The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic

[HappyGilmore]

Forgive a possibly-unwelcome opinion, but I think the real problem here is that we prematurely misinterpreted what this would be. We didn't realize the purpose of the disc was, simply, "a small handful of stuff we WOULD'VE put on the 2 main discs but we ran out of room." And by those standards, it's a pretty damn good job; I wouldn't have been disappointed to find ANY of these six tracks on "Essentials."

The fact is, Al just doesn't HAVE too many rarities in his repertoire. He's not one of those acts who record twenty songs for each album, handpick the best twelve and leave the other eight floating around for B-sides, compilations and reissue bonus tracks, IF they get released at all. Nothing against that practice; most of my favorite bands do it (which makes collecting quite the challenge sometimes), but Al simply isn't one of them. Al tends to use every track he records. An Al-approved collection of his own rarities, even if only six tracks, would feel extremely padded (not that we would mind) and filled with tracks the general public would never in a million years consider "Essential" (like "Polkamon" for example).

I'm actually quite relieved by this; I was afraid I'd have to plunk down $20+ for the same collection all over again, and now I know I don't have to.

Not an unwelcome opinion at all. I think a lot of people had hopes up that more 'rare' tracks would be included. Obviously, earlier material recorded before his album deals wouldn't be released, as most "non-hardcore" fans wouldn't have an interest. Essential Albums appeal to mainstream audiences, who as you mentioned, generally only know Al's "bigger" hits, so songs like the ones announced would possibly appeal to them to get a better perception of what Al's capable of.

[anthontherun]

I didn't have expectations for a disc packed with rarities; in fact if you look back I hypothesized that we'd only have a handful of (mostly) previously released common tracks. The issue is that this third disc is of no value to anyone whatsoever. If a casual fan has already picked up the two-disc version, they're not going to repurchase this. If a casual fan hasn't already picked up the two-disc version, I don't think an extra six songs is going be the incentive that draws them in.

The only way 3.0 was going to work at all was to push it to the hardcore fans, many of whom already bought the original. It didn't have to be all rarities. Hell, they could've done the six songs there and thrown in "Jurashiku Park" or "School Cafeteria" or even the karaoke version of "Eat It" and most of us would be all over it for that one song. As it is, it offers absolutely nothing for any audience. Why bother with the manufacturing costs for the third disc and new packaging? Use that money to promote the existing release or better yet, some sort of release that will appeal to somebody.

Since it's been brought up already, the Michael Jackson 3.0 threw in one rarity (I don't believe "Can't Get Outta the Rain" is available on any other US CD), and that honestly is all I was hoping for this--ONE song that's hard to track down, or at least in the case of "Polkamon" has never appeared on an Al release.

[TMBJon]

I agree with everything anth said. I don't think any of those old songs I had suggested a couple months ago will ever see physical release, but I hope Al does some kind of rarity iTunes thing someday.

[Well, Well, Well]

Why bother with the manufacturing costs for the third disc and new packaging? Use that money to promote the existing release or better yet, some sort of release that will appeal to somebody.

or better yet, help those starving kids in africa!

[Mystik Tomato]

Yeah! I'm sure they'd love to listen to Midnight Star!

[Well, Well, Well]

ahaha, lol.

[anthontherun]

Why bother with the manufacturing costs for the third disc and new packaging? Use that money to promote the existing release or better yet, some sort of release that will appeal to somebody.

or better yet, help those starving kids in africa!

If Al's philosophy is the same as it is towards starving kids in Japan, he would just tell the record company to spend the money frivolously A SPOONFUL OF RICE IS MORE ESSENTIAL THAN "GENIUS IN FRANCE" DAMMIT

[Interrobang]

I highly doubt we'll get any rarities/unreleased songs, considering how much Al is embarrassed of his early work. Maybe something like Polkamon, yes, or an alternative mix to a song if we're lucky.

[weird_el]

I started this thread the way I did because Al tweeted what do WE WANT on it. I still want My Bologna (Capitol), It's Still Billy Joel To Me and Theme From Home Improvement. Since none of the above will be included, I will pass.

[Teh Dingo]

Count me in the "Possibly Unwelcome Opinion" camp.