Anniversary
This morning I started my day listening to the 10th anniversary edition of Nouveau Flamenco. While cooking breakfast, I drifted back to memories of the first time I encountered the CD. I consider my personal Ottmar Liebert anniversary to be the entire month of December as that was when my addiction started. The following piece was written in December of 2004 and intended for entry on OL.net. Maybe someday the website will happen.
Some things are best viewed from the beginning. Experiencing the evolution of a project helps understand any subtle points that may escape the casual observer. I feel that I was lucky to experience Ottmar Liebert’s version of Flamenco guitar from his beginning. My first taste was the CD Nouveau Flamenco. The circumstances surrounding the introduction were quite extraordinary. I was taking a road trip from Phoenix into northeast Arizona to do some work in the Navajo Indian Reservation. I was traveling with a man I had never met before, in a vehicle I had never ridden in, to a place I had never been before. The entire event was full of mystery and I wasn’t certain what might happen. Normally, I prefer slightly more comfortable settings but I kept myself open to new possibilities.
The trip began quite pleasantly and after an hour of introductory talk, my new friend asked if I liked music. At this point, my worst fear would have been the thought of a five-hour drive listening to country music or maybe something even worse. A CD collection was handed my way and I began to browse. The driver asked if I enjoyed guitar music and I answered in the affirmative. He took the sleeve of CD’s back and withdrew a reddish orange CD and placed it into the dash-mounted player. He didn’t attempt to talk over the first song. He just drove. I imagine he anticipated my reaction and wanted me to enjoy the experience. The gentle sounds of Surrender 2 Love drifted from the trucks speakers. After the first few moments, I actually tried to find something I didn’t like about the song. No such luck. The second song ended and my companion asked my opinion. “Very nice.” was all I could muster. The CD continued and I listened intently as I watched the desert turn into pine forest as we traveled north into higher elevation. Looking back now, I see I was headed into higher elevations in more ways than one.
By the time track number five, Three Women Walking, came up the driver added some commentary. He explained that this was his favorite song. He had seen Ottmar play in a small club once and this song stuck with him. I turned my attention to the scene the music made in my mind. A dream-like movie with no dialog, and watched this story set to music unfold. More insight about the music and the man playing it were provided. Nylon strings, not steel. No picks, he’s got long nails on his right hand. Not being an expert of acoustic music, I filed this information away so I could research it. The music continued and we talked more about ourselves. The pine forest gave way to the high desert country. The wide-open space with mountains in the distance matched perfectly with the music. Everything was clean and distant from the noise and clutter of the city we had left behind.
We listened to the CD twice. Near the end of the second time around, my friend was ready for a change. Though disappointed, I recovered when he started a flamenco compilation CD. This time, I listened for differences in the music. Something new had been introduced to me and I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity and soak this in. Another track from Ottmar, not from Nouveau Flamenco, was on this collection. I felt a certain promise that music from another of Ottmar’s CD’s was just as good as the tracks on Nouveau Flamenco.
We arrived at our destination and worked as planned. During my entire stay, with all the new experiences, I wasn’t able to take my mind from the music I had heard. I had written down the name of the artist and CD, promising myself I would look into the music sometime soon. Maybe I would pick up the complication CD I had heard and listen more carefully. Maybe another of those artists might be a better choice for me. During the course of the next week, I made my way to a music store and picked up a copy of Nouveau Flamenco. There was no way of knowing what impact this purchase would make in my life.
A short time later, I was talking to a friend who has the largest music collection I know of. I brought up Ottmar’s name and he indeed had heard of him. He lent me another CD, The Hours Between Night + Day. I was hooked. This guy was no “one hit wonder”. A quick search on the Internet brought a wealth of information including a neat little website, www.lunanegra.com. From there my passion grew. I collected the CD’s in chronological order. I took my time and worked to digest each new CD before purchasing the next.
I began reading Ottmar’s online diary and, in a way, found myself connecting with the man responsible for this incredible music. Here you find reflections on art, life, music, food, and links to some of the coolest gadgets know to man. In addition to Ottmar’s words, you can read what his listeners have to say regarding his thoughts. It’s now my privilege to have friends around the world with a common bond, music. Somehow these friendships, with people I’ve never met face to face, are stronger than the friendships I’ve had with people the surround me every day.
Just over three years have passed since my introduction to Ottmar Liebert. I still listen to his music everyday, sometimes all day. Our world is changing at every moment. People and places you know shift position. Few things offer comfort or security. One of the few things I can count on is this amazing collection of music Ottmar has given us.
