Sparrow's final performance on local soil for 2014 was nothing short of sensational.Held at De Nu Pub in Woodbrook on Monday night, with a full house in attendance and emceed by Godfrey Pierre, proceedings were opened by Marcia Miranda.The Parang Soca Queen performed a spirited repertoire, mixed with her Christmas fare and a calypso medley of hits by almost every popular calypsonian including Kitchener, Nelson, David Rudder and SuperBlue.
Seen in the house enjoying the show were new National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Lorraine Pouchet, Sparrow's old musical director Errol Ince, who Sparrow poked fun at, and a number of visitors from abroad.Miranda was followed by 3Canal who maintained the intensity of the night's music.Their set included Good Morning Neighbour, new songs Cyar Done, Big Love, Raw, Band yuh Belly, Irie, Money and Stronger, Salt, Talk Yuh Talk, Blue. 3Canal energised its audience, especially when the trio of Wendell Manwarren, Roger Roberts and Stanton Kewley performed the political Talk Yuh Talk, enticing patrons to sing the refrain of the song.
After the intermission, Sparrow made his appearance in a fawn coloured three-piece suit on stage at 10.20 pm to a standing ovation. He opened with Congo Man, accompanied by Cummings & D'Wailers. His voice, strong and stringent as when he was a much younger man, and resting on a stool, Sparrow dug into his trove of classics and sang Jean & Dinah, Melda, Drunk & Disorderly, Phillip My Dear, Lying Excuses, Willie Dead, El Reloj, Marajhin, Mae Mae and Good Citizen.
The Birdie, after approximately 90 minutes of singing, ended his performance with the equally loved London Bridge.Sparrow's next big show is on February 19, Under the Trees, The Normamdie, St Ann's when he headlines Sparrow, A Special Someone...Take II.This is the second installment of a Sparrow tribute held last year at SWWTU Hall in Port-of-Spain, this 2015 edition will be staged by David Bereaux & Friends.