If you enjoy this site The Fantastic Feliciano Site is another great place to visit. We now share the noticeboard which can be accessed via the link below; please use it!
Click here to read the news stories we found in 2002 2003 2004 (first half) 2004 (second half)
If you play guitar there are a large number of tabs to be found here
2nd January 2005: Last year I began the new news page with lots of positive stories reflecting on José's work; this year World events make that feel inappropriate. Many millions of people will be touched by the disaster in South East Asia in some way. During the four years I have been web master of this site there have been several acts of terrorist violence which have rocked the World. If only this could be a turning point which saw an end to such events and the beginning of the World José talked of in his last Austrian concert before he played "Imagine".
9th January 2005: Happy New Year! Remember the Austrian poll to find the personality of 2004? Voting is still open and José is lying equal third; vote now if you haven't already done so.
Fans of "Chico and the Man" will be delighted with this news of plans to release some episodes on DVD.
Alan found this review of one of the Jazz Cafe concerts.
Lastly, you may have noticed that I have removed the diary page. I did this because I realised that the new "official site" listed all the gigs I have and more (an excellent job is being done on that site and, like all fans I know I love it!).
11th January 2005: I do updates on week days only when I have something very special to say; this is the news everyone has waited for for SO long. Click here to order José's latest English language album. It is not a compilation and every song, but one, on it has never been recorded by José before. The exception is "My Foolish Heart" which he first recorded in the early 60s (I think he recorded it during his first visit to London but I'm not sure). This is the biggest news ever! Go buy it and then read my review on Sunday! Errrrrr the date is not 1st April honestly :)
16th January 2005:On reflection I am leaving a full review of the English CD to someone else as I know lots of people have bought it after my post on Tuesday. However, I will say, the CD contains eleven tracks: "My Foolish Heart", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "She Still Smiles", "Eleanor Rigby", "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "Fill up The Night", "She's Got That Thing", "Pledge/Anthem", Porto Dell Amor" and "Red Sky". As I said, this is not a compilation and almost all of the material has not been recorded by José before. It is stunning and any real fan will LOVE it! I finds it hard to choose personal favourites but listening to the two Beatle songs feels like you are hearing them for the first time. "The Seasons of Your Heart" is a complex piece in a style new to José and the final two tracks are sure to satisfy all of us who love José's instrumental work.
I owe Tina an apology, she sent me a review of the Austrian gigs which I lost :(. She has written it again and it appears here
31st January 2005: Last week I had no phone line and therfore no internet connection hence no update; this week I just have no news! Sorry can't make it up. The beginnings of years are often quieter.
6th February 2005: José has been in California where he and the band performed two outstanding concerts, I'm told José was wonderful and the band "cooked"!.
The new official site has more comments on these gigs and a brief comment on a Mexican tour for which José left California yesterday we are told.
José will perform in Mexico twice next week and again on 19th February.These concerts are not yet on his official tour guide. I decided therefore, to reinstate the diary and you can access it via the link above (like last year's news page) and read about the Mexican gigs there.
The Mexican gigs are promotional appearances in support of the continuing success of "A Mexico Con Amor". José will appear with a Mexican artist called Nicho Hinojosa click here to visit his web site. As José shares the stage with another artist who will help to give a Mexican feel to the music, José's band have not travelled with him.
I don't know if the three Mexican gigs I have are the complete tour or if there are more so if anyone finds anything share it!
13th February 2005: I have no more news on the Mexican tour, I am told that the days between the three concerts will be used to do TV work and interviews.......wish I knew more. José's most ardent fans are visitors to this site, if we don't know about things to publicise his work what hope for others?
Marie Rose has written a review of the "Genius CD" go to the Seen and Heard page to read it.
20th February 2005: I found this interview which José gave during his recent visit to Mexico. I also found these pictures which seem to show José during a performance with a mariarchi band. I don't know if they are from the Mexican trip or not.
I know many people are now enjoying the "Genius" CD and I wrote to Bob Conti for more information about the project; this was his response. "I can give you the info on "The Genius of" The arranger for most of the songs is Wayne Boyer, Jose arranged the chords and rhythm section feel on "I Want To Hold Your Hand" Wayne arranged the horns and strings, I played percussion on everything & sang background with Wayne..Jose puts his magic on everything he does. I produced the album, chose the songs, recorded them (with Wayne Boyer) and wrote a few of the songs."
6th March 2005: Last week I had almost too many links to post, this week there is nothing, that's life!
13th March 2005: I'v found another two reviews of the gigs José did in Mexico click here and here to read them.
Click here to read Fil's comments on "The Genius of José Feliciano" CD.
27th March 2005: HAPPY EASTER! I had no news last week and nothing has changed so in the absence of anything to say and as a bit of Easter fun look at the "thread" I have started on the notice board!
3rd April 2005: José has performanced at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut over this week end. There is another chance to see José in his home state tonight click here to read about it. Next week end José and the band will be in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
10th April 2005: The only news I have this week has come from José's official site so go there to read it! :)
24th April 2005: Soooooooo after weeks with little news we have something special for European fans with a "Summer European Tour" listed on the Tour Guide on the Official Web Site; it seems that José will be in Europe for the first ten days of July. The only date confirmed by his web site at this point is in Montreux. I can find nothing on Google at this time but rest assured I will post any news I find when I find it!!!!!
Also listed in the Tour Guide are several new gigs for the US; go there to read them as I have decided to update the diary only with things I haven't seen anywhere else.
There is a gig in Little Rock and I have received a Google "news alert" on a story in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette suggesting José is doing a "private" concert in Little Rock with tickets $250. I assume it is a charity appearance but could not access the site to confirm details.
30th April 2005: I JUST FOUND THE FIRST EUROPEAN GIG! :) On 9th July José will be at "The Forum" in London, a venue I know absolutely nothing about except I found it by checking the Jazz Cafe web site "on the off chance" so they must be under the same management go here for details and to buy tickets. More on other dates when I find them!
8th May 2005: The official web site now lists another European gig, in Gateshead in the North East of England, The Sage Arts Centre has not yet listed José's appearance. Anyone wishing to travel from London to Gateshead might want to look at train times on the Virgin Trains website.
Apparantly the Arkansas Democratic Gazette reviewed José's appearance in Little Rock on Friday but it is a pay to access site so I don't know what they said!
15th May 2005: With only eight weeks to go the lack of news about the European tour is getting frustrating, however, I am told (by the official web site) that there should be news "soon". In the meantime thanks to Fil for posting this link to a video clip of
Cien Anos on the notice board. Hope we have more news next week.
21st May 2005: I am doing an update early to enable anyone, living in Connecticut, who visits this page to attend a concert tomorrow. Please remember however,that it is not a regular Feliciano gig, and that the Spirit Joy Children's Choir are the stars of the show but it is in a worthy cause and should be a greatly inspirational night.
29th May 2005: Two news items for European fans this week! Firstly Alan found this site which both announces the European release of "A Mexico Con Amor" and gives the dates of the European gigs.
Secondly I asked Bob Conti if "tHE genius of José Feliciano" CD will be availble at the European gigs and this is his response
"I will bring some with me. I don't mind sending them from home to the people that would like them. You can put my home address on your site and I would be happy to receive any orders and send copies to any interested fans. All they would have to do is send a check or money order for $23. US (which would include shipping and handling) to me at my home address - Bob Conti, 2647 Calle Olivo, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA. Or, I will bring some cd's to the gig and they can meet me there. I don't always know how much time we will have before or after the show, but I can try. If those interested contact me by mail, I can make sure their order is sent well in advance".
I would suggest that, if you want this CD (which is brilliant, great, superb wonderful etc etc........WELL I love it :) ).......e mail Bob via his web site
31st May 2005: José appeared in Las Vegas this weekend. I have received the following comment from someone who was there "Jose was at his best, covering every base, every style, every emotion. He made the audience laugh, weep, and jump to their Feet". Just makes me count the days until July 9th even harder :)
14th June 2005: After a week without internet access at home I am back! It seems there are two additional UK gigs, Cambride, at the Corn Exchange (tel 01223 357851 in UK) on Thursday 7th July and Oxford, New Theatre (tel 0870 606 3500 from UK). There is also a gig in Spain at the bull ring in Atalfe in Granada province on 14th July; click here for information. I find it sad that information about such an extensive tour has been given in such a piece meal way - am I the only one who would have liked full information in the beginning so I could make plans which enabled me to get the most out of so many dates? As it is I will go only to the London gig.
