Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Reviews

Rodriguez Review

Dec 4, 2012
-
Posted by Jake Kennedy

The continued cries of “Jesus!” are not unwarranted tonight, and neither are those of “South Africa!” either. After all, it was that country which took Sixto Rodriguez (aka Jesus) to its heart when his American homeland ignored the two albums he made in the early 1970s. Working as a labourer and sometime political candidate after their release, thousands of miles away in Johannesburg (and beyond) he was bigger than Elvis.

This year’s ‘Searching For Sugarman’ film may be the reason the Dome is sold out tonight. Throughout the documentary it was reported that many fans around the world believed Rodiguez had died at some point in the 1970s. But reputation grew, gradually, and each time he toured in the interim, more minds were turned on to his music. So tonight’s gig, at the end of a short tour for the 70-year-old, would feel like a resurrection even if the songs weren’t so simple, affecting and softly played – and even, it must be said, if the singer didn’t appear so fragile, humble and, well, elderly.

Escorted onstage by two helpers to a mic which picks up wheezing when he’s not singing, Rodriguez is nevertheless coolness personified in a wide brimmed hat and black leather outfit. He opens with ‘Climb Up On My Music’ from 1971’s ‘Coming From Reality’, and from thereon in every chord and note seems perfect, if artfully aged. Backed by four musicians who deftly and respectfully follow his lead, Rodriguez rarely offers banter, happy instead to breathe new life into his library of still potent messages.

‘Crucify Your Mind’, ‘I Wonder’, ‘Can’t Get Away’, ‘Cold Fact’ and the most delicate version of ‘Sugar Man’ imaginable tumble from his acoustic, a plectrum-free hand strumming haphazardly up and down its neck. The sentiment behind ‘Establishment Blues’ remains as fierce as ever (although the final line is changed tonight to “it’s not worth stressing about,” possibly as a wizened nod to Rodriguez’s angry young self).

If there’s one complaint, it’s that this audience – in the palm of Rodriguez’s hand – would gladly have taken two more Rodriguez originals over the covers offered by way of encore (‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and ‘Like A Rolling Stone’). But no matter. All-too soon our hero is escorted offstage, glancing back to the audience as he slowly walks, smiling, fist aloft. It seems he’s made his point, finally. It felt amazing to be there as it was delivered.

Dome, Friday 30th November 2012
Words by Jake Kennedy
Photos by Emma Gutteridge

Dec 4, 2012
Email
Jake Kennedy
Jake has written about music for yonks and once wrote a book on Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures. He's contributed to The Guardian, NME, Metal Hammer, Record Collector, Nuts and The Angler’s Mail, among others.
← PREVIOUS POST
Bad Bad Whiskey, Weds 6th Feb
NEXT POST →
The Skints Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts Review
    Oct 21, 2025

    Expectations are high with a new Inspector Morse story on stage, sadly this is more a ghost of a Morse story, although die hard fans might enjoy it for the nostalgia.

  • The Lovely Eggs Interview
    Oct 15, 2025

    The Lovely Eggs tell us about their 20th anniversary, the new album and tour with Polite Bureax and some comedy legends supporting.

  • Ocean Film Festival Review 2025
    Oct 11, 2025

    A selection of beautifully shot short films covering diverse ocean lovers' passion for interacting with the sea.

  • Fractured Album Launch, Saturday 20th December
    Oct 10, 2025

    Fractured celebrate the release of their new album supported by Amelia And The Housewives.

  • 2:22 A Ghost Story Review
    Oct 7, 2025

    An evening of two couples having dinner together has never before been so gripping and enthralling, filled with tension, with the ultimate question: is their new house haunted or not?

  • Richard Hawley Review
    Oct 5, 2025

    As Coles Corner turns 20, Richard Hawley dazzled and delighted an up-for-it Worthing crowd with a 2 hour-plus set.

  • Brighton Psych Fest 2025 Review
    Sep 26, 2025

    The second Brighton Psych Fest was a beauty as we got down with Getdown Services as the evening sunlight glowed through the Concorde Stained Glass.

  • David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Friday 12th December
    Sep 23, 2025

    One of Brighton's greatest live bands returns for a pre-Xmas homecoming party.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Rodriguez Review - Brighton Source