Only Good For Conversation

Owen (apsska(at)hotmail.com) Hey all... I first heard of Rodriguez about a 2 years ago when my cousin from SA came up to visit us in Canada... He brought a tape along with him with dubs of his stuff and I was like MAN I got to get this CD... He told me I could only get it from SA so when he went home he sent me a copy and I've been sharing it with people some say sweet some say strange lol... Saturday July 22, 2000 at 06:32:12

Jacques (soetseun(at)hotmail.com) Me again. If you all like Cold Fact, then what other albums from other artists do you enjoy which is in the same vein as Rodriguez'? I want to buy more albums like this. Thanks, Jacques Tuesday July 18, 2000 at 10:52:50

Jacques (soetseun(at)hotmail.com) I can't stop listening to Cold Fact! I've recently moved to Stockholm, Sweden and nobody knows anything of him here! Anyway, just started to learn how to play guitar want to play Rodriguez' music too. Does anybody know where one can find his sheet music? Thanks, Jacques Fan for live. Sunday July 16, 2000 at 19:28:40

Rebecca (fincaverde(at)hotmail.com) I first heard about Rodriguez 12 yrs ago while on holiday in Australia. When I got back to London couldnt find any album anywhere!! No-one had even heard of him. Well thanks to the internet, finally got some info on this great musician and am ordering the albums!! Thursday July 6, 2000 at 21:45:27

Barry (barrye(at)bigpond.com) I recently had a copy of "Coming From Reality (After The Fact)" sent to me which I ordered from South Africa through oneworld(at)interkom.co.za. After having virtually worn out two vinyl copies I had searched for this beautiful album for years on cd only to be told a cd didn't exist. It does. Also saw him perform in Sydney in the late 70's, a memorable experience. Wednesday July 5, 2000 at 05:38:32

Ian Harvey (harvs(at)globalfreeway.com.au) When I was a teenager, living in a industrial town in australia I listened to mostly heavy rock and even got into punk music for a while but when I got home after partying at the pub I would always put on my Rodriguez albums and drift off. I think the music gave me some balance and sanity and I still listen to it today 19 years later. I especially related to the boy he sang about in the song "Street Boy" and I think he taught me that you can never really "beat the street". Thanks. Saturday July 1, 2000 at 16:27:11

David Hein 25 years old (heinzdavid(at)hotmail.com) i use to work on the prawn trawlers of Northern Australia for three years out of Karumba, North Western Australia, Weipa, New Guinea, wonderd around south east Asia for a while,,,,, I found Rodriguez out at sea, and its great to think that all you people are here on the same planet!!! Tom Petty Wildflowers is great album, Im sure you would agree, Rodriguez. !!! Thursday June 15, 2000 at 16:40:29

Geoff Bowles (gbowles(at)ozemail.com.au) Great to see there is still an interest in great music out there! We first discovered Rodriguez in about 1976 when 3JJJ started playing Cold Fact and you could get it and Coming From Reality on vinyl for about five bucks. Then when he toured in 1979 we saw him at Dallas Brooks Hall. He only did a couple of commercial concerts but apparently played at Pentridge Prison. Great to see him live, but he obviously wasn't comfortable with a big audience! I was surprised to see his albums come out on CD - still awesome! Saturday June 10, 2000 at 12:59:23

Marc Anderson (Marc.Anderson(at)mal.frontec.se) I have been looking for guitar tabs for 'Cause' for ages. Can anyone help me out? Cheers, Marc Anderson Tuesday May 23, 2000 at 20:58:20

desmond stewart (desmondstewart(at)hotmail.com) Some suprise to finally find Rodriguez alive. Beautiful music by what would seem to be an awesomely honest preforming artist. One of those things that make life on earth worthwhile. Friday May 19, 2000 at 14:37:47

Cameron Kratzing (kratz84(at)hotmail.com) I love this site. and, being a relitavly new fan of Rodriguez, i am loning to find out more information. Does anyone know if he will be touring Australia at any time? Wednesday May 17, 2000 at 02:29:33

