A Bag Full of Soul: Folk, Rock and Blues

Released in 1966 on RCA Victor, A Bag Full of Soul: Folk, Rock and Blues serves as a definitive bridge between José Feliciano's early folk-leaning work and the global superstardom that followed his 1968 reimagining of Light My Fire. This album is notably more aggressive and blues-oriented than his later, smoother Latin-pop output. Recorded with a small ensemble, the production emphasizes the physical relationship between Feliciano and his guitar, capturing the percussive 'thwack' of his strings and his unique, syncopated strumming style. The tracklist is a curated journey through the American songbook of the time, featuring a searing, nearly five-minute rendition of Bob Dylan's 'Masters of War' and a soulful take on Nat Adderley's 'Work Song.' Critically, the album is praised for its vocal grit and instrumental virtuosity, marking Feliciano as one of the few artists of the era capable of authentically navigating the intersection of the folk revival and the soul explosion.