Explore First Flight: Early Calypsos from the Emory Cook Collection: its complete 18-track sequence, displayed performer credits and edition-specific listening links.
A 2005 compilation of earlier material
First Flight gathers 18 selections from the Emory Cook collection. The Smithsonian booklet identifies the compilation as a 2005 edition, while its individual song headers carry years from 1957 to 1959. These are different date fields: a year printed beside a song is not automatically its exact session date, and the compilation’s release date should not replace it.
Earlier album references need their own dates
The booklet associates several song entries with Sparrow in Hi-Fi, while separately listing that earlier album edition as 1963. Preserve both observations rather than forcing the song-header years to match the album reference. The notes also point to Calypso Kings and Pink Gin and King Sparrow’s Calypso Carnival. Those references provide release history, without establishing that a current streaming master is identical to an earlier carrier.
Recording and compilation credits are different jobs
The booklet credits Emory Cook for recording, Gordon Rohlehr for compilation and annotation, and Pete Reiniger for sound supervision and mastering. Keep those roles attached to their documented scope. The writer note names Slinger Francisco, with Fitzroy Alexander additionally credited for “Sparrow vs. Melody Picong.”
Edition at a glance
- Edition title
- First Flight: Early Calypsos from the Emory Cook Collection
- Displayed artist credit
- The Mighty Sparrow
- Storefront
- us
- Listed edition date
- 2005-10-25
- Tracks in this edition
- 18
- Opening track
- No, Doctor, No (The Situation in Trinidad)
- Closing track
- No More Rocking
- Rights notice supplied by the catalog
- ℗ 2005 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Listen to this edition
Open First Flight: Early Calypsos from the Emory Cook Collection on Apple Music (opens in a new tab)
Tracks and performer credits
| Disc / track | Recording | Credited performer | Duration | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 / 1 | No, Doctor, No (The Situation in Trinidad) | The Mighty Sparrow | 2:58 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 2 | Sparrow Vs. Melody Picong | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:22 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 3 | Carlton Peeping at Me | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:56 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 4 | Harry In the Piggery | The Mighty Sparrow | 5:13 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 5 | Mango Vert | The Mighty Sparrow | 3:40 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 6 | Gun Slingers | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:03 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 7 | Jean Marabunta | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:02 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 8 | Sailor Man | The Mighty Sparrow | 2:48 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 9 | Eve | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:30 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 10 | Stella | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:29 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 11 | Short Little Shorts | The Mighty Sparrow | 5:49 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 12 | Country Girl | The Mighty Sparrow | 3:13 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 13 | Dear Sparrow | The Mighty Sparrow | 4:15 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 14 | Post Card to Sparrow | The Mighty Sparrow | 3:52 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 15 | Dorothy | The Mighty Sparrow | 3:06 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 16 | Russian Satellite | The Mighty Sparrow | 5:03 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 17 | Mad Bomber | The Mighty Sparrow | 3:58 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
| 1 / 18 | No More Rocking | The Mighty Sparrow | 5:13 | Open recording (opens in a new tab) |
About the date and version
US provider edition date; not asserted first worldwide release. This date is not used as an article publication date. 18 tracks are listed in this captured edition. Earlier releases, writer credits, producer credits and recording versions remain unclaimed unless separately documented.