Trent Noble (trentnoble(at)hotmail.com) I first have to start out saying that you have just made my life by finding out Rodriguez is alive!!! I have a copy of "at his best" on vinyl and I listened to it so much, I wound up buying the cd and "cold fact" as well. I was living in Australia at the time and it seemed his cd's are extremeley popular down under. Unfortunately once I returned to Canada his music was nowhere to be found or heard of. So i have spent the last 4 years spreading the Rodriguez sound to everyone I know, and we will go anywhere in the world to see him play live!!! Please keep me informed on any new tour dates, PLEASE!!!!! Thanks, Trent Noble P.S. If your reading this Rodriguez, I just want you to know that your music has changed my life and I hope to get to meet you one day. Monday May 15, 2000 at 18:33:01

Raphael Mills (clubterrace(at)net-tech.com.au) Amazing! Frances sorted through her vinyls tonight and presented Cold Facts. We got together seventeen years ago. I knew she knew Rodriguez because I played my tape to her for years. Tonight I thought I might check the net to see if he was still going. My copy is on the other side of a tape I asked a friend for in the early seventies. I quickly forgot the other side. Frances presented me with an almost pristine black plastic. RODRIGUEZ LIVES! Saturday May 6, 2000 at 12:11:31

adam (ads1(at)iinet.net.au) fantastic site, great to be able to grab the chords and lyrics to these songs and play them. If any one has got the chords and tab to "can't get away" "I'll slip away" "street boy" or "cause" I'd love a copy so I can bang these ones out too. they are all off the " At his best" album. riguez on in oz Saturday May 6, 2000 at 08:16:20

Chris (Buddythechuddy(at)hotmail.com) I find it hard to believe that this is one of the only sites devoted to THE man. not only is his music mad, his lyrics are by far the best ive ever heard. i would have thought there would have been more sites because everyone i introduce his music to love it. by the way if anyone knows where i can get a copy of the cd someone mentioned in the message boards 'comming from reality' email me at buddythechuddy(at)hotmail.com Saturday April 29, 2000 at 07:05:31

Grant (slackjaw(at)iprimus.com.au) Hi my name is Grant I am 27 years old and writng to you from Adelaide Australia, I was really surprised to find your web site after an early hours sing along to 'Cold Fact'. I find it hard to beleive that Rodriguez is so unknown throughout the world. I first heard the man through a friend and was captivated, I subsequently tracked down a vinyl copy in a store in Melbourne for $2 ( a later met the onwer of that copy in Adelaide a few months later!) I then kept my eye out for his second album 'Coming from Reality" but found instead 'Rodriguez At His Best' at some markets in Port Adelaide. This album is a combination of the first 2 records plus 3 unreleased tracks and was put out by Blue Goose records. I'm just so amazed at his lack of popularity plus the places where he is well known (seems like its a southern hemisphere thing) and that his last tour was here! Anyways thanks once again Long Live Jesus.... Friday April 21, 2000 at 01:43:36

Jesamine (dejedezignz(at)optusnet.com.au) I think this site is unreal....I have been a fan of Rodriguez for years. My friends and I used to wonder what became of the gifted poet and musician. In Australia you can shop around in second-hand record stores and find most of his albums on vinyl!!!!! So we are now patiently waiting for the man to come back to Australia..... It hasn't surprised me over the years whenever I inroduced his music to anyone I could, they were desperate for more.....and saddened by the fact that Rodriguez had vanished!! RODRIGUEZ.....tour soon....please Thursday April 20, 2000 at 07:46:40

Carl (ctx(at)isdnet.co.za) Excellent site, Brian! Keep it up... Anyone know where I could find MIDI files of Rodrigues songs? Saturday April 8, 2000 at 20:08:35

