The connection between Rodriguez and Bob Dylan is interesting .......
Spoilers ahead...
I watched the doco last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. My only gripe, was it appeared the detective work failed to retrieve more information about SA sales.. Despite that one MINOR detail let's venture into the connections made between Rodriguez and Bob Dylan.
At least two times Rodriguez was compared to Bob Dylan in this documentary. Initially I felt when these comparisons were made, those guys must be 'reaching'. By the time Rodriguez completed his first album, Bob Dylan had recorded 10 studio albums. In those recordings Dylan transcended the folk music genre from mere acoustic to rock n roll and wrote some of the most defining songs of the 20th century which changed the course of contemporary music forever. They don't sound similar nor are their lyrics easily compatible.
Then I thought about the connection in the movie a little bit more.... Like Rodriguez, Dylan's first two albums sold relatively poor, and both artists had some prophetic or poetic qualities about their demeanor.
But I would hazard a guess, Dylan wanted fame about 100 times more than Rodriguez despite Bob's modest start. Also, Bob had some amazing patronage to keep him going like Joan Baez and record producer John Hammond. Also the time was ripe for Dylan's artistry to come unto it's own.
Overall, it appears Rodriguez didn't have three things on his side to make it big like Dylan after the beginning:
1. Rodrigez wrote and sounded more like Donovan who was often seen as the UK equivalent of Dylan in the same era. See the famous music documentary, 'Don't Look Back'.
2. He was a decade too late. He didn't have the folk scene nor personal financial backing on his side. Nor did he appear to have the hunger for fame which Dylan had, and
3. He wasn't able to extend himself although however unlikely evolve into the lyrical and melodic genius Dylan.
Despite these aspects, where the eventualities of both artists success differ is probably the heart of this documentary. Rodriguez led a life that most people find appealing and inspirational because of the fact that fame wasn't at his core. I think the doco encapsulated how the 'unfortunate' artist can still lead an absolutely fulfilling life by their spiritual 'wherefores' and non reliance on all the grandeur and accolades that have befallen onto some of our own hero's of music. It's a very compelling take on success or lack there of, which every artist, poet, lover of music (rich or poor) should see.
My 100 favorite movies http://www.imdb.com/list/Uvw_F2_GMx8/
What are your favorites?