When Bush Comes to Shove (CD - 2002)

Additional personnel: Toby Kemper (guitar); Lenny Williams (piano).

Recorded live at The Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, District Of Columbia in 2001.

Recording information: Capitol Steps (2001-2002); International Trade Center, Washington DC (2001-2002); Muddy Hole Studios (2001-2002); The Ronald Regan Building, Washington DC (2001-2002).

Director: Bill Strauss.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Brian Ash; Bari Biern; Andy Clemence; Richard Paul; Nancy Dolliver; Mike Thornton; Mike Carruthers; Mark Eaton; Janet Davidson Gordon; Jamie Zemarel; Jack Rowles; Tracey Stephens; Mike Tilford; Linda Rose Payne; Kevin Corbett ; Brad Van Grack; Ann Schmitt; Ann Johnson ; Anne Willis Hill; Mike Loomis.

Capitol Steps went overboard in finding opportunities to spoof both politicians and world events set to the music of familiar tunes. "Don't Go Faking Your Smart" is sung by a pair of dead-on impersonators of Laura and George W. Bush. Al Gore has faded from the political scene somewhat since his loss in 2000, but he makes a brief appearance in "Argentina" as the latest officeholder in that country's revolving-door presidency. It's hard to imagine laughing about terrorism after the events of September 11th, but "Shoe-Bomb" and "Taliban" (both of which have amusing monologues preceding them), "Who'll Drop a Bomb During Ram-a-Dan-a-Dan," "Osama Come out Tomorrow," and the hilarious reworking of "Mack the Knife" into "Pack the Knife," a not-so-inaccurate description of tightened airport security, are all a scream. Basketball superstar Michael Jordan's un-retirement is covered in "Old Man Wizard" and Bob Dylan is represented singing "Everybody Must Get Cloned." The writing and performances are brilliant throughout most of the CD, with the exception of the quickly tiresome closing monologue, "Lirty Dies," with over six minutes of scripted spoonerisms, slips of the tongue that are much funnier when they're spontaneous (and accidental). But the other 23 tracks more than make up for this dud; this CD should be required listening in history classes of the future to add a little perspective to the subject. ~ Ken Dryden minimize