"Smalls Change feels much like the Spinal Tap reunion album from 1992, Break Like The Wind — if the original This is Spinal Tap soundtrack remains a peerless, note-perfect parody of musical moronicism (much like the film itself), both Break and Smalls Change are amusing additions to the canon with their own twists to share."
Quote from the NPR article accompanying the first listen to the debut album by fictional bass player Derek Smalls (i.e. Harry Shearer) from the likewise fictional hard rock band Spinal Tap.
So you can approach it more or less negatively or choose to go the positive route and enjoy the songs for what they are played by a plethora of great musicians:
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers)
Gregg Bissonette
Larry Carlton
David Crosby
Donald Fagen (Steely Dan)
Taylor Hawkins
Jim Keltner
Danny (Kootch) Kortchmar
Russ Kunkel
Michael League (Snarky Puppy)
Jane Lynch (actress/singer)
Steve Lukather (Toto)
Judith Owen
Snarky Puppy Horns
Joe Satriani
Paul Shaffer (David Letterman, SNL, etc.)
Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Richard Thompson
Steve Vai
Waddy Wachtel
Rick Wakeman (Yes)
Phil X
Dweezil Zappa
The release of Derek Small's solo album Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing) is April 13 and we finally have a list of all guest appearances on this album by a person that first appeared in the fictional band Spinal Tap in 1984.
The number of guests on the album is impressive and after reading through the complete list we invite you to enjoy the first track/video from the album Smalls Change:
Track List (With Descriptions)
1. "Openture" (featuring the Hungarian Studio Orchestra)
"The philosophy of this record, expressed in fewer words than I've taken to almost describe it."
2. "Rock 'n' Roll Transplant" (featuring Steve Lukather, Jim Keltner and Chad Smith)
"Whatever might be ailing you, rock 'n' roll is the cure. Ask Dr. Derek!"
3. "Butt Call" (featuring Phil X, Taylor Hawkins)
"In one lifetime, the telephone has gone from a miracle to a pain in the arse."
4. "Smalls Change" (featuring the Hungarian Studio Orchestra, Judith Owen, Danny Kortchmar and Russ Kunkel)
"Why Lukewarm Water is no longer bracketed by Fire and Ice. A nod to what's past, and a wink to what's next."
5. "Memo To Willie" (featuring Donald Fagen, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Larry Carlton and the Snarky Puppy Horns)
"An urgent missive to the Honorable Member: continued tumescence, if you please."
6. "It Don't Get Old" (featuring Peter Frampton and Waddy Wachtel)
"Life on the road, an endless series of pointless encounters. What could be better?"
7. "Complete Faith" (featuring the Hungarian Studio Orchestra)
"A musical interruption."
8. "Faith No More" (featuring the Hungarian Studio Orchestra and Todd Sucherman)
"As I get older, I look back more fondly on all the people I’ve known. Except for Ian."
9. "Gimme Some (More) Money" (featuring Paul Shaffer, Waddy Wachtel and David Crosby)
"Time and technology change everything, except the need for change."
10. "MRI" (featuring Derek with Dweezil Zappa)
"Everybody’s going to have one, eventually. It’s just another ride. To hell, but still…"
11. "Hell Toupee" (featuring the Hungarian Studio Orchestra
"Think Satan doesn't have dark thoughts about his appearance as he ages? Think again."
12. "Gummin the Gash" (featuring Steve Vai, Gregg Bisonnette and Jane Lynch)
"Losing your teeth closes one door, and opens another. A celebration of the meeting of two toothless cavities."
13. "She Puts the Bitch in Obituary" (featuring Richard Thompson and Jane Lynch)
"A hymn to womanhood in all her splendor."
14. "When Men Did Rock" (featuring Michael League, Joe Satriani, Rick Wakeman and the Hungarian Studio Orchestra
