WILLIAM SHATNER
Has Been (Shout)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Then there's Captain Kirk. He's the Dorian Gray of the entertainment biz, popping up on cheesy tv shows for the past half century, and every now and then laying down spoken word kitsch gems. But despite the self-poking title, old man Bill delivers a sparkling set of verbal gymnastics whilst Ben Folds (without the Five) orchestrates the rock and lounge. The opening salvo, with Joe Jackson spitting along in fine form, is a pretty damn fine chugger. Then we lose the drums, bring in the vibes and stir the martinis. Will's deep thoughts on laser etched grooves - yowsa. Why study Greek philosophers when Captain Kirk has the message at hand? Name dropping dead guys like Lou Gehrig and Joey Ramone in the same breath is surely a genius lightning strike. Did I mention other notable has-beens Henry Rollins, Aimee Mann and Lemon Jelly guest?

© 2004 - John Sekerka