Del Rio made a cameo appearance in David Lynch’s 2001 film Mulholland Drive, singing “Llorando”(the Spanish version of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”), quite possibly the best rendition, a cappella or otherwise, that I’ve encountered. What saddened me was I had just viewed the movie last night, quite unaware of her passing. She had an amazing voice and her passing at 57 just brings home how short life can be. The video link is included below…
Hers is an interesting take, but I find it choppy with chunky phrasing - perhaps a consequence of the tempo.
I have yet to hear a rendition better than Orbison’s.
I enjoyed the piece, @DuneKidd , thanks for posting it.
I haven’t seen Mulholland Drive in years, but I recall that if you ever want to get a sense of what the bardo might be like, this is it.
Of course, there are no definitive interpretations of David Lynch’s work. I think he liked it that way.
Crap… now I’ve gotta go binge watch “Twin Peaks”.
Interesting take, indeed!
Elk, you’ve perfectly clarified and encapsulated the very reasons why I love this rendition, especially when one compares it to the original by Roy Orbison.
Del Rio takes a beautifully written, masterfully crafted song, by a fantastically talented pop song writer from a by gone era, and completely redefines it by extracting the true meaning and contextual impact it was always meant to convey.
By infusing it with real emotional force, intensity and honesty, she take the old 1960’s version, which was hamstrung by its dated presentation - geared specifically for AM car radios and listening audiences’, and presents a more relatable and accessible rendition; suitable for the film and the audiences who were to view it, as well as for future audiences to appreciate. Jazz singers do this all the time, so there’s that to consider.
What makes it even more amazing, is that the version on the film and in the YouTube clip, were the same one-off recording, done as a walk-off from the street rendition, with no prior preparation, given by Del Rio, at an impromptu meeting with Lynch. There are no other versions, as far as I know.
I liken it to the Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” rendition of the “Great Gig In the Sky” by Clare Torry. The exact same circumstance and the same thrilling, gut given, impromptu, rendition. Your vocabulary and specific analytical capabilities regarding music give you the ability to concisely describe such things that I, sadly, struggle to elucidate.
So,…“C’est la vie” and “Laissez les bons temps rouler”…
I have the Criterion versions of Lynch’s films. They go the extra thousand miles with supplements and artists interviews which shed a great deal of light and give specific insight into the who, what, when, where, how and why of these films. If you ever get a chance, pick them up second hand or on sale. They are certainly worth it.
Great review, well expressed.