Tag: Calypso Monarch

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Mighty Sparrow – Jean & Dinah (1956)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Closing off another “Black History Month“, today’s Oldies Sunday selection salutes another Black talent who has made an impact on the world and the music culture. Today, we check out Calypso Icon Mighty Sparrow, and go back into time to check out his track, “Jean & Dinah” a.k.a. “Yankee’s Gone“.

Arranged by Cyril Diaz And His Orchestra and released through the Kay label in 1956, this was a song that featured Mighty Sparrow shedding light on the large-scale Prostitution that American Military bases supported in Trinidad and Tobago during the post-war period, the desperation that many Prostitutes went through after the closure of said bases, and the departure of the troops. He mentions a few names other than “Jean & Dinah” (The track was also called “Jean & Diana”) who did what they had to do to make a sale, but when things got bad, their businesses had to downscale. Sparrow also mentions that Night Clubs were feeling the pinch too as they were the go to spots for Military personnel to hang out, and the meet up spot for many Prostitutes to conduct business. With Sparrow’s social commentary and well written lyrics, “Jean & Dinah” became not only his first hit, but the song lead to him becoming a winner in the 1956 Trinidad Road March competition, and wearing the crown at the 1956 Calypso King/Monarch competition. “Jean & Dinah” has become one of his most famous songs, and it helped him to bring Calypso music to various parts of the world. It was covered by American Actor Robert Mitchum in 1957 (A Gentrification move?). A true legend, Mighty Sparrow went on to become “The Calypso King Of The World“, and his influence, sound, and wit birthed generations of artists and the blending of musical styles.

THANK YOU MIGHTY SPARROW

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Singing Sandra – Die With My Dignity (1987)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from the late Sandra DesVignes-Millington a.k.a. Singing Sandra. Today we go back to the 1980s with her track, “Die With My Dignity” a.k.a. “Sexy Employees“.

Written by Ortniel Bacchus with production and distribution by M&M Records in 1987, the track finds Singing Sandra sharing the challenges women face on the Island when it comes to finding employment. She shares the episodes where Employers try to take advantage of women in the workplace by sexually harassing and exploiting them for monetary gains. Singing Sandra puts her foot down as she’s not welcoming their advances, and would rather go elsewhere than to discard her morals and values for gains of any kind. Sadly this is what’s going on in workplaces around the world where gender inequality is concerned, and with the #MeToo Movement on the rise in the past few years, many men are facing the other side of the Law for their crimes.

Singing Sandra’s “Die With My Dignity” became a part of history as it helped her to win the titles of “National Calypso Queen” in Trinidad, and the “St. Maarten Queen Of The World“. The song would be later featured on the “Rising Stars ’87” album, and became one of Singing Sandra’s signature tunes. Since “Die With My Dignity”, she went on to become the second woman to ever win the Calypso Monarch title in 1999 after Calypso Rose. With another title win in 2003, she became the first woman to do it twice. One of the pioneers in Calypso industry, she paved the way for more female voices to emerge in a predominantly male scene. She continued to make music and seal her place as a Caribbean Icon until her passing on January 28, 2021. We remember her with this Oldies Sunday selection.

THANK YOU SINGING SANDRA!

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Singing Sandra – Die With My Dignity (1987)” →