#petpeeves #women #top5 wordbyfernie: Don’t look like a clown: My top 5 fashion blunders...: By Fernie Ruano Jr. Have you ever been teased after lunch on the sidewalk of a major avenue in Coral Gables by a sassy- former school...
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
wordbyfernie: Revisited: The evolution of Alejandro Fernandez
Posted on 11:02 by RAJA BABU
#alejandrofernandez #evolution #confidenciasreales #fernieruanojr #ranchera #popstar wordbyfernie: Revisited: The evolution of Alejandro Fernandez: By Fernie Ruano Jr. I’ve had the privilege of profiling Mexican pop/ranchera star Alejandro Fernandez three times during his 22-year ...
Revisited: The evolution of Alejandro Fernandez
Posted on 11:00 by RAJA BABU
By Fernie Ruano Jr.
I’ve had the privilege of profiling Mexican ranchera/pop star Alejandro Fernandez three times during his 22-year transformation from hard-edged country boy illuminated by his native country’s identity and the shadows of his legendary father, Vicente Fernandez, to well-chronicled international sex symbol.
In his new album (released earlier this week), “Confidencias Reales” a live recording last summer at Spain’s Teatro Real, Fernandez pays tribute to Mexico and exhibits a collection of his greatest hits, including material off “Confidencias”, his 2013- studio album. “Reales” also features emotive and gripping interpretations of “No me digas que te vas” and “Aunque no estes conmigo”, an edgy ballad fused with mariachi and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Live recordings don’t rattle the overhead as much as studio albums do and that’s why they’re routinely viewed as an artist taking the short route by those in and around the music industry. But Fernandez’s unearthly tenor make “Confidencias Reales” a pleasant, if not unforgettable, listen. So why not revisit – through my eyes- how “El Potrillo” evolved on his way to becoming one of Latin America’s most prominent artists?
1993-1998
Timid. Quiet. Apologetic. Fernandez sounds scared, as if he’s dialed the phone number. He talks about wanting to continue his architecture studies, while the eyes of Guadalajara see him as the next ranchera star. He could do without the road, where his famous father has spent most of his life. He wants to be home for his family; this at the height of his first album, “Alejandro Fernandez”, and accompanying tours in Mexico and the U.S. “I don’t know if I will be doing this 25 years from now, it’s a lot of work and sacrifice,” said Fernandez. “It’s a long road.” Later in 1993, Fernandez released “Piel De Nina”, which included hits “A la vera del camino” and “Cascos ligeros”.
1999-2004
He is a star; everywhere. He is internationally revered, especially by women of all shapes and sizes. The women launch flowers at him on stage; panties, too. His records, most notably 1997’s “Me Estoy Enamorando”, are selling in the millions in the U.S. and Mexico. He can’t go anywhere without being recognized, even during a short stay in a ritzy hotel in South Beach, where his image outweighs his music; for now. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, because he was raised in the most traditional of forms; by a father who is arguably Mexico’s most famous icon, not just singer, actor and ambassador. He is shy, barely audible. He rarely meets your eyes when explaining why he didn’t want to be a singer. He talks about missing his children before changing course and asking the interviewer what he likes so much about Miami? “There are so many people here and it’s the middle of the day in a hotel,” said Fernandez. “Sometimes it’s difficult to comprehend everything that is happening to me.”
2005-present
He’s on the phone, thousands of miles away. But there are no hints of the short-tempered, egotistical star who parties into the wee hours with anybody in the mood for a tequila shot or two or three. He is patient and cordial, telling me to take my time and not rush through the interview. “I can’t do anything about what’s in the past, but I realize maybe I could have done some things differently,” said Fernandez. “I can honestly say I’ve not only matured as a singer, but as a person as well.” He is open about having an advantage because he’s Vicente’s son, but also feeling a lot of pressure because he’s Vicente’s son. He talks openly about his career mishaps and his desire to be a better son, better father. “I think just being able to see my kids grow up and having a family has really helped me at this point in my career.” He sounds at peace, no longer consumed with the strain between father and son after Alejandro decided to record a pop album; the same album that made him an international star; no longer consumed with all the noise that surrounds him.
