I Can Get Behind That

Let me say up front that I’m not a fan of Star Trek or Boston Legal (or, for that matter, T.J. Hooker). I make this disclosure to show I have no particular fanboy disposition for William Shatner. With this mind, one of my favorite albums of the past few years has been William Shatner’s “Has Been.” Produced by Ben Folds (whose extended "Whatever and Ever Amen" also is another favorite of mine), “Has Been” is a brilliant CD that’s by turn funny and moving. While it contains some of Shatner’s trademark “beat poetry” approach to song-writing and singing, it nevertheless blew me away and has become one of my all-time favorite CDs. In addition to Folds, Joe Jackson, Aimee Mann, Henry Rollins, Brad Paisley, and Adrian Belew lend their talents. Below is a live performance of the CD’s lead track, “Common People,” with Joe Jackson, from the Tonight Show.