Bob (rscbking(at)hotmail.com) I've only recently got connected, and Rodriguez was one of the first things I decided to look up, that mythically obscure singer I remember coming upon as a kid. I was astounded at the level of interest, in South Africa of all places. Not one but three dedicated sites! I bought cassettes of "Cold Fact" and "Coming from Reality" (which I still have, but dare not play) back in Australia round about 1978 or 1979 (possibly a bit later, but I think somewhere around the time he allegedly toured). I have no idea how exactly I got to know about him, but at the age of 12 one is open to all manner of impression. I think it may have been a tv or radio promotion, because I know I heard from some forgotten source snippets of "Sugar Man" and one or two others, which at the time must have sounded like nothing else on the waves. "Cold Fact" has always been one of my favourite records, but till now I have not known who Rodriguez was, when it was recorded, or who the musicians were. I've just come back from Sydney where I finally picked up for myself CF on cd. I generally dislike compilations so didn't get "At his best", which I have since found out contains 3 tracks previously unreleased. Here at Tower, where I work, the London Piccadilly branch tends to keep a couple of copies in stock of both titles (VPCD6745 and VPCD6748 respectively, both Australian imports from Rocket, who don't seem to have a site). However, "Coming from Reality" is not available anywhere (VPCD6746 or VPCD6747? I wonder.) I cannot fathom why it was re-released in South Africa as the typographically appalling "After the Fact", but I'm sure I remember seeing cd's of the original in Australia some years ago. I'll be kicking myself if I find out it's no longer available. Although I don't remember it being quite as great as "Cold Fact", as an anal completist I would sell my soul to the devil for a copy, provided the great Satanic one threw in Tim Buckley's "Blue Afternoon" and "Starsailor" as well. Happy hunting all, Bob. Tuesday April 4, 2000 at 13:39:06

Matt (Carbosteed(at)hotmail.com) Living in New Zealand I had never even heard of Rodriguez up until 2 years ago. A good friend, who was at the time living in Australia, gave me a call and insisted I track down an album. Finding "At his best" at a local CD store I was completly blown away. Browsing in a second hand book store a few weeks later, I couldn't believe my luck stumbling accross the very rare vinal copy of "Coming From Reality." As a poor student there were days I didn't carry my wallet. Feeling rather foolish I dashed home, and indeed the album was still there when I returned. I was charged a total of $7 New Zealand dollars for this rare gem. The copy I have was manfactured and distributed in Australia by the company Blue Goose Music. Blue Goose were based in Melbourne at 258 Flinders Lane. I feel rather rude gloating about this find but I see It as a good sign. There could well be rare Rodriguez records still floating around second hand music and book stores. Thursday March 30, 2000 at 13:39:47

Joel (jvalmari(at)hotmail.com) Woa, There is a Rodriguez! But not in Sweden obviously. I heard the songs for the very first time in London two years ago, and I was amazed. Since then I´ve been trying to find any information about him, but whith no success,Until now! great. Here in Sweden nobody ever heard about him, and for a long time I've been thinking that the southafrican guy who played me the songs, just been joking. Great releave! nice page! Monday March 13, 2000 at 20:17:38

Brian (vagabond(at)rock.com) This board was down for a couple of days... just checking to see if it is fixed now... Monday March 6, 2000 at 21:43:17

Sandra(kyahcon(at)hotmail.com) have been a fan for over 20 years. I was amazed to find a site on Rodriguez; I think its really interesting to at last know about the man himself.I have the records Coming From Reality and At his Best but would love Cold Fact. If anyone has any idea where to look let me know. Sunday March 5, 2000 at 10:03:04

Peter(indien99(at)hotmail.com) I found "cold facts" in mp3-files on internet for about 2 years ago and Rodriguez just blow my mind. Is hist other albums as good as "cold fact"? please mail me your opinion. by the way.. i'm from sweden. Is there any other Rodriguez fan from the north of europe out there? Tuesday February 29, 2000 at 23:54:02

