On Lily's iPod: The Bonus Edition

Since any type of activity this past weekend was restricted to pining in bed, blowing my nose, and medicating that godforsaken cold – there were precious few things I could do without irritating myself or Lenny. Thank goodness for music! In hindsight, thank goodness for the cold too, LOL. If it weren’t for the illness, I wouldn’t have had a chance to listen to two brand new CDs. Naturally, being a Modern Girl Friday, NEITHER of these CDs had anything in common other than it was music!

Weird Al Yankovic and Tony Bennett are about as different as you can get. But to me, it equated to a couple hours of happy music listening. So...on with the reviewing!

Straight Outta Lynwood: “Weird Al” Yankovic (Volcano)

Okay…get over it. He’s cool. “Straight Outta Lynwood” is #9 on the Billboard charts. You can’t argue with numbers and the fact that every couple years or so, Weird Al gets his own day on MTV. Now, wipe that look off your face and let’s get to the review!

If you’ve listened to more than one Weird Al album, you come to expect a few things. First, you expect the music quality to be there. After 20-years of albums, Yankovic is backed by a band that can mimic just about any song or style perfectly. Second, you expect a keen sense of wit and whimsy. Anyone can parody a song…but it takes some kind of mind to make you laugh out loud about it.

Thankfully, Weird Al is in top form in “Lynwood,” his first studio release in two years. Once again, he mixes up parodies of popular music (riffs on Usher and American Idol, Taylor Hicks to name a few) with original comedic compositions (Weasel Stomping Day is a favorite). But the man just doesn’t parody a song…he performs it like the original! Best example I can give you is the first single, White & Nerdy which is a wonder bread version of Chamillionaire’s rap anthem Ridin’. Check out the lyrics:

“They see me mowin’
My front lawn I know they’re all thinking
I’m so white and nerdy
Think I’m just too white and nerdy
Think I’m just too white and nerdy
Can’t you see I’m white and nerdy?
Look at me; I’m white and nerdy…

First in my class here at MIT
Got skills, I’m a champion at D&D
MC Escher - that’s my favorite MC
Keep your 40, I’ll just have an Earl Grey tea
My rims never spin, to the contrary
You’ll find that they’re quite stationary
All of my action figures are cherry
Steven Hawking’s in my library…”

And just how good are Al’s rhyming skills? On VH-1’s Best Week Ever, the statement was made that he is eons better than the ever annoying Kevin Federline. Even Weird Al raps for FUN (Take that K-Fed!). Which is exactly what “Straight Outta Lynwood” is…pure fun!

Duets – An American Classic: Tony Bennett (Sony-BMG)

Where Weird Al is the definition of fun, Tony Bennett is one of the last living examples of CLASS. “Duets” is released in order to celebrate the crooner’s 80th birthday. OMG! Tony Bennett is EIGHTY? He looks at least a decade younger than that! The CD and subsequent TV Special (November 21st on NBC) is a star-studded effort in the line of Frank Sinatra’s landmark “Duets” in 1993.

However, what makes Tony Bennett’s version so appealing to me was the wide range of musicians and vocalists who joined on the project. For the current Elder Statesman of Song, you’d expect appearances by the new school crooner (Michael Buble), the unique (k.d. lang), the smoky voiced jazz siren (Diana Krall), and other artists that transcend most musical genres (Elton John, James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Celine Dion and Sting).

Proving that he’s more than a singing head, Bennett and his producers packed the CD with many performances that cross musical lines and surprise you. The deep country twang of heartthrob Tim McGraw is softened and given a jazzy sound in his turn with Tony on the tune Cold, Cold Heart. U2’s ever talented front man, Bono, renders a very un-rock but edgy vocal in I Wanna Be Around. And breakout performer, John Legend, doubles up vocally and on the piano in a very playful Sing, You Sinners.

I would recommend that if you do purchase the album, do so at your local Target retailer. Why? While iTunes does offer the full 23-track compliment for $9.99, you are not afforded the bonus DVD that chronicles the making of the album. At an additional $4, it’s completely worth it.

No doubt, it’s an album of standards. But its standards taken to the next level! Each one of the tracks will have you either singing or bouncing along. Moreover, it’ll keep you looking at the track listing going “Who is he singing with? NO WAY!” For those who love the crooning style, I think you’ll be pleasantly pleased to keep this album on your shelf for a long time.

And HELLO! It’s Tony Bennett! What more can you ask for?