A moving freestyle over strings to thank God was Luigi Maclean's first act when he came on the Cedar Mountain Chapel (CMC) International stage, Shiashie, Accra.

"I’m overwhelmed for you showing up like this," he remarked seeing the auditorium spilling over with attendees.

After covering some orthodox hymns and Ghanaian spirituals, and before he sang any number from his debut 9-track album, the audience, voluntarily on their feet, joined the beloved vocalist sing his Amazing God, cleverly blended with a rendition of Kierra Sheard's version of Indescribable.

More Than A Song, number 3 on Luigi's A Thousand Tongues album, followed. Exhorting, and simultaneously explaining the song, he asserted in view of Jesus giving his life for his followers, "I don't think you have a right to hold your life back from him".

Kofi Preprah returned to the stage to perform number 4 on the album, Rejoice - a praise piece that calls back to the likes of Ron Kenoly and Byron Cage.

After a round of riveting popular worship songs, incorporating a tune from the iconic Tagoe Sisters, the singer-songwriter and his eight background singers did number 2 on his album, Meyi W'aye.

Luigi's mentor and Reverb label boss Joe Mettle and wife Salomey Selassie Mettle were front-row guests. Other notables present were praise powerhouse Seth Justin Acquah, Gospel legend Nii Okai, Meda W'ase hitmaker Kofi Karikari, and media star Fifi Folson, among others.

Before Siisi Baidoo was received on stage for a performance of Meda W'ase, number 5 on the album, Luigi acknowledged his "father and bishop" George Adjeman, founder and leader of Winners Chapel Ghana, and her wife, Dr Josephine Adjeman, for coming to support him.

When the mid-tempo Highlife tune called Mile, number 7, was announced, thereafter, the audience let out an exclamation. As Luigi sang in his native Ga, they smiled, danced and captured the memory with their phones. The scene confirmed the lead single was a worshipper-approved hit.

The follow-up was a Ga rendition of How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, a hymn, his "JSS (Junior High School) teacher taught" him.

"It's a different thing when you find someone who loves you the way Joe Mettle loves me... This boy people thought would never be anything. God brought me a father like Joe Mettle. I'll forever be grateful. Help me celebrate my boss Joe Mettle," Luigi declared, his voice quaking with emotion, as he welcomed Mettle on stage.

They duetted the song that formerly introduced Luigi to the mainstream, Bo No Ni. The audience screamed each line in ecstasy.

Of course the honourary act Mettle had surplus for the audience, causing them to jump, dance and shout as he performed the title track for his 2022 Kadosh album.

Joe Mettle, the first Gospel act to win the ultimate accolade (Artiste of the Year) at the Ghana Music Awards (2017), fondly celebrated his protégé for how far he had come, placing much emphasis on the tenacity and "the patience" he has displayed all over the years under his leadership, against all odds.

He concluded "my work" by overseeing a fundraiser to support Luigi Maclean.

Expressing gratitude to his father and mother, sponsors and team members, Luigi also lauded his "amazing wife" Rachael Selassie Maclean, for being his better half, "strength" and production head for the live concert.

Ultimately, clad in black with white sneakers on, Luigi Adotey Maclean demonstrated he is a student of the classics and contemporary worship favourites; and that in his soul is a well of praise deep and full enough to refresh thousands, having kept his multi-generational audience engaged for hours on their feet – if they were not singing or dancing, they were praying. 

Dial *725*1001# to support his ministry.

| Facebook: Luigi Maclean's thank you note to patrons of his maiden A Thousand Tongues concert

Relive or experience afresh the rejuvinating moments of the concert below: