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Can You Hear Me, Capt. Kirk?

The incomparable William Shatner prepares an album of rock cover songs

When most people think of William Shatner, they think of his signature role on the deck of the Enterprise on the classic Star Trek. Or maybe behind the wheel of a patrol car in T.J. Hooker. Or as the courtroom kook on Boston Legal. Or maybe as the Priceline spokesman. Or the dyspeptic pop on #*! My Dad Says.

The point is, he's usually remembered as an actor. But Shatner's musical career should not be overlooked.

It began with his 1968 album, The Transformed Man, on which he recited lyrics from songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and others with his distinctive cadence and grandiloquence.

Watch the video of his classic rendition of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (below). It's totally trippy,

Shatner is now working on a new joint, Searching for Major Tom (a reference to David Bowie's "Space Oddity" which is one of the songs from the '70s and '80s on the album).

The playlist will include Steve Miller's "Space Cowboy", the Police's "Walking on the Moon" and Elton John's "Rocket Man". Hey, are you noticing a theme here?

If anyone knows about space it's the man who brought James Tiberius Kirk to such vivid life. There is no song which could not be improved by letting Shatner handle the spoken-word vocals.

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