Searching For Sugar Man

Incredible. I recommend to everyone.

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN –WHO ON EARTH IS RODRIGUEZ? 4 .5 /5If it were not true, the story of Rodriguez, poet/singer/songwriter, as told in the documentary, ‘Searching for Sugar Man’, would seem unbelievable. But, as with the story of Mark O’Brien (the subject of ‘The Sessions’), Rodriguez’ story adds further weight to the maxim that truth is stranger than fiction.Hailing from Detroit, USA, this lean, long-haired, shade-wearing balladeer had all the look of an instant star (a la Bob Dylan, to whom he is invariably compared). When he recorded the album ‘Cold Fact’ in 1968, many in the music business held their breath and waited for it to take off. This guy could sing. Like Dylan, his lyrics were fearlessly personal but his voice, with shades of Don McLean, was as clear and crisp as fresh-fallen snow.But it never happened. The album bombed. Nobody was interested and Rodriguez was forgotten.Well, not quite. And this is where politics took a hand in his remarkable story. South Africa, at this time, was deep in the throes of Apartheid and, by widespread international condemnation, its government and its people were ostracised from social, sporting and cultural interaction. The public were in the grip of strict censorship and at a time that was not only pre-internet but pre-t.v.) lived a cocoon-like life of isolation. Purely by chance, a copy of Rodriguez’ album found its way into the country and soon began circulating. It wasn’t long before Rodriguez’ music became the most popular in the land, overshadowing Dylan, the Stones and Elvis. For the repressed citizens of a pariah state, Rodriguez’ spoke to them of liberty, free choice and a better life. His words and music were not just popular; they became the rallying cry of the people.Myth being more potent than fact, rumours abounded as to Rodriguez’demise. Whether he had self-immolated by pouring petrol over himself or whether he had blown his brains out at the conclusion of an unsuccessful concert, everyone was sure that he was dead. So begins, for a couple of people in the music industry and forty years later, a determined effort to uncover the truth. What happens then is remarkable but which, if divulged, would take the sting out of Bendjelloul’s documentary.Bendjelloul (producer of the likewise remarkable ‘Man on Wire’ doco.) has crafted this joint Swedish/U.K. documentary with skill and flair, mixing seamlessly the man’s music with interviews of key characters. As a music documentary, it is inspiring. As a mystery tale, it is riveting.With the advent of this film (already the winner of several prestigious awards) there may just be a chance of Rodriguez’ music achieving the recognition that eluded it first time around.Perhaps... Phil. (AT SOMERVILLE NOV 25TH – DEC 2ND)Sugar Man has become the film of the moment. It has catapulted Rodriguez into the stardom that eluded him 40 years ago. This CD is extraordinary. 'Sandrevan Lullaby' is so beautiful, it wrings my heart every time. If you haven't seen the film, do yourself a favour - it's the most joy-filled story of all time!

I LOOOOOOVE this film! I even went to see Sixto last Sept. My top 3 documentaries are THIS and an old doc on Georgia OKeeffe from the 80s (PBS) by Perry Miller Adato and a rollicking good time with this adorably eccentric elderly couple that had collected contemporary (mostly minimalist) paintings and sculpture and donated their booty to the National Gallery in DC. It's called "Herb and Dorothy". Also sliding onto my list is a doc about a completely unknown photographer "Finding Vivian Maier". I don't know why a lot of people are bored with "documentaries" and why only staggeringly full docs like the kind produced by Ken Burns are the only ones that get attention. Why can't a smaller scope, joyful ride with singular characters that aren't yet "legendary" be just as popular? Well, O'Keeffe certainly IS of legendary status and was when that doc was filmed, but she was still a mystery- and maybe still is.Frankly, I'd never heard of "the sugarman" this folksy psychedelic musician. But I very vaguely recall his abrupt departure, allegedly setting himself afire on stage as a "mystery". Maybe I read about it in Rolling Stone or perhaps some late-night talk show host on WBAI. I can't recall. I don't want to spoil the story for people who haven't seen this doc and have never heard of Sixto Rodriguez. Even if you don't care for the rather "dated" material- i.e. tunes because you are not a baby boomer/hippie type. You'll be fascinated by the story and thrilled by the conclusion. Like friendly aliens landing on earth and bringing world peace. The mystery here is why the heck wasn't anyone listening in 1972? Somebody like ME went out of their way to search out unknown bands and musicians. I used to buy LPs regularly from bands that go NO airplay and nobody even heard of. I bought them when they went on sale at Korvettes for $2.68! Now his albums seem like one I'd buy just from the cover. I collected singles from a DJ on a local college station- he'd give me dozens that record distributors gave him that were promos. I FEEL I should have know this guy. I live in the NYC area with plenty of FM stations! (And I listened to them all.)

Where the hell was I when this fantastic record came out. I was buying other kinds of music. This record didn't have enough air time around the globe Canada/U.S.A. I listened to this cd at least two weeks in the car and then some, now it's in my cd player in the house, I can't get enough of "Rodriguez" I need to go out and buy "Cold Facts".When Rodriguez released, his record there were all kinds of bands that had a Bob Dylan/Jose Feliciano sound and was practially tossed aside.Until it went to South Africa, "Rodriguez became a household name...this music was played over and over, a couple of radio DJ's got together during their 40 yr. search of the Sugar Man and finally found their long lost artist

If you have watched and liked the documentary then you will love this CD. Rodriguez's story moved me so much that I ordered this soundtrack as well as Cold Fact album right after I finished watching "Searching for Sugarman". I think it is one of those real life stories that is hard to even believe it is true.In my opinion this sountrack is made of a very good selection of Rodriguez's songs from his two released albums + his unfinished album. Rodriguez's music and lyrics reflect his genius. How on earth this guy remained unknown despite making those two albums in the 70s is beyond my understanding. I am grateful that South Africans had a better taste of music than North Americans of the time so 40 years after Rodriguez releasing those albums, he is now a celebrity in North America too and we are able to find his CDs in the stores.

Un album carezzevole, sound tipico di quel tempo là: non può deludere gli amanti del genere che ancora non conoscessero questo strano artista; testi non scontati e a tratti profondi. Godibile!Venditore veloce, prodotto perfetto; ottimo prezzo.Non ho però capito come mai un secondo cd, acquistato con la medesima transaazione, lo stesso giorno, dallo stesso venditore non sia ancora arrivato. Chiaramente, ho anche pagato due volte le spese di spedizione, perché i due ordini non sono stati accorpati in uno unico come logica vorrebbe. Per ora non mi preoccupo, arriverà; tuttavia penso che sarebbe utilissimo un sistema automatico per segnalare un doppio ordine ai venditori, in modo che questi possano poi fare un unico pacco (se dovevo farlo io, mi scuso, ma quantomeno non era lapalissiano, perché ho guardato senza trovare modo).

I really have no words to describe how much I love this album , listen to it all the time , bought another one to bring to Poland to my cousin .By chance saw the documentary on TV "Sugerman "& discovered Rodriguez , cannot understand why he did not become a star as he so much deserves it . Better than Dylan

I love this album. If you like Bob Dillon, or John Prine you will love Rodriguez. He is the best kept secret on the planet. Be sure to watch the documentary "Sugar Man." Once you hear him, you will absolutely buy the album. Enjoy - he is the real thing.