Mighty Sparrow, Trinidad

There is no question that Trinidad is the royal palace of calypso and the Mighty Sparrow its king. The career of "Sparrow," born Slinger Francisco, is the history of modern calypso. He began in 1956, which was early enough for his songs to be covered by older calypsonians, such as the great Duke of Iron. The tribute was of course returned by Sparrow.

Sparrow's musical achievements include steel pan development, use of electric guitar, and eventually promoting "soca," or soulful calypso. Free from the restrictions of pre-1956 recording restraints, generally he sang longer songs with more intense lyrics and themes. From the start, Sparrow revolutionized calypso, and only the records from his first few years can be compared to those of hi-fi era calypsonians.

Eventually Sparrow became the most decorated calypsonian in history, winning the Calypso Monarch Crown and the Road March Title many times. His popularity was never in doubt, but he did not capture either title and hold it consistently, as many people believe. He forfeited the crown several years by protesting or abstaining from the competition, and in other years he simply lost.

Sparrow developed calypso itself, contributed a staggering number of hit songs, repeatedly captured the crown, and produced many other artists. He protested conditions for calypsonians performing publicly, recording in the studio, and getting radio airplay. Calypso had been stagnating as quaint, folk music for cruise-ship tourists, but under Sparrow it returned to its hard-biting origins and became dangerous again. Political, often raunchy, and usually brilliant, Sparrow's music united West Indians from Trinidad to Brooklyn, New York.

Buying: There are so many! It is hard to go wrong with Sparrow records up until the mid-1970s. Even his latest albums have some of his best work, however.