What do you get when you lock Sgt. T.J. Hooker in a room with one of the most despised men in progressive rock? You get an interesting cosmic trip called “Ponder The Mystery”. The album, released by Cleopatra Records is the second William Shatner release in as many years. Shatner follows his 2011 space themed cover album, Seeking Major Tom, with an album of all original songs cowritten with former Yes producers/guitarist Billy Sherwood. Sherwood, who Yes fans love to pan, has carved out a respectable career as a producer and also helms his own prog rock group Circa ( with former Yes Hammond B-3 wiz Tony Kaye).
> On Ponder They Mystery, instead of calling on his own band, or even his rhythm section buddies, Alan White and Chris Squire from Yes, Sherwood does all the bass, rhythm guitar and drum  work himself. Quite frankly, Sherwood is an excellent rhythm section, but he manages to bring in a few of of his ringer buddies. Jazz great Al Di Meola provided a stand out solo for the song, “So Am I”. Former Yes bandmate, Rick Wakeman rips off a trademark synth solo on the song “Change”. Other stand out soloist include reluctant guitar hero Vince Gill, classic Rocker Robby Krieger and the late George Duke on the appropriately touching song “Where Does Time Go?”

> Despite all the star power, Shatner is firmly at the helm. he provides all the lyric and effectively talks his way through the songs as only he can. Thankfully, he leave the singing to Sherwood. The two effectively collaborate and help continue the career momentum Shatner has gained in recent years.