Customer Reviews

Feliciano

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the album that started my passion for Jose Feliciano's music. It was 1978 and I was thirteen years old when I first heard this masterpiece recording at a friend's home. I remember telling my friend "who's that guy, he's fantastic". Up to that point I had never heard any music performed with so much feeling and emotion. I still remember the first time I heard LIGHT MY FIRE, I was blown away by its Jazzy/Soul feel and Jose's voice and guitar were the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard. The entire album is a gem there is not one bad song in it. His versions of the Beatles "IN MY LIFE" and the Mama's and The Papas "CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'" are superb and they by far surpass the originals. I love every song on this CD but I have to mention that one of my favorites is the last song on the album which is called "THE LAST THING ON MY MIND", this song is beautiful and Feliciano again does a superb job with the vocals as with his brilliant guitar playing. His instrumental version of "AND I LOVE HER is so beautiful that I can't help the tears from falling it moves me deeply. After I discovered this album I became fascinated with everything that Feliciano did and I started collecting all of his albums in Spanish and English. In either language he is excellent. This remains one of my favorite albums of all times and I listen to it often. When I found out that Feliciano was blind from birth and born under extreme poverty in the mountains of Lares in his native Puerto Rico, my admiration for him grew even more. I remember saying to myself in a number of occassions "how can someone that is blind be so extremely gifted,talented and versatile". In later years I heard a reporter ask Jose if he thought he was a better musician because he couldn't see, at which point he responded "no not being able to see made me focus better on what I really wanted to do with my life but sight has never had anything to do with it". That is one of the great things that I admired about this brilliant musician is the way he overcame adversity to become one of the greatest performers the world has ever known. FELICIANO! will always be a masterpiece and it should be in the music library of every person who really loves and appreciates beautiful music. I would like to say that this was the album that catapulted Jose Feliciano to world reknown status as an entertainer of the highest caliber. Please, get this CD you will love it for years and years I guarantee it. A timeless classic for all generations to enjoy.

For some odd reason I'd recently taken an interst in owning a cd by this singer/songwriter. Every now and than this feeling comes over me about a certain artist...so I run out to make a purchase. And while at times it may be true that I've regretted my impulsive actions I can happily report that, at least on this occassion, my "gut" feelings were right on the money.

What a wonderful cd! Although I was aware of Jose's version of "Light My Fire", who isn't, I truly never expected the rest of this disc to be as strong as it is. Highlight's include, and there are many, "Sunny", "Here, There and Everywhere",plus a song called "Just A Little Bit of Rain" a song which I've listened to over and over. J.Feliciano's singing is extremely soulful,his acoustic guitar playing impeccable and the song selection was wisely chosen.Plus, the arranger for the string's on "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" deserve's a Grammy for his work with this selection alone! Very well done! Altogether, this disc is very impressive in the risks it takes and in the comfortable fashion that Jose Feliciano tackles each tune with alarming accuracy!

Overall, a very well packaged disc with the mature listener in mind. And by that I mean anyone who truly enjoys music that is subtle, elegant and lovingly crafted. It's unusual in that I had played this disc recently at a party I had thrown together and the reaction from friends was simply amazing! Countless times I saw guests hovering around the stereo trying to sneek a peek at who this artist was. I had intentionally hid the jewel case of the cd from their prying eyes... and their still asking me who they were listening to! I'll tell them....eventually!

So,once again, taking advice from a stranger might be something you may consider doing. Altogether a very pleasant surprise and a disc I will definitely be purchasing for Christmas gifts! Every now and than my musical instincts do pan out...now if I could only say that about other facets of my life! OLE'!!

I remember seeing Jose Feliciano many years ago on Sesame Street. I always respected the way he was able to overcome adversity, etc. However, to me he always seemed like one of those second- tear performers who happen to strike gold by covering other artists' songs (Light My Fire). I believe he even did a few guest spots on the Love Boat!

After hearing this CD I realized how wrong I was and what I had been missing all these years! If you're into smart easy-listening music, BUY THIS CD! The raw emotion of his voice and sparse production help to create wonderful images track after track. I especially like his version of "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" and "The Last Thing On My Mind". There are also a couple of instrumentals that showcase his amazing, unique style of guitar playing. This is one of those CDs that sounds best as you sit around relaxing on a cloudy Fall or Winter afternoon. I've collected almost 1,000 CDs over the years and this is one that's rarely filed away. In fact, when I first purchased it, it must have stayed in my CD player for two weeks straight! Anyway...stop wasting time reading this and get this CD...you won't be disappointed!

