We're visiting family this week, in part to make good on a gift to my 9- and 12-year old nephews this past Christmas… We're going to see "Weird" Al Yankovic live. I also discovered Al when I was about their age and, in addition to the parodies, most of which are hilarious to boys in that age range, I soon figured out that Al was an incredible gateway to music in general. I found this was especially true for his Polka Medleys and Style Pastiche original songs. So, in this spirit of music discovery, your charge this week is to bring either:
- Any song by any artist that has been featured in one of "Weird" Al's Polka Medleys,
- Any song by any artist about whom "Weird" Al has written a Style Parody. You can either dig through the list of all Al's recorded songs or through this list on his website. At the former you'll have to look for a description like "Original, in the style of [BAND NAME], particularly…" in the "Origiinalor Parody" column ; at the latter you'll have to click through to find the artist whose style has been parodied by an original song.
- Any artist that "Weird" Al parodied in a specific, stand-alone song (like Michael Jackson, Queen, or Madonna, to name a few).
Originals - yes, always allowed. This week I challenge you to step outside of yourself and write an original in the style of someone else. "Style" could be interpreted as song structure, lyrical style, style of another Seasonista or a band they like, etc. Pretty much up to your interpretation here.
Usual rules apply: Season runs Sunday to Sunday starting at midnight Hawai'i time on July 19 and ends at midnight Hawai'i time on July 27, new recordings for this season only please, other instruments are ok, but your uke must be front and center, Please try to listen and comment on other people's contributions, ets., etc. You can find additional info in the ever handy Seasons FAQ post by former Seasons Manager Edwin.
(Now live)
