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From the Vault...
02/14/1999
#616 |
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info
Frankie Yankovic
"Frankie Yankovic And His Yanks' Greatest Hits"
© Columbia Records
Year of Release: unknown
Rating:
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track listing
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Blue Skirt Waltz
Who Stole The Keeshka
Hoop-Dee-Doo
Beer Barrel Polka
The Last Time I Saw Henry
Happy Time Polka
Milwaukee Polka
I've Got A Wife
Too Fat Polka
Just Because
Pennsylvania Polka
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Frankie Yankovic related sites:
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Frankie Yankovic
"Frankie Yankovic And His Yanks' Greatest Hits"
Anyone care to Polka?
Yes friends, if it deals with music, you'll find it here on the our website.
Not many Rock websites would feature Polka, but you'll have to realize,
Polka is another source of music that is truly enjoyed. It's great to have a
brew and an occasional dance while such great polka classics as "Beer Barrel
Polka" and "Too Fat Polka" are playing in the background.
Both of those songs are found here on a greatest hits album by the man
who was considered THE Polka king. Elvis Presley was the King of Rock
and Roll, and Frankie Yankovic was the King of Polka. Unfortunately, Mr.
Yankovic recently passed away on October 14, 1998, at the age of 83.
(Imagine Elvis and Frankie as a double-bill somewhere in "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven!")
The usual favorites are all here: "Whole Stole The Keeshka," "Beer
Barrel Polka," "Pennsylvania Polka" and "Too Fat Polka" are songs
that once you hear them, you know them right off the bat. Even the uncommon
songs are just as favorable: "Blue Skirt Polka" is a slow polka tune,
"Hoop-Dee-Doo" has the same beat as "Pennsylvania Polka".
"The Last Time I Saw Henry" is a vocal tune that is just as entertaining as
the vocals heard in "Too Fat Polka." "Happy Time Polka" is an
instrumental polka, having the same polka beat as another instrumental great,
"Beer Barrel Polka".
And since beer is most famous in Milwaukee, no polka album is complete
without the "Milwaukee Polka," a song in which Frankie Yankovic co-wrote.
Another common favorite is the "I've Got A Wife," where it's lyrics are
just as comedical as "Too Fat Polka.": "I've got a wife at home;
I just wish she'd leave me alone." Speaking of which, "Too Fat Polka"
is best remembered titled to some as "She's Too Fat For Me": "I
don't want her, you can her, She's Too Fat For Me." "Just Because"
is another song that has funny lyrics: "She called just to say she spent
all my money." And like the other polka tunes on this album, it brings
a warm feeling as you can't help but smile and enjoy, despite how "serious"
the lyrics can really be.
Polka music is best heard in weddings and parties. And Polka isn't meant
for Polish people (as some would say); it is meant to be enjoyed by all
heritages. The best known instrument in Polka music is the accordion.
And where most musicians would cringe in having to say that they learned
this instrument when they started out, the accordion is used in Italian-based
music as the soundtrack to The Godfather, and the early years of Dean
Martin. And then there's another man who started out playing the accordion,
by the name of Weird Al Yankovic. In reading the story of Weird Al's life,
he is NOT related to Frankie. (By the way, his biological name is Alfred Matthew
Yankovic.)
Frankie Yankovic is truly the man who put Polka music on the map.
And even though his Greatest Hits album clocks in under just a half
hour's work of music, the 11 songs contained on this album are truly enjoyable,
yet there should of been more. If you really love polka music, and want to
hear more, the Lawrence Welk box set (!!!) would be your best bet.
With the recent passing of Frankie Yankovic, maybe in the future there will
be a box set released of his music, dedicated to his memory. But for now,
Frankie Yankovic and his Yanks' Greatest Hits is a very enjoyable
album for all fans of Polka music.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Columbia Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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