I can’t believe I am about to say this in a public forum. I am totally blown away by Shatner’s new album, Has Been. KCRW has been playing Common People and It Hasn’t Happen Yet. I was impressed so I picked up a copy at Best Buy earlier today.

I read a lot of reviews while I listened to the CD, and the one star folks seem to be saying "this guy can’t sing." Well, that may be, but he isn’t really singing. This album is more of a poetry reading set to music and Ben Folds (the producer) adding an awesome musical tapestry behind Shatner’s voice. Then when you read the liner notes you learn:

The materials in this case is William Shatner’s thoughts, stories, life. He calls it a legacy for his family. It’s art borne out of the necessity to communicate what you can’t communicate in any other way. He wants you to be moved, but he probably doesn’t care what you think.

It just works IMHO. You can hear an extended sample of Common People here. Be careful, you might actually like it.