It’s a ‘Cold Fact’ that seeing an artist you loved as a child, can be a rather hit or miss affair and up until about half way in this past Saturday’s return of Rodriguez to the London stage, it was um rather surreal and a bit shaky. But thankfully, since my memories of the man’s music remain strong and deep from the scaree grim days of South Africa, I was optimistic. Yes Rodriguez’s music was hugely successful there, as it was in Oz, New Zealand and clearly the UK as well (2006 he played Shepherds Bush Empire). Plus the new band were actually quite rockin’ already and he had not yet played his renowned ‘Sugar Man’ (hear below) – def a global timeless tune ! An especially trippy version ensued and all seemed to come together all the way through the numerous singalongs to ‘I Wonder’, ‘Inner City Blues’ ‘Rich Folks Hoax’ and a rousing encore.

Rodriguez's return to the London stage June 6th '09

A Rodriguez in his prime conjures up to me Gonzalez, Nick Drake, Jack Johnson and John Martyn and if he stays on the road up until his Big Chill appearance, there’s a strong chance it will be a magical event and many more music fans will get a whole lotta sugar.

Sugar Man from Cold Fact

Crucify Your Mind from Cold Fact