Solo Album "Small Change" from Spinal Tap's Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)

Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls set for 'Lukewarm Water' orchestral tour to support new album

Here it is, at long last. And with Donald Fagen!

 

And a slightly over-the-top video . . .

 

What a bizarre project. Spinal Tap are already so niche that I cannot imagine anyone would want a solo album by a fictional bassist for a fictional band. On top of all that, the video and song weren’t very funny.

And this is coming from a lifelong Taphead.

 

That was...um...it's almost too good. The music and arrangement and production is spot on. I suppose that's what made Tap so good though, their songs are decent outside of the daft lyrics. I really think I might buy the album. The musicians on it are absolutely top of the range - Baxter, Carlton and Wakemen alone are worth a listen - and it sounds like it might be a decent and unusual album. OOT visuals, the lyrics were cringeworthy (in the right way) and the music as pompous as you'd expect. I'm more sold than I thought I'd be.

 

Any chance of a jazz odyssey?

 

I bet it's so they can keep using the name. If I remember they have to do a Tap project every three years to keep being able to use the name. Maybe a "solo" album also counts.

 

Who’ll own it if they don’t?

 

Harry Shearer Sues 'Spinal Tap' Owner for $125 Million

The lawsuit targets Vivendi and StudioCanal, the companies that own the rights to the movie after acquiring it from original studio Embassy Pictures. An original production agreement, Shearer claims, guaranteed him, McKean, Guest and director Rob Reiner 40 percent of net receipts. He says that Vivendi has cross-collateralized the film against unsuccessful films – in essence, using earnings from This Is Spinal Tap to pay for box-office bombs. Moreover, because Vivendi owns the label that manages the Spinal Tap soundtrack, that imprint pays Vivendi any revenue it makes. Shearer also placed direct blame in the lawsuit on Canal exec Roy Halpern, who is a co-defendant and is charged with deceiving Shearer.

 

Yes

And yes again.

I was distinctly underwhelmed - and I’ve seen Tap live!

[BASELESS CONJECTURE]It also makes me wonder if this “solo” project doesn’t have something to do with the reports that Harry S is a decidedly unpleasant individual to work with and the other guys are no longer willing to do so. I thought I’d heard he was no longer speaking with them, though I could be conflating that with the stories about him from the Simpsons…[/BASELESS CONJECTURE]

 

I also saw Tap live, with the Folksman opening for them!

 

Super pretentious.....could be great

 

The long-awaited follow-up to "Jazz Odyssey"?

 

It would've been cool to see simultaneous Derek, Nigel and David solo albums ala Kiss.

 

I'd rather see a deluxe edition of It's a Smalls World finally released.

IT'S A SMALLS WORLD
(by Derek Smalls - unreleased - circa 1978)

'Side One'

• Expressway To Your Heart
• Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)
• Canadian Railroad Trilogy
• Skinhead Moonstomp
• Derek's Dub World

'Side Two'

• Jazz Odyssey

 

I just want to know what Donald Fagen did for the project . . .

 

And another from Peter Criss, just cuz.

 

He sings on one track:

Memo To Willie - Derek with Donald Fagen (vocals), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Larry Carlton (guitars, Steely Dan) and The Snarky Puppy Horns

David Crosby sings on another. The list of guests is incredible. Should be fun!

Spinal Tap Bassist Derek Smalls Announces Star-Studded Solo Album, 'Smalls Change'

 

Why did they use American coins?

 

Just like a real band.

 

Ok, I think I need to hear this track, at least:

13. She Puts the Bitch in Obituary - Derek with Richard Thompson (guitar) and Jane Lynch (vocals)​

 

I'm hip, man!

 

I dunno, man. The 25-minute "Jazz Odyssey" is a real patience tester.

 

Happy to see his Mrs. (Judith Owen) is on this!