Daniel Dennis(Daniel.Dennis(at)bbc.qld.edu.au) Having been under the Rodriguez spell since the mid-seventies I'm overjoyed at the richness of the tributes on this page. A talent like Rodriguez, telling often harsh truth with such beauty and power,comes along once in a musical lifetime. Reluctant as I am to relieve people of their treasures, is there anyone out there who would consider selling their CD copy of "Coming from Reality" (released under the underwhelming title of "After the Fact"?) I'll happily discuss costs including postage from anywhere in the world. This request is forced upon me now that the South African source of the recoding has dried up. Until I have a copy of this superlative album, I'll feel"I'm only halfway up the stairs, not up or down". Thanks from Rodriguez' biggest acolyte in Australia Daniel Dennis Wednesday February 9, 2000 at 13:55:27

Robert Campbell (xingur(at)yahoo.com) ...did the right thing - got stoned in '84 for the first time listening to Cold Fact in my '68 Cortina GT in Birch Acres, Kempton Park - great times, great music - currently sat in Cambridge UK, listening to the album on CD - it loses out a bit without the scratches and distortion, but there you go... - anybody see the Wits Free People's Concert in May '81? Flash Harry, Peach and the Gay Marines... - had my first scwarma at Mi-Vami in Hillbrow that night... Thursday December 23, 1999 at 18:18:55

Ciaran (ciaranlyons(at)hotmail.com) Rodriguez - Come to Belfast - all 7 of your fans will show up. Am very envious of all you who have seen the great man live. Myself and some friends count ourselves amoung a very lucky few who have heard his music. Critically speaking I rate Rodriguez as a cross between Bob Dylan and Lou Reed and I believe it's a terrible inditement of the music industry that he doesn't have similar status (lack of output accepted). Cold Fact? Up there with Highway 61 Revisited, Revolver, The Joshua Tree and OK Computer - very few albums have so many amazing songs. By the way, Streetboy (from Best of) - what album was it originally on? Are there other lost gems out there? Yours, Ciaran - Belfast, Ireland Friday December 17, 1999 at 15:38:07

Rob (stow(at)nlc.net.au) Hello. I've listened to Rodriguez since the 70's, ever since my older brother had his 18th in our backyard. I was 14 at the time. I can still recall that first time I heard Sugar Man. What a memory! Since then I've been a fan. I have; Cold Fact, Coming From Reality, and Rodriguez - At His Best. All of these are on vinyl. I only found "At His Best" in a second hand record store a couple of years ago, and was glad to hear three songs I'd never heard before. I've been on the net for a few years now and only recently searched for the music to his songs. Some lyric / tab sites have one or two songs only. I tried typing in "Climb up on my music"... and found your web site. Thanks a million. Climb up on my music, is a great site, and one of my favourite Rodriguez songs too. How about the bass on that song, and what about the keyboard!!!!! (No-one ever mentions the bass) On the Cold Fact album (Blue Goose release), the songs are credited to Jesus Rodriguez. Keep this great site going, and I'll look forward to more updates, on performances etc. Cheers. Saturday December 11, 1999 at 16:22:55

Peter Haskin (petron(at)iaccess.com.au) Hi All It's now 1.30am Saturday December 4 and today has been a very special day. Last week,for the first time in ages Rodriguez was brought up in conversation with a very good friend of mine who i went to see him with in Melbourne in 1979 (more on that later). From the rumours we had heard, we both believed the man was no longer with us.Today I found Cold Fact and At His Best on CD, but alas, no Coming From Reality. No matter,I was extremely excited about these two finds. As I sat down at home and began to listen to At His Best I wondered why the hell I had left it so long. By the time Sandrevan Lullaby was playing I was sitting at my computer typing in his name in the off chance that someting would come up....I actually struggle to describe how I felt when I found this site and that Rodriguez is very alive and well.I had a tear slowly moving down my cheek. I've not been able to leave this site since discovering it 2 hours ago. Been on the phone with this same friend most of the time relating the information to him.I feel so uplifted tonight and what amazes me is the possibility of seeing Rodriguez performing again. I saw him in 1979, twice. The second time was with an uncle of mine who happened to know the promoter, hence the question "Do you want to meet him before the show?' I was taken back stage to a small room and although my memories of this are not crystal clear, I remember seeing a very quiet man sitting on his own, almost in a corner. Someone brought him over to me and introduced us, he shook my hand gently, said hello and asked me how I was and that was it. He went and sat on his own again. The concert was magnificent, everybody sang every word. I saw him again two years later at the Palais Theatre, not supporting Midnight Oil, but just Rodriguez. Sadly, he was not the same man. On stage with just another guitarist he seemed to struggle with every song. This was my last contact with him for 18 years until tonight. You probably have a fairly good idea how I'm feeling about now...I think I'm elated. Time to listen to At His Best again, third time tonight. If any body has any information on how to get hold of Live Fact and the 1979 Alive albums here in Australia please drop me a line. Thanks for reading my ramblings, I'm so damn excited tonight!!!! Rodriguez......thank you for the music, please come and see us again soon. Peter Haskin Melbourne, Australia December 4, 1999. Saturday December 4, 1999 at 04:10:22

