Record Review: Sugar-men and The Establishment Blues

*The review and analysis of Folk and Blues artist Rodriguez's debut album "Cold Fact"

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Cold Fact - Rodriguez, one of the most “critically acclaimed” albums of the 70s, if not, the 20th century. Rodriguez was a man of revolution, ask anyone who was around in the 70s and they'll tell ya, they knew no one more anti-establishment than Rodriguez - that is, as long as you don't ask anyone from the States, Canada, or even Europe. Hell, just as long as it isn't anyone from the entirety of the whole western world.

Rodriguez was no idol in the 70s, despite being born and raised in Detroit, the man had faded into obscurity In the U.S. However, what made him such an anomaly was that he did find success, but in one of the most unconventional ways possible, and in one of the most unexpected places, a place you would seldom associate with popular music; South Africa. To understand why Rodriguez became such a phenomenon, you first have to understand what was happening in South Africa during the 70s.

Many know about the segregation act known as apartheid (apartheid meaning “apartness” or “separate” in Afrikaans). It was essentially white minority rule and the segregation of races in the country (to put it lightly). To South Africans apartheid also meant isolation from the rest of the world. South African citizens knew absolutely nothing about nothing when it came to current events, especially when it came to music. If the lack of information entering the country wasn't dire enough, the government had also prohibited any music that had promoted violence, drugs or anything that rock n roll was about, especially in the 70s (it was morbid what they would do to your records if it was found to be explicit, they would take nails--or anything they could find and would scratch everything with absolutely no remorse, it was just barbaric). As a result of this South Africans, of course, saw only one course of action, listen to nothing but family-friendly Elvis, and when that didn't work, they would resort to piracy.

However absurd it may have seemed, these people had to find ways around authorities, and so pirating uncensored copies of illegal and explicit records and selling them was common amongst many. They were separated from the rest of the world, but they of course still had to have the quintessential knowledge of the classic punk records that sung about anything anarchy and going against an oppressive government. Like the good ol’ Sex pistols or maybe Ramones. Although there was one particular figure that had gained popularity amongst them that they had never seemed to figure out, that was especially “unconventional”.

“Cold Fact” was the name of the record.

The cover didn't tell much about the artist, aside from his name being, well, Rodriguez. It showed what appeared to be him sitting down and floating in a blue crystal-like ball as the focal point while hovering above an industrial-looking city with several copies of the same woman below it. It showed no indication of height, age, or anything that would give you an idea about him as a person. All that people had was a record with a bizarre cover, along with 12 legendary tracks that would go on to shape a generation (sounds like quite the bargain, wouldn't ya think?)

If I could sum up the track “Sugar Man” in just three words they would be cocaine, cocaine aaaaaaand probably cocaine (just kidding, there were plenty of other substances listed too). Despite the references to narcotics and substance abuse, (one of the more preferred topics for songwriters, and I don’t just mean in the 70s) "Sugar Man" had also possibly told the story of growing up in Detroit and the poverty endured throughout Rodriguez’s life. It had expressed the concomitant feelings of emptiness, and just wanting “the colours to come back to your dreams again”. The “sugar man” as mentioned in the song was a friend, a dealer, someone to call when you were feeling a little down. It was one of his more well-known songs, so much so, the documentary made about him years later was named “Searching For Sugar Man”. However, was quite misleading, as it likely leads many to think Rodriguez himself was the “sugar man”. Rodriguez was, in fact, not him, nor was he a friend, just like no one is truly a friend of the “sugar man” because what they are, are just victims. He, of course, recognizes this -- “Sugar man/ Met a false friend/ On a lonely dusty road/ Lost my heart/ When I found it/ It had turned to dead black coal”. This track had also likely been the reason that Rodriguez was ABSOLUTELY OUTLAWED and was prohibited from anyone in South Africa ever hearing it's explicit content, but as we know, that stopped no one from getting their hands on it.

“Sugar man you're the answer

That makes my questions disappear

Sugar man 'cos I'm weary

Of those double games l hear.”

- Sugar Man

To the South African government, Cold Fact was probably just another scratched up, schewpid ol’ record that featured a hippie singing the blues about how much he hates the system. Following their standards, they would be absolutely correct! (As they, of course, would never want anything influencing their current state of apartheid) But they underestimated how appealing something can be when the government says it's off-limits. I’m sure that was the case for Cold fact. In tracks like “This Is Not a Song, Its an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues” or maybe even in “Hate Street Dialogue” Rodriguez most definitely appealed to the youth of the country. It was especially attractive to those who disagreed with apartheid and the idea of white supremacy at that time. “The Establishment Blues” had likely resonated with South Africans most, but hell, those lyrics don't apply to just South Africa, as he even likely wrote that song about his home country of the U.S.

“Garbage ain't collected, women ain't protected

Politicians using people, they've been abusing

The mafia's getting bigger, like pollution in the river

And you tell me that this is where it's at.”

