Finally a new William Shatner album

I disagree. I think he always knew how campy he was. Besides, Leonard Nemoy albums were always 100X funnier. See: "Highly illogical" his 60s dance song from the perspective of Spock, complaining about how humans don't make sense.

-- David Allen (Davidalle...), January 2nd, 2004.

Totally agree about Nimoy, who I believe is utterly sincere about his albums (or at least was at the time he was making them). My personal favorite Nimoy album is "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy" which has an odd beauty to it. Not sure if it's the lush production value, or that sweet sweet, voice of his, but I still listen to it every once in a while, and his version of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" almost makes me cry.

While I can actually listen to Nimoy albums all the way through, I can only handle Shatner in very small doses. And I'm not convinced he knew how silly he sounded until much later. My theory is that he really thought he was good, and was sort of being egged on by other people who snickered at him behind his back.

http://www.scrabo.com/madworld.htm

http://akebono.hopto.org/archives/000027.html

Listen to it here. It's better - in very way - than I could have ever hoped for.

standout lyrics on the Shatner disc

Get ready.

WilliamShatner
Just watched tracks being laid down by Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society for my upcoming record SEEKING MAJOR TOM. My best, Bill

WilliamShatner
Zakk is one of the great guitarists who played with Ozzy Osbourne. A master playing a cover of IRON MAN. He's fantastic! I’m energized. MBB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp6GJ2MQuBs

Has Been was astoundingly good, but "covering Sabbath with Zakk Wylde" does not sound appealing at all

"I AM... IRONY MAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!"

Phaser-toting Thespian Ironically Proclaims Iron Man Status.

"Has Been" was one of my favourite albums of 2004.

Well then:

William Shatner is back in the studio working on yet another great big pile of Shat-mazing, Incredibly Strange music. It's been over a week since Shatner first formally proclaimed Zakk Wylde's mad skills via Twitter ("Best, Bill"), but our sources on the scene confirm that some big metal heavy-hitters have been engaged to play backup to Captain Kirk.

Peter Frampton and Mike Inez (who will be playing "Iron Man" with fellow Ozzy alum, Zakk Wylde) are definitely participating and our source claims artists slated to perform (but who haven't done their parts yet) include Steve Howe of Yes, Ian Paice of Deep Purple and the god among men, Brian May of Queen. Supposedly it's only a matter of scheduling that prevents confirmation (come on May, make this happen!). Finally, it wouldn't be a space themed album without the space man and his self proclaimed Space Bass, Bootsy Collins!

(Caveat: some of these people might not appear on the final album. Reportedly, Shatner runs a loose (space)ship and sessions are fun and chaotic, nobody knowing how or when they're gonna happen. Picture session musicians standing next to their iPhones waiting for the "Bill is ready RIGHT NOW" text.)

There are almost 20 songs slated for inclusion so far and all are to have a "space" or "flying in space" theme. Um, ok, that is EXACTLY the same as before, but who would want anything else from Captain Kirk?

Track list currently includes "Bohemian Rhapsody" (which May will not be playing on-no joke), a Byrds song, "Space Odyssey," "Iron Man," "Learn to Fly" and... wait for it... "SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE"! Brace for impact, that one's got a chance of replacing "Rocket Man" as all time greatest Shatner moment.

Heavens! ;-)

That should be the name of it, actually.

Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing
Shat-mazing

when aging rock stars take part in goofy stuff like this i wonder if Brian May ever thinks about the possibility that playing on a William Shatner recording of "Bohemian Rhapsody" could be his final recorded legacy

Shatnerrrrrrrr!

Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Records has inked legendary actor William Shatner to a worldwide recording deal for a space-themed concept album entitled "Searching For Major Tom" (formerly "Seeking Major Tom"), to be released later this year.

Comprised of 19 "interpretations" of classic intergalactic rock anthems, the release features guest appearances by Ritchie Blackmore (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE), Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE), Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, ROD STEWART, OZZY OSBOURNE), Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS) and Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO, SCORPIONS).

Of Wylde, Shatner previously said, "He's fantastic! I'm energized." Wylde was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Shatner and added, "He's super cool, we had an awesome time working together."

