Weird Al's cover is better...



... must be the accordion riff...

If you love Leadbelly check out Three Songs By Leadbelly, on YouTube. And check out "Pick a bale of cotton" sifted by NickyP.


Huddie William Ledbetter (January 23, 1888 - December 6, 1949) was an American folk and blues musician, notable for his clear and forceful singing, his virtuosity on the twelve string guitar, and the rich songbook of folk standards he introduced. He is best known as Leadbelly or Lead Belly (see below).

Although his most commonly-played instrument was the twelve string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina, and accordion. In some of his recordings, such as in one of his versions of the folk ballad "John Hardy", he performs on the accordion instead of the guitar.

The topics of Lead Belly's music covered a wide range of subjects, including gospel songs, blues songs about women, liquor, racism, folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding, dancing, and songs concerning the newsmakers of the day, such as President Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, the Scottsboro Boys, and multi-millionaire Howard Hughes.

- More @ <ahref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadbelly">Wikipedia

Wow hearing that made me so happy. Thanks NickyP.

I came across Blues in general with Leadbelly and Robert Johnson back in Africa reading up on popular music in the Encarta 95 CD that came packaged with the computer the family bought. It's funny looking back now, realizing that was the only source of alternative musical exposure I had then. I still think Microsoft is evil though.

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Huddie William Ledbetter (January 23, 1888 - December 6, 1949) was an American folk and blues musician, notable for his clear and forceful singing, his virtuosity on the twelve string guitar, and the rich songbook of folk standards he introduced. He is best known as Leadbelly or Lead Belly (see below).

Although his most commonly-played instrument was the twelve string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina, and accordion. In some of his recordings, such as in one of his versions of the folk ballad "John Hardy", he performs on the accordion instead of the guitar.

The topics of Lead Belly's music covered a wide range of subjects, including gospel songs, blues songs about women, liquor, racism, folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding, dancing, and songs concerning the newsmakers of the day, such as President Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, the Scottsboro Boys, and multi-millionaire Howard Hughes.

- More @ <ahref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadbelly">Wikipedia

Very cool indeed! I was going to vote for it at the end cause that was some good music and I just wanted to make sure nothing stupid happens (scary image kind of thing in the middle). But when the guy was playing the accordion and using a bow to ummm...play the xylophone, insta-vote!

Yann Tiersen (born June 23, 1970) is a versatile French minimalist multi-instrumentalist. In his songs, he normally uses instruments like piano, accordion and several types of violins.
For a listen of his multi-instrument work see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML4ffX4pvjk

Actually, Al is not related to Frankie Yankovic. They both just happen to play the accordion.

Therealblankman; According to weird al's website;

Is Al related to the famous accordion-playing Polka King, Frankie Yankovic?

No, although they were friends for many years. (In October 1998, Frankie passed away at his home in Florida at the age of 83.)


I just happened to be browsing his site when i noticed this...