hen the phrase "singing Star Trek actor" is uttered, what usually comes to mind are painful memories of William Shatner slaughtering "Mr.
Tambourine Man" or Leonard Nimoy annihilating "If I Had a Hammer." Yet, believe it or not, there are a few skilled vocalists among the various Trek crews. In the past, Nichelle Nichols and Brent Spiner have released decent albums, and now, with his debut full-length CD, Star Trek: Voyager's Tim Russ joins their ranks.
His eponymous recording offers cover versions of relatively well-known rock standards, along with a few tunes written by the actor. Among the eight familiar cuts is an unexpectedly upbeat take on the blues classic "Crossroads," a heartfelt reading of "Where Do the Children Play" and an energetic "Love the One You're With." Other works include "Can't Do It Like That," "I Would Stop the World," "Money Talks," "Louisiana" and "Great Divide." Russ shares his insights on a trio of self-penned compositions: a potent love song titled "I Can't Imagine," a discourse on fame dubbed "Crazy" and the bittersweet "Strangers."
Besides supplying the lead vocals, the multitalented actor also plays rhythm guitar on many of the numbers. Famed SF music producer Neil Norman and his Cosmic Orchestra serve as the backup ensemble, with some melodies featuring guest drummer Bruce Gary (from the band The Knack). The liner notes contain the lyrics to all three original compositions plus pictures of Russ and the various musicians.
Enjoyable but not essential
Whenever a science fiction star embarks on a recording career, most fans--and certainly all reviewers--experience a pang of trepidation. However, right from the opening track, "I Can't Imagine" (which ironically, by asking the listener to "imagine walkin' on Jupiter's moons," contains the only obvious SF reference in the collection), Russ presents an album that's entertaining and down-to-earth.
Russ's poignant performance of "Louisiana" is a testament to his ability as an actor as well as a singer. This tune, written by Randy Newman, is set in 1927 and recounts the effects of a devastating flood. Accompanied by soft piano notes that subtly suggest raindrops, Russ's delicate vocal inflections magnificently capture the pain wrought by this disaster. He is similarly effective on "Crazy," a jazzy autobiographical number that addresses the personal confusion presumably brought about by his Star Trek: Voyager notoriety.
Although most of the melodies are pleasing, there are some cuts that could have benefited from better orchestration. "Great Divide" is marred by cheesy electronic keyboards, and the saccharine arrangement of "Strangers"--complete with a syrupy saxophone solo and a murmuring female chorus--reduces the impact of this otherwise satisfying work. Yet Russ consistently turns in a respectable vocal performance, making this disc an enjoyable, though by no means essential, addition to any Star Trek music collection.
