Charismatic Lila Downs nails Gallo show

One thing you can say about Mexican-American singer Lila Downs is that she knows how to put on a show.

The stunningly gorgeous singer showed up for tonight's Gallo Center for the Arts show in an intricately designed fringed indigenous type dress and rarely stopped dancing throughout her 90-minute set. For added dramatic effect, she alternately twirled around a bright yellow shawl and a blue feathered boa. Behind her were a kaleidoscope of images and figures projected on a large video screen.

I was thrilled that she mostly sang songs off her catchy new album "Shake Away." Ever since I got a copy a few weeks ago, I've been listening to the disc nonstop. As usual, she finds away to draw on a variety of global influences and have it all make sense. While most of her songs have a Spanish or Mexican twist, they also feature American Indian, country, African, Celtic and Jewish influences.

A top-notch singer by any standard, Downs did things with her voice that shouldn't be possible. She can sing any style and is a master at phrasing. Her vocal range is to die for - she can sing the lowest notes as easily as the highest ones.

Adding icing to the cake, she performs with an amazing seven-piece band that includes saxophone, clarinet, trombone, accordion, guitar and percussion.

The performance was so upbeat and fun that some audience members couldn't stand sitting in their seats and got up to dance in the aisles. When it was all over, she and the band got a standing ovation.

The last time she visited Modesto was in 2002 at the State Theatre. Let's hope we don't have to wait quite so long for her next visit to town.

- Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan