The Voice and Guitar of José Feliciano

The Voice and Guitar of José Feliciano serves as the definitive early statement of Feliciano's career, predating his massive commercial success with 'Felicidad' and 'Light My Fire.' Released on RCA Victor in 1965, the album is a showcase for his unique position as a blind, Puerto Rican musician navigating the American folk and pop landscape. The tracklist is remarkably eclectic, featuring everything from the classical pyrotechnics of 'Flight of the Bumble Bee' to the folk-rock of Bob Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright.' This record is significant for how it bridges the gap between the Latin American bolero tradition and the Greenwich Village folk scene. Unlike his later, more polished pop productions, this album emphasizes the 'Voice and Guitar' of its title, utilizing a minimalist recording approach that highlights his percussive guitar technique and raspy, soulful delivery. It remains a high-water mark for acoustic guitar performance in the 1960s.