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Ritchie Blackmore is among the classic rock legends performing on William Shatner’s new album, The Blues, which arrives Oct. 2 via Cleopatra Records. The former Rainbow and Deep Purple guitar legend joins Shatner for a new take on the blues classic “The Thrill Is Gone.” Listen to it below.
The song, best known by the smash hit version that B.B. King recorded in 1970, was actually written in 1951, the same year that Shatner made his film debut. Since then it has been interpreted numerous times, but King’s version was the first to unite the soul-piercing lyrics with absolutely awe-inspiring guitar licks to create the definitive version of the song. Blackmore’s wife and longtime collaborator in Blackmore’s Night, Candice Night, contributes background vocals to the recording.
They aren’t the only ones contributing to The Blues. Also joining Shatner: Steve Cropper, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Sonny Landreth, Brad Paisley, Pat Travers, and others.
The Star Trek legend, born March 22, 1931, will turn 90 in 2021. He is no stranger to collaborating with rock stars on recordings. His 2018 holiday album, Shatner Claus, featured Billy Gibbons, Judy Collins, Rick Wakeman, Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren, among others.
His 1968 debut album, The Transformed Man, included covers of the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.”
The Blues Track Listing
1. Sweet Home Chicago feat. Brad Paisley
2. I Can’t Quit You Baby feat. Kirk Fletcher
3. Sunshine Of Your Love feat. Sonny Landreth
4. The Thrill Is Gone feat. Ritchie Blackmore
5. Mannish Boy feat. Ronnie Earl
6. Born Under A Bad Sign feat. Tyler Bryant
7. I Put A Spell On You feat. Pat Travers
8. Crossroads feat. James Burton
9. Smokestack Lightnin’ feat. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
10. As The Years Go Passing By feat. Arthur Adams
11. Let’s Work Together feat. Harvey Mandel & Canned Heat
12. Route 66 feat. Steve Cropper
13. In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company feat. Albert Lee
14. Secrets Or Sins
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