Sixto Rodriguez – Searching For Sugarman

The life of Sixto Rodriguez is an intriguing tale of – as the man, himself describes – a “rags to rags story”. Releasing two albums in 1970 and ’71 which on release disappeared into a mist of obscurity, unknown to Rodriguez his work gained a weighty following in South Africa, and Australia (where he was rumoured to be dead by suicide), while he returned to working in the construction industry.

The Dome Concert hall was almost at capacity, mainly due to exposure in the form of the recent award-winning documentary ‘Searching For Sugarman’, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. As a consequence there was a legion of adoring new fans curious to experience the ‘Mexican Bob Dylan’.

Escorted on stage, looking frail, yet somehow youthful, he worked his way through a classic repertoire – political songs highlighting inner city poverty and drug addiction: Sugarman, Rich Folks Hoax, Crucify Your Mind, This Is Not a Song, It’s an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues, Inner City, Gommorah (A Nursery Rhyme).

Delivered in resonant voice, and backed by an amazingly talented and sympathetic band, Rodriguez lived up to every inch of his legendary status. “We love you!” came a shout from the stalls. “I love you too, man” came the reply. He made a peace sign, then an encore: a magnificent cover of ‘Like A Rolling Stone’, and the Sugarman was escorted off stage to a standing ovation, finally the belated acclaim so richly deserved.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 30 November 2012
[Rating:4.5/5]
Stephen King