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

1	Barcelona Nights 4:06
2	Santa Fe 4:21
3	Isla del Sol 3:48
4	Bullfighter's Dream 3:47
5	In the Hands of Love 4:46
6	Heart Still/Beating 4:10
7	Driving 2 Madrid (B4 the Storm) 4:12
8	August Moon 4:15
9	Dancing Under the Moon 4:41
10	Festival (Of 7 Lights) 2:54
11	La Rosa Negra 4:30
12	2 the Night 4:22
13	Borrasca 3:37
14	Bajo la Luna Mix 6:18

Barnes & Noble

This compilation of spirited, up-tempo works by flamenco chart-topper Ottmar Liebert is drawn from two of the guitarist’s early albums, the groundbreaking Noveau Flamenco and Borrasca. The straggler, “Festival (of 7 Lights),” comes from his Christmas album, Poets and Angels. Although Liebert never exhibits the churning tremolos, volcanic runs, or finger-tangling chords of a traditional flamenco guitarist, his Latin-tinged take on flamenco is infectiously visceral and visual. Part of the Liebert appeal comes from the spatial separation of the mix: You can almost see the palmas clap to the left, Liebert’s solo line veer to the upper right, and the rhythm guitars flow beneath it all. The Borrasca lineup takes the music south of the border with the addition of a horn section. "Dancing Under the Moon" features a delightful debate between horns and guitar. "La Rosa Negra" touches some of the deeper sensuality of flamenco, as Adolfo Weitzman’s piano brings a nightclub ambiance to the track. Dave Bryant adds dollops of zest on the rhythm side; his snazzy trapset, percussion, and palmas exhibition on celebratory "Bajo la Luna Mix" is a dizzying blast. While Leibert’s legions probably have most of the material here, it is a fine acquisition for any newcomer to his music.

All Music Guide

Barcelona Nights: The Best of Ottmar Liebert, Vol. 1 gathers the nouveau flamenco guitarist's early career highlights, including the title track and "Heart Still/Beating," both from his 1990 debut Nouveau Flamenco, as well as Borrasca's title track and "Dancing Under the Moon." Other highlights include "La Rosa Negra," "Bullfighter's Dream," "In the Hands of Love," and "Borrasca," all of which showcase Liebert's rich, sensual guitar stylings. Though this collection concentrates on his first albums, it reflects the strong beginnings of Liebert's rock and jazz-tinged flamenco update. Along with Higher Octave's deluxe reissue of Nouveau Flamenco, Barcelona Nights is a fine way to commemorate Liebert's first decade as one of new age's most popular composers/performers, as well as a fine starting point for new listeners. Heather Phares