Over the last several months, Legacy Recordings has been quietly releasing gems from the vault and reissuing overlooked titles from the Columbia, RCA Victor, Arista, Bang, Monument, Ode, and Epic vaults as part of a digital music series. While our primary focus at The Second Disc remains with physical media, periodically we will shed some light on the best of these digital compilations and reissues, such as this previously unreleased live recording from one of the best guitarists and interpreters of song, José Feliciano.
Last Friday, Legacy Recordings quietly dropped a veritable lost treasure onto digital and streaming platforms with the release of an unheard José Feliciano live album entitled Live 1967.
The Puerto Rican guitarist hit No. 3 on the Billboard chart in 1968 with his impassioned reinterpretation of The Doors' "Light My Fire." That same year, he performed a rendering of the National Anthem at the World Series that sparked controversy nationwide, while placing his name firmly into public consciousness. But a year before, Feliciano was making waves as a performer, deftly infusing rock and pop classics like "Johnny B. Goode," "What'd I Say," and "Satisfaction" with his Latin-tinged musical roots while stunning audiences with his flawless-yet-effortless guitar work. Live 1967 was a document of one such performance that was originally slated for release prior to the release of the breakthrough Feliciano! It's now been liberated from the vault as part of Legacy's ongoing digital rollout.
The set presents the guitar maestro running through eleven tracks for an attentive and enthusiastic audience. Aside from the rock and pop hits of the day, he also plays jazz standards like "Miss Otis Regrets," as well as the Mexican huapango-style folk song "El Pastor," Roger Miller's "I've Been a Long Time Leaving," the blues standard "Got My Mojo Working," and more. Altogether, the set presents Feliciano at the height of his talents - solo acoustic, and right at the cusp of stardom - performing standards old and new as only he can.
Live 1967 is currently available on digital and streaming platforms. You can give it a listen with the Spotify player below, or download it in standard-resolution on Amazon, in high-resolution 24bit/192kHz FLAC at Acoustic Sounds, and it's also available on other digital/streaming platforms. You can find links to the standard-definition and high-resolution downloads and a full track listing below!
José Feliciano, Live 1967 (RCA Victor/Legacy, 2019 - recorded live in 1967)
Standard-Resolution Download: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K / Amazon Canada Links TBD
High-Resolution Download: Acoustic Sounds
- Got My Mojo Working
- Miss Otis Regrets
- Theme from "Zorba The Great"
- Earl's Breakdown [Earl Scruggs Breakdown]
- Moonglow
- I Can't Get No Satisfaction
- Johnny B. Goode
- El Pastor
- I've Been A Long Time Leaving (But I'll Be A Long Time Gone)
- La Trada Bilbao
- What'd I Say
Kerry says
"Over the last several months, Legacy Recordings has been quietly releasing gems from the vault and reissuing overlooked titles from the Columbia, RCA Victor, Arista, Bang, Monument, Ode, and Epic vaults as part of a digital music series"
Any idea where I can find a list of these releases? I don't think Legacy even bothers to list them on their site, by what I have seen.
Joe Marchese says
Hi Kerry,
We've covered a few of these releases, including titles from Michael Nesmith and Daryl Hall & John Oates. If you go to Amazon and then to Digital Music and search for "Legacy Recordings," click on the left side to bring up entries from the past 90 days. You'll then find dozens of these digital releases listed. We'll try to continue covering as many as possible, too.
scott charbonneau says
Only other one that I am aware, and I came across it quite accidentally, is The King Bees, who had three 45s on RCA Victor circa '65-'66 and featured a young Danny Kortchmar.
Stefano says
Sam & Joe, thanks for also bringing up these digital releases. Very helpful.
Dec Hickey says
Is there anywhere that confirms it is RCA Victor/Legacy that has uploaded this Feliciano recording to the digital platforms? Apart from anything else, someone has managed to get the year wrong. The recording is actually from a Uni of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) gig on May 3, 1966.
Joe Marchese says
Yes, "Live 1967" is available on all digital platforms including Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K.
Dec Hickey says
No Joe, I know it's available on those and other digital platforms. My question is, where does it confirm that it's actually RCA Victor/Legacy that has uploaded the recording (the way a CD/cassette/LP etc has the record company information all over the product. I'm ASSUMING it has been an official upload but when they can't even get the correct date on the tape/reel/whatever it does make you wonder. Also, I went 'to Amazon and then to Digital Music and search(ed) for “Legacy Recordings,” ' and got nothing on Jose relating to this gig.
Joe Marchese says
We are in receipt of the press release where Legacy announced this title; it is categorically NOT a bootleg or unauthorized release. FYI, Amazon does list "RCA/Legacy" under "Label" in the Product Details section. As for why the date may be incorrect, I'll see if we can find any additional information.
Declan Hickey says
Ah, a press release would do it, and I've just clocked the label ref on the 'Live 1967' Amazon page, double thanks. It's handy to be targeting frustration in the right direction. 🙂