Customer Reviews

Nouveau Flamenco: 1990-2000 Special Tenth Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Special" doesn't always mean better!

Get the original album that was released in 1990. This flat re-release boasts "extra tracks" that in reality are just remixes masquerading as new material. Note that the above editor's review mentions the "thinned" out sound of the special edition versus the original release. I agree completely, and that is the bulk of my complaint about this cd. The original version was meatier, had more purposeful arrangements, and the sound was unique without being flashy.

This new edition, however, is a castration. New age guitar music already teeters dangerously on the edge of the easy-listening abyss, and this remastering has pushed 'Nouveau Flamenco,' a recording that barely evaded the evil clutches of Lite Jazz, into the bubble-bath music category.

Bottom line: if you want MUSIC, purchase the original release in all of its dynamic acoustical glory; if you want a collection of lullabies or a smooching soundtrack, pick up this so-called "special" edition, complete with its extra synthesizers and a computer's sense of rhythm.

This is a wonderful cd I love to listen to. Perfect for background music during those warm summer nights during your barbecue party or as you cook dinner with friends gathered around. This was my first introduction to flamenco music and truly enjoy it. The songs are of a consistent nature, yet with distinct melodies so that they don't drone on together into one mass. They are just unique enough, yet similar enough so that they make good background music without becoming boring or irritating. I recommend it.

This album is soft, gentle, makes you want to sway - and dance! If you regularly sit in traffic - play this album and you'll wish the traffic jam would last. Is it possible to be in a bad mood while listening to this? I don't think so...

In this album, Liebert integrates flamenco and pop forms. The result, to my ear, is a different balance of rhythm and melody. And many of Liebert's melodies are quite beautiful. Several tracks stand out, including "Santa Fe" and "Barcelona Nights," yet there is a sense of unity, a consistent emotional tone throughout the album. If you're looking for authentic flamenco, this album is probably not for you; however, if you enjoy the sound of guitar and are open to something a little different, something with a flamenco flavor but not quite, you'll find this album quite pleasurable.

Actually Ottmar Liebert is one of my favorite artists, but the concept of rereleasing an old CD with 6 extra tracks and one of the tracks on the original omitted is responsible for the 2 star rating. It would have been one star except that I have respect for Ottmar Liebert as an artist. Actually I don't find the special edition quite as moving as the original despite the extra tracks. Partly it is because the new CD starts off with "Surrender to Love" instead of the more catchy "Barcelona Nights". Anyone with a sense of music appreciation knows that you start off with a fast piece and put the slower more melancholy pieces in the middle, not the other way around. One of the extra tracks, "La Memoria/Shadows" is just a rerelease of one of the omitted tracks on the original "Shadows" with a different introduction. A good artist is ruined by releases like this.

For someone new to Liebert's work this disc was a pleasant eye opener with excellent quality and variety. I found it relaxing, exciting, soothing, romantic and fantasizing. I could actually picture myself at a Mexican resort on the beach with dancers sourrounding our table.

I could also visualize myself at home in a meditation listening to this CD; yes, exciting and relaxing at the same time. After listening to this CD a couple of times on the radio, I heard that Liebert was coming to town in an outdoor concert in three weeks and like a fantasy come true, I got a couple of friends together, played the CD in their car, and got three tickets for dinner and a concert. We are all psychologists, and this concert is our weekly gathering for business, pleasure, and entertainment.

The good news is that you have in this CD Ottmar Liebert at his best... the kind of energy he takes from the strings and pass to us is something unbelievable... in terms of flamenco guitar he is a mark. The bad news (at least for me) is that most of the songs are already available in other CDs... If Ottmar Liebert is new for you, buy this CD yesterday...

If you want to listen to some great guitar music, whether you call it flamenco or not, this is the guy you want to listen to. His music is both upbeat, and relaxing. I first heard "Barcelona Nights" about 8 yrs ago, and I couldn't forget it. This whole disc it excellent, you can't go wrong, and I think you will get hooked on his music just as I did.

Well, well, well. It's albums like this that make the five-star rating system woefully inadequate. Five stars just isn't enough for this fantastic album.

I had no idea who Ottmar Liebert was when a friend of mine loaned me this disc several years ago, but it quickly became a favourite, and now you'd have to peel my cold dead fingers off the jewel case before I'd part with it. I'm not a fan of flamenco by any standard, but it doesn't matter here. This CD remains a classic by any standard...and few are worthy of that title. This one is.

Was more than impressed. This fella is fantastic and all the music feels the mood. I rate it with more than five stars. If you like mood music with rythem and guitar, this is the one.