Lila Downs' second release for Narada World reflects her continuing fascination with Mexican-American border culture. Considering her own mixed heritage (she is the child of a Mixtec Indian and an American), Downs has a special interest here, and it shows in the emotional, directed singing of Border (La Linea). On the first few tracks, Downs' thick, throaty voice is on a par with the Latina pioneers Lola Beltran or Tońa La Negra, but she also displays an enviable range, switching over to thewail of a Mexican countrywoman on "Sale Sobrando" and "Cumbia Maya," then to the pure, heartfelt sound of American country for the moving "Pastures of Plenty/This Land Is Your Land." Though non-Spanish speaking listeners may not understand the themes Lila Downs deals with, the plangent tones of her voice are reason enough to enjoy Border (La Linea).
It's Sunday, I have three cover versions worth sharing, so to save work, I'll put them in the same post. The fact that they feature female vocals, and that the composer of the first two songs influenced the composer of the third gives me an excuse of sorts for bundling them here.OK, the first two are in Lila Downs' "Medley: Pastures of Plenty/This Land Is Your Land" from her 2001 CD Border (La Li
More >
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Border (La Linea)")
