Has Been (Arranged By Ben Folds)
William Shatner
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| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Common People | William Shatner | 4:38 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
It Hasn't Happened Yet | William Shatner | 3:46 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
You'll Have Time | William Shatner | 5:15 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
That's Me Trying | William Shatner | 3:45 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
What Have You Done | William Shatner | 1:43 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Together | William Shatner | 5:36 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Familiar Love | William Shatner | 3:57 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Ideal Woman | William Shatner | 2:22 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Has Been | William Shatner | 2:16 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
I Can't Get Behind That | William Shatner | 3:00 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Real | William Shatner | 3:08 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 11 Songs |
Customer Reviews
You were right--I was wrong
Dear Bill: I apologize. You were right. I was wrong. I have a theory now, after listening a dozen times to the genius of this album, the sincerity, the musicianship, the amazing humility and hilarity, that Bill Shatner has been doing the same thing for thirty years--we just didn't get it. He, however, has remained true to this vision. I realize now as a young shoat, I was not sophisticated enough to understand Rocket Man. Along with many other Star Trek fans, I winced for Bill. But Bill was not wincing--he was winking. He has always stayed true, pushing the envelope, patiently waited for us to, well...to grow up. And with the help of Ben Folds, he has created this wonderful, breathtaking, wise and wicked album. And now, finally, I get it. Every song on the album is a winner: musically tight, well-crafted, seeped with irony, dead funny, and wonderfully enhanced by hand-picked collaborators. Mr. Shatner has finally made us understand his brilliance. Bill, it was never you-- it was us. Rock on.
Has Been?
William Shatner, in all his glory and newly found emmy awards has been called lots of things, but you can tell off the bat that "Has Been" (between the album cover and song) is something he takes personally... and yet "Has Been" is actually the weakest moment in a phenominal album that no one saw coming and sadly, most haven't taken serious enough. This album goes from the comedic ("I can't get behind that", "Ideal Woman") to Romantic pop songs ("Familiar love", "Together"), seventies styles ballads ("It Hasn't happened Yet", "That's me trying") to the downright depressing (what have you done) and a better then the original cover of the Pulp's "Common People". for myself, the greatest hat Shatner don's for the album is that of a suedo revivalist on "You'll Have Time" where he laments on all the moments he has missed in life to better inform the masses not to miss out, and in a bittersweet way, it's like listening to you're older uncle or grandfather, trying to sap up all the advice you can in order to be a better human being... and when music can give you a moment like that, no matter who the artist is... then you know it's worth it.
Would you believe it's actually good?
After Star Trek, William Shatner seemed like a punchline. The only context in the cultural mindset of the times was Star Trek and maybe TJ Hooker. Otherwise, it was b movies, Tek World (remember that?) and if all that failed (and it did), there was always Star Trek. But Shatner aficiandos will tell you he's more than just a joke. He actually has something to say about the undeserved reputation he's received. But he's also not afraid to laugh at himself and take in a little self depreciation. If you're unsure about this, then listen for yourself to the 11 genius tracks (yes I said genius) on Has Been. It's part humanity, part humility, but all part of this great collection composed (for the most part) by James T. Kirk himself...with a little help of course from Mr. Ben Folds. That this set works has a lot to do with Ben Folds. He's been a friend of Shatner's and recognize how to put his talents to use. This exposes a side of William Shatner that's very honest and it's hard to imagine anyone else being able to inspire William Shatner to do this than the smart friendly and forthcoming Ben Folds. "It Hasn't Happened Yet" seems to be about the potential of regret and Shatner dealing with his place in life at his age. "You'll Have Time" is a funny take on mortality. The Nick Hornby penned "That's Me Trying" is a tale of a man reconciling with his daughter. But it's "What Have You Done" where Shatner bears his soul. It's a 2 minute pieces with none of Fold's musical backing where Shatner expresses sadness and a bit of anger over the death of his wife. But in all it's seriousness, the album is A LOT of fun. The cover of Pulp's "Common People" with Joe Jackson is inspired. Shatner has fun with Jarvis Cocker's words and really puts on a show. "Ideal Woman" is a funny love song and the title track affirms the notion that Shatner is anything but a has been (and he's got the emmys to provie it). But it's the duet with another spoken word man, Henry Rollins in "I Can't Get Behind That" that steals the show. They bounce of rants the media, car alarms, and my favorite, a break dancing colonel. Not enough for you? This album's loaded with talent. Besides the aforementioned Joe Jackson and Henry Rollins, this album also features Aimee Mann, Adrian Belew, and country star Brad Paisley. The latter clocks in on the last track, "Real," duetting with Shatner. Though those words on Shatner's, he says the words with a sincerity that they might as well be, as he reminds us that he is more than just an actor - and certainly not a has been.
Biography
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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