Featuring: Rick Wakeman, George Duke, Robbie Krieger, Edgar Winter, Al
Di Meola, Billy Sherwood, Edgar Froese, Steve Vai, Zoot Horn Rollo,
Vince Gill, Mick Jones, Dave Koz, Nik Turner, Simon House and Joel
Vandroogenbroeck
Los Angeles, CA - As word began to circulate about William Shatner's
newest musical project, the prog rock concept albumPonder The Mystery,
critics and fans quickly realized it was a match made, if not in
Heaven, then in the most glorious reaches of the galaxy. Shatner is
after all an enormously popular and celebrated icon of science fiction
fantasy, and no musical genre is as invested in, devoted to or driven
by fantasy and the imaginative as progressive rock. And though Mr.
Shatner is no stranger to the musical world, what sets this effort
apart from previous endeavors is the fact that he co-wrote the album,
penning a set of intensely personal lyrics for
producer/multi-instrumentalist Billy Sherwood (of the prog rock
institution Yes) to compose around. And now, after months of puzzled
rumors, probing questions and ponderous speculation, the album is
finally ready to be embraced by the general public; it will be
released on CD, vinyl and digital formats October 8, 2013.
Joining the two Bill's on this journey into the mysteries of human
curiosity and consciousness is a group of virtuosos from numerous
genres and fields, including guitarists Steve Vai, Al Di Meola and
Zoot Horn Rollo, keyboardists Rick Wakeman and the late George Duke,
saxophonists Dave Koz, Edgar Winter and Nik Turner, as well as The
Doors' own Robby Krieger and country legend Vince Gill. Many of these
artists leapt at the opportunity to contribute to Mr. Shatner's
venture, such as Steve Vai who performs on the album's eponymous
single, and declares, "It was an absolute hoot to play on Bill's
track. It's great to see and hear that after all these years his
contributions are still fresh!" Longtime friend Vince Gill contributed
acoustic guitars and mandolin to the album and shares this: "I've
known William for awhile and have worked with him on one of his
previous charity events. It was so cool for me to play on his new
album. Overall, it really means a lot to be part of projects that
William is doing at this point of his life. William is a special
person and I really enjoy any chance that I get to work with him."
Saxophonist Dave Koz offers this assessment of the project: "What I
love most about this album is that it feels like all the musicians
were in this big top - a sort of three-ring circus…you have all these
talented people, each bringing their unique offering to the table.
Then there's Bill, the ring-leader, with a big smile on his face,
inspiring us all to bring even more to the party. It was a blast, and
I love the way it turned out. Unlike anything I've EVER done before.
But then again, that's what working with an icon will get you!"
Finally, Rick Wakeman sums things up nicely: "I've never adhered to
the assumption that oil and water don't mix...stir them hard enough
and add a few other ingredients and they certainly will mix, and give
an interesting and pretty unique result too. So I'm all for
Progressive Shatner Rock and it was a pleasure to play on the album
and be involved!"
Tracks include:
1. Red Shift
2. Where It's Gone...I Don't Know feat. Mick Jones
3. Manhunt feat. Simon House
4. Ponder The Mystery feat. Steve Vai
5. So Am I feat. Al Di Meola
6. Change feat. Rick Wakeman
7. Sunset feat. Joel Vandroogenbroeck
8. Twilight feat. Edgar Winter
9. Rhythm Of The Night feat. Nik Turner
10. Imagine Things feat. Vince Gil
11. Do You See? feat. Edgar Froese
12. Deep Down feat. Robby Krieger
13. I'm Alright, I Think feat. Dave Koz
14. Where Does Time Go? feat. George Duke
15. Alive feat. Zoot Horn Rollo
William Shatner will be performing his new record Ponder the Mystery
in its entirety accompanied by the prog band CIRCA: featuring Billy
Sherwood and Tony Kaye, famed keyboardist also known for his work with
YES.
Performance dates and locations:
Wednesday, October 23, 2013: Saint Rocke, 142 E. Pacific Coast Hwy,
Hermosa, CA 90254 (310-372-0035)
Thursday, October 24, 2013: The Canyon Club, 289 12 Roadside Dr.,
Agoura, CA 91301 (818-879-5016)
Friday, October 25, 2013: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (949-496-8930)
Purchase Ponder The Mystery CD at Amazon: http://georiot.co/3VF
Download the album at iTunes: http://georiot.co/3EUD
For more information: http://williamshatner.com
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