19th June 2005: Hi, with less then three weeks to go to the four British gigs it seems strange that only two are listed on the official web site (and sad as that is the first contact point for many people. Alan added a note of caution about Gateshead when he posted on the notice board. We have no comfirmation of this gig and if any one has tickests or knows anything please let us know! the more we know the better informed others can be! It might be worth telephoning the Sage Centre for more information if you want to go (the number is on their site and there is a link further up this page). Tickets for the Cambridge and London gigs are available through Meanfiddler for which I have given many links over the years and for Oxford go to Ticket Master UK . I am on holiday from 24th June until 2nd July so will do few updates before LONDON - CYA THERE!
3rd July 2005: SO! He is in Europe!! I assume travelling between Montreaux and Paris today; no news of the first gig yet. In the mean time we hear that José and the band are coming back to Europe in October with two gigs in Germany (Breman and Berlin) already advertised - thanks to Marie Rose and Tina for finding that news for us as it gives people plenty of time to organise travel arrangements. tickets are available here.
Meanwhile this is a good report on the Les Paul tribute concert at Carnegie Hall; nice to hear how José stood out amongst all the guitar greats present that night.
Also Tina found this article about José's recent appearance in Arkansas
No update next Sunday as I will be in London :) So I will post what I have as I have it over the next few days; if you go to one of the European gigs PLEASE e mail me so I can post something about it!
4th July 2005: Happy Independence Day to any American visitors! I DID say I would do updates this week as I got things, Alan sent me this link to the English interview described on the official web site a few days ago. More as we get it!
5th July 2005: CLICK HERE for photos of the Montreaux gig.
17th July 2005: Ten days ago I was late for work because I was searching for an audio cassette so my mother could tape José on the radio that afternoon. By the time I arrived at work the first bombs had exploded in London changing our world for ever. I did not go to the London concert and will not attempt to pull together the information I have about the European tour......"there's too much pain and too much sorrow" to carry on as normal at this point. José is in California next week end; I hope to have news of those concerts and pray that we can return to some kind of normality. Susan Feliciano's piece on the official web site included the following from Luke 19:42 "If you had only recognised on this day the things that make for peace". I hope we can all begin to recognise and work towards such "things".
24th July 2005: No news of the California gigs so my only news is to suggest anyone who may be in Europe in the Autumn goes to a site Fil found which brings together all we know of the next European tour.
31st July 2005; As time passes after the events of July 7th I am aware that those events affected this site's coverage of one of José's most successful tours ever - sold out shows, standing ovations even fireworks somewhere I hear! I hope he is now enjoying a well earned rest before more gigs in California in September click here and here to read about them.More news on this and the next European tour as I get it!
I am aware that the Official Web Site has listed European gigs which I have ommited; at present I can find no reference to José appearing in Portugal and Holland, I will, of course, post anything I do find!
27th August 2005: click here to read about the first 2006 gig I have found! There is still no news to confirm the possibility of gigs in Portugal and Holland which is annoying as time passes.
8th September 2005: I could say a great deal in praise of José on this, his 60th birthday, but I've probably said most of it before - since I was thirteen he has been my role model and I owe him a great deal.
Today we should thank him for the gift of his music and in particular the free down load of "Killing's not the Answer" which appears on his personal website today.
This has been a year in which we have seen horrible events leading to numerous deaths, the tsunami, the London bombings, and now the still unfolding tragedy in New Orleans (a city forever associated with José because of the "Cover Story" programme).
listen to the words of "Killing's not the Answer" and, if you have enjoyed José's music and this web site, give thought to how we can bring peace a little closer.
You may have noticed that this web
site has been updated less often in recent weeks; I have been battling a serious infection which sometimes left me too tired to do much, I am on the mend and back at work, I am going on holiday on Saturday and, from October, will try to get the web site back to normal including work on the diary page before the end of the year.