Related links: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2005-09-15/music/walk-the-line/
Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
wordbyfernie: Getting to know her: My favorite spots for a casua...
Posted on 15:09 by RAJA BABU
wordbyfernie: Getting to know her: My favorite spots for a casua...: By Fernie Ruano Jr. Admit it; you’ve done your homework. You know she pulls into the Starbucks on Miracle Mile at 7:30 a.m. every da...
wordbyfernie: Feliz Navidad: Jose Feliciano is coming to Miami
Posted on 11:14 by RAJA BABU
#feliznavidad #josefeliciano #hialeahpark #Miami #fernie wordbyfernie: Feliz Navidad: Jose Feliciano is coming to Miami: By Fernie Ruano Jr. It’s officially the holiday season and that means no matter where you go there’s a chance you’re going to hear t...
Feliz Navidad: Jose Feliciano is coming to Miami
Posted on 11:12 by RAJA BABU
By Fernie Ruano Jr.
It’s officially the holiday season and that means no matter where you go there’s a chance you’re going to hear the blistering guitar riffs and soulful voice of Jose Feliciano wishing you “Feliz Navidad”.
Your 6-year-old daughter, and in-the-the sprit husband, too, probably start singing the infectious, cheerful lyrics of “I want to wish you a Merry Christmas/I want to wish you a Merry Christmas/From the bottom of my heart” every time the family has visited your favorite mall in recently , even if both of them in all likelihood don’t know anything about the Puerto Rican-born Feliciano, 69, beyond associating him with “Feliz Navidad”, a title track originally recorded by Feliciano in 1970.
A staple in most households on Christmas Eve, especially those with lechon, arroz blanco y frijoles negros spread out on the dinner table, “Feliz Navidad” will forever serve as your generation’s holiday anthem; Your sister’s and your nephew’s too. If it’s Christmas and you’re celebrating it, Feliciano’s pain-inflicted voice and assault on the nylon strings are guaranteed to be fill the air of your festive atmosphere.
For many of us, whether you’re born to Cuban or Puerto Rican parents, or both, the timeless classic, one which will be played relentlessly at Christmas time for generations to come, signifies closure of another year gone by, while amplifying the significance of cherishing time with loved ones. It’s also cast an unjust, though understandable; tag on Feliciano, an international star that has influenced popular music for two generations and in two languages, no less.
Put aside being the first Latin to score a crossover into the mainstream market; Feliciano long ago introduced the world to a rambunctious way, yet technically sound, of handling an acoustic guitar, thanks to the speed of his right hand, creative improvisations and extended riffs; he picks and pulls at the nylon strings in a way he would make you fall in love, if you haven’t already done so to his music.
Feliciano’s emotion and tenderness in song is unique, if not unequaled, namely in classic Spanish ballads like “Cuando Pienso En Ti”, “La Copa Rota” and “Que Sera”. Frankly, the list of classics is way too long. “The kid from Lares” was born blind to humble beginnings, but that didn’t start him from taking his guitar at 17 and making the rounds at coffee shops all over Greenwich Village, Connecticut in hopes of helping his family. He played in bars and clubs, too, before branching out.
That’s why Jose Feliciano is a treasured talent and music icon that will forever have a secure place in popular music history, no matter how many times you hear “Feliz Navidad”.
Jose Feliciano performs Saturday, December 13 at 8 p.m. at Hialeah Park (www.hialeahparkcasino.com)
Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.
Monday, 8 December 2014
wordbyfernie: C’mon cutie, your life isn’t so bad….
Posted on 12:16 by RAJA BABU
#Miami #cutie #husband #jimharbaugh #49ers #wife #raiders wordbyfernie: C’mon cutie, your life isn’t so bad….: By Fernie Ruano Jr. It’s been almost two weeks since you sat next to your loud Cuban uncle and momentarily paused to give thanks...
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