Last night Lila Downs received a warm hug (she would say an apapacho) from the Buenos Aires audience that gathered at the Teatro Coliseo in the city of Buenos Aires.
With a flawless band, with the conspicuous absence of Paul Coenthe husband of Lila Downs who, in addition to being her life partner, was a saxophonist, director and arranger of the Oaxacan singer’s band, and died in December 2022.
Grappling with a sound that left much to be desired, the Downs he managed to captivate his Buenos Aires followers like never before. The microphone dressed in flowers, as is customary, her colorful and native dresses and her unmistakable shawls framed this beautiful and talented woman who sits on stage, despite clichés, like “a fish in water”.
Those present sang, danced and celebrated the performance of the Mexican, who in addition to singing some new songs, reviewed the best of her repertoire for an hour and a half, including the classic by Tomás Mendez Cucurrucucu dove neither the last sip by José Alfredo Jimenez, and of course the Zapata stays of Lila Downs and her late husband.
grateful and complete
Grateful for the warmth and love the audience gave her, a whole Lila Downs could be seen in her voice and posture on stage, even if youn a little more nostalgic and less festive due to his recent passing.
On a cool and quiet summer night, Mexican Lila Downs was busy warming up the atmosphere, he literally entered the audience when he stepped down into one of the aisles of the stalls and he greeted the participants without ceasing to sing, and was immersed in the love they lavished on him.
First the pandemic and then her personal loss a few months ago had taken her away from the Río de la Plata. But it’s back with renewed vigor, slimmer and more stylized; his full, powerful voice owns the stage and the mood of the audience, who don’t need to ask them to do a chorus.
Downs has a neat and lively band, which plays very well with Cohen’s jazz arrangements and adds that very Mexican game of comparing instruments.
The accordion against the violin or the trumpets against the strings, in a very dynamic and pleasant counterpoint.
A lion between visits
Lila did not deprive herself of a visit much loved by the Argentine public and invited the indestructible León Gieco to the stage, with whom she sang the anthem that everyone sings with the man from Santa Fe: I just ask God. Applauded, the Argentine musician left the light to the Mexican and humbly said: “I will be able to say that I sang live with Lila Downs”.
The theatre, as packed as in the best days of Les Luthiers, which had made it its home for decades, was filled with dances, cheers and applause from a multigenerational crowd who appreciated the unique style of this half-Indian, half-gringo juggler who shows very comfortable in front of the public of our city and our country.
After having been to Cosquín Rock and Mendoza, Lila Downs said goodbye with a see you soon and left the taste of chile, mezcal and her panache in Argentina to the delight of those who had the opportunity to attend her presentations.
Source: Clarin
