La Semana by Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra Spiral Subwave Records International LLC

Product Description: For the last five years, guitarist Ottmar Liebert has been regurgitating his career: variously re-recording, remixing, and remastering his older songs. Initially, La Semana, which translates as "The Week," sounds like a stylistic return to that early sound. No electronics, orchestras, or smooth jazz combos--only Liebert on multi-tracked guitar with bass, and percussion, just like on Nouveau Flamenco. Songs like "Caroussel" and "La Luna" feature Liebert's upbeat mix of deft, precisely picked melody and flamenco groove. But other tracks, notably "Cocteau," recall the quieter moods of The Hours Between Night & Day. As it moves along, La Semana gets trippy at the edges with snarly electric guitar textures on "Cave in My Heart" and trumpet bleats and backward ambiences on the expansive "Echoes of a Caress." Liebert stretches out on the asymmetric rhythms of "Longing" and creates a minimalist samba with poly-rhythmic palmas (hand-claps) and guitar strums on "Underworld." This is not only Liebert's first album of all-new materiel in five years, it's his most satisfying. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

5 stars A universal statement is almost always false.
While Ottmar's playing is not flamenco guitar, I play flamenco guitar and I love Ottmar's playing. I believe that La Luna, for example, is a well composed piece of music. I am tired of the bickering between traditional and non-traditional flamenco stylists, just as I am weary of the bickering between traditional bluegrass and "new-grass" players. In the end it is about the music. Liebert has a wide audience while many traditional flamenco musicians could not get an audience if they paid for one.

That said, one can argue all day about compas, duende, flamenco guitars made in Spain versus Ottmar's clearly wonderful DeVoe and Ottmar's audience will still follow him. Are they stupid because they do not follow the duende or passion of your god, or are they able to hear beyond what you will not?

I am sure that I have now fired-up the flamenco mavens. Given a choice I would rather pay to see Paco than Ottmar, but I don't have to choose. I can listen to both, and will. I enjoy each in different ways. Besides, I love the sound of that DeVoe!

La Semana hearkens back to the sound that you may have heard in the early '90s that first drew you to Ottmar's music. If you liked that Nouveau sound, you will like this CD as well. Don't feel guilty about enjoying away!

4 stars Very Good
I love Ottmar Liebert and have most of his albums. This is a very enjoyable selection and a good addition to my collection of his music.

1 stars 100% agreement
Flamenco traditionalists and innovators have always argued with one another, but every one of them despises Ottmar's phony music. He's embarrasing.

Just listen to 1 cut, at random, by Pepe Habichuela and you'll see what I mean.

5 stars ONe of the best!
This has got to be one of the best latin flamenco Cds i've heard!
It's mellow and technically good. It has rhythm heart and soul.

Check this one out if you're into any kind of latin flamenco music. you won't regret it.

5 stars The Very Best of Ottmar's Music
Alluring and haunting music which captures your mind, heart and imagination is one way to describe 'La Semana'. It is like a very interesting book which reveals something new with turning of each page. 'La Semana' is like a beautiful painting which you never get tired of seeing day after day.
It's refreshingly original music is the best creation of Ottmar Liebert.

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