Former Spinal Tap Bassist Derek Smalls Solo Album Now Available

Finally, the wait is over. Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls has released his debut solo album, entitled Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing). The bassist, portrayed by Harry Shearer, tapped an incredible roster of musicians for the album including Peter Frampton, Donald Fagen, Dweezil Zappa, Rick Wakeman, Richard Thompson, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, Waddy Wachtel, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Paul Shaffer, Steve Vai, Larry Carlton, Judith Owen, and Jane Lynch. The album’s big bottom is provided by Smalls himself as well as Snarky Puppy bassist Michael League, who plays on the closing track “When Men Did Rock”.

As the title explains, the topics on Smalls Change revolve around the issues the aging rocker faces. Check out the song “Rock and Roll Transplant”:

Smalls will be performing with symphony orchestras in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. in June and July in support of the album. He recently opened up to Keith Spera at The New Orleans Advocate about touring for older rockers. “There comes a time when you spend less of your life in little cylinders on wheels going fast and more of your life in little cylinders being rolled in and being told not to move. From fast cars to MRIs is sort of the journey we’re on. So my message is really just, ‘Don’t be scared of it. Now they’re banging your head for you.’ You’re still getting your head banged, you just don’t have to do the work anymore.”

Smalls Change is available now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

Smalls Change Track List:

1. Openture – Derek with The Hungarian Studio Orchestra
2. Rock ‘N’ Roll Transplant – Derek with Steve Lukather (guitar, TOTO), drum legends Jim Keltner (George Harrison) and Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS)
3. Butt Call – Derek with Phil X (guitar, BON JOVI) and Taylor Hawkins (drums, FOO FIGHTERS)
4. Smalls Change – Derek with The Hungarian Studio Orchestra, Judith Owen (vocals) Danny Kortchmar (guitar, Don Henley) and Russ Kunkel (drums, James Taylor)
5. Memo To Willie – Derek with Donald Fagen (vocals), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Larry Carlton (guitars, STEELY DAN) and The Snarky Puppy Horns
6. It Don’t Get Old – Derek with Peter Frampton (guitar, vocals) and Waddy Wachtel (guitar Keith Richards).
7. Complete Faith – Derek with The Hungarian Studio Orchestra
8. Faith No More – Derek with The Hungarian Studio Orchestra and Todd Sucherman (drums, STYX)
9. Gimme Some (More) Money – Derek with Paul Shaffer (piano and organ), Waddy Wachtel (guitar) and David Crosby (vocals)
10. MRI – Derek with Dweezil Zappa (guitars)
11. Hell Toupee – Derek with The Hungarian Studio Orchestra
12. Gummin the Gash – Derek with Steve Vai (guitar), Gregg Bisonnette (drums, Ringo Starr) and Jane Lynch (vocals)
13. She Puts The Bitch In Obituary – Derek with Richard Thompson (guitar) and Jane Lynch (vocals)
14. When Men Did Rock – Derek with Michael League (bass), Joe Satriani (guitar), Rick Wakeman (keyboards) and The Hungarian Studio Orchestra

Tour Dates: