Lila Downs Brings Sultry Ranchero to Symphony Center

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 13, 2010 8:20PM

Fans of Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lila Downs can't help but notice her visual transformation over the years from a Frida Kahlo clone (but with good depilatory sense) to sultry ranchera goddess. But Downs has never had an identity crisis musically. She's long mined the ore of Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures for her original compositions, inspired choices for cover material and colorful stage costumes. Downs dives deep into the culture with the gusto of a young woman searching her heritage and the analytic mind of an anthropologist.

Which is fitting: Downs's mother was a cabaret singer, her father is an art and cinematography professor in Minnesota, and she graduated from college with double majors in voice and anthropology. Indeed, it's her strong voice, capable of singing soprano and contralto, or mimicking like a child, that is Downs's strongest asset. Musically, she adds color to her songs with touches of light jazz, pop and even some indie rock. Her band, La Mysteriosa, is capable of achieving any soundscape Downs dreams up.

Lila Downs plays Symphony Center Friday night with Spanish singer Buika, in a tribute to the Spanish ranchera legend Chavela Vargas. Tickets can be purchased here.