—This Is Not a Song, Its an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues

South Africans had a very valid reason to start questioning their government’s ideals, they had reason to start questioning the “the white man is smarter” or “the white man is stronger” kinda propaganda showed to them. So, Here comes along this enigma of a person who makes the kinda music, and writes the kinda lyrics as if it were your thoughts translated into a cleverly crafted kinda song. Rodriguez could have been described as “South Africa’s Bob Dylan” with his songwriting capabilities and direct approach to politically sensitive topics (though some would say that Bob Dylan was only mild in comparison to him). Despite not even being South African himself, his influence on the country was so impactful it could even be analogous to that of Jimi Hendrix and the guitar. While he may not have been the catalyst for a revolution in the country, his thought-provoking and spot-on lyrics had given so many the means to rebel against a conservative government (the most fun kind of government to rebel against!). Rodriguez was rock god, a hero to the “youngsters” of South Africa. Although they knew absolutely nothing about him, not even that he was just a poor construction worker in Detroit with absolutely no clue he was such a sensation in the southern hemisphere, didn’t matter. Although it factored quite a bit, he didn’t only appeal to them because he was so anti-establishment. His music was also quite reminiscent to that of the early underground/alternative scene such as the velvet underground, or even Lou Reed himself.

When you get the pleasure of stumbling upon something such as Lou Reeds “Transformer”, it’s oddly otherworldly and transcendent in a way. It was an album that was so simple, yet so far ahead of its time, and listening to it almost 50 years after its release, it still feels that way. A similar feeling can be said about Cold fact, especially when it comes to something like “Crucify Your Mind”. It was a song about Rodriguez, who had been betrayed or cheated in some way. By using biblical references he expresses that once he leaves this person, he’s never looking back, because similar to how Jesus would leave the people he helped, he understands that in this instance it would benefit both of them in the end. Rodriguez may not have been religious himself, but the lyrics showcase so much sagacity and understanding of self-reflection, to find something like that translated with such ease is fragmentary.

“Soon you know I’ll leave you

And I’ll never look behind

'Cos I was born for the purpose

That crucifies your mind.”

- Crucify Your Mind

Many, including myself, are still dumbfounded to the fact that Rodriguez lived in such insignificance most of his life, and after the release of Cold Fact had been a commercial failure he produced a second album the same year and again, it went nowhere. “Coming From Reality” (his second album) was the not-so long-awaited sequel to this mysterious hero's franchise, and South Africans ate it up. They over-analysed anything they could, whatever they’d seen on the album cover, whatever they’d heard from the tracks, all because they were trying to figure out, who the hell was Sixto Rodriguez? They didn’t get an answer to that question, at least they wouldn’t for a long time, and so they assumed the only rational thing at that time. The rumours surrounding Rodriguez had varied depending on who you talked to. However, in all those rumours, Rodriguez had always met the same fate. The assumption was, was that because Rodriguez hadn't released an album after Coming From Reality, he had to have killed himself. His final words being the lyrics from his song “Forget It”. Rodriguez was very much alive and well, and so you can imagine the shock experienced when they saw that Rodriguez would be playing a show there.

“But thanks for your time

And you can thank me for mine,

And after all that's said

Forget It.”

- Forget it

The story of Rodriguez may seem unfortunate or maybe even inequitable to some, but what might seem hard to digest is that Rodriguez was one of the lucky ones. He made it further than most do, that is, besides the fact he only sold a total of 6 copies in the U.S at the time of Cold Fact’s release (still more than most). He was a free spirit.

Success can mean many different things to many different folks. Rodriguez had been poor most of his life and continued to live in modesty as an elder, but he was still wealthy. He lived a life that most can only dream of, he stayed active in any community or cause that he believed. He may not have dressed or lived as lavishly as Mick Jagger or John Lennon, however, he had an exceptional mind, led an exceptional life, and made exceptional music. It isn't a sob story, and this review isn't a biography on Rodriguez’s life either. "Cold Fact" was, and still is; raw, authentic, and probably one of the most groundbreaking rock n roll albums to ever be produced. It isn’t a sob story, just a fascinating.

It is an obscure chapter of rock n roll and music history. However, it's one that I will always be grateful to be alive in the time to hear it, as a story like this, will never happen again, at least not in this lifetime.

And you measure for wealth by the things you can hold

And you measure for love by the sweet things you're told

And you live in the past or a dream that you're in

And your selfishness is your cardinal sin

- Sixto Rodriguez

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Additional Sources:

Britannica, Encyclopedia. "Apartheid." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Britannica, www.britannica.com/topic/apartheid. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.

Searching for Sugarman. Directed by Malik Bendjelloul, YLE, Sveriges Television,

     Passion Pictures, Red Box Films, 2012.

Rodriguez, "Cold Fact", Sussex Records, 1970