Ottmar Liebert - Nouveau Flamenco

Ottmar Liebert's most famous, if not most accomplished, effort gave a new genre its title, the New Age market a new champion, and flamenco purists--like Paco de Lucia, who despite a thank-you on the album, has called Liebert's music "worthless"--a new punching bag. All of which is a little beside the point; Liebert's rhythms may not be complex compas, but he perfectly captures the laid-back, open-space feel of his adopted home of Santa Fe with simple two-chord progressions and piquant nylon-string guitar lines that remain memorable long after listening. The indelible "Heart Still Beating" and the elegaic "Moon over Trees" bear this out. Liebert would up his technical and compositional ante considerably on Sola Para Ti and Borrasca, but there's still something undeniably balmy about this low-key debut--replete with lush New Agey synthesizer washes--that begs one to light the scented votive candles and get cozy. --James Rotondi Amazon.com essential recording

Nouveau Flamenco

There are some brutal reviews here. If you enjoy easy listening, then Nouveau Flamenco will satisfy. But I have to thank the reviewers who pounded Ottmar mercilessly yet recommended Paco de Lucia and Gerardo Nunez. Both play with amazing ability and the traditional flamenco is far richer than nouveau. "Entre Dos Aguas" and "Antologia Vol 2" by Paco de Lucia and "El Gallo Azul" and "Flamencos in New York" by Gerardo Nunez are highly recommended. Even though they are brief, the samples offered on Amazon will give you an idea of the flavor you are missing with Ottmar. February 19, 2008

SHUT UP! I ORDER YOU TO SHUT UP!

I'd normally avoid even commenting on such music, as it is usually not worth my time, but this....whatever...put "flamenco" in the title of his album, so I shall rate it accordingly.

As a frame of reference, I shall compare it to truly good "new" Flamenco by the likes of Tomatito, Paco De Lucia, Vincente Amigo and Gerardo Nunez.

This is utter....utter....UTTER garbage. He has no technique. He has no compas. He does not play Flamenco forms and, it is clear that he he ever tried, he would suck monumentally. The music doesn't even resemble Flamenco! He should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive trading.

I might be willing to let it go if there was any artistic merit in his music, but there is none. We have pedestrian, repetitive "hey, look I've just learned to play guitar" garbage. Seriously: this guy is amateur in the extreme. You can hear infinitely better stuff in a cheap piano bar.

As a guitarist, I've played some pieces by Paco, but if I'm ever asked "Have you played any Liebert", my response shall be "No, but I think I may have stepped in some once".

Footnote: Amazon, why don't you allow a rating of zero stars?
August 25, 2007

Catch this one!

Ottmar Liebert has contributed notably to a second air of the flamenco a heartfelt and moving Spanish rhthym so enjoyed for many people aropund the world.

This album encloses what we might call the real spirit of the flamenco in its different moods. On the contrary, I think this is a gratyfying album, plenty of inspiration and vibrant emotions. June 8, 2007

music from my childhood dance years....

NOVEAU FLAMENCO, by Ottmar Liebert, is an album that brings back memories of jazz dance recitals. We used to warm up to NOVEAU FLAMENCO, particularly the first track, "Barcelona Nights." Liebert has been equally criticized and proclaimed for his laid back approach to "nouveau flamenco." While flamenco purists will most definitely have some cutting remarks to make about this, his debut album, how sleepy and "plugged in" it sounds, others who are just looking for relaxing music that they don't have to think too hard about will definitely enjoy it. For me, this European born, Santa Fe-based musician balances his own jazzy licks with flamenco inspired guitar work, and it works well as back-up music. Would I shell out thirty dollars to see him live? Probably not. Yet, I definitely can't dislike NOUVEAU FLAMENCO's range of songs. While some are peppy, others are great if you are trying to get a good night's sleep. There's nothing wrong with that! June 3, 2007

i like flamenco

this record, is not the best work from ottmar but it have 3 of th songs i most like from him and also is a hard to get piece (at least in mexico), also i can add that i got it between the dates of the promised shipping January 9, 2007

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