Nouveau Flamenco

So what is it about Liebert's recordings that make them so popular? No secret: Instant accessibility. One needs no musical frame of reference, no prior training of the ear. Even better, one does not need to concentrate, to have to listen TO the music rather than letting it drone on in the background. That's the secret of Muzak, and the reason why Muzak is played in airports, shopping malls, restaurants, dental offices. It's not meant to be listened to for its own merits; rather, it's meant to create a mood to facilitate some other activity - shopping, eating, conversation, making love. Liebert is the Karen Carpenter of the guitar, and it's no surprise that all his albums (as one reviewer noted - see the reviews for Borrasca)sound alike, as do those of all his imitators (Jesse Cook, Armik, Govi, Shahin & Sehper, etc., etc. ad nauseum).

Real Flamenco - old or new - is the exact opposite. It refuses to sit in the background. It compels one's attention, demands one's concentration. It requires no small degree of experience and musical study to fully appreciate. In other words, it is not readily accessible to the masses. It is not dinner music. Put on Liebert and he'll obligingly fade into the wallpaper (or the upholstery if you're in the car). He'll help you create that Alpha-wave mood you crave after a hard day's work. Put on Paco de Lucia, and he'll pull up a chair right in front of you and demand that you either listen TO what he has to say - or he'll irritate the hell out of you if you don't.

Which is also why Flamenco aficionados cannot abide the the numerous Liebert's out there: Once one has acquired a taste for the depth, intricacy and musical sophistication of true Flamenco, anything less that tries to appropriate Flamenco's aura to itself is just plain irritating. Once one has mastered Chopin on the piano, "Chop Sticks" just doesn't cut it anymore.

Ironically, the "aflamencada" rumba which inadvertently started this whole rumba craze was "Entre Dos Aguas," recorded by Paco de Lucia in 1973 on his album "Fuente y Caudal." It was recorded as an afterthought, with Paco playing around for the first time with a bongo player and an electric base. It also made Paco the first serious Flamenco artist to achieve immense popularity outside the relatively small world of Flamenco aficionados. Listen to this rumba recorded 26 years ago and compare it to the watered-down, limp mush being recorded today.

Now, for the ladies who just love Liebert's long hair and good looks: Check out Vicente Amigo - a real Flamenco guitarist with great creativity, exceptional technique and an amazingly delicate touch for his relatively young age. He's also very handsome and "dreamy," with long blond hair. He's a stallion to Liebert's gelding.


As McDonalds is to cuisine, so this guy is to flamenco   January 22, 2001
Mr. Stuart Robert Harris (Bradford-on-Avon, UK)
16 out of 34 found this review helpful

I wouldn't care if the title didn't have flamenco in it, but it does, and it isn't. By a long, long, long way. Limp, unimaginative, lukewarm, chardonnay music. ("But it's quite cheerful" chipped in my ever-forgiving wife as she read the above.)

If you're the sad sort who puts in 300 hours a week in some hell-hole cubicle, commute to work through strip-mall land and 12 lane highways listening to Kenny G and Celine Dion and watching out nervously for unhinged gunmen, then this might be just the sort of mellow pap you need to soothe your nerves - although there are plenty of better alternatives.

But if you have an ounce of soul or a shadow of discrimination, you might just want to check out any of the legion of proper flamenco players (nouveau or old-o) who do mellow a lot more beautifully. Like the late lamented oldie Sabicas, who spent most of his life in New York, never really mastered English and still kicked flamenco ass with the best. He didn't have a pony tail or live in an adobe, but he WAS cool.


Nouveau Flamenco is what now?   December 3, 2003
Ashley (Ang Mo Kio, Singapore)
12 out of 15 found this review helpful

The self-stylized Nouveau Flamenco artist had to call it something new since it's not Flamenco. It's like any kind of pop treatment of serious music, from Yanni to Kenny G. It's ethnic elevator music.

My aunt put this in the CD player a few Christmases back and hit repeat. I've heard it dozens of times; more than enough to give it a fair shake. Please consider something more traditional and with more serious musicianship (I've seen Mr. Liebert play and the best thing about it was the rhythm team and second guitar player, Calvin Hazen; all handily outshined their marque). You might try Paco deLucia who is widely considered the master of Flamenco guitar. There are also young artists out there who are terrific; eg, Vicente Amigo.

Another reviewer who gave this 5 stars said it puts him to sleep at night. That's overly modest, this album can put you to sleep at any hour of the day.


Feel-good, makes-you-wanna-dance music... great gift!   February 25, 2000
I. Peters (Carrollton, TX USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

True, Ottmar Liebert isn't the most accomplished of guitarists. I own three of his CDs and can certainly see a repetitive factor. But then - I didn't buy "Nuevo Flamenco" to be a music critic. I bought it because when I listened to it the first time it went straight to my feet! This is rythmical & passionate music - whether labeled Flamenco or New Age! And I can honestly say that more people have asked me "What CD is that? " when I played it than any other of the many albums I own. However: In my opinion this is by far the best Liebert album. The others aren't too hot...especially not "Borrasca" (IMHO)...


Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning-Puts you to Sleep at Nite   July 27, 2002
milleniumistic
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

From the opening hook of "Barcelona Nights", Ottmar Liebert dances out of the Sante Fe sunrise with an infectious joy in his heart and a competent command of his guitar. While not as technically proficient as some of his later albums (Solo Para Ti), "Nouveau Flamenco" is just plain fun to listen to. The CD's mood is split between hum-along, toe-tapping, upbeat numbers (Tracks 1,2,4, the latter part of 5, and 6 & 7) and slower, music-to-drift-off-to (tracks 8-13) - the first half of the CD will get you out of bed in the morning and the latter half will tuck you in at night.

Some might find fault in the technical aspects, but I cant' think of another CD whose music speaks so joyfully to me. It may not be for everyone, but to me, its perfect.
Highly recommended!
Also: "Higher Ground" by Stephen Halpern (caution: sleep-inducing)