Rodriguez

I was looking down from the balcony... and I was looking at the living definition of grace and beauty..
How his voice takes me home...every time. I hear him sing and I see W. Grand Blvd and 25th St.My neighborhood of the 60's and 70's comes back to life ... but , with it, comes a new sense of intimacy and closeness that I'm not use to feeling . I've forgotten how much my past (and present) is wrapped up in Southwest Detroit. Sixto is still there.Has always been.Always will be.I'm miles away in a different neighborhood.
.. So I sat there in my chair in the balcony, sipping my little plastic up of Gin and Tonic( twist of lime,included),
looking over the railing: looking straight into someone's heart, someone's life.. so full of memory and loves . At the corner of many of his memories, I see myself,... a chubby little Mexican-American kid, happily eating hot flour tortillas swathed in butter-- and sitting happily on Grandpa Santiago' Bagley St. front porch, watching Grampa watch me, smiling. He'd call out: "Goombi. I love my Goombi" and he'd pat my belly and laugh. Hot flour tortillas from Grampa's kitchen and his deep,vibrato laugh.Sixto's words and voice carry me home every time..

What a story. Rodriguez originally recorded and performed at the start of the ‘70s in what turned out to be a short-lived murmur of a career, despite two albums of classy, American folk-rock that many now hold equal to Dylan. He disappeared for decades and there were rumours of his death, until a couple of fans and filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul (RIP) decided to make a documentary about trying to locate him, as well as how he had become wildly popular in South Africa without the singer-songwriter’s awareness. That film was called Searching For Sugar Man and it was a touching miracle of a documentary, which resurrected the career of Rodriguez, now in his seventies.
I managed to get tickets to see his show at the Apollo in London when he came over in 2013 and the man put in a graceful if subdued performance, clad in his trademark black and sunglasses, gently strumming his guitar while a workman-like backing band beefed things up. Rodriguez was, is and always will be a mysterious artist, and it was pure magic to see him sing songs ‘I Wonder’ and ‘Sugar Man’ to a spellbound crowd, all becoming a part of Sixto Rodriguez’s incredible story.

The almost unbelievable story of the dedication Rodriguez's fan base went to tracking him down in the hope to see the great man perform live again is really quite moving. Rodriguez now conducts his live show with a quiet dignity that makes tracks such as 'Crucify Your Mind' and 'You'd Like to Admit It' seem even more poignant.

Despite it being four decades since his heyday, the singer's voice is still incredibly powerful and he demonstrates his abilities during a cover of Nina Simone's 'Love Me Or Leave Me'. He reinvents this soulful number and the audience are evidently impressed with the rapturous applause he receives afterwards. He speaks fondly between songs about being brought out of retirement thanks to the documentary 'Searching for Sugarman' and thanks the audience for continuing to support his career. By his encore there is an unanimous feeling within the crowd that had Rodriguez never been rediscovered, they may never have had the opportunity to see the great performer live.

After buying a ticket and looking forward to the concert with great anticipation...bucket list... I never got to attend!

I drove 3 1/2 hours to Toronto and tries to find parking near the venue. I couldn't find an entrance to the parking. I drive around for an hour or more missing the start of the concert. There were no helpful humans directing the cars. I have mobility issues. I couldn't find a place close enough to park and walk so I eventually haveyou knowing I had already missed half the concert and still couldn't find parking.

So frustrating! Spent ticket money and a tank of gas for nothing. 8 hours of my life I cannot get back and still I have not been able to see Rodrigues.

Bummed beyond belief.

Archie Riach opened the show but I didn't see him. Around 9pm an aboriginal man named Riverbank Frank ? talked /preached about indigenous people, the stolen generation & recited a poem.
Which was unexpected & I don't think that appropriate. This went on for too long about 15-20 mins a few people left.
Rodriguez started sound was much too low. Complained to staff who said that they had, had other complaints tonight & the previous night but nothing that they could do about it. No refunds. We had pretty good seats row H. Disappointing

Very much enjoyed the show.
It was like sitting down with an old friend and listening to him play and sing songs from another time.
The audience members were true Rodriguez fans and showed their appreciation and respect for the man.

Arum Rae opened the show.A delightful surprise.A very versatile artist...Amy Winehouse and Ella Fitzgerald in one smooth and sultry package but with her own personal style.

U R THE BEST EVER SURE WISH I COULD OF SEEN MR RODRIGUEZ IN PONTIAC MI. PLEASE COME BACK !!! I LIVE IN DAVISON MI. SEEN MOVIE 2 TIMES LAST WK HAD TO ORDER 2 CDS. LOVE YOUR MUSIC NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT U COMING TO PONTIAC MI I WOULD OF BEEN 1ST ONE THERE. OMG I HAVE TO COME TO YOUR CONCERT. THANK U FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MUSIC✌✌✌✌✌

Un concerto sicuramente non perfetto dal punto di vista tecnico, ma Rodriguez è davvero un personaggio magnetico, anche adesso che fatica a stare sul palcoscenico. Ripropone i successi dei suoi due album, intervallati con cover di pezzi rock degli anni 50 e 60, per un'ora e venti minuti di musica e poesia.

G'day from Oz

Unfortunately I still not seen the great man in concert. Was to see Rodriguez at Kings Park in Perth Western Australia but unfortunately he was ill and could not leave the states. So hope you all keep supporting the great man and I hope I see him in concert soon.

Darryl Hair

A rare opportunity to see this gem of a musician. Always true to himself, he know how to connect with the audience and deliver his message, his compositions being of a supreme quality. I encourage everyone to rush and see him, and to watch as well the documentary, Searching for Sugar Man.