Fools on the Hill (CD - 1992)

Capitol Steps: Brian Ash, Dave Gencarelli, Anne Willis Hill, Ann Schmitt, Emily Bell Spitz, Duncan Holloman, Sonya Pleasant Roth, Richard Paul, Mike Loomis, Dave Werner, Jim Aidala, Mike Tilford, Helen Gleason, Amy Felices Young, Bo Ayars, Elaina Newport, Bill Strauss.

Lyricists: Bill Strauss; Elaina Newport.

Personnel: Emily Bell Spitz (piano).

Director: Bill Strauss.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Brian Ash; Richard Paul; Duncan Hollomon; Amy Felices Young; Mike Tilford; Ann Schmitt; Anne Willis Hill; Dave Gencarelli; Dave Werner; Mike Loomis.

Arranger: Bo Ayars.

The musical comedy collective the Capitol Steps target the usual gang of politicians and world figures in this collection of 1992 parodies. Congress is, as usual, the bull's-eye of their parodies, with "Fools on the Hill" (borrowed from the Beatles' "Fool on the Hill") and the hilarious "Superfranticunproductivenothinglegislation" (with the melody borrowed from the musical Mary Poppins). Presidential candidates aren't immune either, with Bill Clinton singing like Elvis Presley in "Pander Bear," the dreadfully dull Paul Tsongas in "Tsounds of Tsongas" (to the famous Simon & Garfunkel tune), and the indecisive would-be Democratic nominee Mario Cuomo (in a send-up of the famous ballad from West Side Story). Neither are foreign leaders ignored, as Palestinians are lampooned with a remake of the Allan Sherman hit (sung as "Hello Muddah, Hello Fattah") as is Cuban dictator Fidel Castro ("Cuba-Havana," adapted from Barry Manilow's best-selling single). Unfortunately, the Capitol Steps insist on ending yet another disc with a tedious Bill Strauss monologue of scripted Spoonerisms, which is the only track that fails to stand the test of time. ~ Ken Dryden minimize