I was at barnes and nobel last week looking through the cd's. I found one that still bothers me. I know nothing of his musical talents but the thought gives me shivers,
It was william shatner singing some collection of songs, oooooohhhhhh!!!!!!

Anyone brave enough to give this a listen?

I'm bettin' nobody admits to it...

Sad to say... I have heard some tracks. Mostly spoken word stuff. Very creepy to say the least.

You get 30 second samples of some of his stuff here (http://mog.com/music/William_Shatner)

This is a "famous" (actually, infamous) disk. Obviously released to cash in on Shatner's popularity from Star Trek, it was a universally-lambasted record, proof positive that you don't have to sing, to play the part of a spaceship captain.

Believe it or not, this wan't the only "musical" release to be over-optimistically spun off from the TV show. Leonard Nimoy's is probably the least offensive recording, but they are all truly atrocious! :no: :nono: :puke: :thumbsdn:

There are a few precedents for TV stars releasing record albums, though. Telly Savalas had a #1 hit with a spoken (not sung) recording, and a few stars like Jim Naybors (Gomer Pyle) and Florence Henderson (the mother on The Brady Bunch) actually COULD sing well, being trained singers before they became actors. Of course, in the earlier days of movies, crossing-over was common, with noted singers like Mario Lanza and Jeanette MacDonald making numerous movies. Some band leaders, like Xavier Cougat, also played themselves in movies, typically in cameo self-promoting roles.

This could be the new one he released within the past couple of years.

I have heard a few songs from one he must have released 40 years ago--renditions of Mr. Tambourine Man and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Personally I think they are hilarious in their atrociousness.

I also have a Leonard Nimoy cassette that I picked up for a buck or two but have never bothered listening to. I have an mp3 of his, "Highly Illogical," which is pretty funny. At least he attempts singing (unlike Shatner). Nimoy's funniest musical moment has to be seeing him jam with the space hippies, though....

This is a "famous" (actually, infamous) disk. Obviously released to cash in on Shatner's popularity from Star Trek, it was a universally-lambasted record, proof positive that you don't have to sing, to play the part of a spaceship captain.

Believe it or not, this wan't the only "musical" release to be over-optimistically spun off from the TV show. Leonard Nimoy's is probably the least offensive recording, but they are all truly atrocious! :no: :nono: :puke: :thumbsdn:

There are a few precedents for TV stars releasing record albums, though. Telly Savalas had a #1 hit with a spoken (not sung) recording, and a few stars like Jim Naybors (Gomer Pyle) and Florence Henderson (the mother on The Brady Bunch) actually COULD sing well, being trained singers before they became actors. Of course, in the earlier days of movies, crossing-over was common, with noted singers like Mario Lanza and Jeanette MacDonald making numerous movies. Some band leaders, like Xavier Cougat, also played themselves in movies, typically in cameo self-promoting roles.

Recently I also brought up a few other actors who decide to go this route. Richard Roundtree, best known as the title character from the "Shaft" movies, and Peggy Lipton of the TV show "The Mod Squad" also released singing albums.

That CD from a few years back where he covers Common People by Pulp, is pretty good, but I wouldn't buy it.

Recently I also brought up a few other actors who decide to go this route. Richard Roundtree, best known as the title character from the "Shaft" movies, and Peggy Lipton of the TV show "The Mod Squad" also released singing albums.

And don't forget the Hoff (Baywatch) or Don Johnson (Miami Vice). They both tried their luck at a singing career.

Shatner's and Nimoy's recordings are legendary. Shatner takes himself seriously too and that makes it even more priceless in the laugh department.

And don't forget that (spoken) song that Lorne Greene of "Bonanza" fame had high on the charts back in Sixties - the title escapes me just now.

Kinda like reading the Jeffrey Dahmer cookbook....."Cooking In The Hood"....isn't it?


Steve

And don't forget the Hoff (Baywatch) or Don Johnson (Miami Vice). They both tried their luck at a singing career.

Shatner's and Nimoy's recordings are legendary. Shatner takes himself seriously too and that makes it even more priceless in the laugh department.

Actually Shatner does NOT take himself seriously, even as a starship captain. This was evidenced by his making fun of trekkies in an SNL skit.

