10 to 23 / Fireworks

10 TO 23 / FIREWORKS is a single disc double album set that takes José Feliciano's music to an even greater level from FELICIANO!, encompassing everything from classical to blues, jazz and rock. 10 TO 23 was released in 1969 on the heels of FELICIANO!, a landmark album for the artist planting himself squarely in the music mainstream. FIREWORKS followed in 1970.If there was one artist in the late 60's/early 70's who could bridge the "gap" between our parents and ourselves, in our god-awful rock and roll music, it was José Feliciano. José was cross cultural, cross genre, and definitely cross generational. I had a latino mother who tolerated my Santana music easily enough and a father who took delight in swing, jazz, folk, calypso, and blues. That broke the barriers enough for toleration of some of my music, but you couldn't sneak Beatles, Stones, Jefferson Airplane, even The Mamas & The Papas past them for a second. However, when José was featured on a television variety show, performing The Doors classic "Light My Fire", now that swung right by them and when I brought home FELICIANO! I was amazed how easily they ate up Mamas & Papas ("California Dreamin'"), and The Beatles, as well as The Doors, all wrapped up pretty in a latin-folk-jazz bow!José is probably one of the world's greatest guitarists and without hesitation I will go so far as to compare him directly to Segovia. On "Fireworks" he tears through a classical guitar composition like a maestro (the title track is from Handel's Fireworks Suite). His technical prowess on acoustic guitar without a hint of slide-squeak on the neck strings, with finger-picking at lightning flamenco speed is nothing short of amazing. He can run up and down strings and chords like a programmed machine and never show an ounce of fatigue and if he makes technical errors I challenge anyone to find so much as one!10 TO 23 kicks off with an actual recording of José when he was ten years old and even though the quality is terrible it is a quite fascinating display. Never mind that José is singing like a ten year old boy (and not too badly I might add), the guitar playing at his young and tender age is remarkable! 10 TO 23 captures even more of the feeling José commanded in FELICIANO! it is just more better! The album begins with soft and beautiful ballads wrapped up in orchestral arrangements which are lightly caressing and not invasive. The Bee Gee's "First Of May" and one of the best ever renditions of "Windmills Of Your Mind", right into a soft latin jazz instrumental cover of Glen Campbell's hit "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and by this point you are hypnotized by those incredible fingers. Centerpieces for the album are José's brilliant blues covers of Willie Dixon's Little Red Rooster (stealing the title of "best interpretation" away from The Rolling Stones) and The Beatles "She's A Woman". José knows how to sing the blues with every ounce of his being and his latin scat coda's are ever impressive. His own penned song "Rain" is one of his best compositions ever, a beautiful song that will haunt you and have you replaying it over and over, or ripping it to your mp3 player and making sure it comes up often in your sets. Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets", more Beatles and another Bee Gee's tune set out to prove that José deserved a spot on the podium of folk, rock, and jazz greats and that he was one of the best Soul and R&B vocalists of the era.FIREWORKS kicks it again up another notch. After opening up with a fantastic classical guitar and orchestral fireworks display and a beautiful self-penned ballad ("Destiny"), José again takes us on another even better voyage of re-interpretations of rock standards: The Stones' "Satisfaction" and again a salvo of Beatles (José is one of the most definitive interpreters of Beatles music ever, and between him and George Benson, it is hard to find better covers), and a sexy twist on "Suzie Q". By a mile, the most outstanding song on the set is his instrumental latin jazz take on "Norwegian Wood" an incredible arrangement of jazz guitar picking and keyboards and Latin percussion with light orchestral fills. Mr. Feliciano stands head and shoulders with Wes Montgomery, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny, and with classical guitarist Sir Julian Bream. Seasoning this set of covers are two Feliciano penned songs (Pegao and Once There Was A Love written with his producer Rick Jarrad). Pegao is a classical flamenco structured piece that goes from 0 to 60 in no time flat, another brilliant display of talent. José closes FIREWORKS with a lush instrumental of "Yesterday" and a heartfelt cover of "Let It Be" again demonstrating outstanding soul vocals.Being able to purchase 10 TO 23 and FIREWORKS in a combined package is as good as it gets. If you don't know José, you owe yourself a favor. Either pick this CD or the unparalleled FELICIANO! (see link below) or both. The three albums are must-have desert island perfect 10 works of art that should be included in any collection of rock, folk, blues, or jazz. José drips talent from every pore and to listen to these works is to swim in the ocean of musical ambrosia. To those who owned this original masterpiece on vinyl: the remastered sound is gorgeous! Same applies to the other CD referenced below.For more amazing guitar work and soulful blues vocals please don't miss !], the album that virtually introduced José to all of us and garnered José two Grammy Awards, and made two generations sit up and take notice together.

This brings back memories of my youth

This import cd combines two of Feliciano’s best early albums. Many Beatles covers and some startling guitar riffs. His version of Windmills of Your Mind was performed at the Oscar ceremony (the song won the Oscar).

I have been a fan of Jose for many years. It all started with, "Light my Fire". Now I love his music for his voice and guitar. No one even comes close to his unique sound and style. He has many CD's available, but if is your first "Feliciano", this is the ONE to buy. Turn off the lights, lean back and enjoy.

Love this album

The music on this CD which was only available on a very rare record is absolutely some of Jose Felciano's best. It is a very good recording and the songs really show off his true talent when he was young. I recommend this album to anyone who loves good music. Most of the songs are ones that were by other artists but with a style only Feliciano can do. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Gary

Bought for "10 to 23", which is excellent; 5 stars. Fireworks is okay, but a little overproduced for me - kind of covers up his guitar; 3 stars. I'm glad I bought it.

I was looking for this album for quite a while. Jose Feliciano is a giant talent and his early albums are wonderful.

The songs on this are Jose Feliciano's interpretation of many famous tunes from the Beatles/Rolling Stones and Bee Gees to Cole Porter and Handel, including his own songs. He is a great guitarist and has his own unique way of singing/performing which is very individual and makes each album very special.

I’ve been looking for a copy of this for ages....remember as a child playing my dads vinyl of this collection and being in ore of the guitar playing and songs....

Reading previous purchaser's comments on this procuct prompted me to purchase this CD. A a Jose Feliciano fan I was not disappointed. It is a good varied collection of songs and instrumentals which are interpreted in his own unique way by Jose. Recommended.

Have this album on vinyl wanted to listen in the car. Great album can be used for when friends are round for dinner just playing in the background.

Have the original on vinal, it was called 10 to 23 then. Pleased the tracks are the same on this re-release.

Just love Jose's music buy it you'll never regret it.

excellent

JUST LOVE JOSE FELICIANO

Bought as gift for my husband. He loved it.

Loving this Album.This version of Blackbird is the best.It has traversed the decades and still holds its own.

Nostálgico.

I bought this product for myself as I love Jose so I was very keen to get a bargain. This was the best buy first rate service best price I would recommend the company to everyone

this is a terrific cd for fans of Jose Feliciano. I bought this after reading the positive reviews from other Amazon buyers and I am really pleased. This is Jose at his very best and the sound quality is superb!

10 to 23 est excellent avec des reprises surprenantes et très originales. Fireworks: Certains morceaux sont écoutables. Lea autres ne sont là que pour remplir un CD!