Between Iraq and a Hard Place (CD - 2003)

Capitol Steps: Mike Tilford, Mark Eaton, Jamie Zemarel, Delores Williams, Elaina Newport, Nancy Dolliver, Mike Carruthers, Jack Rowles, Janet Davidson Gordon, Mike Loomis, Brian Ash, Mike Thornton, Tracey Stephens, Andy Clemence, Brad Van Grack, Kevin Corbett, Ann Johnson, Richard Paul, Tim Lynch, Linda Rose Payne, Ann Schmitt, Bari Biern, Bill Strauss.

Personnel: Dave Kane, Emily Bell Spitz, Lenny Williams (piano).

Recording information: Capitol Steps (2002-2003); Muddy Hole Studios (2002-2003); Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, Washington DC (2002-2003).

Director: Bill Strauss.

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

The Capitol Steps have been one of the most consistently funny groups to do musical parodies since they released their first CD in 1984. Not only do they have gifted writers, but each of the singers proves to be effective mimics. Political targets are their specialty, especially the hilarious "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Daschle," the opera spoof "Toricelli," Senator Trent Lott ("It's Not Easy Being White"), "Condoleezza" (sung to "Mona Lisa"), and the sidesplitting duet of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" by Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

But topics of the day squeeze politics aside, with a series of brilliant lampoons like "401K" (sung to the tune of "YMCA"), airlines charging fat people for two tickets ("You Can't Fly with Giant Thighs," utilizing the music from "You Can't Hide Your Lyin' Eyes"), the stomach flu epidemic aboard Disney's cruise ships ("Bippity Bobbity Spew"), actress Wynona Ryder's shoplifting habit ("Kleptomaniac"), and skewering the pompous talk show host Ted Koppel's concern about the possibility of Disney canceling his series ("Heard it on the Nightline"). Even though most of the topics are little more than fleeting news, this very funny CD should stand the test of time. ~ Ken Dryden minimize