Ottmar Liebert "La Semana"

Although "La Semana" is the first Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra album with all-new songs in five years, the multi-faceted, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling guitarist has been his usual prolific self, writing, drawing, touring and exploring, his myriad experiences informing the 13 evocative instrumental compositions on "La Semana". One of "La Semana"'s most alluring songs is inspired by one of Liebert's favorite artists, painter/filmmaker Jean Cocteau. Like Cocteau himself, the song is somewhat mysterious and idiosyncratic. Liebert played to his heart's content, no time constraints and no outside judgments. "It's a great moment and it's more personal because of it." Besides bass and percussion, all of the sounds were made on the flamenco guitar, and Liebert's longtime partner in Luna Negra, Jon Gagan, came in when it was time to lay down bass. "La Semana" is a stellar release from a singular artist, a Renaissance man who nurtures his songwriting, guitar playing and albums like the children they are. And he invites everyone along for the journey through life.