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William Shatner–Has Been
(Shout!
Factory)
In any discussion of the worst records of all time, someone will mention
William Shatner's 1968 jaw-dropper The Transformed Man. On that
vanity record, Shatner emoted (most would say over-emoted) some of
the biggest hits of the era, including gonzo versions of "Mr. Tambourine
Man," "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" and "How Insensitive." Between the
butchered spoken word cover versions, Shatner did some insanely
over-the-top self-written soliloquies, obviously attempting
futilely to channel Shakespeare.
Well, it has taken thirty-six years to make the follow-up album that no
one in the world really thought was needed. However,
Shatner's acting career is
back on track with the new Practice spin off Boston
Legal, so maybe it is time to repent for his past crimes upon music.
Some of the cooler names of alt rock are on board to lend a hand.
Has
Been is produced and mostly co-written by Ben Folds, and includes guest
performances by Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins, Brad Paisley, Aimee Mann, Webb
Wilder, Jon Auer (of the Posies), Matt Chamberlain (from Tori Amos' band)
and Adrian Belew. So if it was going to fail, it would not be from lack
of talent.
What is truly amazing is, this is actually a very good album. Shatner
still makes no pretense towards singing, he recites the lyrics over
musical beds that are sometimes tasteful, sometimes rocking, sometimes
jazzy and sometimes country.
You know things have changed from the first tune, a cover of Pulp's
"Common People." The first thing you notice is that Shatner has calmed
the histrionics, his spoken word performances are mostly rather
under-stated and subtle. By the time rocker Joe Jackson joins in to sing
the choruses and final verse, Shatner lets loose a bit, but his more hammy
tendencies are overshadowed by Jackson's raw singing.
Most other songs also take advantage of Shatner's low-key approach.
"Familiar Love" is a charming old school soul devotional. "Has Been"
is a funny dissection of fame played out to a spaghetti western beat.
"Together" is fusion jazz, while the Brad Paisley duet "Real" would have a
real shot at getting on country radio. "Ideal
Woman" is a rocking and surprisingly comic tribute to a longtime
relationship. The lyrics are actually
surprisingly good; often funny and off-the-cuff, other times surprisingly
touching. The faux-soliloquies of old are
history.
"That's Me Trying" is an extremely poignant monologue of an older man
reaching out to the grown daughter he has never known. Probably the most
chilling track is "What Have You Done?" Shatner's near a capella description
of the 1999 real-life event where he
found his then-wife
Nerine dead in
their swimming pool.
Shatner is an old hambone, so of course on a few tracks he does approach
the overacting lows of his debut album. Yet, somehow, on the new album,
the few times it is used do work in context of the songs. For example,
"You'll Have Time" is a gospel sermon about the inevitability of death.
So, I can sort of buy into the evangelical tone he takes on. On "I Can't
Get Behind That," Shatner and guest singer (and co-songwriter for the
track) Henry Rollins spit bile on the problems of modern living. You
can't really be subtle on that.
I can't really imagine anyone listening to this album
all that regularly just for pleasure, but
I have to say it's pretty damned good. I look forward to Shatner's next
album in the year 2040. (9/04)
Jay S. Jacobs
Copyright © 2004 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved.
Posted: September 25, 2004. |
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Copyright © 2004 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved.
Posted: September 25, 2004.
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