Carnival Music in Trinidad - Week 1

Singing Sandra and The Mighty Sparrow

Calypsonians serve many purposes in Carnival Trinidadian music. Primarily, Calypsonians are the “lead singers” of the music. They are the singing soloists that lead a calypso band. In the 19^th century, they were called chantwells. Over time, chantwells evolved into Calypsonians. This multimedia essay will look over the career of two influential Calypsonians: the Mighty Sparrow and Singing Sandra. Both artists contributed greatly to the musical community of Trinidad.
 
Women in Calypso seemed to be taboo for a period of time in the country Trinidad and Tobago.  For almost 75 years, it was a social norm for women not to participate in Calypsonian music.  However, in 1978, the performer Calypso Rose was able to sing and she was crowned Calypso Monarch, breaking many of the gender social norms in the 1970’s in what had been a male dominated art form. 

Yet, not until 21 years later was there another woman crowned Calypso Monarch.  In 1999, Singing Sandra won the title with her song “Voices”.  This song describes in great detail about the hard and poor lives that many Trinidadians lead. Much of Singing Sandra’s music is like this, where the song describes intense scenes of wrongful doings done by Trinidadians or how difficult life is for people on The Hill, a poor area in the Port of Spain. Since many of her songs describe political or social issues, many Trinidadians embrace her music with a passion because their culture loves logogenic music. 

One of her other famous and realistic songs is “Die with My Dignity” which she wrote in 1999.  Here she is singing it on television for Fathers Day in Trinidad:

Here are the lyrics to the song.

This song is truly brutal in its honesty of Trinidadian life for women.  She speaks of how hard it is to find a job and how men only want women for their bodies.  Singing Sandra is not afraid to tell the truth and she does it in a way that Trinidadians welcome.

One author speaks of women performing in Calypso in general: “Through their songs, calypso women are tapping into and shaping an emergent women’s consciousness. This is oral feminism in the making” (Mohair).  Many Calypsonians are unafraid to say what they think or feel, but women in Calypso especially express their feelings on sexism and everyday life that they face in their poverty.  Singing Sandra’s music particularly displays this poetic voice of every day common folk.  Which is really what Calypsonian music is all about, is it not?

Slinger Francisco, or more popularly known as “The Mighty Sparrow,” is a popular Calypsonian in Trinidad for his ability to appeal to a large group of people. Many consider him “The King of the Calypso World.” Not only have his songs appealed to seated audiences in the tents of the Calypso Monarch competition, but also appealed to those dancing on Carnival day. The Road March award is given to the best dancing song on Carnival Day. In 1956, the Mighty Sparrow won the Calypso Monarch and Road March titles for his song, “Jean and Dinah.”  The Mighty Sparrow came out with this song when he was only 20 years old. Here is the song that made him famous:

The Mighty Sparrow started singing as a young boy, where he started in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church choir. In that, he sang harmonic songs and Gregorian chants, which would influence his composing and singing style later on. This experience has helped him stand apart from other Calypsonians, because, “Unlike most Calypsonians, Sparrow is known for his rich and nuanced singing voice…” (Dudley 27). Here is an example of the Mighty Sparrow’s rich singing voice. “Only A Fool” is a slow song about the pains of heartbreak:

Other influences of the Mighty Sparrow included American jazz artists such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. In his life, he helped create the Carnival Development Committee. The purpose of this committee was, “…to assist Calypsonians, steel band men and [masquerade] men” (“Biography”). The Mighty Sparrow’s songs combine social and political commentary with humor and a “dance-able melody” (Dudley 28). Because of this combination, the Mighty Sparrow is an artist that appeals to many Trinidadians.

Both of these artists will be remembered for their efforts and contributions to the Trinidadian culture. Singing Sandra will be remembered for being one of the first female Calypsonian artists. Other female Calypsonians will look up to her as an inspiration and a role model. The Mighty Sparrow will be remembered for his ability to appeal to large amounts of people. Very rarely is it that a Calypsonian can appeal to audiences in the streets and in the performing tents. Their contributions will be remembered and noted as long as the boisterous and beautiful Carnival celebrates in Trinidad.

Sierra Marsh wrote about Singing Sandra. Logan Kropp wrote about the Mighty Sparrow.

Works Cited
 

Mohair, Cynthia. The Rise of Calypso Feminism: Gender and Musical Politics in the Calypso. Vol. 20, No. 3, Gender and Sexuality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Print. 

Dudley, Shannon. Carnival Music in Trinidad: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. Print.

"Biography." The Mighty Sparrow. Mighty Sparrow Calypso Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.