I think we definitely have different experiences with Mandy, I know what you mean and I know you're not alone, but it's not how I take it. Maybe it's because his was very first "Buddy's Blues" ... it's not the way I'd want it done in the real show, but I didn't find it off putting at all (and I love his "The Right Girl"), and in fact found it very entertaining not ruining. I definitely don't see what you do in his George, I think his performance on the album and the video is pretty perfect, and his Mandy-isms work great for George, and the Mandy you're describing is an incredible asset to a character like Burrs. He needs the right director but I do think he found them many times, including in Hal Prince, James Lapine and George C Wolfe. I'm not much for listening to his solo albums and I agree he can go wild when doing his own versions of songs... but I'd say the same for Patti who I think is a great actor and has an amazing instrument, I've seen her be great in many things under direction, I've even worked with her several times and seen her take direction and thrive in it... left to her own devices in a concert I am baffled and bothered by an exhausting amount of choices she makes about how to deliver a song, emphasize and word or note, etc... seemingly nonsensical choices, but what do I know.
Anyway, I love Mandy. :) |
