Ottmar Liebert

[NGiorgio]

I saw Ottmar Liebert in Concert earlier this month. He played with just a trio. Quite a lot better than a two years earlier Concert, when he appeared with seven pieces, including a second guitar. This time he played much more than the single note stuff and was able to show off his technique. I was impressed with his excellent musicianship. I have difficulty with putting a label on his style, though. It isn't Flamenco, or Classical, or Brazilian, or Jazz but yet has influences of all these (and more ). An enjoyable concert.

Liebert was using a Flamenco Negra with a cedar top. I was not close enough to read the label. He used only a mic, no amplification. Nice full rich sound. Accompanied with Electric bass and percussion.

Anyone have any comments regarding the music of Ottmar Liebert?

[Faya]

Hey NGiorgio, Just saw Ottmar on the 23rd it was a great show.Although many Flamencos don't like him I my self do,but not as a flamenco guitarist just as a great musician.My father(the great Flamenco that he is!)likes to call Ottmar"the B.B. King of nylon guitar",which is kind of true in away.I do know that Ottmar used a flamenco guitar buit by Eric Sahlin(negra,cedar,and peg tuners)at the show I saw.But he also has used guitars by Keith Vizcarra.By the way I think there is a 5 year or more waitting period for Eric Sahlin guitars. LATER!

[NGiorgio]

Faya

Thanks for your input. I thought the guitar might have been a Sahlin, as he used a spruce top Sahlin the last time I saw him. I have a cedar /indian Negra, so it was nice to see and hear another one. You don't see too many cedar topped Negra's.

The "B.B.King of the nylon string guitar". I like that. I don't think that Liebert gets enough credit for being the excellent guitarist that he is. This may be due to the commercialism of most of the music which he records.

I assume that you are a Flamenco player. What kind of guitar to you use?

[Faya]

NGiorgio I primarily use my 1957 A. Solar Gonzales flamenco guitar , but I also use flamenco guitars by Jose Ramirez and Amalio Burguet. I used to own a Conde Hermanos, but didn't really like it ( just my opinion). Don't get me wrong, Conde Hermanos are awesome guitars. Although I grew up and played traditional flamenco and gypsy music ,being an American born Gitano, I consider myself a Flamenco Fusion guitarist, because I write all origional music. Man you are lucky! I wish I had a cedar top negra. What kind of flamenco negra is yours? I'm saving to buy a flamenco negra 1a for myself preferably with a cedar top. LATER!

[NGiorgio]

Faya,

I'm not familiar with A. Solar Gonzales, but of course I know of the other two. Is the Gonzales from Spain? Recently, I played two Conde's, both used instruments. An A-26 blanca and an A-25R negra with gorgeous brazilian. Both finished in french polish. The blanca was mediocre but the negra was outstanding. I found the neck profile's somewhat uncomfortable (for me).

So you are a real Flamenco. You must be an excellent player. I'm a Classical player, learning Flamenco. My negra was made for me by Augustino LoPrinzi, of Clearwater, Florida. It is a very versatile guitar. I've had it for two years.

Regarding Ottmar. we went to the concert with another couple who have some of his CD's and enjoy his music. I'm sure you will appreciate this, their reaction was that they would have preferred to see him perform with the larger group (Luna Negra XL) as it was too much guitar and not quite the sound of his recordings. I as a guitarist, enjoyed it more with the smaller group. Liebert had his latest CD for sale in the lobby. Was he offering CD's when you saw him?

[Dimitri]

Liebert was using a Flamenco Negra with a cedar top. I was not close enough to read the label. He used only a mic, no amplification. Nice full rich sound. Accompanied with Electric bass and percussion.

Anyone have any comments regarding the music of Ottmar Liebert?

I don't wish to comment on his music, but I would like to respond to your query about his guitar. He was playing his new Lester DeVoe negra. I don't think it's a cedar top though (I could be wrong). Lester talked about it in his last newsletter. Why do I think it's a pine top? I can't remember for certain.

Cheers.
Dimitri

[NGiorgio]

Dimitri,

Thanks for your response. After reading your reply, I recalled reading somewhere that DeVoe had built a negra for Liebert. Took me a while to find it. It was in the September issue of Acoustic Guitar. This is from page 91. DeVoe's quote:

"He (Liebert) wanted a cypress guitar, but I asked if he would let me try Madagascar rosewood for the back and sides and cedar for the soundboard, and he agreed. He is delighted with the results and will record and tour with the new guitar".

Perhaps that is where you saw it as well. I was close enough at the concert to recognize it as cedar, but coudn't determine the headstock outline etc. It did have beautiful tone.

I will assume that you don't like Liebert's music, but that is why I asked for comments. If I had a choice between seeing Liebert or Vicente Amigo in concert, I'd opt for Vicente anytime. I enjoyed the performance even though it was "New Age" and not Flamenco.

[Dimitri]

You're right. I remember that it was Madagascar back and sides. I'm wondering though, did he also make reference to experimenting with using pine for the top (not for Ottmar, but for somebody else?) I might be going crazy here. I could have sworn.

