Sparrow lands

IN THIS THE 40th year of Crop Over, the calypso king of the world is in Barbados.
Slinger “The Mighty Sparrow” Francisco, known also as the Birdie, wept soon after arriving here yesterday, as his friend Gabby, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley and promoter Eleanor Rice virtually sang his praises and informed him that most barbadians had been praying for his recovery from a recent stroke.
Entering the island three days before his grand show at the Gymnasium on Saturday night, Sparrow promised to take his Bajan audience as far back as Jean And Dinah and treat them to the best hits of his career which spanned the mid-1950s up to the present.
Tears trickled down his cheeks as Rice related getting his contact information from a friend who had gone to Trinidad Carnival and contacting him in a sput-of-the-moment call. She also  said she wanted to be a part of Sparrow’s life and legacy and promised Barbadians a solid show that should increase appreciation of the social commentary art form.
Minister Lashley said his presence here was an act of the Almighty, while Gabby said the bard had done much for calypso and for him personally.
Saturday’s show will be hosted by Rice and the All Stars calypso tent, and held under the patronage of Central Bank Governor Dr Delisle Worrell and his wife Monica Drayton-Worrell. (RJ)