FELICIANO!

Original released on LP RCA Victor LSP 3957

(US 1968, November 2)

Released at the apex of his popularity, this was Feliciano's most successful album. It reached number two, largely on the strength of his only big hit single, "Light My Fire" (which is featured here). Soulful easy listening is an oxymoron, but this is about as close as that fusion gets to reality, with passionate vocals and virtuosic flamenco guitar. Besides "Light My Fire," it's dominated by interpretations of '60s hits like "Sunny" and "California Dreamin'," as well as three Lennon-McCartney tunes. Noted jazz bassist Ray Brown is one of the supporting musicians. The cover artwork is by George Bartell, an artist best known for an artist who so instinctively puts movement and speed into his work was inspired. Feliciano's live perfomances were remarkably active, considering that he sat on a stool to perform; his head and fingers were never still, and the dynamism of his playing astounding. Bartell gets that across here marvelously. I first heard the album in the early 70s, and it stuck me at that time [as a callow smart-alecky teen] as overwrought, pretentious, maudlin, histrionic, and syrupy, like overproduced lounge music. Little did I know what my teenaged mind would not grok for another 4+ decades, but I listened to it again recently and was bowled over, I finally dug what he was saying in that album and I finally saw its beauty, and it made me weep. it is about as romantic an expression as one could imagine. George Tipton's arrangements hit just the right spot, luxuriant yet spare when it needed to be. A masterpiece.