Some things are best viewed from the beginning. Experiencing the evolution of a project helps understand any subtle points that may escape the casual observer. I feel that I was lucky to experience Ottmar Liebert’s version of Flamenco guitar from his beginning. My first taste was the CD Nouveau Flamenco. The circumstances surrounding the introduction were quite extraordinary. I was taking a road trip from Phoenix into northeast Arizona to do some work in the Navajo Indian Reservation. I was traveling with a man I had never met before, in a vehicle I had never ridden in, to a place I had never been before. The entire event was full of mystery and I wasn’t certain what might happen. Normally, I prefer slightly more comfortable settings but I kept myself open to new possibilities.
The trip began quite pleasantly and after an hour of introductory talk, my new friend asked if I liked music. At this point, my worst fear would have been the thought of a five-hour drive listening to country music or maybe something even worse. A CD collection was handed my way and I began to browse. The driver asked if I enjoyed guitar music and I answered in the affirmative. He took the sleeve of CD’s back and withdrew a reddish orange CD and placed it into the dash-mounted player. He didn’t attempt to talk over the first song. He just drove. I imagine he anticipated my reaction and wanted me to enjoy the experience. The gentle sounds of Surrender 2 Love drifted from the trucks speakers. After the first few moments, I actually tried to find something I didn’t like about the song. No such luck. The second song ended and my companion asked my opinion. “Very nice.” was all I could muster. The CD continued and I listened intently as I watched the desert turn into pine forest as we traveled north into higher elevation. Looking back now, I see I was headed into higher elevations in more ways than one.
By the time track number five, Three Women Walking, came up the driver added some commentary. He explained that this was his favorite song. He had seen Ottmar play in a small club once and this song stuck with him. I turned my attention to the scene the music made in my mind. A dream-like movie with no dialog, and watched this story set to music unfold. More insight about the music and the man playing it were provided. Nylon strings, not steel. No picks, he’s got long nails on his right hand. Not being an expert of acoustic music, I filed this information away so I could research it. The music continued and we talked more about ourselves. The pine forest gave way to the high desert country. The wide-open space with mountains in the distance matched perfectly with the music. Everything was clean and distant from the noise and clutter of the city we had left behind.
We listened to the CD twice. Near the end of the second time around, my friend was ready for a change. Though disappointed, I recovered when he started a flamenco compilation CD. This time, I listened for differences in the music. Something new had been introduced to me and I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity and soak this in. Another track from Ottmar, not from Nouveau Flamenco, was on this collection. I felt a certain promise that music from another of Ottmar’s CD’s was just as good as the tracks on Nouveau Flamenco.
We arrived at our destination and worked as planned. During my entire stay, with all the new experiences, I wasn’t able to take my mind from the music I had heard. I had written down the name of the artist and CD, promising myself I would look into the music sometime soon. Maybe I would pick up the complication CD I had heard and listen more carefully. Maybe another of those artists might be a better choice for me. During the course of the next week, I made my way to a music store and picked up a copy of Nouveau Flamenco. There was no way of knowing what impact this purchase would make in my life.
A short time later, I was talking to a friend who has the largest music collection I know of. I brought up Ottmar’s name and he indeed had heard of him. He lent me another CD, The Hours Between Night + Day. I was hooked. This guy was no “one hit wonder”. A quick search on the Internet brought a wealth of information including a neat little website, www.lunanegra.com. From there my passion grew. I collected the CD’s in chronological order. I took my time and worked to digest each new CD before purchasing the next.
I began reading Ottmar’s online diary and, in a way, found myself connecting with the man responsible for this incredible music. Here you find reflections on art, life, music, food, and links to some of the coolest gadgets know to man. In addition to Ottmar’s words, you can read what his listeners have to say regarding his thoughts. It’s now my privilege to have friends around the world with a common bond, music. Somehow these friendships, with people I’ve never met face to face, are stronger than the friendships I’ve had with people the surround me every day.
Just over three years have passed since my introduction to Ottmar Liebert. I still listen to his music everyday, sometimes all day. Our world is changing at every moment. People and places you know shift position. Few things offer comfort or security. One of the few things I can count on is this amazing collection of music Ottmar has given us.
posted by MT Callahan | 9:08 AM
7 Comments:
An extended version of an old story, through the best writing lenses this community has. You don't post often but when you do, everybody listens.
Yes, isn't it amazing, this journey you never intended to take and yet has been so profound and influential?!
You don't post often but when you do, everybody listens. I admire your ability to put these feelings into words. I sometimes listen to other flamenco-style music but as good as the other artists are there is a magic that eminates from Ottmar's work. Like you, Ottmar's music speaks to me like no other can.
I imagine this post will be with me all day, just like the music.
Adam and I discussed the future of ottmarliebert.net when having met. SInce I'm busy coordinating my Russia trip, we will continue by mid-January.
And as for the friendship, wait a couple of days more...
Nice piece of writing Matt. Heather is right in that you don't blog much but when you do, it's worth the wait.
...i almost get tears in my eyes...
and guess what, when i came to this page of yours, i was just listening to "Surrender 2 Love"!
:)
Kym. (congtatulates you with your OL anniversary!)
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