Jose Feliciano
" The Paris Concert "
inakustic gmbh

Blueswax 8
Rating 8

Decisively Roots Oriented, Jose Wails!, (08/19/09)

This Paris concert is a video recording by the six-time Grammy Award-winning guitar player and singer Jose Feliciano backed by a five-piece band. Feliciano masterfully blends bossa nova, pop, psychedelic rock, jazz, and a tasteful touch of Blues into his varied and sumptuous set. Bottom line, this is a luscious recording as Jose is a master guitarist and performer. His backing band also readily amps it up as needed.

Highlights include: his classic cover of the Doors' "Light My Fire" and a thumping and funky take of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" which has an extended instrumental intro. He also does Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman," Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground," Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea," George Benson's "Affirmation," the Beatles "Money," Santana's "Oye Como Va," Hendrix's "Purple Haze," (performed instrumentally,) and Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love." So there is certainly a lot of roots music offered here that Feliciano and company expertly deliver to the mostly French club audience. They are ecstatic with this highly entertaining performance, where the star's guitar playing is often amazing!

Over the course of several decades I've seen Feliciano perform in concert several times, but not recently. After reviewing this fine DVD, I have to add Jose back to my wish list of musicians I must see the next time he passes through the New York City area, he's that powerful! Plus, if I had my druthers, I would like to catch Jose in a similar small club and intimate atmosphere such as is this gorgeous Parisian Room which calls itself the New Morning. My only quibble is that he used to cover B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone," and, man, did he ever nail the King of the Blues' classic track, so especially for Blues fans, having "The Thrill Is Gone" on this otherwise superb video would have been a pleasant addition.

If you are already a Jose Feliciano fan, you'll definitely want this disc. If you have an open mind and dig high musicianship, this recording will also work extremely well for you, too. In the final synopsis, Feliciano is one special performer who continues to elevate his craft and surrounds himself with very competent sidemen. Check it out!

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com