Exploring and expressing Mexico's rich culture has been a lifelong passion for vocalist Lila Downs. With a voice that is varied in color and range, Lila cuts a striking figure live as well - she embodies the spirit of her music with an emotion-drenched physicality. Lila's profile was raised significantly with her stunning performance in the hit film Frida, starring Salma Hayek in the title role. Lila also performed the Oscar-nominated song from the film at the Academy Awards ceremony, becoming the first Latina to perform at the telecast. Her new album Shake Away evokes her home country's rich folk-music legacy while pulsing with modern arrangements.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
My least favorite of all her albums:
I get chills when Downs re-interprets classic Mexican styles. Her voice is a wonder and I'll still be on board for her next disc. A lot of the songs here are inspired by something other than old Mother Mexico. that's fine and she shouldn't be put in a box but I'm not as interested in her take on New Orleans or rock music. Maybe you'll like it more than I did.
It'sashakin':
Lila Downs pulls out the stops on this record and covers a wide range of styles - but with superb skill and results! She even looks different on the cover photos from her earlier recordings. This woman is "Shakin'".
Lilia at her best:
The more I listen to Lilia's Shake Away the more I like it. I love her bands intricate skills, playing different styles and rhythms, weaving Native Mexican, South American and Jazz - Pop song styles together.
Who can resist?:
Nina Simone, Grace Slick, Tish Hinojosa...she evokes them all (at least in my ears).
A gorgeous album -- in turns delightful, hopeful, yearning, seductive, sincere...
Tracks:
Little Man
Ojo de Culebra
Minimum Wage
Perro Negro (w/ Ruben Albarran)
Yo Envidio El Viento
Skeleton
Black Magic Woman (w/ Raul Midon)
I Would Never
Justicia (w/ Enrique Bunbury)
Taco de Palabras
Los Pollos (w/ Gilbert Gutierrez)
Tierra De Luz (w/ Mercedes Sosa)
Silent Thunder
Shake Away (English version of "Ojo de Culebra") (*Bonus track)
