Hot on the heels of the superb joint effort from William Shatner and Canned Heat comes a brand-new alliance that is sure to have music fans cheering. Former Rainbow and Deep Purple axeman and one of the most revered guitarists of the classic rock era, Ritchie Blackmore, joins Mr. Shatner for a deeply felt, heart-rending take on the blues classic \u201cThe Thrill Is Gone.\u201d The song, perhaps best known by the smash hit version that B.B. King recorded in 1970, was actually written the same year that the young Mr. Shatner made his film debut in 1951. Since then it has been interpreted numerous times, but King\u2019s version was the first to unite the soul-piercing lyrics with absolutely awe-inspiring guitar licks to create the definitive version of the song, and no doubt inspired the Shatner\/Blackmore version. As a special treat, Blackmore\u2019s wife and longtime collaborator in Blackmore\u2019s Night, Candice Night, contributes background vocals to add even more pathos to this inspired track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Shatner had this to say about the song, \u201c’The Thrill is Gone’ is the title of the song, but the thrill is there with Ritchie Blackmore and his great guitar!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blackmore and Night return the praise saying, \u201cWe would like to express our gratitude for being able to appear on the recording with William Shatner. It is always an honor to work with him. He is a man of many legendary performances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n