I remember my mom bought this album when it was first released-- I was only four or five, but it launched a lifetime love of music for me. I absolutely loved Feliciano's sound, fabulous singing and guitar playing, and eccentric vocalisms. (I always reckon that if a young, unbiased child likes a song, then it must be pretty good). I used to stare at the album cover and marvel at this talented guy. I loved the stories he told through Beatles, Doors, and Mamas & the Papas remakes. His voice and style are distinctive, soulful, and seasoned, even though he was only in his early twenties. In fact, I remember being "disappointed with" and "having to get used to" the orginal versions of the songs! My parents went to see him in concert in Honolulu in '69 or so, and I was profoundly disappointed that I couldn't go. My mom told me that he had a seeing-eye dog at the corner of the stage. I also remember being moved by his blindness, and being amazed at the way he overcame extreme poverty as well. The story I created in my five-year-old mind about him was inspiring to me. In short, the album Feliciano! was the soundtrack music of that early period of my life. I learned how to operate a turntable with that album! When something hits you at that age, it never loses a place in your heart. If you want to hear a young, talented Jose Felicano at the first blush of major success, get this CD.

I first saw Jose Feliciano on the Bing Crosby Show. In England it was shown on BBC on New Years Eve 1968, I've never forgotten it, Feliciano's performance on that show has stayed with me for 32 years. I came from a poor family and we didn't have a record player but when the following Christmas my older brother made me one from a second hand turntable, speaker and amp, I couldn't wait for the record shop to open after the holidays. I went straight down there and spent nearly every penny of the Christmas money I had received on Feliciano! It was quite simply the best investment I ever made on any LP or CD. Of course I'd heard Light My Fire but everything else was all new to me. From the pleading of California Dreamin' right through to the haunting Last Thing On My Mind it was a musical journey I have never tired of making. Every track was and is still classic Feliciano. The Remastered Gold version adds a few extra seconds of magic to California Dreamin' & Sunny and allows the tremendous production of Rick Jarrad and string arrangements of George Tipton to shine through more clearly than previously available. In the end though it's the superb musicianship of Feliciano and his willingness to take chances with what was even 32 years ago material well known to most listeners that never fails to impress fans of old and those that are hearing for the first time today. If you only ever own one Feliciano CD this is the one to have.

This album EXPLODED into our lives and changed our music tastes forever in Aug 1968! It had such an impact on us, that we can still remember exactly where we were when we first heard it! Upon hearing the innovative, soulful interpretations of songs on this beautiful album, Feliciano! claimed status as our very favorite entertainer from the get-go! The album sets a romantic mood with the famous "Jarrard touch" -- Soft, rich backup with Jose's unique imaginative voice and genius guitar playing, laced with the Feliciano brand of soul thoughout all tracks. It contains many of Jose's classics and big hits, such as Light My Fire & California Dreamin'. This album introduced Jose's unique ability to reinvent Beatles' tunes into something all his own, such as in "And I Love Her", "In My Life" and "Here, There and Everywhere". We absolutely love this album and it is a MUST in any true Feliciano Fan's collection!

I was in my early teens when this album was release. I still remember the impact that it had on the Hispanic community when they heard the Doors song "Light my Fire" interpreted by Jose Feliciano with the Latin beat, it was unbelievable. Only Jose Feliciano could do it with his unique style. Today his appearance has not change, he still looks the same as he did in 1968, and he has not aged at all. This album is a good one to add to your Latin Rhythm and Blues collection. If you like his style check Gloria Estefan's CD "90 Millas" he is one of the special invited musicians, and as usual he sounds great!

This was a great CD. The talented guitar work is timeless and fun to listen while remembering the era.

I originally heard FELICIANO! on vinyl and I was so glad that they re-issued it on CD for a new generation of Feliciano fans, as well as those who have been listening to him since his formative years. Jose Feliciano is one of the greatest living guitarists and his versatility as a wonderful musician is showcased here. Some of my favorite tracks include "California Dreamin," "Light My Fire," and "And I Love Her." Feliciano's gift is his ablity to take songs made famous by some of the great rock musicians of our time and truly make them his own. His gorgeous guitar and vocals are bold, expressive and beautiful. There truly isn't a track on this album that you won't find stirring, beautiful and distinctive.

Love this CD...use to listen to it in high school when it was an album...was so glad to find it again.