Calypso Carnival, by The Mighty Sparrow

Calypso Carnival

by The Mighty Sparrow

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1.	Teresa (alternate version) 04:43	buy track
2.	Reply to Melody 03:51	buy track
3.	Mad Bomber 03:52	buy track
4.	Short Little Shorts 05:47	buy track
5.	Eve 04:29	buy track
6.	Pay As You Earn (alternate version) 04:09	buy track
7.	No More Rocking, No More Rolling 05:14	buy track
8.	Country Girl 03:15	buy track
9.	Russian Satellite (alternate version) 05:05	buy track
10.	Stella 04:31	buy track
11.	Dorothy (alternate version) 03:07	buy track
12.	Post Card To Sparrow 03:54	buy track
13.	Give the Youngsters a Chance (single version) 02:48	buy track

about

This album opens with the line: “You’re worse than a dog, Teresa.” Welcome to the lyrical—and often combative—world of the Mighty Sparrow.

Recorded around 1958 and originally issued on the Balisier label, this is one of Sparrow's earliest collections (and his first official album), after he established himself as a young first-tier star on the calypso scene. Several of these songs were later re-recorded for RCA Victor with different arrangements. Sparrow recorded "Give the Youngsters a Chance" a number of times, often under the alternate title "Jack Palance."

"Reply to Melody" is aimed at his friendly rival calypsonian, Lord Melody, with whom Sparrow conducted a comical musical feud for years.

As always, Sparrow offers a few songs about topical issues of the day: "Russian Satellite," "Mad Bomber," and "Pay As You Earn" delve into local politics, international relations, and headline news.

He also writes rhapsodies to women: "Teresa," "Eve," "Stella" and Dorothy," because a Sparrow album wouldn't be complete without songs about love and sex. Sparrow's lyrics are always unapologetically macho. You've been warned.

Robert Palmer covered "Stella" on his 2003 album DRIVE. Listen to it here: youtu.be/KolY00sOKGI

credits

released June 4, 2019

All compositions by Slinger Francisco (The Mighty Sparrow)
© Railroad Town Music / Zalytron Music (BMI)

ERASMUS BLACK RECORDS
Issued under exclusive license from Slinger Francisco
New digital restoration 2019

license

about

The Mighty Sparrow Trinidad and Tobago

He's not the Elvis of Calypso. He's not the Sinatra of Calypso. He's not the Beatles, Dylan, James Brown, or Brian Wilson of Calypso. He's the MIGHTY SPARROW. Often categorized as "World Music," for Sparrow the classification "World" is simply too small. We're working with Slinger Francisco (Sparrow) to preserve his recorded legacy. All releases digitally restored from best available sources. ... more

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