William Shatner's career has spanned over 50 years and despite being most known for playing "Star Trek's" Captain James Tiberius Kirk Shatner has actually shown an immense amount of diversity in the roles that he has taken. In addition to a career in film and television Shatner has dabbled as an author, writing the TekWar series of science fiction novels, and as a musician.
For his latest project the 82 year old has decided to dabble in progressive-rock. In order to record the album, entitled "Ponder the Mystery," Shatner enlisted the help of country legend Vince Gill, Foreigner's Mick Jones and guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, according to News Max.
In an interview with ContactMusic Shatner said that the album will touch on subjects including "aging, depression, love and beauty."
"Perhaps Shatner's most personal album to date, 'Ponder the Mystery' is filled with observations (some profound, some humorous, always engaging) on the nature of passing time, the agony and hidden joy of aging, the depths of depression and the glorious heights found in the beauty and wonderment of life," a press release touting the album said.
"Musically, the album is equally adventurous with a depth of composition and musicianship that matches the weightiness of the lyrical themes," the release said. "The extraordinarily talented and highly respected Prog Rock producer, Billy Sherwood, paints an aural landscape around Shatner's worst that enhances and coalesces the underlying story."
Shatner released an album called "The Transformed Man" in 1968 featuring spoken word versions of popular pop songs including "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and "Mr. Tambourine Man." Shatner's version of Elton John's "Rocket Man" was rediscovered recently after it was parodied on the popular cartoon "The Family Guy."
The album is scheduled to be released on Oct. 8.
