Lila Downs

La Cantina

2006-04-05

The rhythm loops and subtle electronic effects weave in and out of the traditional instrumentation over which Lila sings this wonderful program of Mexican ranchera songs. Downs' dark, smoky voice is the perfect vehicle for these songs, which juxtapose the deep emotion of fado and mariachi music with norteño and tejano influences. Everywhere you turn there are deeper complexities lurking beneath the already complicated surfaces of the songs: the quietly wailing clarinet that follows the distorted guitar solo on "Agua de Rosas" or the ska-funk inflections that are constantly hovering around the edges of "Tu Recuerdo y Yo". -AMG

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 11/2015

    Ashley Monical
    Facing The Shadow

  • reviewed 12/2011

    RENE LOPEZ
    E.L.S.

  • reviewed 06/2010

    ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING FELA!
    FELA! – ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING

  • reviewed 08/2009

    KIMI DJABATE
    Karam

  • reviewed 10/2015

    Ben Caplan
    Birds With Broken Wings

  • reviewed 09/2007

    KATCHAFIRE
    Say What You're Thinking

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.