DATE: OCTOBER 1, 2020
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN
“THE SIMPSONS” AND “SPINAL TAP” STAR
HARRY SHEARER
TO RELEASE FULL DONALD TRUMP ALBUM:
“THE MANY MOODS OF DONALD TRUMP”
AVAILABLE OCTOBER 30 ON CD, DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND VINYL
PRE-ORDER NOW
SECOND MOTION-CAPTURE VIDEO FOR
“EXECUTIVE TIME”TRACK HERALDS ALBUM RELEASE
Throughout this summer and autumn, “The Simpsons” and “Spinal Tap” star HARRY SHEARER has been releasing a song a week (via YouTube), in which he performs as Donald Trump, in order to explore the dark and often comical recesses of the president’s mind during his time in office. Today, it is revealed that the complete collection of these tracks will be released this autumn as a full album. THE MANY MOODS OF DONALD TRUMP, which comprises 13 tracks, hits the shelves October 30, just three days before the U.S. goes to the polls.
“America has never had a President so demanding of our continued attention. I decided to give him too much of mine.”
—Harry Shearer
The album announcement coincides with the release of the latest addition to the song cycle. “Executive Time“ and its accompanying motion-capture video, is 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.’ In “Executive Time” SHEARER poses, and goes some way, to answer SHEARER‘s question:
“When does the President get the time to watch all the TV news? It’s a big section of his daily schedule.”
The accompanying video for “Executive Time” uses ground-breaking motion-capture animation to portray the U.S. president 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. It follows the motion-capture video for “Son In Law,” which launched the song series, showing Trump both behind his desk in the Oval Office and as he addresses the gathered press corps on the White House lawn, while lionizing his senior advisor and husband of his daughter Ivanka.
The entertainment journalist Louis Chilton, writing in The Independent (UK), was so impressed by the “Son In Law” video that he described the singing Trump as:
“…possibly the most horrifying thing I’ve ever seen”
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.
“Executive Time“ will be featured as the sixth track from THE MANY MOODS OF DONALD TRUMP.
The “Executive Time” video was made covid-style with HARRY in isolation in Los Angeles, being filmed by Matt Mindlin remotely with a production team in Sydney, Australia headed by Matt Hermans (Electric Lens Co) and Michela Ledwidge (MOD studio).
The full THE MANY MOODS OF DONALD TRUMP listing is as follows:
1. I Can’t Believe I’m Me (4:22)
To be released October 9
2. I Can’t Drive Anymore (2:35)
To be released on October 2
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
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(4:02)
To be released October 16
6. Executive Time (3:35)
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 (3:09)
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(4:09)
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 song- worthy.
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(2:51)
An electric chop suey, listing all Donald Jr.’s qualities and Trump’s new-found 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 (3:22)
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 kickoff, 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 (4:47)
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
12. Acquittal (3:58)
A “prog rock revenge anthem,” in which 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
12. He Lies (3:27)
To be released October 23
THE MANY MOODS OF DONALD TRUMP is produced by CJ Vanston
on Twanky Records.
Digital album and CD available October 30
Vinyl album available November 13
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