Frida

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Type: Music
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: 2002-10-22
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

Frida OST
This soundtrack is amazing! Salma Hayek's performance is brilliant! Elliot Goldenthal composed such beautiful melodies!

Frida Soundtrack
A wonderful CD soundtrack filled with beautiful, festive south of the border selections from the movie Frida. Now it can be a cinco de mayo celebration at my house any day!

Music and performances that touches your heart
In this CD, one can find an excellent combination of melodies and performances for every mood. You can listen to it when you are angry, and feel that the music is angry with you; or listen to it when you are sad and hear the crying in the notes and the voices of the performers; or play it when you are feeling happy and the music will enhance your high spirits, as if you were walking a road in Mexico's countryside, under a warm sunny day. It's one of those CD's that can accompany your moods, no matter, because it reaches deep inside. Highly recommended!

A Noteworthy Soundtrack.
Julie Taymor's "Frida" was a visually interesting movie that failed to really capture Frida Kahlo (the politics of the movie were too shy for one thing), but it featured a nice score by Elliot Goldenthal, who has sense moved in with Taymor and recently produced the soundtrack for her "Across The Universe" musical. There are some interesting tracks here that carry the flavor and essence of classic Mexico. "The Floating Bed" has some beautiful sounds and strings. "El Conejo" is a rousing number from the urban Mexico of Frida's time, the post-revolution period where the nation was struggling to define itself after a 10-year insurrection that radically transformed society. Mexican singing legend Chavela Vargas (who knew Frida) makes two great appearances with the classic "ranchera" "Paloma Negra" and a gritty take on "La Llorona." However the artist who most stands out in this disc is Lila Downs. Downs has made a name for herself in the world music stage, producing some of the best Latin folk recordings of the past few years. Here she creates a dark, deep atmosphere with some stylish, emotional numbers like "Alcoba Azul" and the hypnotic, Oscar-nominated "Burn It Blue" featuring Caetano Veloso. Downs' rendition of "La Llorona" is a beautiful homage to the classic mariachi style. The only thing that keeps "Frida" from being a masterful soundtrack is that without the contributing artists and their songs we are left with Goldenthal's somewhat bare score which recycles most of the same gimmicks. There are some nice, gorgeous moments, but they are too few. It seems as if Goldenthal only sticks to one rhythm or melody, instead of producing a true, red-blooded take on the classic sounds of post-revolutionary Mexico. No matter, "Frida," has enough to make it stand out as a noteworthy soundtrack that reaches for some impressive artistic heights.

The Mexican Culture of the Period Epitomized
I purchased this CD already a fan of the movie it complements. In addition, Frida is one of my favorite artists. I also speak Spanish. Anyone in this situation could surely love the soundtrack. If you have purchased the CD without at least having seen the movie or having some knowledge of Kahlo's work, I'm not sure how much you'll be able to truly appreciate it, but it's a beautiful collection of music nonetheless. The soundtrack combines the music of older stars(Chavela Vargas)and new talents (Lila Downs) with many new compositions that, in the movie, augment the colors of Frida's paintings, and when heard on their own make one think on motifs ranging from sunlight to death. Salma Hayek (who plays the title role)sings as well, adding her hearty voice to the Mexican musical canon. The songs themselves are mainly folk, mixing mythology (La Llorona) with revolution.