William Shatner’s new music frontier? The blues

William Shatner has been making records since the classic The Transformed Man from 1968. (Listen to some highlights here.) There was a live album in the 70s and the rather good Has Been in 2004, which spun off a hit with his version of Pulp’s “Common People.” He’s been on a roll since 2011, offering up a bunch of records covering rock and country. Oh, and there was also a Christmas album.

Shat’s next project is a blues record called–what else?–The Blues, which is due in October. Shatner covers everyone from Robert Johnson and Willie Dixon to Muddy Waters and BB King. Naturally, there are plenty of guest appearances, including Brad Paisley, Pat Travers, Steve Cropper, and Albert Lee.

The first single will be familiar to BB King fans. He made “The Thrill is Gone” famous in 1970, but it’s actually a Roy Hawkins/Rock Darnell song from 1951. And playing guitar? Ritchie Blackmore.