The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic

[minnick27]

He should have said "What (within reason) do you want?" You put two unreleased songs on there. There are various reasons they are unreleased. I dont know why he seems to be against School Cafeteria, as he released that himself, and it is better than most of his first album

[anthontherun]

Yeah, even if they're 30 years old, if Billy Joel or George Harrison's estate still veto ISBJTM and "Pacman" then Al's not going to put them out there. But with dozens of unreleased originals and assorted rare tracks, that doesn't excuse the pointlessness of this third disc.

He can't be that ashamed of "Belvedere Cruising"--didn't they play a clip of it in BTM?

[minnick27]

Well they had to have it in there, it is of historical importance to his career, though not important enough to include on Essentials, though he did do a live bit of it in Behind The Dementia. And I think with those early recordings the issue is also tape quality. Not the best recordings in terms of quality. At least Pacman, ISBJTM and School Cafeteria are all decent recordings

[OneWAY]

Yeah, I don't think it ever crossed Al's mind to include his teenage work... with cheap cassette tape quality sound. They would not have fit in the collection AT ALL. Even the "Another One Rides The Bus" recording fits better than his bedroom recordings.

In any case, I'm sure Al was taking into account that the "Essential" wouldn't be for everyone, at least, not for the people that own all of his CD's... even if that's all the third disc has (and it probably is) it's a good choice of good songs (I noticed they were all relatively deep cuts). I personally don't see how "School Cafeteria" would fit on the "Essentials" collection in any case...

As for rarities he COULD release (or isn't embarrassed to release; such as alternate mixes), I don't think anyone (besides us) really wants those. Plus, isn't he trying to incorporate something along those lines with album 13? The only thing that strikes me as odd is that he STILL didn't put any version "My Bologna" on there.

As long as we're nitpicking, I'll go ahead and add that I would prefer "Mr. Popeil" or "Nature Trail To Hell" over "Midnight Star."

[FredHuggins]

He can't be that ashamed of "Belvedere Cruising"--didn't they play a clip of it in BTM?

Yeah, in historical context, with narration over it. That's very different from releasing it as an album track.

[HappyGilmore]

Yeah, I don't think it ever crossed Al's mind to include his teenage work... with cheap cassette tape quality sound.

As long as we're nitpicking, I'll go ahead and add that I would prefer "Mr. Popeil" or "Nature Trail To Hell" over "Midnight Star."

Myself included. While I like "Midnight Star", I prefer "Mr. Popeil."

[superdude]

It should have at least been:


1. My Bologna (the original version)
2. Pac-Man
3. Like a Surgeon (Truth or Dare version)
4. The full version of The Alternative Polka
5. Spy Hard
6. The Night Santa Went Crazy (Extra Gory Version)
7. I'm in Love With the Skipper
8. Jurashiku Paaku

[oddaustin]

I'm pretty sure TNSWC (Extra Gory Version) is already on the Essentials set.

[OneWAY]

Actually, I would love a studio recording of the Truth or Dare version of "Like A Surgeon."

... I guess I'll just have to continue to play the DVD with my back to the screen.

btw, "Pac-Man" was denied permission way back when (why would Al ask now?), "Buddy Holly" still hasn't been cleared by Weezer (and again; why would Al ask for it now?), the extra gory version of "The Night Santa Went Crazy" is already on disc two (previously stated, but I typed it before that post showed up)... but, I suppose nothing was truly holding Al back from including any of those other tracks. Except maybe "Skipper" because I don't think that was actually ever recorded.

[superdude]

Actually, I would love a studio recording of the Truth or Dare version of "Like A Surgeon."

... I guess I'll just have to continue to play the DVD with my back to the screen.

btw, "Pac-Man" was denied permission way back when (why would Al ask now?), "Buddy Holly" still hasn't been cleared by Weezer (and again; why would Al ask for it now?), the extra gory version of "The Night Santa Went Crazy" is already on disc two (previously stated, but I typed it before that post showed up)... but, I suppose nothing was truly holding Al back from including any of those other tracks. Except maybe "Skipper" because I don't think that was actually ever recorded.

I never looked at what was on the original 2 discs. I assumed they were all just his normal album songs. Also, if he's not putting Skipper on the bonus disc, he shout put it on album 13.