shatner's HAS BEEN

[RobertScorpio]

I was listening to HAS BEEN on my CD player on the way into work. I haven't really listened to for over a year or so. And you know what? I still like it. Common People, Real, Has Been, Familiar Love, and the others, are still pretty good.

If Shatner were to do another album, like Has Been, and did spoken word versions, covers if you will, and seriously (not like The Transformed Man) which songs do you think he could do good spoken versions of???

One of my favorite lines from the entire HAS BEEN album comes from I CANT GET BEHIND THAT. There is line where Shatner says, to the effect, "You know what I cant get behind? Singers, who don't even sing, and have a bad voice, getting paid to sing...well...I can get behind that."

So subtle..but so there..

Great Album...

Rob
Scorpio

 

[Botany Bay]

I agree!

The only reason I bought the CD initially was so he could sign it for me at a convention - I was hoping he'd ask me what I thought of it or something

I was surprised how much I listened to it, I still love "Common People".

 

[Anticitizen]

I like it very much as well.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I agree!

The only reason I bought the CD initially was so he could sign it for me at a convention - I was hoping he'd ask me what I thought of it or something

I was surprised how much I listened to it, I still love "Common People".

I have been very lucky to meet him two times. Once, while aboard an Air Craft Carrier that I was serving on, and he visited. I shook his hand and that was it. And then, about three years ago, while flying from Chicago to New York.

I actually, get this, got to sit RIGHT NEXT TO him. But I didn't want to say anything or embarass him or whatever...so I just sat down and began to read the paper after saying hello.

About 30 minutes before landing, he looks at me and asks me if I knew who he was, in a soft voice. I replied, in a soft voice, yes I did but I didn't want to draw attention to him so that is why I was quiet.

Well, for the last fifteen minutes we talked. I told him I had the album, and I got the message of "Star Trek V". He ended up signing my newspaper, it was all I had for him to sign!

He was very nice, down to Earth, and did not smell like wine/sausage. Though, unlike James Spader, I never went to bed with Shatner.

Captain Kirk is my favorite character, and being able to meet with Shatner, even if or a few moments, is one of the highlights of my life. I know others have talked about nightmares of meeting him be it at conventions, or whatever. But the couple times I met him, and saw him interact with others, I thought he was pretty cool. Which is saying a lot, since the guy is GOD.

Rob

 

[marylizz]

I agree!

The only reason I bought the CD initially was so he could sign it for me at a convention - I was hoping he'd ask me what I thought of it or something

I was surprised how much I listened to it, I still love "Common People".

I have been very lucky to meet him two times. Once, while aboard an Air Craft Carrier that I was serving on, and he visited. I shook his hand and that was it. And then, about three years ago, while flying from Chicago to New York.

I actually, get this, got to sit RIGHT NEXT TO him. But I didn't want to say anything or embarass him or whatever...so I just sat down and began to read the paper after saying hello.

About 30 minutes before landing, he looks at me and asks me if I knew who he was, in a soft voice. I replied, in a soft voice, yes I did but I didn't want to draw attention to him so that is why I was quiet.

Well, for the last fifteen minutes we talked. I told him I had the album, and I got the message of "Star Trek V". He ended up signing my newspaper, it was all I had for him to sign!

He was very nice, down to Earth, and did not smell like wine/sausage. Though, unlike James Spader, I never went to bed with Shatner.

Captain Kirk is my favorite character, and being able to meet with Shatner, even if or a few moments, is one of the highlights of my life. I know others have talked about nightmares of meeting him be it at conventions, or whatever. But the couple times I met him, and saw him interact with others, I thought he was pretty cool. Which is saying a lot, since the guy is GOD.

Rob

Wow.
That's pretty awesome.

 

[Captain Gandalf]

...

Rob
Scorpio

Oooh... Zeb Macahan! I loved that series! I wish they would bring it out on DVD... great av, man!

 

[RobertScorpio]

...

Rob
Scorpio

Oooh... Zeb Macahan! I loved that series! I wish they would bring it out on DVD... great av, man!

That show was so beautifully shot, with so many TREK vets I might add, and Arness really, I think, creates his best character; Zeb McCahan. We have it on DVD and recently finished watching it about a month ago. Usually, once a year, we get a fix and watch it all over again...good to see that there are fans of his out there like you and I.