Paul V. Caiger (pgmd001(at)chevron.com) Great concert in Cape Town. Sister and Hubbie drove 900kms to join in ! Sad to think it can't really be recreated. "It started out with Butterflys on a Velvet afternoon." So if possible "Tell me , tell me please what you're gonna do , cause you know I wouldn't be half way with you !" Cheers for now. Paul in Papua New Guinea Tuesday November 30, 1999 at 00:19:26

Caroline () Can I find any of this good music in Sweden? I tried in all the big music-shops but.......I´m ´starting to get desperate. Monday November 22, 1999 at 19:43:54

Nigel Doodt (nadoodt(at)yahoo.com) My God!! I can't believe Rodriguez has toured lately. Please Rodriguez don't stop it there. I am a 28 year old Australian living in London and have been a huge fan for many years. Very interesting to read that Rodriguez actually toured with the mighty Oil's in Australia. Thanks for the web site - excellent stuff! Rodriguez live in London - count me in!!! Sunday October 24, 1999 at 00:41:32

Joe Stolley (stolley(at)usa.net) What can I say? Told the girlfriend about the Rodriguez and how I had listened to it in the army. Then forgot both CD's in SA when I went Germany. Finally got my two copies and she finds out that the man is alive, well and kicking - and me I didn't even know and missed the concert. I'm gutted, glad to have found out that he exists. And come on Polygram, publish the albums. You have made plenty of money from them. I would like to give a copy of them to my girlfriend! Thursday October 14, 1999 at 19:39:39

robby (cobweb(at)alphalink.com.au) lm 15 yrs old and have listened to rodriguez for the last three years (due to my mum) and think his music is great, even for the nineties!!! Saturday October 2, 1999 at 13:34:37

Jim (axa(at)icon.co.za) What can I say that hasn't been said ? The concert at Cape Town was the culmination of many years of wonder and memories fed by the magic of Rodriguez' music. The time at the concert was probably as close as dammit to a religious experience for me. Lost in the lyrics, I sang with HIM through all of his songs - a never to be forgotten experience - what I wanna know is when we are gonna see him again live and on stage ??? Saturday October 2, 1999 at 00:13:22

Jim (axa(at)icon.co.za) Saturday October 2, 1999 at 00:10:54

Brian (vagabond(at)rock.com) Universal SA (Polygram) has confirmed that they are no longer pressing or distributing the first three Rodriguez albums, 'Cold Fact', 'After The Fact' and 'The Best of Rodriguez'. This means that the only global source for these three CDs is now, effectively, closed. The 'Live Fact' CD from Rodriguez's 1998 tour is on the Sony label and is currently the only one of these titles available in SA. The Internet generally, and One World specifically, has made these titles available to all those Rodriguez fans overseas. If anyone is interested in picking up the license and distribution rights for these three rare and much requested titles, please contact Brian or Sugar . Tuesday September 28, 1999 at 07:21:37

Graeme Sperryn (sperryn(at)execulink.com) I have lived in Canada since 1989 having grown up in Natal and in boarding school in the Natal Midlands during the late 1970's. Cold Fact was an album that was played hundreds and hundreds of times in the dayrooms until the LP's were cpmpletely worn out. I have been searching for any information about Rodriguez in Canadian record stores and catalogues for several years. It has been very frustrating to find no mention of him at all and no-one had ever heard of him. Now I discover he is alive and well and living in Detroit! Well I am in London Ontario which is less than two hours drive from Detroit. I am looking forward to ordering the CD's and enjoying that amazing music again. It's wonderful to see how many other people have missed his music so much and are re-connecting with this music which is really part of the collective subconsciousness of thousands of Southern African youth who grew up with it. Thanks for the music. Tuesday September 21, 1999 at 05:31:28

Rod (Rodcotty(at)hotmail.com) Rodriguez has always been apart of life in Cape Town. We used to get stoned and listen to him on a regular basis. When we heard that he was coming to Cape Town we were all very sceptical as we had heard and retold the myth that he had shot himself on stage many years ago. The concert was absolutely incredible. I have seen many live shows, Bon Jovi, UB4O, U2 and none can compare to the Rodriguez concert, and the gathering of hard core fans that we experienced that night. The man is a true talent, and I kind of enjoy the fact that he is cherished by the lucky few and not the mindless masses. Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 06:43:47

Brian Currin (brian.currin(at)new.co.za) Received my copy today of Stella One Eleven's CD single of 'Only Good For Conversation'. Grungy guitar and haunting female vocals from this Australian band. The other 4 original songs on the CD are also very good, but less heavy...recommended. Thursday August 26, 1999 at 15:19:47

Bec Todd (bec.todd(at)chickmail.com) Me again... Yoni, couldn't find a way to write to you at your site, but if you still need a better copy of the album, I live near Markham and have the cd....jealous?? email, and I'll hook you up... Wednesday August 25, 1999 at 06:04:33

Bec Todd (bec.todd(at)chickmail.com) I was Backpacking Australia, and met some amazing people who introduced me to Rodriguez's music. Noone that I know in Canada has ever heard of him, but I am trying hard to convert them. He is just so honest....If anyone know of any upcoming shows anywhere, let me know, I would love to see him live... Wednesday August 25, 1999 at 05:09:58

GLEN "MRMANN" (glendamster(at)yahoo.com) IN THE 70'S, I WAS BUT A HAPPY BOY. MY SISTER THE HIPPIE SMOKING POT,AND LISTENING TO RODRIGUEZ, IN THE LATE 80'S I FORGOT ABOUT HIM AND THE MUSIC, IN THE 90'S, I STARTED DJING, PULLED OUT A COPY OF COLD FACT, I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK. I'M NOW A HIP HOP PRODUCER, AND I'VE REMIXED SUGARMAN, WITH "THE MAN'S " VOICE DOING THE REFRAIN, I'VE JUST GOT TO GET THE PUBL RIGHTS FIRST. SIXTO IF YOU READ THIS, I THANK YOU FOR 30 YEARS OF GREAT MUSIC.. SO DIG IT MAN.... Monday August 23, 1999 at 00:19:25

aNena (fielavlooi(at)hotmail.com) I went to see the Rodriguez concert in Bellville & was stunned out of my wits as was my boyfriend. Both of us are big fans of his & couldn't believe it, even until the few minutes before he started to sing we were still in doubt if this was the real thing. We were not dissapointed. This is the kind of thing people dream about...your heroes comming back to life..congrats this one made it and I couldn't be more happy. I never thought that any one person could have such a kind heart as he displayed on stage that night and the best part was, nothing changed this is the same voice we heard after matric finals & in pubs & everywhere. Thanks Rodriguez for being a part of my life & thanks for being a great poet & for your inspiration. Thursday August 12, 1999 at 23:56:26

Brian Currin (vagabond(at)rock.com) New Aussie cover version of "only good for conversation" by Stella One Eleven. More info at the Climb Up On My Music website...click on link above and then go to "What's New". Saturday August 7, 1999 at 16:47:57

steve () when the hel are they going to show him on tv!!! Wednesday July 21, 1999 at 15:46:14