I first heard Ottmar about 10 years ago, before I really got into flamenco. Then, for the longest time, I couldn't stand his music. Then, I kind'a mellowed out again, and realized that flamenco is large enough to encompass many different sub-genres.

Many will argue that his music (as well as other performers like Strunz & Farah, Jesse Cook, Gipsy Kings, etc.) are not flamenco, but are flamenco-influenced. Although I held that belief for a long time, I now tend to think that they are, indeed, one branch (albeit a very recent one) of flamenco. For better or for worse :)

This notion goes against what many people think, including Jorge Strunz who often makes it a point to inform the audience that their music is not flamenco, but flamenco-influenced.

Cheers.
Dimitri

[Faya]

NGiorgio My Gonzalez is made in Spain(sorry about the spelling).Yes, he was selling his CD's including a CD that is only a limited edition(a mini CD).I could be wrong about the guitar. It could have been a DeVoe,but it sure looked like his Sahlin,and I was sitting in the front row.Either way it sounded like a great guitar.I would also rather have seen Vicente,or Gerardo Nunez,or Adam del Monte. LATER!

[NGiorgio]

Dimitri,

Yes, in the same article, DeVoe states that he was just starting three guitars for Vicente Amigo. One with Brazilian and a top of sequoia, one with indian and cedar and another with cypress and Swiss spruce. Just so you don't get crazy.

As for Ottmar, I also started listening to him before getting serious about Flamenco. Then for a short period of time I didn't favor his stuff. My wife convinced me to go to this recent concert. My initial feeling was that we'd seen him two years ago, that was enough. He surprised me with a slightly different format, showcasing the guitar, not the band.

I listen to all of those you mentioned, and I work out to the music of the Gipsy Kings. When I want to listen to Flamenco however, I'll play Paco, Vicente, Tomatito, Gerardo Nunez, Moraito etc. Since you are on the west coast, are you familiar with Adam DelMonte?

[Dimitri]

I don't know Adam personally, but I've known some of his students. He's style is modern (like Vicente, etc.) but very enjoyable. He's also got some really great technique.
D

[Sia]

In addition to the “pure” repertoire of classical and flamenco guitar, I love most guitar music that is based on the flamenco and/or classical style. I admire artists like Liebert, Strunz, Farrah, Tonino Baliardo (Gipsy Kings). I think they expand the horizons of guitar music, and more importantly expand the audience of the Spanish guitar. I am sure many youngsters take up the classical/flamenco guitar, as a result of being exposed to such artists.

On a related note, the classical guitarist, Liona Boyd has a new album called “Latin Journeys” which is also in this space of extended classical and flamenco guitar. It is a great album, which by the way features guest artists such as Strunz & Farrah, and Jesse Cook.

[NGiorgio]

Sia,

I agree with your comments.

I have Liona Boyd's "Latin Journeys" CD. Wonderful music. The guest artists contribute so much in the way of versatility. I recently picked up Juan Martin's latest CD "Camino Latino". He does one Brazilian piece and two bossa nova tunes. He used a Brazilian singer on one track and a Brazilian percussionist on most of the CD, along with other musicians more typically found on today's Flamenco recordings. . I was expecting all Flamenco tracks but am not disappointed as I play and enjoy Brazilian music.

Yesterday, I read that Vicente Amigo will be a guest artist on Sting's latest CD. It is good to expand our horizons.

[edwardcav]

I'm curious - did Ottmar use picks/plectrums? In some of his older stuff there are some real fast tremolo melodies that are to bity to be the p-a-m-i fre-stroke variety that us classical buffs enjoy. It sounds only possible with a pick, or a super-fast rest stroke technique... Let me know how he did this please!

[NGiorgio]

Ed,

I think I've heard the material you refer to. It seems that Ottmar may have used a pick on some parts of the earlier recordings. He also double-tracked etc. Not much of a stretch for him as he was an electric player originally. In the two concerts I have seen, he did not use a pick on the Flamenco guitar, all fingers. Both times I saw him, he did use a solid body electric, briefly, during a couple of songs. I'm not sure whether he used a pick, I think it was finger-style on the electric as well. Maybe Faya could help me with that, since he saw Ottmar from the first row. I viewed from from first row, Balcony.

You would be surprised as to how many "New Age" artists use a pick on their Classical/Flamenco guitars. Jesse Cook and Johannes Linstead, for instance use a pick on some of their tunes. I have a super Flamenco CD, Calima, by Gerardo Nunez and Strunz and Farah guest with him on a very rapid rumba. The liner notes tell who solos first, second and third. If you listen closely, you can hear the different tone from the pick, from Strunz or Farah, don't remember which. Also, the runs with the pick are faster than what can be done with the fingers. Nunez, does not use a pick of course, but he is lightning fast. Like I said, listen close and you can hear the difference.

[Faya]

Hey, As far as I noticed he only used pick once on his electric. Hope that helps.LATER!