The Mighty Sparrow is nearly 80 and was seriously ill not so long ago, but you would hardly know it.
The Calypso King is in Guyana for a concert at the Palm Court tonight and though from his appearance one could see that all was not well with his body, his voice tells a different tale. “How many of you in this room would exchange 80 for 20?” he asked, when he engaged a small but captive group of media workers at a press conference yesterday.
Sparrow, born Slinger Francisco, turns 80 on July 9, 2015. He said he was excited for the day to come because he would be in the company of great friends who are living fruitfully and that’s a goal of his.
Reflecting on his career, he reminisced about the first time he won the Calypso Crown in Trinidad way back in 1956 and the many doors it opened for him. He said travelling the world has had an immense impact on his development as an artist.
Sparrow talked about his love for Guyana and the many tours he had in this country. He spoke about the energy levels he received from the different locations in Guyana and the way Guyanese audiences were so audible throughout his past performances and how they would become a part of the act, which he said is a great feeling for any artist. Sparrow said he’s elated to be back in Guyana and hopes it will not be his last trip.
Journalists were more than surprised when he treated them to an impromptu performance, breaking into a verse of his controversial “Congo Man,” which dates back to 1965. His words still have the same power they did back then and this was evident in the shock among the younger members of his audience at his lyrics.
When asked what inspires him to create and make music, only one word came to his lips: “Love.” He spoke about the colourful characters he would interact with on a daily basis. He said a smile on someone’s face can tell so many stories and when someone tells a joke that the entire neighbourhood can hear, it is inspiration for him.
Sparrow added that other art forms inspire him as well. He said a well composed poem is like a rhythmic calypso song. A keen observation of the ills in society, strong determination and absolute love for what he does and of course trust in God are what he said kept him inspired and provided him with longevity.
The calypsonian thanked the church for developing his voice and his language skills, including helping him to speak Latin. He said an understanding of that language has helped his writing, and burst into an acapella version of “Tantum Ergo.”
Sparrow said a wealthy knowledge of the English language and a deep understanding of how it can be used, to tell a story is critical, because that’s what calypso is all about—telling stories.
He performs at Palm Court tonight. Regular tickets cost $3,500, while the VIP tickets will be sold at $5,000.
