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

Justification can only be the term used for the title and the opening track of this outstanding "Best Of" collection, ~ "BARCELONA NIGHTS", played over and over everyday on the easy listening, smooth jazz and classical radio stations...distinctive style is immediately recognizable...a mix of blues, classical, soul and of course flamenco...highly acceptable in all parts of the continent and world.

But several highlights come to mind ~ "SANTA FE"..."DANCING UNDER THE MOON"...but my personal favorite hands down is ~ "AUGUST MOON", passion flows like red wine, only to leave you completely mesmirized by haunting refrains, gets under your skin and stays there for days, trust me!

You might try other Ottmar Liebert (Higher Octave) releases, all worthy of a good listen ~ "Nouveau Flamenco"..."Surrender 2 Love:Best of Ottmar Liebert Vol. 2"..."Poets & Angels:Music 4 the Holidays"(great Christmas album)...please check out my reviews on amazon.com - music.

Total Time: 59:52 on 14 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCD-50724 ~ (2001)


Cross-pollination angers Nationalists   September 29, 2003
Author Brian Wallace (Mind Transmission, Inc.) (Texas)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

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!


If you are looking for new sounds come and get it!   June 12, 2006
Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful


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.



Flamenco cagao   May 29, 2002
juan escudero (usa)
4 out of 12 found this review helpful

To any one who love flamenco, this is not flamenco, and it should not be rated as flamenco music.
Juan amaya


don't listen to the fanatics   February 22, 2003
kar2nz (Little Rock, AR USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I read reviews from fans of traditional flamenco. One objection was that these songs are instrumental. The alternate artists recommended were indeed great guitar players, but the singing in some cases was comparable to a cat being electrocuted. This may not be "real" flamenco music, but it is wonderful music in its own right.