Squeeze Box: The Complete Works of "Weird Al" Yankovic

[mrmeadows]

I'm also really, really hoping that Al recorded some older parodies that are fully-fleshed out, but do not have legit version available, like "Theme from Home Improvement", "I'm in Luv Wit Da Skipper", etc. I realize some of those might need rights cleared/permission granted (like "Pac-Man"), but I could see some people softening their rejection after years and years.

Would also love to hear either a studio or live version of the "Jack & Diane" parody version of "Buckingham Blues". If you had a gun to my head and said I could only have ONE never-before-heard rarity, I'd probably pick that.

Not getting my hopes up, though. I think others are correct that it will probably mostly be cleaned up versions of stuff most of us have already heard. That's nice too, I suppose. I am hoping for at LEAST one (or two!) brand-new songs to be included, but again not putting any money on it. (Mainly because I'll be broke after pre-ordering the set!) I do think the new version of "Happy Birthday" will be included, but not sure if I would count that as a "new" song. . .except that it kinda is. I think.

PS: Did T-Pain turn down Al for the "Skipper" parody? I figured Al just thought it wasn't strong enough to warrant a full song but made for a good "concert-only" piece.

[Big Spoon]

PS: Did T-Pain turn down Al for the "Skipper" parody? I figured Al just thought it wasn't strong enough to warrant a full song but made for a good "concert-only" piece.

I think the story is that he asked T-Pain during his "Oh smurf, I need a You're Pitiful replacement" period, along with Chamillionaire and Daniel Powter, and was given permission. But, as you said, he ulitmatately decided there wasn't enough there and put it in the medley.

[spmahn]

PS: Did T-Pain turn down Al for the "Skipper" parody? I figured Al just thought it wasn't strong enough to warrant a full song but made for a good "concert-only" piece.

I think the story is that he asked T-Pain during his "Oh smurf, I need a You're Pitiful replacement" period, along with Chamillionaire and Daniel Powter, and was given permission. But, as you said, he ulitmatately decided there wasn't enough there and put it in the medley.

I'm sure this is the answer, it makes a cute 45 second hook for a concert medley, but not a fully fleshed out 3 and a half minute album track. It isn't like Isle Thing is so rip roaringly hilarious that the world demands Al record a second Gilligan's Island song either.

[yankochick38]

I literally don't even know how I have gotten this far in life without Weird Al socks. I hope they're knee-highs.

[YankoSwag 8888]

Watched the trailer. Did he change the song order cuz the order in the video sucked?

[Yankopunk]

Some predictions I have for what will be on some of the discs:

You're risking a ban by leaking out that information!

Says the one who works for a major Hollywood production company and can get a reasonable wage for it! I don't even earn any money and I would love to buy the CD set...

Well, I don't have a really great job like Jon... nor am I as cool, handsome, or all-around amazing as he is (seriously, Jon is super awesome)... but I managed to place an order for this. It all just boils down to saving money, Heds. We've all been preparing for ages for this moment. We knew it wouldn't be cheap (it's a great deal, though), but Al is worth it. About not having money, I hear you. Even if you get an allowance or such, it's tough at your age. All you can really do is save any bits of money you can, see if you can do odd jobs or whatever to earn some money, ask your loved ones to get it for you as a gift, or so on. Hopefully you can find a way to get a copy, but if not, it doesn't matter. You're no less of a fan.

Still somewhat in progress, this morning I cleaned-up and remixed an old Portastudio track

Thank you for this! Can't wait to see what you all put together for us!

I don't know about major, but I do alright.

Which version of this set is everyone getting?

You do more than alright, my friend. As I said, you're awesome.

I beat myself up for quite a while after watching that excellent video teaser for this set. Doesn't matter to me when it comes to loved ones and opening my wallet, but I feel so damn greedy and selfish spending anything on myself... so you can imagine the pain I felt when entering my credit card number on that order screen for this. I mean, I had been preparing for this moment (even mapped out a budget and plan for saving and paying for it) since it was announced a long time ago... but still... this is a huge purchase!

I decided on the Platinum CD set. I have some vinyl already and ways to play them, but nothing audiophile-grade. Plus, I wouldn't want to risk damaging them through playing and so on. I figured that the CD set was the way to go because I get the big album sleeves like I wanted, I can rip the CDs to various formats to have on my computer and portable players, and I get all the bonuses (save the turntable mat and autograph) of the other packages. Plus, everything's all remastered and I just love everything about the set. If there was an autographed version of the set, I might have spent a little more, but in the end... I could get another autograph through various ways, and I already have a few autographs (one personalized). Plus, I met the guy, got the greatest hug of all time, had the greatest evening of my life... just... you've heard the story enough.

If he does tour near me again, and I'm still around, and there's a way to possibly meet him again, I'll just have him sign the accordion case. I think that would be a fantastic collectible.

Now if I can just stop beating myself up for spending money on myself.

Quick question about that video: Why is he in jail at the end of Even Worse (while "Lasagna" is playing)? Am I just missing something here? Other than that, that video is awesome (although I don't really understand why each tracklist is jumbled up).

The tracklist is jumbled because they wanted to animate certain songs and have the music mix flow better. As for why he's in jail, pay attention to the head on Al. He has his "Fat" face, so he was arrested for gluttony. Remember the wanted posters in the subway? "WANTED FOR GLUTTONY." Very subtle joke by the animator. Don't know why it's during Lasagna, but whatever.

[eleventhirtyfour]

Hmm. I guess that's about as good as a guess as it gets! I mean at least "Lasagna" is about food!

[joseyklein]

Just put my preorder for the cd version today! Can't wait, I think they might suprise us with the rarities disk.. I'm pretty sure it was said somewhere that it would feature unreleased cuts from each album.. lets wait though, I don't think its the same stuff we've heard for years

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[OneWAY]

Here's a question: does the pre-order charge your card before it ships? It doesn't seem to. Normally, if I make a purchase, it shows up on my statement, but I still have the same amount of money I did before.

I'm not complaining, but it seems like I won't get charged until November, which is nice. Maybe I should've bought the insanely expensive bundle after all.

[Killingsworth]

Well, I've decided if/when I could afford to preorder this thing that I'll definitely go with the $200 no frills CD set...but honestly being able to see the rarities track list first (if it were to be released early) would REALLY sway me on this.

I doubt we'll get to know what the rarities are for quite some time. There's obviously still more legal red tape to cut through before the bulk of it can be put together. Plus, if there are any brand new songs to be included I doubt Al has had time to conceive them much less have any lyrics written yet.

Although the packaging and booklet are real tempting, it is looking like the tracks from "Medium Rarities" will be "album only" and unable to be sold separate from the rest of the collection if/when this thing goes up on iTunes etc.

I have to wonder if the CD bundle would be any cheaper to get w/o the "magnet board" if I wait until after this pre order offer is over?