Barcelona Nights: The Best of Ottmar Liebert, Vol. 1

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This compilation project's official title is already long enough, but for true accuracy it should read, The Best of Ottmar Liebert's First Two Recordings, Volume 1. Barcelona Nights strings together the more upbeat and animated selections from his two earliest recordings, Nouveau Flamenco (his famed debut) and Borrasca (plus one track, "Festival," from Poets and Angels). The package serves as the first installment in a two-disc series; the subsequent Surrender to Love will patch together romantically inclined selections of those early 1990s recordings. It's the same music, but with different sequencing and different packaging. As such, it offers graceful and pleasant listening, though the similarity in tempos gives the disc a slightly homogenous feel. Many like-minded guitarists have traveled the path that Liebert originally blazed, and Barcelona Nights offers an appealing reminder of the qualities that elicited such a huge initial reception: nimble, articulate fingerwork; charming, uncomplicated melodies; and just enough flamenco authenticity to convince maturing pop listeners that they had discovered something exotic. Highlights include the beckoning cheer of the well-known title track, and the earnest, uplifting energy of another early hit, "Heart Still/Beating." --Terry Wood

Barcelona Nights: The Best of Ottmar Liebert, Vol. 1,Ottmar Liebert,Higher Octave,Adult Alternative,Ethnic Fusion,Flamenco,Germany,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Tracks:

Barcelona Nights
Santa Fe
Isla Del Sol
Bullfighter's Dream
In The Hands Of Love
Heart Still/Beating
Driving 2 Madrid (B4 The Storm)
August Moon
Dancing Under The Moon
Festival (Of 7 Lights)
La Rosa Negra
2 The Night
Borrasca
Bajo La Luna Mix

Amazon.com

This compilation project's official title is already long enough, but for true accuracy it should read, The Best of Ottmar Liebert's First Two Recordings, Volume 1. Barcelona Nights strings together the more upbeat and animated selections from his two earliest recordings, Nouveau Flamenco (his famed debut) and Borrasca (plus one track, "Festival," from Poets and Angels). The package serves as the first installment in a two-disc series; the subsequent Surrender to Love will patch together romantically inclined selections of those early 1990s recordings. It's the same music, but with different sequencing and different packaging. As such, it offers graceful and pleasant listening, though the similarity in tempos gives the disc a slightly homogenous feel. Many like-minded guitarists have traveled the path that Liebert originally blazed, and Barcelona Nights offers an appealing reminder of the qualities that elicited such a huge initial reception: nimble, articulate fingerwork; charming, uncomplicated melodies; and just enough flamenco authenticity to convince maturing pop listeners that they had discovered something exotic. Highlights include the beckoning cheer of the well-known title track, and the earnest, uplifting energy of another early hit, "Heart Still/Beating." --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Great High Octave Guitar Jazz.......2006-08-24

I have been a fan of Ottmar for a long time. This album is very good. Every tune is great to listen to. A great sound for all guitar music lovers.

If you are looking for new sounds come and get it!.......2006-06-12

Among the most creative and imaginative musicians in the last generations, Liebert must be included in the most representative lists. His creativeness and above all his powerful vision in what it concerns to the necessary oxygen the Flamenco needed, was intuited by him and so dedicated all his energies in search of its renovation, achieving a remarkable success.

To my mind the most interesting tracks of this valuable album are: Heart still beating, Barcelona nights, Santa Fe, Isla del sol, Bullfighter's dream and La Rosa Negra, but there is not any minor track.

If you really are searching for new inspiration motives and creative sounds, this album is a must for you.

Very nice music, Ottmar is very talented!.......2004-02-09

I don't understand why people so closed mind, this is new millenium, think out of the box, there is no right or wrong about music, there's only about good or bad, who really care about so called "real" Flamenco, as long as easy listening, and creative, I think Liebert is very talented. I like "Barcelona Nights" very much, I play it in my car, at home, never tired of listening. Keep up your good work, Liebert, play more new song!

Don't bother........2004-02-01

Disappointing all the way. You can call Mr. Leibert a sort of `Yanni' of the guitar. Need I say more?

Cross-pollination angers Nationalists.......2003-09-30

Oh please, all these people who are so worried about this genre blending with their sacred "Flamenco." Some of the best Flamenco-inspired music is stuff like this and the work of Steve Stevens, artists who think outside the box. Music is flexible and evolving; what you call it or label it doesn't matter. Nobody seems to mind that Ricky Martin or Enrique Igelsias represent "Spanish" or "Latin" pop music. To me, Alberto Iglesias would be the real deal!

In my estimation, Flamenco has always been an art form influenced by many different forces and subject to change and evolution. Why is there such a nationalistic pride among many of its fans that ends up precluding such visionaries as Liebert, who have devoted their lives to making wonderful music, from taking part? Is it because he is not 100% Spanish?

The same exclusionary mentality that wants to limit Flamenco works well in Bible music in the South. The irony is that a Latin talent is often more welcome in other genres than a Gringo's is to Flamenco. The entire genre of Flamenco suffers much more from exclusionary thinking than it does from cross-pollination. How sad that such a beautiful art form is tainted by control freaks. Those of you who bash the likes of Liebert bash one who is intensely accomplished and pays such homage and utmost respect (not to mention commercial attention and longevity) to the art form. Very sad, indeed. You should be bashing Ricky and Enrique first!

Those of you who are so close-minded (You're probably ignoring me because of my Gringo status, anyway) should check out a really cool blue grass band I know. You'll be made to feel much more welcome than Liebert has in the wild world of Flamenco "purists."

This album is a wonderful collection of soulful, technically masterful sounds from a true visionary who pays the highest tribute to Spanish guitar by infusing it with fresh blood and vouchsafing its wonders to the masses. And it's better quality Flamenco than lots of other stuff on the market! Oh, sweet blasphemy! This is no dilettante - this man lives and breathes his music.

Other genres should only be so lucky!

Pop Music: