Monday, April 22, 2013

Sixto's Songs Brought Back The Music

I am participating in the April A-Z Challenge
Today's letter is S
Sixto Rodriquez


I was given a wonderful gift a couple of days ago by Graciewilde from "In Search of A Title".
Her well written R post on Saturday, which was simply titled "Rodriquez", intrigued me tremendously.

The subject of her post was the academy award winning documentary called "Searching for Sugar Man".  The film is about a musician named Sixto Rodriquez, a 1970's American musician .   To add additional interest, Gracie inserted a piece of his music along with a video into her post.

After listening to the song that she had placed in her post, titled "I Wonder", I was hooked.  I wanted to hear more of his music and find out who this man was.

I won't repeat Gracie's post.  She did the best job of describing the film and enticing the reader.  Please read her post here.

Today, my post is about Sixto's songs and how they make me feel.

I have several means of listening to music.  In addition to the old stand-by radio, I also have more than one MP3 device.  I have an iPod, iPad, iPhone, desktop computer, laptop computer and I am probably leaving a device or two out.

But my iTunes library has no music.

I can't remember when I stopped listening to music.  Well, perhaps I can.  But, that's for another post.

On a recent trip to that evil, filled with too much tempting nerd stuff, Apple Store, I was forced into purchasing a new iPod.  Don't ask me how I justified such a purchase, it's too convoluted.  Let's just say my new iPod is so cute and it's red.

I think Gracie's post was a sign.  Her post re-introduced me to music.

Music that I actually could zone out to, tap my foot to and fill my new, cute, red iPod Nano with.

Rodriquez's poetic emotional lyrics move me and touch me with their familiarity.
From his song "Climb Up On My Music":

Have you ever been in darkness,
And your mind could find no peace,
When you woke up after midnight,
Found your swans have turned to geese.



  His preceptive views of how the "goings on in this world", seem to continue, without lessons learned, sadden me.   Lyrics from the song "I Wonder":


I wonder about the tears in children's eyes
And I wonder about the soldier that dies
I wonder will this hatred ever end
I wonder and worry my friend
I wonder I wonder wonder don't you?



Funny sarcastic lyrics like these taken from the song "Like Janis" make me giggle.


'Cos emotionally you're the same basic trip
And you know that I know of the times that you've slipped
So don't try to impress me, you're just pins and paint
And don't try to charm me with things that you ain't.
And don't try to enchant me with your manner of dress
'Cos a monkey in silk is a monkey no less


After hearing the music of Sixto, I realized that for me, the relatable factor was missing in the music of today. 
The current pop songs are for the young who have so much life yet to live. 
These are the song lyrics which are filled with romantic tales of hopeful love, new love, lost love, and lover's revenge.  
Yes, it's true, Rodriquez explores those subject too.  Yet, his songs are complexly simple.  The musical arrangement are soft, but powerful.  His voice is clear and his enunciation is precise.   

But most of all, the reason I want to "climb up on his music" is because of Sixto. 
The life story of this legendary man far surpassed my expectations. 

You were right, Gracie, I believe he has inspired me to re-consider life's music.  




8 comments:

  1. I need to see that documentary. I'd seen a short piece on 60 minutes or some other show and found the story fascinating

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    1. You will not be disappointed. It is a very poignant story about an incredible human being.

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  2. Nice! I'd never before heard of him, Lynda. I have found that the older I get, the more I want real music with real songs--I avoid synthesized instrument sounds, and enhanced voices.

    My daughter told me she recently read an article about how a segment of the music listening population has becoem disenchanted with today's music. We're discovering a new Americana type music. New...well, it's old. :-) I've been listening to The Civil Wars, David Gray, and Loreena McKennit. I'll have to add Sixto to my list. :-)

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    1. I must admit I will have to do some research on the artists you mentioned. I don’t know who they are. I feel so out of it. When the Grammys are on TV I don’t know most of the nominees either.

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  3. You nailed it, Lynda. Although I am frequently exposed to the current music via work or my own kids, I don't listen to it much. In fact, I rarely listen to it. I prefer the silence. Maybe I'm not being fair but I do prefer it when I can relate to the lyrics and when I can understand the words. I listened to some Bod Dylan while driving this past week and that's one reason I appreciate his music: I can understand the lyrics. They are evocative. I feel something when I listen to him. Granted, sometimes memory gets in the way and, yes, regrets for long ago times. But still, there is feeling.
    Thanks for your kind words! TOO kind-

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    1. I know how you feel. For me I probably needed a break from feelings. Maturity and life’s experiences certainly have an effect on what moves a person.

      My iPod is filled with books. That’s what I would rather listen to. But that means, I don’t actually read much anymore. I miss seeing the words.

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  4. I had already put this documentary on my list, you just moved it up a few more notches. And I loved hearing about your passion for his music. The right music at the right time can be a very powerful thing.

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