Rob

 

[KimMH]

How cool to have gotten to meet him. I know many people admire his early work as Cap'n Kirk but I find he grows on me as time goes by - he certainly does have moxy! He seems to have a great sense of humor too!

 

[RobertScorpio]

How cool to have gotten to meet him. I know many people admire his early work as Cap'n Kirk but I find he grows on me as time goes by - he certainly does have moxy! He seems to have a great sense of humor too!

I think he changed...because the stories of his run in with fans in the past are historic. But, I think he changed, became more humble, as time went on. I am sure Doohan / Nichols/ Takei, in their opinion, had or have had issues with him, and we will never know it all I guess.

But when I spoke with him for that brief time, I met a real person. He was soft spoken, but he did have that charm in his eyes. So..who knows?

Rob

 

[Braindeer]

I really like the album, but it makes me sad for Shat. It seems like even now he doesn't feel like he's succeeded, career-wise. "It Hasn't Happened Yet" just makes me want to tell him how AWESOME he is, and then buy him a whisky and let him tell me his troubles.

 

[Braindeer]

Also, MASSIVE respect for covering the album version of Common People! I'm a pretty big Pulp fan.

 

[CmdrAJD]

I love Has Been. The rest of my carpool...not so much. Oh well. I think of it as broadening their musical horizons.

 

[WHF]

Wow, what a coincidence I just listened to this album this morning on the way to work and I have to say I agree that it is a fantastic album. I wish he'd put out another one. I'd like him to cover "Doesn't Really Matter" by Platinum Blonde:

It's been a hard day in the city
It affects you in the most peculiar way
Dull day don't seem pretty
We've said all that there is to say
And if you were to ask me questions
You don't really want to know
Your concern is just for show
Your name's a number, just press a button
Your memories lost but they've not forgotten

They try to break our lust for passion
They try to tell us that it's not in fashion
And if you were' to ask me questions
What are we fighting-for?
We're just breaking down the door

(chorus)
It doesn't really matter
I've been through this all before
It doesn't really matter

They fight in England and Northern Ireland
The police they try to hold us still
They can bleed us and they can feed us
But you know they'll never control our will
And if you were to ask that question
What are we fighting for?
We're just breaking down the door

 

[RobertScorpio]

Also, MASSIVE respect for covering the album version of Common People! I'm a pretty big Pulp fan.

I have to admit that I have never heard any other version of COMMON PEOPLE. And SHAT does such a great job. I remember seeing him on JAY LENO and thinking "What the hell is this?"

Rob

 

[Messianni]

I've always liked Has Been. When people always get on him about his 70's music you just have to put that in and most of the time, they'll be silenced. Yes, his old stuff was ridiculously cheesy but Has Been was a Shatner that is so self-aware that he finally really looked into himself and made something great!

Plus it helps to have Ben Folds as the producer of the album, who I'm also a big fan of.

 

[Botany Bay]

I agree!

The only reason I bought the CD initially was so he could sign it for me at a convention - I was hoping he'd ask me what I thought of it or something

I was surprised how much I listened to it, I still love "Common People".

I have been very lucky to meet him two times. Once, while aboard an Air Craft Carrier that I was serving on, and he visited. I shook his hand and that was it. And then, about three years ago, while flying from Chicago to New York.

I actually, get this, got to sit RIGHT NEXT TO him. But I didn't want to say anything or embarass him or whatever...so I just sat down and began to read the paper after saying hello.

About 30 minutes before landing, he looks at me and asks me if I knew who he was, in a soft voice. I replied, in a soft voice, yes I did but I didn't want to draw attention to him so that is why I was quiet.

Well, for the last fifteen minutes we talked. I told him I had the album, and I got the message of "Star Trek V". He ended up signing my newspaper, it was all I had for him to sign!

He was very nice, down to Earth, and did not smell like wine/sausage. Though, unlike James Spader, I never went to bed with Shatner.

Captain Kirk is my favorite character, and being able to meet with Shatner, even if or a few moments, is one of the highlights of my life. I know others have talked about nightmares of meeting him be it at conventions, or whatever. But the couple times I met him, and saw him interact with others, I thought he was pretty cool. Which is saying a lot, since the guy is GOD.

