Melody vs. Sparrow (A Friendly Calypso Feud), by Mighty Sparrow & Lord Melody

Melody vs. Sparrow (A Friendly Calypso Feud)

by Mighty Sparrow & Lord Melody

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Megan Lynch The African diaspora traditions of extemporaneous declaiming, dozens, and rapping predate the emergence of US rap. And my favorite manifestation of it is Trinidadian calypso from about 1930 - 1960.

This compilation of The Mighty Sparrow & Lord Melody's answer songs to each other provides a great example of the braggadocio and scorn-heaping experienced calypsonians are capable of.

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1.	Lord Melody - Cowboy Sparrow 03:25	buy track
2.	The Mighty Sparrow - Cowboy Melo 03:20	buy track
3.	Lord Melody - Sparrow Nose (St. Lucian Women) 03:57	buy track
4.	The Mighty Sparrow - Reply to Melody 03:55	buy track
5.	Lord Melody - Sparrow's Sister 02:49	buy track
6.	The Mighty Sparrow - Fowl Thief Melo 02:45	buy track
7.	Lord Melody - Marjorie 03:08	buy track
8.	The Mighty Sparrow - Melody Lie 03:28	buy track
9.	Lord Melody - Belmont Jackass 04:18	buy track
10.	The Mighty Sparrow - Madame Dracula 05:02	buy track
11.	Lord Melody & The Mighty Sparrow - Picong Duel 04:26	buy track
12.	Lord Melody - Sparrow-Melody Horse Race 02:22	buy track
13.	The Mighty Sparrow - Three Calypsonians 03:17	buy track
14.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Mae Mae (Sparrow) 02:23	buy track
15.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Not Tonight (Melody) 03:36	buy track
16.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Leave the Damn Doctor (Sparrow) 02:42	buy track
17.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Crazy Love (Melody) 04:01	buy track
18.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Raphaela (Sparrow) 02:46	buy track
19.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Doolathin (Melody) 02:55	buy track
20.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Monica Du Du (Sparrow) 02:50	buy track
21.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Keep the City Clean (Sparrow) 02:43	buy track
22.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Sugar Pie (Melody) 02:44	buy track
23.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Mr. Benwood Dick (Sparrow) 02:51	buy track
24.	Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Ah Fraid You Make a Calypso On Me (Sparrow) 02:51	buy track

about

They were friends and musical rivals for decades. Over the years, Lord Melody (Fitzroy Alexander, 1926–1988) sang calypsos insulting the Mighty Sparrow (and his wife, "Belmont Jackass"), and Sparrow (Slinger Francisco, b. 1935, still alive) sang calypsos insulting Melody (and his wife, "Madame Dracula"). Some tracks appeared on albums, others only as stray 45 rpm singles. These brash, satirical songs have never before been collected in one album. Until now.

In addition, this release includes the entirety of the 1960 instrumental album Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra Play Melody & Sparrow. Throughout the 1950s, saxophonist Diaz and his band provided musical accompaniment on recordings by Sparrow, Melody, Lord Christo, King Striker, the Mighty Dictator, Lord Commander, and other legendary calypsonians.

There are at least two more recordings by Melody that take a whack at Sparrow: "Sparrow Ugly Too" and "Corbeau Flying High (Reply To Sparrow No. 3)." However, these recordings are rare and we have yet to turn up copies. ‎

credits

released June 19, 2020

Audio restoration and compilation by Irwin Chusid, 2020.

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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