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Actor, author, pitchman, and recording artist, William Shatner has become a virtual pop icon, in no small part due to his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the STAR TREK TV show and films. While his past recordings have been known for their camp value (including a bizarre version of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man"), HAS BEEN finds Shatner venturing into Serious Artistic Statement territory. Here Shatner recites his lyrics in a stentorian, animated tone and runs through a reflective take on Pulp's "Common People," aided by Joe Jackson and Ben Folds, who provides bright, elegant arrangements throughout the record. (In addition to Jackson and Folds, the album's guest list includes Aimee Man and Brad Paisley.)
HAS BEEN is vastly enjoyable because Shatner refuses to take his seriousness too seriously--the tirade "I Can't Get Behind That" (which features fellow actor, author, pitchman, and recording artist Henry Rollins) includes a playful dig at himself. Drawing inspiration from and making forays into rock, country music, electronica, Western movie soundtracks, and Beat poetry, Shatner proves there is no medium he cannot master, no genre he cannot subvert.
Prod.By Ben Folds Feat.J.Jack- Son,A.Mann,B.Folds,H.Rollins++
Liner Note Author: Ben Folds.
Photographers: Jeri Heiden; Frally Folds.
Arranger: Ben Folds.
Personnel: William Shatner (vocals); William Shatner; Brad Paisley (vocals, guitar); Ben Folds (vocals, piano, tack piano, electric piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, synthesizer, bass guitar, drums, background vocals); Sebastian Steinberg (vocals, bass instrument, upright bass); Lemon Jelly (various instruments, programming); John Mark Painter (guitar, baritone guitar, trumpet, bass guitar, background vocals); Lindsay Jamieson (drums); Joe Jackson (vocals, piano); Henry Rollins, Aimee Mann (vocals); Jon Auer (guitar, background vocals); Adrian Belew (guitar); Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion); Louisville Common People's Choir (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Joe Costa; Ben Folds.
Uncut (p.138) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[I]t is definitely deserving of the cult status that it will inevitably earn." Mojo (Publisher) (p.110) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[B]ig issues - death, love, a life's work - are chewed over with bittersweet humour and musical sophistication."
It's hilarious *and* serious! While some of the tracks on "Has Been" are definitely FUNNY (purposely typed in caps), there are also a few that cut to the marrow and feel reflective and visceral. There's even some fine musicianship here...just glance at the roster of guests! I didn't expect to find this CD so vastly entertaining, but my boss persuaded me to listen to it as we tidied up the store after hours one night -- and I can't say that I've been the same since then. (And that's a damned GOOD thing!) Submitted by StargazerLotus (Branford, CT, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Lots of fun - If you like Shatner Solid musicianship and Shatners 'lyrics' i.e. mostly spoken word, are quite good. The title cut is particularly fun and makes a good point.
Steve Dirkx
Submitted by stevedirkx (Dallas, tx USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I Can't Get Behind That What a song. Shatner and Rollins is one of the best spoken combinations there has ever been. Real good CD. Submitted by Simon (Plymouth) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great Album.... I would definitely recommend this album to anyone wanting to hear something different. There's rock, jazz, spoken word, all kinds of music on this cd, as well as great lyrics. Lots of laughs too...but its definitely a cd to be taken seriously. Submitted by Skippy (Chapel Hill, NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
antiMUSIC.com review "Has Been" is a great CD on many levels by an unlikely artist. It's fun to listen to but with the diversity of subject matter, it will make you think about life and yourself as well as appreciating Bill Shatner in a way you've never before. In playing this CD for a friend, his words summed it up quite nicely, "Wow, there's more to this guy than I had thought." Submitted by Marc Wiggins - antiMUSIC.com (Orange, Ca, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Lots of fun - If you like Shatner
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