Beam me up again! William Shatner revisits his prog all-stars album Ponder The Mystery, starring Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman and others

William Shatner - Ponder the Mystery Revisited
(Image credit: Cleopatra)

A decade ago, Star Trek icon William Shatner released his album Ponder The Mystery starring a series of big prog names including Steve Vai and Rick Wakeman.

Now the 15-track record has had a refit under the title Ponder The Mystery Revisited, and you can listen to new version of the title track below, featuring Vai in full virtuoso flow. The remixing was handled by Die Krupps’ Jurgen Engler.

On its initial launch, Shatner said it was “quite possibly the most creative thing I have ever done,” while Cleopatra Records described it as a “sprawling epic of progressive rock music and poignant, personal lyrics.” His intention, they added, was to continue his “lifelong pursuit to find answers to life’s mysteries both beyond the cosmos and in the majestic mundanity of everyday experience.”

In an update the label announced: “A bold new mix by prodigious producer Jürgen Engler brings Shatner’s deft and poetic wordplay into the foreground while still making room for the all-star guests including Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman, Simon House, Nik Turner, Edgar Froese, Al Di Meola, Vince Gill, Mick Jones, Dave Koz, Robby Krieger and others.”

Ponder The Mystery Revisited is available for pre-order now in vinyl and digital formats. Full track list:

1. Red Shift
2. Where It's Gone...I Don't Know – ft Mick Jones
3. Manhunt – ft Simon House
4. Ponder The Mystery – ft Steve Vai
5. So Am I – ft Al Di Meola
6. Change – ft Rick Wakeman
7. Sunset – ft Joel Vandroogenbroeck
8. Twilight – ft Edgar Winter
9. Rhythm Of The Night – ft Nik Turner
10. Imagine Things – ft Vince Gill
11. Do You See? – ft Edgar Froese
12. Deep Down – ft Robby Krieger
13. I'm Alright, I Think – ft Dave Koz
14. Where Does Time Go? – ft George Duke
15. Alive – ft Zoot Horn Rollo

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.