Yank Blog

Jim “Kimo” West’s new CD “Slack Key West” is now available through his website or CDbaby.com.

Jim “Kimo” West’s long-awaited new CD, “Slack Key West”, is another great collection of uniquely original ki ho ‘alu instrumentals, with a few choice covers thrown in the mix. Like his initial outing, “Coconut Hat”, this CD is full of warm, acoustic slack key instrumentals, based on his ever-evolving collection of experiences in the beautiful islands of Hawai’i, and showcases Kimo’s fluid technique and unusual tunings. The CD’s song notes add another dimension to the experience, providing the listener with insight into the inspiration behind these compositions. Whether you’re a fan of Hawaiian music or not, this CD is sure to stay at the top of your playlist!

Be sure to pick up a poster too while you’re at it!

There are a dozen pictures of Al at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation 2005 “A Time For Heroes” Celebrity Carnival held on 6/12/05 posted on wireimage.com (search for “Yankovic”).

In other news today, weirdal.com was updated with some great news! Al’s going back into the studio to record new songs! Yay!!!

AL WITH KATE!
Al’s friend Sandra Boynton is busy working on another one of her fabulous children’s albums. This one is called “Dog Train,” and it will be out in October. We thought you’d like to know, since one of the tracks (“I Need A Nap”) features a duet with “Weird Al” Yankovic and Kate Winslet!

AL WITH THE BAND!
Yes, Al even found time in his busy schedule to work on his OWN stuff! Al and the band will be back in the studio in July to begin recording their next album.

This just in… Weird Al watches Star Wars parody movie… and he likes it! In fact, he even writes back to creator and long-time Al fan, Christopher Knight, to give praise:

“…Nice job! Wow, how’d you ever get Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg to be in it? What a coup!”

The movie in question is called Forcery and if want to check out this 54 minute cinematic comedy, you can find it at The Knight Shift available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and My Goodness!

Weird Al Yankovic Music Videos – A blogger named amish22paradise has provided links to four of Al’s videos that used to be on Yahoo’s Launch site before they took them all down. The videos are “Christmas at Ground Zero”, “UHF”, “Eat It”, and “This is the Life” and only seems to work under Internet Explorer.

(Thanks to “badgerate22beans” for reporting this.)

If you absolutely cannot wait for the “Stars and their Pets: Behind the Lens” to re-air on Animal Planet, then you could also order the DVD from photographer Christopher Ameruoso for a mere $25.

Keep an eye out on Animal Planet for a special documentary called “Stars and their Pets: Behind the Lens”. Photographer Christopher Ameruoso (who did the “Pets and their Stars” 2004 Calendar) interviews tons of celebrities with their lovable animals. Weird Al appears about 47 minutes into it immediately after John O’Hurley. He does the interview in some doggy pajamas and talks about their poodle Bela and their cockatiel Bo.

Animal Planet’s TV Listings for “Stars and their Pets: Behind the Lens”

Here’s a rather interesting article: What Has Weird Al Wrought?

The writer basically complains how the typical parody songs produced by “zany morning crew”s in radio stations across the country are just too commonplace and hackneyed and calls for a boycott. However, he also says:

“Weird Al,” on the other hand, he’s like a locust: He turns up every seven years or so to show us how it’s done. Leave it to Al, boys, leave it to Al.

Locust?!? Umm… okay. Also, the “Star Wars Cantina” was not from a New York City radio station, but actually by Mark Jonathan Davis. Anyway, it’s an interesting read.

On this day two years ago, Yank Blog was born. I finally got around to importing all the old entries that I lost when I changed webhosts. Man, we were posting stuff at least every day back then. Obviously, since Al’s gone into hiding to work on his next Grammy-winning album, there really hasn’t been much out on the grapevine lately.

However, I have it on good authority from a friend of a friend of the guy who cuts hair for the woman who once shook hands with the kid who shovels snow for the bald guy who once glanced at a picture of Al in the dictionary (under “Kablaam”) that something, somewhere, at some point, will occur within the next decade. Remember, you heard it here first!

Aren’t you just tingling with anticipation?

Oh yeah! To celebrate the two-year birthday, you can go get a free donut at any participating Krispy Kreme across the United States. Just tell them that you’re there for National Doughnut Day. That’s the uber secret code phrase for celebrating Yank Blog’s 2 year anniversary. It’s SO secret, even Krispy Kreme doesn’t know that’s what it stands for.

June is National Accordion Awareness month. Don’t forget to celebrate it accordion-ly with your main squeeze.

Did you know…
* Lucy Liu is an accomplished accordion player.
* The word accordion comes from the German word “akkord,” which means “agreement, harmony.”
* There used to be a game show/talent contest on television in the Soviet Union that was called “Play Your Accordion!”

More info can be found at Mr. Smarty Pants Accordion Facts

And this just in… today is also National Rocky Road Day. So won’t you go and buy a half gallon baby? Have another triple scoop with me.