2nd October 2005: I'm back but don't have much news! The event listed as a "private event" on José's personal website is actually this charity event and tickets are available for $300 each! :)
Nice to see some information about the Dutch concert but still nothing on Portugal. I noticed that the list I have for the German concerts is different from that listed on the personal website so, as always, check with the venues for updated information
9th October 2005; I came back from holiday determined to work harder on this site! However, I can post only what news there is in the public domain so all I have this week is this on a charity gig José did last Thursday, also bad news from Marie Rose, apparantly the Dutch gig we have been trying to find out about is a private function and if you click on it on the entry on the personal web site's tour guide it says fans cannot buy tickets :(. If anyone finds any news please contact me.
16th October 2005: The big news this week has been posted on the personal web site in the past few hours! "Six String Lady" is to be released via that site as down loads; wonderful news after a long wait!
click here for news of José's concert in aid of the hurricane victims which took place on Friday and here for news of his appearance atthe Lehman centre in New York next April.
30th October 2005: José is in Europe! Tina sent me the following about the concert in Ludwigsburg: "Yesterday evening I was in José's Concert in Ludwigsburg. It was sold out, a great audience had a nice evenig with José and the band. The sound was great and the band in good form. Many Latinos who lives Germany and many people with a Spanish origin, many Germans around from the southwest of Germany were there. I had nice talks with a lot of them before the concert starts. I´ll be in Kaiserslautern and in Pratteln, Switzerland and will tell you about these concerts". More news from Tina as I get it.
6th November 2005: Tina has sent this report from the concert in Kaiserslautern "yesterday evening José and the Band gave another sucessful and sold out concert.
The KAMMGARN was sold out and filled with an audience of many people from the USA many Latinos and Germans. It was wonderful and I wished you could be here.
In Kaiserslautern are many GIs, because Ramstein Airbase is only 20 km and in Landstuhl is a military hospital only 30 km. The people in the palatinate are very gracefully what the USA did for our country. The audience was really very impressed with José´s perfect music. Many applause, standing ovations and many people were dancing to the superb music". I wish I had been there too!
This week I was incredibly fortunate to get a preview of "Six String Lady". José's new album will be available as down loads from his personal web site and I THINK the release date is Tueday 8th November. As we know, the album is the first totally instrumental work he has done and is a combination of classical guitar works and "cool jazz". It is truly phenomenal....just when we thought we knew what this guy was about he has surprised us with something entirely different! My favourite tracks are the three parts of "Segovia" which will transport you to the Alhambra in the Spanish city of Granada birth place of Segovia. Other tracks like "Romantic Interlude" are beautiful easy listening for relaxing or driving to......listen to them see where they take you :).
The wonderful thing is that because it is available exclusively on line this work can be shared by everyone from China to Chile, from Australia to Austria at the same time free from the constraints of record company release dates. Radio stations will receive hard copies (on cd) but there is no harm in e mailing them to ask for air play (and giving the web site address) use news groups and notice boards too to tell people how incredicble José's new album is. We could all play apart in making this the first on line album to become a huge world wide hit! :)
13th Novemebr 2005: So! "Six String Lady" is now on sale to down load! I have been waiting to read YOUR first comments and begin to find the silence odd. What about being the first to write a review? My own comments will appear on the Heard and Seen Page next week when I have digested it better........there IS a lot to digest!.
I also hear that a new version of "The Genious of José Feliciano" with additional tracks will be released in time for Christmas. More news on this as I have it.
In the meantime Marie Rose wrote this about the European tour:-
"Hi to all fans,
I was again the lucky one to see beautiful gigs by José.
One in Leverkusen, The Leverkusen forum was really packed and already before the show started people where shouting for José to come.
Once Jose started there was no holding back,especially some latin people who where standing next to me they where showing us how to dance and I was trying to hold on with them,not a easy job. Anyway Jose played a new song that I never heard before with a lot of salsa ritme and believe me he was kicking asses ,the song is called REGEA DONDO CALIENTE.
He also pleaded again for peace and told us his ideal world and dream of freedom,with the song KILLING IS NOT THE ANSWER, I can only agree with him.
