Winter Rose - First Impressions

Music: Ottmar Liebert - Bells/Coda: Christmas Eve At Friar Fripp's (Winter Rose - Music Inspired by the Holidays)

This is no Christmas + Santa Fe. That album has been enshrined for me as one of Ottmar's most joyous works and one that I don't think I'll ever tire of, even on the longest summer day. From the very beginning of "Pavane" this album was evidently going to be different. It's much more laid back. Wasn't it meant to be something like an Opium Christmas? Well, I can definitely see the aspects of Dreaming in there, although of course it's also got a distinct hint of La Semana--it's actually very La Semana in the much more obvious ways, such as the fact that the rhythm guitar for "O Little Town Of Bethlehem/City Of Tijuana" is taken straight from "Evening (Languid Pace)", as with (as you probably all have known for a while) "Le Café" and "Cocteau".

My grandfather just walked in--he's in from Israel right now. He caught the end of "A Sweet Persimmon"--was very impressed.

And best of all, there's a whole track called "Kora". Score.

This isn't the album you'll play at your annual Christmas party. That's still a job for Christmas + Santa Fe, because that is most of all Ottmar's celebratory holiday album. This is the album

By the way, has anyone else actually went and bought this CD? I'm surprised, I've only heard of one other 'Menco who's got this, and that person just got it in the Lounge...Very little fanfare at all, even post-release.

EDIT: One last thing..."Le Café (Dream of Snow)" ends this album so...perfectly.

Ottmar Liebert's Winter Rose

... available for purchase in the Listening Lounge.

Winter Rose in Germany

Amzon.de has it. As an import of course. But the price is not too bad.

Winter Rose: One more day!

Music: Ottmar Liebert - Santa Dancing/Deck the Halls (Christmas + Santa Fe)
Mood: Festive

One day more! Tomorrow, to as little fanfare as possible (not a single mention on Ottmar's blog or a Fanmenco's, except maybe mine, in weeks!), Ottmar's third Christmas album, Winter Rose: Music inspired by the Holidays, is coming out. Yes, that's right, 'Mencos, you heard me--way to make me almost forget that this thing was coming out this week!!

But, thanks to the college admissions process, I get to take tomorrow off from school and call in sick so I can finish my essays (one of which happens to be about Mr. Liebert), coincidentally on the day that this album comes out. Hells yes.

This song makes me happy, by the way :)