Sparrow does Calipso Barack (Trini Style)

Sparrow does Barack
This will give you nearly 7 minutes of the
Mighty Sparrow's take on Barack, in classic calypso
style.

Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grandroy Bay, Grenada, West Indies) is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful Calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition nine times and has been named Calypso Monarch eight times, achieving both accolades more times than any other Calypsonian.

Sparrow was born in Grenada on July 9, 1935, but moved to Trinidad when he was one year old. He was first exposed to music through the choir in Catholic school, and became interested in calypso at 14 when he joined a steel band composed of neighborhood boys. He received his performing name during his early career: Your calypso name is given to you by your peers, based on your style. In the old days they tried to emulate British royalty. There was Lord Kitchener, Lord Nelson, Duke. When I started singing, the bands were still using acoustic instruments and the singers would stand flat footed, making a point or accusing someone in the crowd with the pointing of a finger, but mostly they stood motionless. When I sing, I get excited and move around, much like James Brown, and this was new to them. The older singers said "Why don't you just sing instead of moving around like a little Sparrow." It was said as a joke, but the name stuck. -Mighty Sparrow [1]

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mighty
• Sparrow's
• take
• on
• Barack
• in
• classic
• calypso

[LadyMamaAlive]

Salute to our President Elect, Mr. Barack Obama, Trinidad Style!!!!! Reggae, Calipso, Caribbean, Soca, Salsa, & all of the "MUSICAL Tributes" to Mr. Obama are just wonderful!! It does my heart good to see all of the support behind us as our NEW President of these United States, Mr. Barack Obama takes his rightful place, and he and his family moves into the White House!!!!!!!!! Barack's House!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!

[peterjayres]

Love to hear this with a real band... synth sucks the soul out of calypso.

[KingofCharmJack]

@simplenametag

I'm not into Barack Obama (or any US politician for that matter) and this is not Sparrow's best in my opinion. BUT this is what calypso is about, expression & opinions. Respect it, right there is an example of Free Speech. Sadly, free speech means I have to read your condescending comment. *cheers* to Sparrow.

On a side note, I think the Obama is a sure as hell improvement from the Bush administration.

[Borntrini32]

@BROOKLYNBRENDA # I AGREE WITH YOU 100%

[Borntrini32]

@MRFCSM You Should Go Choke YourSelf...

[ThePhantomToalbooth]

@h0ll0wshad0w Who gives a damb all you does point out that but he sold his birthright and he was a friggin jail bird

[BROOKLYNBRENDA]

@MRFCSM - OOHHH AND THE BUSHES WERE JUST GREAT FOR THIS COUNTRY??????  THIS PRESIDENT INHERITED ALL OF THE BULLSHIT FROM HIS MANY PREDECESSORS - USE YOUR COMMON SENSE, IF YOU HAVE ANY!!!!! --------PULEEEZE!!!! --DON'T BLAME OBAMA - 'NOT THIS TIME'

[marjburnett]

@simplenametag What are you talking about? Are you living in the USA? The nasty Republican congress has given this man such a hard time in his effort to improve this country! Check yuself and come back again!

[MRFCSM]

I've loved Sparrow's music over the years.....Black or White, this President is systematically ruining our country

[alxgallant]

The Mighty Sparrow is a genius, great song and message.

[simplenametag]

@smileykermit

Not only a crappy song but this president didn't even live up to the expectations of the awful song. Its all too song. Sparrow is better when he's singing about 'Ah fraid the pussy'. Truly!

[smileykermit]

What a disappointment ... first Obama and now Mighty Sparrow... this is an awfully crappy song...