Tammy (tondi_bendi(at)hotmail.com) This is really amazing. Finally, I've found something about this phenomenal artist. I moved to Israel 5 years ago, and since have been seraching for his album, or at least some clue as to who Rodrigeuz is. I was even in the States for a few months, and couldn't understand why no-one knew who he is. Finally, the puzzle fits together. I'm so excited, I can get my dad who still lives in SA to buy "Cold Fact" for me. Rodrigeuz, if you read this, just so you know you have another fan out there - maybe you'll do a tour in Israel sometime! Wednesday July 14, 1999 at 15:40:36

Magic Dave (spudsalad(at)hotmail.com) Rodriguez, You amaze me, meeting you, and seeing you onstage with Just Jinger (My Favourite SA Band) was a highlight in my life, I only wish I had the talent to pay you tribute like Just Jinger has! Sunday July 11, 1999 at 14:07:41

Brian Currin (brian.currin(at)new.co.za) Happy Birthday Rodriguez!! It has been a pleasure to have grown up with your music and to have seen you perform live and to shake your hand! You are the man...and that's a concrete cold fact. Saturday July 10, 1999 at 17:21:42

Fred (wheels(at)futurenet.co.za) This is long over due . I have been a Rodriguez fan from my school days in the early seventies and it always brings back many fond memories and still today he is tops in my book. Reality is in every one if only u will believe it. Sunday July 4, 1999 at 15:36:23

Warren (bliss35(at)one.net.au) And I thought that I was the only Rodriguez fan out here. When I first heard Cold Fact, I was learning to play guitar. I went out and bought the sheet music in a book format for the whole Cold Fact album. I still have it. The pages are white with blue print. I still love to play his music. Tuesday June 29, 1999 at 11:39:05

Gary Dale (Cansdale(at)mpx.com.au) Well after all these years. I remember Rodriguez in Australia from the late 70's, early 80's. Back then I was in an R&B band called The Layabouts. I'd almost forgotten .... nice to hear you're still doing it. Keep it up. Saturday June 12, 1999 at 13:34:35

Kevin Carhart (kevin(at)carhart.com) Wow, I had no idea who Rodriguez was! 3 years ago I found The View From Rowland's Head by the Family Dogg at a thrift store. What a weird record! The sleeve design was hypnotic and disturbing and the songs were incredibly good, with varied subject matter, textures, instrumentation and a sense of humor. Then I noticed that all my favorite songs (like I Wonder, Crucify Your Mind, Like Janis, and the Smokey Robinson number) weren't even written by the Family Dogg, they were written by Rodriguez! I had no idea who that was, and no way of finding out... even the web had only scattered references to the Family Dogg! I had a feeling that with a songwriter that good, a whole mess of people must be devoted. Can anyone tell me more about the Family Dogg? Would they have been considered, 'psychedelic' ?? How did they happen to be covering Rodriguez? I guess they just have good taste! Did Rodriguez write for others in addition to publishing his own albums? One of the things that makes _Rowland's Head_ such a weird record for me is that depending on the production, the Bethel Town Mission and Riker's Island could be folk songs, but they're sandwiched inside this baroque record sleeve with bleeding eyes, a hall of mirrors feeling, and Rowland staring at you like a zombie! I guess it's all context. Tuesday June 8, 1999 at 00:05:02

george () Rodriguez lives!!! Great site, keep up the good work! Saturday May 29, 1999 at 22:08:28

Brian Currin (vagabond(at)rock.com) Great to have this board working again! Looks great Alan, thanks... Friday May 21, 1999 at 15:46:16

Sugar (sugar(at)cd.co.za) We've made some changes to this web board and all's working fine now. Thanks Alan! There are now two sets of archived messages. We spoke to Rodriguez last week and he's well and reading these messages and ready for whatever fame and fortune the new Millennium may bring. No news on when the SABC is planning to screen the "Dead Men Don't Tour" documentary on his 1998 SA tour. This video may get a sell-through release so please watch this space. Sugar Man United! Friday May 21, 1999 at 13:01:32