Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sixto Rodriguez may represent the most unlikely disinterral of hidden hippie rock genius since the likes of Drake and Buckley became household names.
Thankfully, he's still alive, and has even started gigging again since last year's successful reissue of his 1970 debut Cold Fact, which revealed the Detroit-based Chicano songwriter to be a true original operating decades ahead of his time. This London-recorded follow-up from 1971 doesn't hit the same heights, aiming instead for a populist sound that might re-position him to take advantage of the burgeoning singer-songwriter boom. On the opening "Climb Up On My Music", the result is akin to a more cynical-sounding James Taylor, with biting barbs of lead guitar (Chris Spedding, perhaps?) snagging the acoustic guitar and electric piano arrangement. "A Most Disgusting Song" offers a spoken-blues depiction of urban detritus, but thereafter the album slips into a formula of folksy acoustic guitar embellished with strings. But Rodriguez's ambitiously florid imagery sustains one's interest, with flashes of acid poetry alongside expressions of social concern like the advice given to "Street Boy", "you need love and understanding, not that dead-end life you're planning". All still true.
Download this: "Climb Up On My Music", "A Most Disgusting Song", "Sandrevan Lullaby – Lifestyles", "It Started Out So Nice", "Street Boy"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments