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Apr 25, 2018 Web Exclusive By Ian Rushbury

If you were expecting Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing), by Spinal Tap’s bassist Derek Smalls (aka comedian Harry Shearer), to be variations on the band’s “Jazz Odyssey,” then you’ll be sadly mistaken. What it is, is a collection of ‘70s style hard rock tunes, augmented by The Hungarian Studio Orchestra (seriously…) and the largest collection of A-list musicians this side of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sadly, the joke is running a little bit out of steam.

Smalls Change sounds a little bit like The Edgar Winter Group, fronted by Otto from The Simpsons. There are some strong tunes on the record—“Rock ‘n’ Roll Transplant” rocks along in fine style, but much of the other material is so drenched in orchestral arrangements that it often sounds like a parody of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Is it funny? If you’re a 15-year-old boy, you’ll love it as there’s enough toilet humor here to stun an Ox. Will it be funny after the first listen? Well, the jury is out. But probably not. (www.dereksmallsmusic.com)

Author rating: 5/10