.

Looking her usual “sweet 16”, Amy said it has been a really long journey with its ups and downs, “but the good Lord has really been good to me and I can't find enough words to thank him.”

So what is Amy going to do differently now that she is back and after 20 years of song ministration? “I have improved, I am more mature and have so much in store after 20 years but I haven't changed my style,” she said with so much enthusiasm.

Listening to the songs, one does not miss the vintage Amy Newman with her amazing voice standing out in all the songs.
Wongyae Meooo which has ten songs on CD and nine on cassette opens strongly with the title song Wongyae Meooo.

It is fast paced and very danceable. Here, Amy sings in her usual Fante, “allow me to praise my maker because He is good and has done so much for me.”

Amy slows the pace in the next song which is Merehwehwe Wo. This song is very appropriate for worship. The lyrics simply say that she is seeking the Lord her Saviour just as the Lord is seeking her, to enable her love Him just as the Lord loves her.

Moma Yensom No is a very popular tune which listeners are likely to sing along and dance to. It is a highlife piece which Amy does in Fante and English, “let us worship Him for the Lord is King, He is King in heaven, on earth, let us worship Him for the Lord is King.”

This is followed by another very popular song Aseda which also exalts the Lord for His goodness to mankind. Trust Amy to add so much spice to it, even though it is a well-known song, she sings it in such a manner that one would want to listen to it again and again.

Other songs on this album are Enora- Endeso (instrumentals), Behold The Man, Trust and Obey, He Touched Me, Immortal God and Wasted Years.

The second album is Nyame A Woho Ye Dzen and that has 15 songs on CD and 10 on cassette. Monyer Moho is the opener on this album and it urges listeners to work hard for the Lord as we wait for His return. It is in the reggae vein.

Amy has a piece of advice for all listeners in her next song titled Onyame Ehu Wo. She sings that God sees all we do and we will account for all our deeds so we should be mindful of that in all our dealings.

There is more dancing to be done in Mehyira No. Amy continues to praise and thank God for his abundant love and mercy. The chorus here is “God is good so I will praise Him always.”

Probably everybody might have heard Blessed Assurance and knows the lyrics but wait till you hear Amy Newman's version.

No, she has not changed the lyrics but the zeal with which she sings it makes you just fall in love with the song and want to play it over and again, especially as she interpolates her singing with appellations.

To complete the album are Awawado, Glory Must Be, Blood, Shepherd and Behold. Others are Agya (Worship), Me Nyankopon, Atseasefo, Ebenezer, It Is Well and Down Praise.
Perhaps Amy couldn't have chosen a better Christmas present for her fans because the two albums have songs for all situations.

By Jayne Buckman-Owoo