Throughout this summer and autumn, “The Simpsons” and “Spinal Tap” star, HARRY SHEARER, in the guise of Donald Trump, has been releasing a song a week via YouTube. This Friday (October 30) sees the culmination of this endeavor with the release of a full album of thirteen bitingly satirical songs inspired by the mercurial and often bizarre performance of the current president of the United States throughout his time in office.
“America has never had a President so demanding of our continued attention. I decided to give him too much of mine.”
--Harry Shearer
Featuring SHEARER on vocals, supported by line-up of world class musicians, THE MANY MOODS OF DONALD TRUMP takes the listener on a journey of musical styles from old style New Orleans to neo classic rock, southern rock, pumped up disco and much much more, to reflect the ever-changing temperament of a presidency like none other seen before.
Accompanying the album are two ground-breaking motion-capture videos that portray Donald Trump at his most absurd:
In Son In Law Trump sings his way from his desk in the Oval Office to the press corps on The White House lawn, whilst lionizing his senior advisor and husband of his daughter, Jared Kushner.
In Executive Time the president is in ‘do not disturb’ mode as he watches his flat screen, fine tunes his golf swing, practices his signature, stares moodily through his window and does all the other things befitting the most powerful man in the world as he goes about his daily business.
HARRY SHEARER has vocally portrayed every U.S. president of his lifetime. Donald Trump is the third he has portrayed physically, having previously played Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan on screen.
The Many Moods of Donald Trump is produced by CJ Vanston on Twanky Records.
Digital album and CD available here and here
Vinyl album available November 13
The full track listing is as follows:
1. I Can’t Believe I’m Me
Available to listen to here
As the medicated president huffs and puffs his way towards the final lap of the race to the White House, in “I Can’t Believe I’m Me,” Shearer has the incumbent blasting out a ‘brassy, craggy worst-of-Broadway anthem’ in praise of his not so private passion…himself
When Donald Trump first rode down that escalator, all most of us saw was his unabashed delight in himself. The rest came later.
Music and words by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
Trumpets: Wayne Bergeron, Chris Walden
Saxes: Jeff Driskill
Trombones: Juliane Gralle, Chris Walden
Guitar: Andrew Synowiec
Drums: Gregg Bissonette
Piano, bass, strings: CJ Vanston
Horn and string arrangement by Harry Shearer, CJ Vanston and Chris Walden
2. I Can’t Drive Anymore
Available to listen to here
He already had his own plane and chopper, but he used to be able to get out and express himself behind the wheel…
Music and words by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
BG Vocals: CJ Vanston
Trumpet: Jay Jennings
Trumpet: Justin Stanton
Tenor Sax: Chris Bullock
Trombone, Baritone Sax: Tom “Bones” Malone
Guitars: Toshi Yanagi
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, bass, baritone sax solo, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
Horn arrangement by CJ Vanston
Orchestrator/copyist: Chris Walden
3. Son-in-Law
Available to watch here
Shearer Trump performing an old-style New Orleans number in praise his senior advisor, Jared Kushner.
Always mentioned as one of Trump’s top aides, Jared Kushner has been given a portfolio that ranges from Middle East peace to the pandemic. His success rate speaks for itself.
Music and words by Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer – vocals
David Torkanowsky – piano. Organ
George Porter, Jr. – bass
Raymond Weber – drums
Brad Walker – saxophone
Scott Frock – trumpet
Jon Ramm – trombone
4. Stormy Daniels
Available to listen to here
A lush string filled ode to passion, power and pay-off.
What good is hush money when it buys so little hush?
Music and lyrics by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
Piano: CJ Vanston
Drums: Gregg Bissonette
Strings, bass, trumpet and string arrangement: CJ Vanston
5. Bill of Love
Available to listen to here
In the neo-classic rock number, Shearer portrays the incumbent holding forth on his stance towards those displaced souls who wish to take up residency in the US. The song title refers to a phrase the President bestowed on a piece of legislation to reform the immigration laws. The bill never passed.
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
BG Vocals: CJ Vanston
Guitars: Toshi Yanagi
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
6. Executive Time
Available to watch to here
A languorous love of leisure ballad in which Shearer as Trump sings wistfully of those long periods of contemplation and nothingness between unnecessary briefings from so called ‘experts.
When does the President get the time to watch all the TV news? It’s a big section of his daily schedule.
Music and lyrics by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
Backing Vocals: Sharlotte Gibson, CJ Vanston
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, Trombone, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
7. I Never Knew Him
Available to listen to here
An eclectic musical mix in which Trump demonstrates that he might not have “one of the greatest memories of all time” as he purges his contact book and airbrushes his history of those who may be an impediment to his ratings.
A very famous guy has so many people claiming to be his friends or family. It’s always important to clear the air.
Music and lyrics by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
Backing Vocals: Sharlotte Gibson, CJ Vanston
Trumpet: Jim Gammon
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, Trombone, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
8. Very Stable Genius
Available to listen to here
A power ballad in which Trump vaunts his own intellectual prowess combined with his calm and balanced disposition.
When a person refers to himself with that phrase once, it’s newsworthy. When he does it repeatedly, it’s songworthy.
Music and words by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
BG Vocals: CJ Vanston
Guitars: Marc Bonilla
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
9. Number One Son
Available to listen to here
An electric chop suey, listing all Donald Jr.’s qualities and Trump’s newfound love for the boy who serves him well.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the refrigerator.
Music and lyrics by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
BG Vocals; Sharlotte Gibson, CJ Vanston
Guitars: Marc Bonilla
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
10. Alabama
Available to listen to here
A southern rock tribute to the state that holds a special place in the President’s “heart.”
The trouble with official hurricane forecast maps is that they don’t often include Sharpie additions. When it’s the state that gave your Presidential campaign its kick-off, a Sharpie warning is the least you can do.
Music and lyrics by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
BG Vocals: CJ Vanston
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Guitars: Mark Bonilla
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
11. COVID-180
Available to listen to here
Alternating stanzas of pumped-up disco and plaintive folk rock to represent the alternating “up” and “down” approaches taken to the pandemic by the President.
Emerson once said, “Petty consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.” Trump agrees, though he may not quite understand it.
Music and words by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
BG vocals: Sharlotte Gibson, CJ Vanston
Guitars: Marc Bonilla
Drums: Toss Panos
Piano, synths, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
12. Acquittal
Available to listen to here
A ‘prog rock revenge anthem,’ the president basks in the sheer vitriolic joy on offer when it’s time to settle scores.
When you’re impeached, and survive, the natural human impulse is balls-out revenge.
Music and lyrics by Harry Shearer
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
Backing Vocals: Sharlotte Gibson, CJ Vanston
Guitars: Marc Bonilla
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
13. He Lies
Available to listen to here
A 'list song' in the style of the late Leonard Cohen's non-existent brother, Jim, detailing the litany of falsehoods propagated by The President since he stood on Capitol Hill in January 2017 in front of “the biggest audience in the history of inaugural speeches."
Lead Vocal: Harry Shearer
Backing Vocals: Sharlotte Gibson, CJ Vanston
Drums: Toss Panos
Keyboards, flamenco guitar, all other instruments: CJ Vanston
