Frida [Music from the Motion Picture] [Enhanced, Soundtrack]

Elliot Goldenthal (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Elliot Goldenthal
• Audio CD (October 22, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00006LLNV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,066 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

SOUNDTRACK FRIDA

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotizing and beautiful!, November 17, 2002

By 

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Frida [Music from the Motion Picture] (Audio CD)

Elliot Goldenthal, the scorer of movies such as "Heat" and "Titus," comes back with a brilliant blend of traditional Mexican and original latin music to go with one of the best movies of 2002: Julie Taymor's "Frida." The soundtrack as a whole is simply outstanding, yet it has some peak moments: Lila Downs' performances, most specifically the opening track, 'Benediction and Dream,' the sexy tango 'Alcoba Azul' and the theme that plays during the closing titles, 'Burn it blue' which she performs with Brazilian super-star, Caetano Veloso. Also the rendition of "La Llorona" by Chavela Vargas is outstanding. The tracks that are part of his score work are also outstanding, and reminded me a lot of the music from the album "Ronroco" by Argentinian composer and producer, Gustavo Santaolallas. All in all, a very eclectic and hypnotizingly beautiful soundtrack with supreme good taste.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotizing, beautiful and now, winner of a Golden Globe!, January 21, 2003

By 

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Frida [Music from the Motion Picture] (Audio CD)

Elliot Goldenthal, the scorer of movies such as "Heat" and "Titus," comes back with a brilliant blend of traditional Mexican and original latin music to go with one of the best movies of 2002: Julie Taymor's "Frida," which earned him a Golden Globe this year. The soundtrack as a whole is simply outstanding, yet it has some peak moments: Lila Downs' performances, most specifically the opening track, 'Benediction and Dream,' the sexy tango 'Alcoba Azul' and the theme that plays during the closing titles, 'Burn it blue' which she performs with Brazilian super-star, Caetano Veloso. Also the rendition of "La Llorona" by Chavela Vargas is outstanding. The tracks that are part of his score work are also outstanding, and reminded me a lot of the music from the album "Ronroco" by Argentinian composer and producer, Gustavo Santaolallas. All in all, a very eclectic and hypnotizingly beautiful soundtrack with supreme good taste.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Magic!!, August 16, 2005

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Frida [Music from the Motion Picture] (Audio CD)

"Frida," Julie Taymor's superb biopic which portrays the turbulent life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's, is highlighted by Elliot Goldenthal's extraordinary soundtrack and score. Goldenthal, a student of both Aaron Copland and John Corigliani, and director Taymor's husband, states in the CD's linear notes that when scoring the music he took the approach of "melodic intimacy" - scoring with melodies or tunes as opposed to motific fragments. The film is highly successful in bringing to life not only Ms. Kahlo's story, but the vivid colors and richly textured culture of Mexico. In the same mode, Mr. Goldenthal emphasizes Mexico's musical tradition with his score - filled with the rich, evocative sound of song and music indigenous to the region. The composer has explored and displayed the area's folk music, and incorporated it with his own minimalist style and some outstanding songwriting. He has stated, "... that it was a difficult task to capture the 'spirit of Mexican music' since it varies so much around different regions." However, his choice to stay true to the simplicity of the country's rhythms and themes is on target. The result is one of the most compelling soundtracks I have heard in many years. I knew from the minute I heard it, in the theater, that I was going to buy the CD. I did so almost immediately and listen to it frequently.

Central to Goldenthal's score is a core musical ensemble which consists of several acoustic instruments native to Mexico and Central America, including the standard classical guitar, small Mexican guitar (la vihuela), Mexican bass guitar (guitarron), Mexican harp, marimba, accordion, glass armonica and assorted percussion. The tracks: "El Conejo," "La Bruja," (performed by Salma Heyek who plays Frida), "El Gusto" and "Carabina 30/30" are absolutely fabulous and provide excellent examples of authentic traditional Mexican folk music. Goldenthal adds a small orchestral accompaniment of primary strings to the mix.

The importance of song south of the border is pointed out in the linear notes also. In Mexico, song is everywhere - I lived there, I know. One is serenaded for birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, etc.. There are several outstanding vocal performances here. One brilliant cut, "Paloma Negra," prerecorded by Chavela Vargas, (a tremendously popular Costa Rican/Mexican vocalist of the 1960's who sang "rancheras"), comes to mind. "Paloma Negra" was recorded about 40 years ago and the artist, now in her 80's, sings a second track, "La Llorona," live on screen - so the listener can contrast the diva's voice now and way back then. Vocalist Lila Downs plays a huge role in the success of this CD and the overall soundtrack. The sensual tango "Alcoba Azul" was written for her by Goldenthal, as were my favorites "Benediction and Dream," and "Burn it Blue" performed by Downs and much lauded Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso. I discovered the marvels of Ms. Downs voice and style while watching/listening to Frida for the first time, and have been a major fan ever since. Goldenthal integrates both song and score harmoniously. English and Spanish lyrics are featured in the album booklet.

The recording quality of the songs is excellent. There are 24 tracks and the play time is 52 minutes. I wish it were longer! Enhanced CD features include musical film excerpts, as well as a video conversation between Goldenthal and star Salma Hayek and text interviews with the composer and director Taymor.

This CD is a real winner!
JANA