You may remember Derek Smalls as the bassist from legendary rock band Spinal Tap, though you may more accurately remember him as the fantastic character played by Harry Shearer in Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner’s legendary 1984 mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. But now, Smalls is just in time to capitalize on the success he enjoyed over three decades ago with his first full-length solo effort, Smalls Change, Meditations on Ageing, set for release April 13.

As the title suggests, Smalls is taking this opportunity to reflect on the passage of time over his 75 years on this earth, and he’s doing it with a slew of special guests on the record, including Peter Frampton, Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, Dweezil Zappa, Richard Thompson, Joe Satriani, Snarky Puppy’s Michael League, Steve Vai, Paul Shaffer, Toto’s Steve Lukather, longtime collaborator (and Shearer’s wife) Judith Owen, Jane Lynch, The Hungarian Studio Orchestra and more. 

All joking aside, this is exciting news from Shearer, who is a comedy legend in and of himself, if only for roles like Smalls and other Guest collaborations and, of course, voicing characters like Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Mr. Smithers, Dr. Hibbert, Principal Skinner and Reverend Lovejoy on The Simpsons. 

Watch the video for the title track to Smalls Change below, and visit Smalls’ PledgeMusic campaign, where you can pre-order the album and some signed merch, here. Also, for good measure, enjoy a clip of Spinal Tap’s iconic jazz odyssey, written by Smalls himself. 

Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing) Tracklist:

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