Concrete Cold Fact
Cold Fact is a 1970 album by Detroit folk singer, Sixto Rodriguez. The son of Mexican immigrants, Rodriguez (as he was billed on his albums) wrote mostly stream of consciousness style protest songs reminiscent of early Dylan, but with a not-so-subtle veneer of late 60's psychedelia. While Dylan was becoming the biggest star in the world, Rodriguez was fading into virtual obscurity. The singer's disillusionment with the reception of his two recorded albums and a not-so-friendly attitude toward the record industry (he once played an industry showcase with his back to the audience and supposedly only played at "hooker bars, inner city dives, and biker bars”) led him to completely drop out of the entertainment biz.
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While the artist went on to enjoy a normal life in his hometown, his music was gaining a solid following in South Africa and other countries that aren't America... apparently, he had no idea. When he was informed of his celebrity in South Africa he embarked on a 1998 tour of the country, playing to sell-out crowds. The cult of Rodriguez has been growing, sort of, steadily since then and this Tuesday you can get your very own copy of Cold Fact on compact disc, courtesy of (gods of the re-issue) Light In The Attic records in conjunction with your local record store. Lucky you.
For all things Rodriguez, go here. Dude doesn't have a MySpace, sorrrrry, but you can here some songs here or riiiiight here:
Rodriguez - This Is Not A Song, It's An Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues
Rodriguez - I Wonder