"Searching For Major Tom" track listing:

01. Space Trucking (DEEP PURPLE)

* Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE) on drums
* Johnny Winter on guitar

02. She Blinded Me With Science (THOMAS DOLBY)

* Bootsy Collins on bass
* Patrick Moraz (YES, MOODY BLUES) on keyboards/synthesizers

03. In A Little While (U2)

* Manuel Gottsching (ASH RA TEMPEL) on guitar

04. Empty Glass (THE TEA PARTY)

* Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO, SCORPIONS) on guitar

05. Lost In The Stars (FRANK SINATRA version)

* Ernie Watts on saxophone

06. Twilight Zone (GOLDEN EARRING)

* Warren Haynes (GOV'T MULE, ALLMAN BROTHERS) on guitar

07. Space Cowboy (STEVE MILLER)

* Brad Paisley on guitar and vocals

08. Rocket Man (ELTON JOHN)

* Steve Hillage (GONG) on guitar

09. Space Oddity (DAVID BOWIE)

* Ritchie Blackmore (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW) on guitar
* Alan Parsons on keyboards

10. Spirit In The Sky (NORMAN GREENBAUM)

* Peter Frampton on guitar

11. Bohemian Rhapsody (QUEEN)

* John Wetton (ASIA) on bass and vocals

12. Silver Machine (HAWKWIND)

* Wayne Kramer (MC5) on guitar
* Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, ROD STEWART, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums

13. Major Tom (PETER SHILLING)

* Nick Valensi (THE STROKES) on guitar
* Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) on guitar
* Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS) on bass

14. Learning to Fly (PINK FLOYD)

* Edgar Froese (TANGERINE DREAM) on guitar and keyboards

15. Mr. Spaceman (THE BYRDS)

* Dave Davies (THE KINKS) on guitar

16. Iron Man (BLACK SABBATH)

* Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) on guitar and vocals

17. Planet Earth (Duran Duran)

* Steve Howe (YES) on guitar

18. Walking On The Moon (THE POLICE)

* Toots (TOOTS & THE MAYTALS) on vocals

19. Mrs. Major Tom

* Female guest vocalist to be announced

William Shatner will be presented with the Honorary Headbanger Award at the third annual Revolver Golden Gods award show presented by Epiphone on Wednesday, April 20, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. Revered for his role as Captain James T. Kirk on "Star Trek", Shatner will be on hand to accept his award, an honor Revolver magazine bestows each year to someone who has made their name outside of the metal world but still embodies its spirit.

"Short of receiving an Emmy for my superb voice, the Honorary Headbanger Award is the next best thing. Praise be you won't hear me sing," said William Shatner.

12. Silver Machine (HAWKWIND)

* Wayne Kramer (MC5) on guitar
* Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, ROD STEWART, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums

Holy fucking shit

has lived too long

I'm terribly amused by the fact that they snuck a frickin' Tea Party song in there. Canadian pride I guess.

From the comments to the article:

And the cherry topper is that his album is destined to sell more copies than Chinese Democracy!

And you know...

To be stolen and posted to YouTube asap, to the benefit of many who after thirty seconds of listening will not be moved to buy it or read deceptive optimistic reviews. Also -- Wiki or Anon leaks needed to reveal the different rates the various stars were willing to work for.

05. Lost In The Stars (FRANK SINATRA version)

* Ernie Watts on saxophone

Wow. 19 songs seems pretty excessive.

And yeah, I found the inclusion of a Tea Party song to be pretty amusing.

Also puzzling, what the heck is Manuel Göttsching doing on there?

Rocking out. Maybe.

To a laid back U2 song?

03. In A Little While (U2)

* Manuel Gottsching (ASH RA TEMPEL) on guitar

People allow William Shatner to cover U2, and the first thing he does is get in Manuel Gottsching to add to the vibes.

what a world we live in.... what a world.....

02. She Blinded Me With Science (THOMAS DOLBY)

* Bootsy Collins on bass
* Patrick Moraz (YES, MOODY BLUES) on keyboards/synthesizers

at first i read this like (YES, THAT PATRICK MORAZ, OF MOODY BLUES, ONE AND THE SAME, WE GOT HIM ALRIGHT)

Would enjoy hearing Bootsy exclaiming the word "Science!"

Oh my.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICbc8DpcX3w

OK, after Loutallica, someone should set up a Shatner/Sabbath collab.

"I AM IRONY MAN!!!"

has anyone heard it yet?

been listening to "Has Been" a lot lately and it's better than I remembered; weirdly sincere but some of it really is beautiful