The Legendary Artist Brings Music, Humor and Love

Phrases & Images by JACKI SACKHEIM

“There’s a typical thread that runs by means of music,” stated José Feliciano. “Music has at all times opened  my eyes. I feel that’s how I grew to become sighted. I noticed what different folks noticed by means of their music.”

The legendary musician got here to the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. on February 11, 2020, the place he answered questions, performed music, and made numerous jokes.

Moderated by the museum’s Govt Director, Scott Goldman, it was an evening to herald the artist’s first new album in a few years, Behind This Guitar, on Anthem Information. The album reunites him with very long time producer, Rick Jararrd, and is available in the wake of the 50th anniversary of his first Grammy Award.

“There wouldn’t be a profession for me with out Rick Jarrard,” he stated. “He insisted on being my producer. Fortunate for me.”  

Then, after enjoying a soulful model of the basic “California Dreamin’,” written by John Phillips & Michelle Phillips for his or her group The Mamas and The Papas, he stated he was stunned to listen to it in As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood, the 2019 movie by Quentin Tarantino. He’d met Tarantino a couple of years earlier than at a restaurant in Little Italy, he stated, and referred to as him a “very gifted man.”

However he had no concept that his music was included in the movie’s soundtrack, and nearly missed listening to his music as a result of he was in the lavatory.  “I obtained again simply in time,” he stated.  

He additionally talked about one other member of The Mamas and the Papas, Cass Elliot. “I developed an actual crush on Mama Cass,” he stated. “Too unhealthy she didn’t develop a crush on me.”

He delighted in telling corny, considerably off-color jokes like this one: “Are you aware the distinction between a snowman and a snow girl is? Snowballs!”

He even joked a few chilly he had that night. “I’ll by no means take Mucinex once more,” he stated. “I used to be writing a music referred to as the ‘Sound of Mucus’. I wished to see what sort of a run I’d have.”

Earlier than enjoying the title music of his new album, “Behind This Guitar,” he stated, “I’m gonna play behind this guitar. I want I might play in entrance of it however I’m gonna play behind it this time.”

José expressed his gratitude to the viewers many instances all through the night time.

“I’m very glad,” he stated. “Thanks America for giving me the alternative to be any person, any person I need to be.”

Then after honoring his personal father, and thanking his report firm, managers and household, he left us with this:

“Simply keep in mind that I really like you and that somebody cares for you.”

Photographer-writer Jacki Sackheim was born on the southside of Chicago, listening to the music of the streets, listening to the railroad automobiles roll and collide above the 95th Road viaducts. Later, she listened to the Blues and R&B music popping out of the radio, and began frequenting Blues golf equipment each to listen to the music and to seize the magic of the musicians onstage in images.

“It was my technique to present respect,” she stated. “And, it was a technique to protect the sights of the Blues golf equipment. I’ve come to know many of those nice performers. They usually have come to simply accept me, a non-musician, into their world. I owe them a lot.”

“I can’t sing,” she stated. “I can’t dance. I don’t play a musical instrument. However I can play this right here digital camera.”