About the gig in Luxembourg the beautiful Luxembourg theater was fully packed,I brought with me my boyfriend who became after a cople of songs a real fan of José. We heard again a new song that I´ve never heard before on one of the gigs a instrumental song called ANGELINO.
By the end of the show people where calling José back and back again they where clapping their hands for more than 3 minutes I think until José finally came back for another 2 song.
Afterwards I was the lucky one together with my boyfriend to see José and the band,just lovely.
I can only say,thanks to José and the band for so many times of enjoyable music ,who fills my heart with a lot of joy and happiness.
Hope to see José back somewhere next year. To bring the commentary on the European tour to a close Tina has written this:-
the concert in Pratteln was very good. José and the band started like in Ludwigsburg and Kaiserslautern with Ain't no sunshine, He also played Born to be wild, which I never heard before from him. The sound was great and the audience was impressed from José's incredible guitarplay. Also he gave a yodler, special art of singing in the alpes, the audience enjoyed it very much.
In Kaiserslautern the concert was sold out, there were a lot of americans, because Ramstein Airbase and the US Armyhospital in Landstuhl is very near to Kaiserslautern. In Kaiserslautern José played solo a classical guitar piece, that sounded great.
In every concert he played KILLING IS NOT THE ANSWER and gave his personal message of peace and nonviolance to the audience.
Many, many people like José have the dream of Peace like in the song IMAGINE and they agreed with José's opinions.
Incidentally, I have learned that there was a gig in Portuagal, in Oporto, and it was "great" I am told, if you were there tell us about it!
20th Novemebr 2005: I have just written my review of "Six String Lady" for the Seen and Heard page, I am shocked by the lack of response to this phenomenal work and wonder why everyone is SO silent! An album released only on the internet is still a rare occurance and José needs us to help publicise this groundbreaking project
27th November 2005: Each year the Puerto Rican bank, Banco Popular, releases a DVD/CD/video of Puerto Rican music, in 2000 we were delighted with the release of "Guitarra Mia" which was a tribute to José. This year's release can be seen here and includes an appearance by José.
4th December 2005: José has been busy publicising "Six String Lady". Click here, here, here, and here to read some of the interviews he has given, and thanks to Alan and Tina for supplying some of these links.
11th December 2005: Tina found this interview which José gave while in California recently.
Anyone who subscribes to the mailing list on the Personal Web Site will already know that "Feliz Navidad" is the second most popular seasonal down load on I Tunes...wonder if "Viva La Navidad" is availble as a down load? I like that song!
Bob Conti, José's percussionist, is responsible for bringing "The Genius of José Feliciano" to our ears so I am pleased to report that his new web site will be up and running in a few days with a range of his own music on sale and a new version of "Genius" which will include "Making Whoopee"; this song and "Anthem/Pledge of Allegiance" will be availble to down load so those of us who have earlier viersions of the CD won't be left out.
18th December: Phil Moretti sent me this comment on a gig last week end "I saw the concert last night at the OC Pavilion, and Jose was
in excellent shape. I've seen many of his shows over the years
and this was one of the best. He did a couple of Christmas songs
without the band, the Little Drummer Boy and The Cherry Tree
Carol, extraordinary.
A new song never heard before, a Reaggaton song, was also great.
Then there was all the classics. Jose and the band was in rare shape.
PM California". I am also told that "it was a beautiful performance (2nights) Jose is at the top of his form. He cares about the shows and he cares about his fans and it shows".
Another year comes so an end! Even I won't do an update next Sunday, so it only remains to mention and thank those people who remain friends and support this site!
Fil, (the only other person crazy enough to try to web master a Feliciano site and who has shared my frustration so often).
Alan who also gets to hear my frustration and who has always contibuted to the site regularly - also the first person who actually knew I was starting the thing in the first place!.
Bejarne who helped me over the pain of missing the London gig.
Tina for so many of the links which I have used this year.
Also thanks to Phil, Peter and Bob.
Errr and last but not least! José! whose music has been a background presence througout the year and for getting me through the horror that was my infection ridden summer, as through so many bad times. Hope to see you all next year, Feliz Navidad!
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