Holy Cow! It's Jose Feliciano.

Subject: Holy Cow.....it's J.F.!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 12:45 AM

This is one of those amazing little things that happen all too seldom.

A few days ago my friend Colette the Art dealer called and invited Heather and I down to her "local". She said that a friend of the owner was gonna drop by and "pick a few tunes".....and that I'D REALLY LIKE HIM!

We did (Mudcatter Peter T went with us) and the little bar (40 seats) was pretty full, but not over-crowded. A stool had been set up in the corner, with a mike and small sound system. We found a vacant table right next to the "stage". After a bit, a guy brought a lovely Dreadnought Cutaway Classical guitar out from the kitchen and leaned it against the stool. We should have known something was up 'cause folksingers rarely have 'roadies'!

A very tiny guy all in black plunked himself on the stool, and immediately went into the theme from "Chico and the Man"! For two solid hours Jose Feliciano picked and sang for us...for free! Lotsa good stuff, very jazzy, (perhaps a bit MORE jazzy than he might do in a big concert) very friendly and funny. he did requests, a few Spanish songs, and naturally "Light My Fire", and "California Dreamin'".

I think that about half the folks in the bar were "in on the surprise", 'cause they already knew that Jose and Miguel the bar's owner were long time friends...but a few folks looked pretty discombobulated. After the show he was happy to meet and chat with folks, and he (said he) remembered playing at Toronto's Penny Farthing Coffee house 35 years ago. I was one of the young nurds who loved hearing him then, AND patting his guide dog, who'd sit at his feet while he played.

Bloody marvelous surprise....plus I learned something..He's the only experienced guitarist I've ever seen who uses UP strokes exclusively while flatpicking. Weird....but it sure works for him!

Any folks have similar surprises along the road?

Rick

Subject: RE: Holy Cow.....it's J.F.!
From: Amos
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 01:13 AM

Wow!! Great tale, RF!!!

A

Subject: RE: Holy Cow.....it's J.F.!
From: Gary T
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 01:21 AM

Yeah, WOW!

I remember seeing a TV clip from the Ed Sullivan show, showing a young Mr. Feliciano playing part of "Flight of the Bumblebee." What I saw was he started with a flat pick, and somewhere in the middle of the piece that pick flew out of his hand into the air. What I heard was no difference at all--I could not tell from listening when that happened, nor even that it happened.

Subject: RE: Holy Cow.....it's J.F.!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 11:38 AM

Couple of other odd things he does. Ninety percent of his left hand lead playing is done with only two fingers (index and middle). Very similar to how Django played his fast runs. ('course he HAD to 'cause he didn't have the use of his ring and pinky)

I don't think he played one straight major chord (other than in a send up of Bob Dylan) the whole night. He used a lot of sixths in the bass.

I used to think he'd studied classical or flamenco, but now I doubt it. Seems more like he's borrowed techniques from a lot of sources but they all get ammended to fit into his (unique) style.

He made a couple of jokes about "knowing too many chords" to have been accepted by the 'folkies'. I remember that he WAS looked on a bit askance by the folk community, but it was more because his whole approach was way over the top. He's really more of a pure "entertainer", with each song a showpiece in itself. I haven't heard his recordings of traditional "Boleros", but I suspect he sticks more to 'tradition' in those.

I was struck by what a nice guy he seemed to be....really wanted the audience to have a good time.

Rick

Subject: RE: Holy Cow.....it's J.F.!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 01:25 PM

Wow! It's good to hear some good news, you lucky duck. Sounds like Colette diserves hearty thanks, and maybe some chocolates.

Subject: RE: Holy Cow.....it's J.F.!
From: DougR
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:28 PM

Great story, Rick!