Rating:
Genre:
Latin
Release Date: 07/03/2001
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
Toña 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).
~John Bush, All Music Guide
Listen
