BBC -

LILA DOWNS (MEXICO)

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Sporting long, straight, jet-black hair and brightly coloured 'huipils' (sleeveless Native American tunics), Lila Downs cuts a striking figure on any stage. She's a dramatic performer who seems to inhabit the characters that people her songs, not just through empathetic body language but also with her extraordinary ability as a mimic and startling vocal range.

Born in 1968 to a North American father and a Mixtec Indian mother, she grew up shuttling between Mexico and the U.S. and spent many years grappling with issues of identity and its corollary-vocation. Even though her mother had earned a living as a singer in the bars of Mexico City, and Lila actually started singing mariachi songs at the age of eight, the path she took to becoming a professional musician was long and circuitous. She studied voice and anthropology, and even had thoughts of becoming an opera singer - an ambition you can still hear echoes of in her vocal style.

It was only in the early 1990s, when asked to translate documents relating to the deaths of people who had attempted to cross the U.S./Mexico border, that she became inspired to tell their stories by writing songs. Her first effort 'Ofrenda' can be heard on her debut album "La Sundunga". It was during this time that she began to work with local groups in Oaxaca, and met her current musical and romantic partner Paul Cohen.

In the last few years, high profile touring and the international release of her second and third albums have brought increasing critical acclaim. "Tree Of Life" (1999) and "La Linea" (2001) not only showcased a singer who switched confidently between the indigenous Mexican languages Nahuatl, Zapotec, Mayan, Mixtec, Spanish and English, but also the charms of her Pan-American band. In particular, Celso Duarte's harp, vihuela, charango and jarana guitars add strong rootsy flavours.

Lila's appearance in the film "Frida", about the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, has prompted many to compare her looks to those of her famous compatriot, and the soundtrack 'Frida' - "Music from the Motion Picture" (2003) featured 'Burn It Blue', a duet with Caetano Veloso. Her latest album "Una Sangre" (2004) further extends her genre-hopping penchant, including Chilean cumbia, Mexican ranchera and bolero, along with novel versions of the classic son jarocho 'La Bamba' and the well-known 'La Cucuracha'. There are also plenty of jazz, reggae, rap, blues and rock influences. This is Lila's second nomination for these awards.

Jon Lusk (courtesy of fRoots)

Una Sangre album review
Lila Downs official website

Your Comments

Just saw Lila last night at the Barbican! an absolutely thrilling performance, as others have commented we were stunned by her range and energy. An acapella number had us all in tears. We first picked up a record of hers in Mexico City last summer and were intrigued by the originality and the beauty of the songs.
Helen Cusack O'Keeffe, London

Lila is the best! Please. give a CONCERT in POLAND!!!!!!!!!!
Ania, Zamo, POLAND

I just saw Lila perform in Cuernavaca, Mexico and I was truly impressed. I had never heard of her before but clearly she has quite a following. She gave a passionate and energetic performance although sometimes the range in her voice was lacking. Looking forward to discovering her music catalogue.
Mary - Ireland

I am a big fan of Lila Downs...unfortunately I have never seen her in concert but I just found out that she will be here in Chicago tomorrow at Millenium Park. I AM VERY EXCITED THAT I WILL FINALLY SEE HER IN CONCERT!!!
Ana from Chicago

I saw Lila at the Bridgewater Hall and I was on the edge of my seat throughout her whole performance. Her music is vibrant and exciting. When is she coming back. Soon I hope.
LYNN HOLLAND, MANCHESTER, UK

Lila Downs' music is an absolute revelation - it's inspirational, it's powerful and it's intelligent!
Iliyana Stoyanova, London,UK

Her music and voice is one of a kind! I get goosebumps from some of her songs, it blows me away. I hope she performs in Milwaukee or Chicago soon.
Linda Hernandez, Milwaukee, WI

We saw Lila Downs "live' in OAXACA, Mexico this February, it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen, the vitality and the energy was absolutely amazing, she also gave an impromptu performance on the street the next day and she gives everything to her audience. She has a wonderful communication with her audience which we will never forget.
fae from Vancouver

Please, please come to my country and sing sing sing............ She is the best one
Ivan Tilev, Bulgaria

I had the pleasure once of spending a day with Lila and others cooking a meal - and I was so impressed by her personality - had no idea she was an artist, she was just a beautiful, smart, funny, and generous person. And makes a mole to die for! She deserves to win for her humanity alone.
maryriver

I have liked Lila Downs since I bought her first CD. I nominate her for the WOMAD Awards. She is one of the best.
Roberto Alvarez-Galloso; Miami Florida

AN AMAZING ARTIST, A UNMATACHED VOICE, AND PROFOUND SENTIMENT
JOSE MONTES, LOS ANGELES CA U.S.A

Lila is energy: pure, undiluted and fully mastered. Her careful research is a golden contribution to keeping alive the amazing Indian languages.
Barbara Wilcox, Brussels, Belgium

The voice and music of Lila is extraordinay....she is absolutely an angel in form of a woman!!!!
Denis Torres - Venezuela

Very good article and biography. However, in describing the different rythms recorded in her album there is an error. Chile does not have cumbia, the cumbia rythm is from Colombia. Thank you.
Gladys Preston, Denver, Colorado, USA

I've been Lila's fan ever since the release of her first album. She shares the cultural heritage of her people with endless love and dignity. Her voice is enchanting, her energy is overwhelming. Words do not do her justice - all you can do is listen and enjoy.
Eugenie Muminova, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, former USS

What a voice! What a talent! Lila Downs is already on her way to following in the footsteps of Lola Beltram, Chavela Vargas et al, to become another one of the greats of Mexican Music. Her vocal range and power is astounding; as a performer she extremely charismatic - certainly a legend in the making.
Luis Zamarra, London

Quite possibly the successor to Victor Jara...
Richard Dorrell

I saw Lila Downs at the opening of the Northa American Indian Museum in Washington back in September. I was completely blown away, enchanted and enthralled all at the same time by her performance and great band. Her vocal abilities defy description. What a voice is all I can say.
B Reaves, Maryladn USA

I had the pleasure of attending Lila's concert in San Antonio and she just blew me away. Every song moved me and inspired me. Ever since I heard her in the Frida Movie I came a fan. She should win in her catagory.
Diana Torres - San Antonio Tx

Versatility is part of Lila Downs' gifts and she has demonstrated it in her several albums. In her latest album, she and her musicians put their 21st century touch in songs as "La Cucaracha", "La Bamba" and "Paloma Negra". The latter is a version that really moved me because the intense feeling that Lila puts into it. I loved it! However, the version of "La Cucaracha" sounds a bit strange due to the words chosen to tell the a story of world domination by the US. I had the chance to see Lila Downs and her musician performing in Kansas City, and I did find Lila Downs to be less energetic in the stage as she sounds in the albums. The highlight of that evening was Celso Duarte's skills in playing the Harp and Charango, I was totally mesmarized by his solos.
Agustín Jiménez, Lincoln, Nebraska