LONDON!!

“London has been more spectacular than ever before! My friends and fans have come out from all over and I have had the best time here!”

Jose Feliciano sold out 5 nights at London’s Jazz Café, something, he was told by one of the managers, that doesn’t happen there very often. Reaction, they say, has been phenomenal.

Jose personally enjoyed getting the opportunity to “land his wheels” for a few days. He and the Band like to settle down in a venue where they get the chance to become a part of the atmosphere: do some laundry, checkout some killer restaurants and nightspots, including, here in London, the she-she-la-la “Annabel’s,” on Berkley Square. Jose dined on pheasant and foie gras, and danced with “I’m not sure whom” but had a wonderful time and a peaceful sleep in anticipation for his show the next evening…sweet.

One London reviewer, Jack Massarik from the Evening Standard, had the following reaction:

José Feliciano can still light a fire

“Record companies? Who needs ’em? They don’t even send CDs round to radio stations any more,” protested the blind superstar whose latest album, snappily entitled The Genius of José Feliciano, is available only from his website.
After 45 gold or platinum albums and six Grammy awards, the Godfather of Latin music had every reason to complain but the rest of his show was serendipity all the way.
Not even a broken string could halt the momentum of the Puerto Rican dazzler in the crisp white shirt and black wraparound shades. Grabbing a replacement guitar, he reeled off some brilliant solos and powerful vocals in English and Spanish, his bittersweet voice conveying a heavily syncopated blend of virility and pain.
During the evening women kept rising from their seats like spawning salmon to capture a few moments of him on their mobile phones.
Thanks to his ultraslick quintet, even his most impenetrable Spanish ballads packed a rhythmic punch. And when he grooved through his hits — Bambolero, California Dreaming, Listen to the Rain, Light My Fire — it was clear why jazz fans revere him as much as Latin-music connoisseurs do. Olé, José.”


From the fans, too, who had the opportunity to see Jose had a similar reaction:

“Dear Susan, once again I got to meet My hero in the Music business. Bob took me backstage even before the concert, so I got the opportunity to wish Jose`egood luck. My wife Jette was downstairs talking to Jose`s English friends Allan and Dave when I came back. We had a long talk about all that’s happening for Jose`, and how difficult the record industry has become. Anyway We all hope for the best for the forthcoming projects.

All the best to You and the family
Bjarne Jensen, Denmark”

(*I can’t help but only comment here that on at least one night, José told me that his show was TWO HOURS LONG!!! – maybe time flies??!!??)

Another note from someone who wrote to us:

“Had the pleasure of listening to you perform last Wednesday at the Jazz Cafe. Have loved your voice and awesome guitar playing since the late 60s.

Niqui”

And another…

“What a night at the Jazz Cafe last night. You never dissappoint us fans and that was no exception. How we laughed at the Phantom Jose!
And to hear Golden Lady again was just ace. Also Billy Jean was something else, we loved it.
Have a great time in Ireland and a safe trip home to your dear family.
Love and thanks for the music
Jane”

Now it’s on to the Emerald Isle! Erin Go Braugh, Jose, you’re on the home stretch…

• Posted by josenews at 09:15:55 in Archives