Keeping with his ever-growing eccentricity, actor, producer and spoken-word superstar William Shatner has returned with another mind-bending production, a take on the holiday classic "Silent Night." His signature beat-poet delivery is ratcheted up with the addition of punk godfather Iggy Pop guest singing on the Christmas tune's chorus, producing a touching, if avant garde, version of the celebratory hymnal marking the birth of Jesus. Pop's oddly soothing shaky voice complements the sleepy piano and string accompaniment, and Shatner's whispers are as familiar as those of a parent tucking in their child just in time for Santa to visit on Christmas Eve.
The forthcoming Shatner Claus: The Christmas Album doesn't stop with Pop, though. An all-star cast of contributors includes Henry Rollins on the already available "Jingle Bells," along with ZZ Top's Bill Gibbons, country star Brad Paisely, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, and Todd Rundgren. Standbys like "Little Drummer Boy" and "Blue Christmas" will round out the track list, making the release sure to please beats and freaks who aren't too far out to enjoy eggnog around the tree when the Yule time comes again.
