Customer Reviews

Mamaloshen

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love Yiddish words, though I did not grow up listening to the language, and never heard any Yiddish songs. My limited Yiddish came from my Unitarian father's useage, e.g., my sister was called "Yenta-Kvetch." Thus, I appreciated the booklet with each song in Yiddish and English.

I've been a loyal fan of Mandy Patinkin's singing since his first recording, "Dress Casual." I love to surprise people who only know him from "Chicago Hope" or "The Princess Bride" by playing Mandy's version of "Over the Rainbow" from his 1989 CD, "Mandy Patinkin."

"Mamaloshen" is at its best when Mandy's sweet powerful voice is able to unleash his full emotion. Paul Simon's "American Tune" never sounded better. At the other end, I could have done without the spiced up "White Christmas" with its overbearing cymbals. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" are humorous the first time thru then could be skipped, except in the middle of a silly baseball song is a fantastic, gut wrentching version of "God Bless America."

The most lasting songs are the ones I never heard before. In the middle of the day, my mind will replay the words I don't comprehend to "Rabbi Elimeylekh." Every time I listen to the emotional songs in "Mamaloshen," I have a greater appreciation of the melting pot which is America.

You don't have to be Jewish to appreciated the Yiddish songs. You only have to be alive to appreciate the artistry of Mandy Patinkin.

When I first heard about this CD, I wondered what I would make of it. I know no Yiddish, but I love Mandy's voice. I immediately realized it doesn't take knowledge of the language to understand the meaning of any of the songs. With a word or phrase in English, one can feel the emotion, the pain or pleasure of the story, just by relaxing into the soulfulness of Patinkin's glorious voice. Clearly, the ideas of culture and identity matter to him passionately, and that feeling is easily conveyed to any listener regardless of ethnic or religious background. I defy you to listen to "Motl the Operator" and not be moved. I would give this CD a 6 if I could...really a ten. It's the soul, folks.

Though a "Mandy Patinkin" fan, I made TERRIBLE jokes about this album before even hearing it. "Yiddish songs?", I thought. Well, upon hearing this recording at a friend's (who is even hipper than I), I was enchanted. What beautiful, enchanting music! It calms me down even better than a Xanex. Everyone needs one!

Mandy Patinkin has done it! He has captured the humor, pathos and electricity of this genre. My mother used to sing Oyfen Pripetshik to me as a child, Mandy made me cry. My only disappointment was the translitteration which I found a little fuzzy, but that could be a matter of dialect.

Patinkin's choice of material is marvelous, and his inclusion of Take Me Out to the Ballgame clearly illustrates the desire of an entire generation to assimilate, to be Americans. My husband and I thrilled to "Got Bencht Amerike".

I truly hope this is the first of a series, an important documentation of Yiddish music for generations for whom the music and the language has been lost. As Patinkin states in his notes, Yiddish in America was the secret language, so the "kinder nicht ferschte."

More, Mandy, more!!

Read on - and then think about that word, Yinglish, in the context of this CD and think about whether it is worth Kvetching about the various songs on this CD, some quite unconventional.
For those who haven't heard the word, Yinglish was used by Leo Rosten in a book called The Joys of Yiddish (others have used it, too) and it describes how YIDDISH speakers have continued to let Yiddish words (and the language itself) change and mingle with words from other countries. As a result, in the natural course of things, Yiddish spoken in America may sound VERY different from the way Yiddish is used and spoken in Israel. This type of thing happens in ALL languages, including English. We have words like "Phat" and "fat", for example, relatively recent evolutions of words and word usage. You can't keep language from evolving....or music or Yiddish music, for that matter...or how Yiddish is used in song. To do so would stifle the creative process.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THIS CD? (sorry for the caps but I really do want to stress this question): Some Yiddish "traditionalists" seem to be ambivalent about a "Yiddish" song compilation that includes songs from Mary Poppins as well as the more traditional songs - all translated into Yiddish.

I find it refreshing. I can see why some believe it might even water down Yiddish - but let's face it- Yiddish speakers have had a hard time keeping the language alive and many speakers have changed or loosened certain terms or words, anyway - so why can't a singer? At least, Pantinkin does it with a certain humor and reverence. Listen to the music and I think you'll agree.

And yes....Mandy Pantinkin can be over the top, sometimes (also known as "a willingness to take creative risks") but I think his voice is superb here, his timing and emotional resonance are lovely and the selections are fun to listen to, even moving (depending on the tune). Whenever I play it at a party or with friends and family, it has helped spark conversations about Yiddish. So how can it be hurting Yiddish?

When I received my CD I could not wait to hear it. Words can not decribe how much I enjoyed this CD. When I Belz, Raisins and Almonds, etc I cried. My Father used to sing these songs to me and my brother when we were children. I sent one to my brother, and he too said it was great.

Mandy Patinken's beautiful and sweet voice brings new life to classic Yiddish favorites. Those of us who grew up listening to Yiddish music welcome this album and hope it is the start of a revival of this long lost treasure. From sweet to robust he captures all the nuances of this magical language.

Should be a classic. Forget the arguments about what Yiddish is supposed to be, how to speak it, where, etc. Yiddish speakers have tried to kill it by being language commandos but it lives on. Pantinkin is great as usual, and the track Rebbe Elimelech should become a classic alongside Aaron Lebedeff's
Romania. You will love this album.

This is exactly what we've all come to expect of Mandy Patinkin. Is it worth it? Well, yes, if it helps to preserve (and even popularize) some of these beautiful Yiddish songs. But this is Mandy Patinkin at his self-indulgent best. Gifted with a terrific voice, Patinkin has made a career of turning every song into an opportunity to show off his range and dynamics, often at the expense of the music. This collection is no exception. Yiddish music is melody-oriented, frequently written to be sung by the simplest of accompaniments, if any at all. But here, we have overly sentimental arrangements and histrionic vocals. Awfully different from what Bubbie used to sing; at times almost unrecognizable. I give it two starts for historical value (although what historical value "God Bless America" in Yiddish has is questionable!) But, chalk this one up as another Patinkinization. If you like his style, this is more of the same. If you're looking for Yiddish songs with an inkling of tradition, look elsewhere.

this album made me cry for many reasons.The lost language of my childhood. my mother comforting me.All those people I once knew and loved.This album also made me smile remembering those funny sounding people I once loved.And my mother:if only he had included"My Yiddishe Mama".Next time.