Afternoon Diversion: William Shatner Sings Bohemian Rhapsody, Unfortunately

By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 29, 2011 7:00PM

We have no idea why William Shatner's new album Seeking Major Tom exists, but it does. Shatner half-speaks half-sings his way through a space-themed collection of songs that inexplicably constitutes two discs. We'd recommend listening to it strictly as a novelty item, and we might only say that because we just couldn't look away from the trainwreck. What makes the album even more confusing is that Shatner is joined by a number of talented artists, making us wish the album existed without him. We'd love hearing Bootsy Collins doing "Blinded Me With Science" or Peter Frampton doing "Spirit in the Sky," if only there wasn't Shatner's voice on the tracks.

As for Shatner's version of "Major Tom," performed with Nick Valensi of The Strokes, we just have to say that Gale did it better. This video for Shatner's version of "Bohemian Rhapsody," performed with John Wetton of Asia, is entertaining, if not just a little frightening.