Rob

Great story Rob, I'm happy it turned out well.

My great fear was flying around the world to meet Shatner (I'll admit that was the main reason I went to the USA that time ) only to cop him in a bad mood, I honestly would have been devastated - he's my hero dammit!

I had two quick encounters with him - the second one he pricked his ears up when he heard my Australian accent, and was friendly enough. I can't remember the conversation, I have never been more star-struck in my life.

One thing that I'll never forget about that convention is that over the course of four days and dozens of celebrity Q and A's, 75 year old Shatner was by far the most enthusiastic and animated, and the most entertaining by miles.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I agree!

The only reason I bought the CD initially was so he could sign it for me at a convention - I was hoping he'd ask me what I thought of it or something

I was surprised how much I listened to it, I still love "Common People".

I have been very lucky to meet him two times. Once, while aboard an Air Craft Carrier that I was serving on, and he visited. I shook his hand and that was it. And then, about three years ago, while flying from Chicago to New York.

I actually, get this, got to sit RIGHT NEXT TO him. But I didn't want to say anything or embarass him or whatever...so I just sat down and began to read the paper after saying hello.

About 30 minutes before landing, he looks at me and asks me if I knew who he was, in a soft voice. I replied, in a soft voice, yes I did but I didn't want to draw attention to him so that is why I was quiet.

Well, for the last fifteen minutes we talked. I told him I had the album, and I got the message of "Star Trek V". He ended up signing my newspaper, it was all I had for him to sign!

He was very nice, down to Earth, and did not smell like wine/sausage. Though, unlike James Spader, I never went to bed with Shatner.

Captain Kirk is my favorite character, and being able to meet with Shatner, even if or a few moments, is one of the highlights of my life. I know others have talked about nightmares of meeting him be it at conventions, or whatever. But the couple times I met him, and saw him interact with others, I thought he was pretty cool. Which is saying a lot, since the guy is GOD.

Rob

Great story Rob, I'm happy it turned out well.

My great fear was flying around the world to meet Shatner (I'll admit that was the main reason I went to the USA that time ) only to cop him in a bad mood, I honestly would have been devastated - he's my hero dammit!

I had two quick encounters with him - the second one he pricked his ears up when he heard my Australian accent, and was friendly enough. I can't remember the conversation, I have never been more star-struck in my life.

One thing that I'll never forget about that convention is that over the course of four days and dozens of celebrity Q and A's, 75 year old Shatner was by far the most enthusiastic and animated, and the most entertaining by miles.

I was thinking the same thing. I was watching him on CONAN two nights ago, and for a guy who is in his late 70s, his energy level is just so high. Hell, I wish that I had his ambtion and energy level.

And, in the back of my mind, I know he has had his share of media mockery. There are fans of star trek who, and I have spoken with many of them over the years, think he is the devil. The very mention of his name can cause their heads to explode. I know why it is; he is the most successful Star Trek Icon and may have stepped on others to get there. But I don't care. The entertainment world is like that.

He and Leonard Nimoy are the same age, four days apart I think. And yet when I see Nimoy, and I just did last week here at comic-con, I see a 76 year old man...But Shatner? I see a man who does not want to act his age..ever. And that is cool..

Rob

 

[omnirad]

The album is very centered on the theme of mortality.
My favorite song is 'You'll Have Time', with the refrain

"Live life like you're gonna die / Because you're gonna".

The Shatman certainly does that indeed!

 

[RobertScorpio]

The album is very centered on the theme of mortality.
My favorite song is 'You'll Have Time', with the refrain

"Live life like you're gonna die / Because you're gonna".

The Shatman certainly does that indeed!

Yes..I loved that 'song'.

Now, if I am not mistaken, he wrote many, if not all, of those lyrics, with imput from Ben Folds. If Shatner DID write the bulk of the lyrics that were original songs, he should be given more respect than he is. The guy is a great writer, and I wish he'd do a follow up.

Rob

 

[Braindeer]

Also, MASSIVE respect for covering the album version of Common People! I'm a pretty big Pulp fan.

I have to admit that I have never heard any other version of COMMON PEOPLE. And SHAT does such a great job. I remember seeing him on JAY LENO and thinking "What the hell is this?"

Rob

If you like Common People you should definitely give Pulp a listen! Look 'em up on Spotify!