Rocket MAN!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lul-Y8vSr0I

That CD from a few years back where he covers Common People by Pulp, is pretty good, but I wouldn't buy it.

I bought it and actually REALLY enjoyed it. Unlike the one he did in the '60s/70s, this one was actually done with a bit of awareness of the irony and of how bad it was, in a really great way. His version of Pulp's Common People is fantastic and so over the top...I'm a huge Pulp fan and thought it would be awful but found myself just loving it. He just embraces what a weird character he's become over the years and runs with it. The music, produced by Ben Folds, is actually quite good. And there's a song sung/talked from the point of view of a father trying to reconnect with a daughter that he ignored that is actually kind of heartbreaking. Sad to admit that, but yeah, I really enjoyed this CD. It's just so different than everything else.

Man, that is one ancient CD... That was from the 70's. Noone bought it then either.

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/william_shatner/has_been/

If we are talking about Has Been, I rather enjoyed it. Well worth the listen.

Didn't Bruce Willis and Richard Chamberlin (in his Dr. Kildare days) also record albums?

What I find interesting is that people forget that actors like Bing Crosby and Burl Ives started out as singers.

I bought it and actually REALLY enjoyed it. Unlike the one he did in the '60s/70s, this one was actually done with a bit of awareness of the irony and of how bad it was, in a really great way. His version of Pulp's Common People is fantastic and so over the top...I'm a huge Pulp fan and thought it would be awful but found myself just loving it. He just embraces what a weird character he's become over the years and runs with it. The music, produced by Ben Folds, is actually quite good. And there's a song sung/talked from the point of view of a father trying to reconnect with a daughter that he ignored that is actually kind of heartbreaking. Sad to admit that, but yeah, I really enjoyed this CD. It's just so different than everything else.

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/william_shatner/has_been/

If we are talking about Has Been, I rather enjoyed it. Well worth the listen.
I can't stand Shatner as an actor or an artist, but Has Been, and his cover of "Common People" in particular, are AWESOME songs that I've blasted many times. Seriously, even if you think you'll hate it, search youtube for this song.

somewhat collectible

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/album.php?albumid=235

Two of my favorites in this category:

Jack Palance: Palance [Reprise/U.S./1969]
Bob Mitchum: That Man, Robert Mitchum, Sings [Monument/U.S./1967]

Speaking of Mitchum, no serious record collection is complete that's lacking a copy of:

Bob Mitchum: Calypso — Is Like So... [Capitol/U.S./1957]

Michael Parks' "Then Came Bronson" television series LP (and several 45 singles) spin-offs are also a hoot.

Sebastian Cabot cut at least one spoken-word LP gem, too.

Didn't Bruce Willis and Richard Chamberlin (in his Dr. Kildare days) also record albums?

What I find interesting is that people forget that actors like Bing Crosby and Burl Ives started out as singers.

Burl Ives is a bit before my time. Don't get me wrong, I am huge fan of his talent, but I have always considered him a singer rather than an actor. The only thing I think I can remeber him in was the kids tv show rudolf or frosty or whatever it was.
Mark

Burl Ives is a bit before my time. Don't get me wrong, I am huge fan of his talent, but I have always considered him a singer rather than an actor. The only thing I think I can remeber him in was the kids tv show rudolf or frosty or whatever it was.
Mark

Ives' stage and film credentials are each quite impressive. He was superb as the character 'Harvey "Big Daddy" Pollitt' in the film adaptation of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958). He was a convincing folk singer, too. Nuthin' scary 'bout Burl Ives as a crossover artist.

And don't forget that (spoken) song that Lorne Greene of "Bonanza" fame had high on the charts back in Sixties - the title escapes me just now.

Ringo

"He lay face down in the desert sand
Clutching his six-gun in his hand
Shot from behind, I thought he was dead
But under his heart was an ounce of lead
But a spark still burned so I used my knife
And late that night I saved the life of Ringo"


Here is another, Walter Brennen from the TV show Real McCoys:

Old Rivers

HE'D PLOW THEM ROWS STRAIGHT AND DEEP
AND I'D TAG ALONG BEHIND,
BUSTIN' UP CLODS WITH MY OWN BARE FEET --
OLD RIVERS WAS A FRIEND OF MINE.