OK - So Where Is the 'L' In the "Navidad" Song?

It's that time of year again to break out the Holiday songs, including that confusing Jose Feliciano ckassic "Feliz Navidad".

Why is it confusing? Well I know it's not my ears, and every time I hear it I clearly hear him say fa-Leeze na-vi-LAAD. A few times he says "DAAD", but the majority of times it's "LAAD". And sometimes it's just "LAA".

OK, so I don't know Spanish. But still, if the 'D' at the end of the syllable sounds like a 'D', shouldn't the 'D' at the start of the syllable sound like a 'D' as well?

Don't believe me? Then listen for yourselves: