Album #58 : William Shatner - The Transformed Man

William Shatner

Captain Kirk Of Star Trek

The Transformed Man (1968)

William Shatner has been many things - actor of note on stage and screen, director, author, Captain Kirk.....

He has also been a recording artist.

Stop sniggering.

Now, many are familiar with his (admittedly AWESOME) cover of Pulp's Common People. Family Guy fans will be indirectly familiar with his entirely screwed-up cover of Rocket Man because Stewie Griffin did it once. It's unlikely many will be familiar with The Shat's debut, The Transformed Man.

One of the great things about the LOAD Project for you, the readers, is that sometimes, I'm listening to an album so that you don't have to. What you are about to discover is that The Transformed Man is such an album. Yet, at the same time, it's the single greatest album I've listened to this far.

Allow me to explain.

The Album

Upon the conclusion of The Transformed Man, this sums up my feelings:

This is the audio equivalent of a 5000 car pileup. 

Essentially, the album can be summarised thus: William Shatner talks over lame muzak for thirty-seven minutes and eighteen seconds. Shakespearean readings interspersed with Shatnerean readings of pop and cabaret tunes, all in Shatner's inimitable style:

       'IN THE

       JINGLE

        JANGLE MORNING

          I'LL COME FOLLOWIN' YA'

                                 - W. Shatner, 'Mr. Tambourine Man'

It's dramatic pause after dramatic pause after ridiculous flourish. Witness Shatner inexplicably turn Mr. Tambourine Man into a creepy lecherous tune! Marvel at him screaming "MISTER TAMBOURINE MAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN!!!!!" like he's just been thrown down a well! Hark at Shatner's DRAMATIC READING of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds ("A GIRL!!!!! WITH......KALEIDOSCOPE EEYYYYYYYEEEEESSS.......ANDSHE'SGONE!!!!!!!")

It honestly needs to be heard to be understood. Mere words on a screen do not do this justice. It is beyond bad - it is horrific. Except for his reading of Hamlet, which, it must be said, is absolutely superb (but given his Shakespearean training, it's not a surprise.)

However.

It is also one of the funniest things you'll ever hear. Whether that was the intention, I don't know. But that's the effect. His ridiculously overblown delivery is beyond parody - it is parody itself. 

The Verdict

No.

Just no.

Unless you want a damn fine laugh.

My rating as a serious release: half a star thanks to Hamlet

My rating as a comedy album: ***** thanks to Shatner

Standout Tracks

MISTER TAMBOURINE MAAAAAANNNNN!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, we round out the month of February with an album by metal maestro, Devin Townsend.