Mandy Patinkin - Experiment

Experiment

Mandy Patinkin's CD "Experiment" is just that, an experiment in voice production and creative presentation. I was not aware of Mr. Patinkin's vocal ability until after he left the TV production, Criminal Minds. His ability to sing from falsetto to strong baritone is wonderful. If you are into a different sound of famous and not so famous songs produced from a different sound, this is a CD to enjoy. November 16, 2007

Still wonderful voice although the cd lacks a little vigor

Mandy Pitinkin has an extremely original voice. I was shocked when I found out that the man whose name I remembered usually as 'Inigo Montoya'(from his role in "The Princess Bride") could sing! My friend had his cd "The Secret Garden" and he was just amazing in it! Especially "Lily's Eyes'! His fire and passion in the song was magnificent so naturally I have wanted to hear other cd's (after I bought the Secret Garden, of course). This one was very good. Soothing, and with his highy recognizable tenor falsetto voice. I can't quite give it five stars because it is, as I said, very mellow, but if you want a mellow cd- this is it! (By the way, I have very little trouble remembering his real name anymore! :]) September 14, 2003

Extraordinary Voice

This is an album that people will love or hate. Mandy Patinkin's voice is very unusual... does he sing falsetto, or tenor or is he a baritone? Perhaps he is all of this - a singer with a huge range. If you are expecting something predictable, you'll be disappointed.
As the title says, Mandy experiments with this album, in ways that are reminiscent of Streisand in the 70s. The results are exciting and surprising.
This is the album that I listen to whilst driving long distances. The variety keeps me alert and eagerly anticipating the next track. This is, I think, Mandy Patinkin's greatest album. I love it. June 2, 2003

Mandy in a manic mood.

I can remember the occasion with perfect clarity, if not the actual date. Keith Lockhart had just been appointed as the replacement for John Williams as conductor of the Boston Pops, and the occasion was the PBS broadcast of his premiere "Evening at Pops" concert.

The guest artists were Sylvia McNair, Mandy Patinkin and Doc Severinson. After a few decades of watching Doc on Johnny Carson's "Tonite Show," I held no high expectations for Doc's contribution, and he didn't disappoint me. On the other hand, I was (and still am) a big fan of Sylvia McNair, who sang a grouping of pop and jazz classics memorably. I remember remarking to my wife that Sylvia was my main reason for watching the concert broadcast, to which she remarked, "You ain't seen nuttin yet!" Or something like that; the paraphrase is certainly accurate enough for purposes of my comments here.

Prior to this concert, I knew who Mandy Patinkin was, but "just barely." I recalled with a little wistfulness the Original B'way Cast Album of "Evita" (a 2-CD set that had been lost or misplaced but never replaced). And I enjoyed Mandy in Rob Reiner's classic "The Princess Bride." But that was about it.

As matters turned out, Mandy was the last guest to appear, after Sylvia (thereby making my wife's prophecy, well, prophetic). The guy just bowled me over; can't put it any more succinctly than that.

About half of the songs Mandy sang at that concert were from this "Experiment" album, and the balance from his eponymous "Mandy Patinkin" album. This is the newer by about five years, and on balance the better of the two. But not by all that much: Both albums are excellent. This one DOES get more playing time, however, so much so that I now simply refer to it as "the yellow album" (thanks to the color of the CD printing).

Unquestionably, Mandy Patinkin is an "acquired taste." He has a distinctive style - perhaps too distinctive for some - in which his singing seems to be divisible into two ranges (a light falsetto tenor and a husky baritone). Well, I acquired it just by watching that Boston Pops concert. And took the trouble to follow up on Mandy's stage and singing career, and found that I also liked the guy simply for what he stood for: Family ahead of personal career gain and all that good stuff.

There IS a downside to having heard him at that Pops concert. Now, unfortunately, I can't remember for the life of me what the titles of the songs were that Sylvia McNair had sung at that concert. I guess I'll just have to "go to the videotape."

Bob Zeidler December 2, 2002

Vvvvvvvvvvvvonderful!

His unique, beautiful lilting voice and showmanship are evident in every aspect of his music.
I absolutely love this cd. I will definitely be purchasing his others. January 5, 2002

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