Frida [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]

Elliot Goldenthal

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2002)
• 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 (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,427 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
She was famous as both artist and model, infamous as political revolutionary and social libertine, and Frida Kahlo's controversial life couldn't help but seem the stuff of great musical theater. Her story is brought to the screen by director Julie Taymor, whose musical compatriot here is also her husband; Elliot Goldenthal, student of both Copland and Corigliani, shrewdly sublimates his modernism in service of the rich, evocative music and songs of Mexico and Central America. Utilizing performers that range from the contemporary (Lila Downs) to the folk-classic (Costa Rican legend Chavela Vargas; Brazilian star Caetano Veloso) and traditional (Los Cojolites, El Poder Del Norte, Trio Huasteca, Caimanes de Tanquin, and others), Goldenthal generously displays the true breadth of Mexican folk music, while seamlessly infusing it with the minimalist corners of his own underscore and some winning songwriting of his own. The result is one of 2002's most compelling soundtracks. The 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. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Manny Hernandez "Author of Ning For Dummies" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

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.

17 of 17 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 "Author of Ning For Dummies" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Burning in my mind, March 24, 2003

By	Felipe Follador dos Santos (Curitiba, Brazil) - See all my reviews

I was quite impressed when Elliot Goldenthal got the Golden Globe for original score, he was running against big composers such as Elmer Bernstein and Philip Glass. Then again at the Oscars he managed to win over Thomas Newman and John Williams. Well I can't say anything about the music in the movie, because "Frida" hasn't opened in Brazil yet, but I bought either way (I always buy nominated scores). What I can say is that the mexican spirit indeed is in Elliot's compositions. I was astonished with some very unusual tracks like "La Cavalera" and "Solo Tu", which captures your senses in a strange way. Some tracks have the sample of the theme song "Burn it Blue" which was beautifully sung by Caetano Veloso and Lila Downs. The lyrics are quite beautiful so is the composition. It isn't only a score CD, it has also some mexican artists that collaborated to create an atmosphere that takes your imagination through the mexican scenario. Salma Hayek herself sings in a song called "La Bruja" a rendition of a very popular song from a group called "Los Vegas" that sing with her as well.
Highlights (speaking about the score itself) go to "The Journey", "Still Life" and "Burning Bed".
It is wonderful and you'll be flabbergasted.