Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space (1967)

Well, yesterday was the anniversary of when "Star Trek" (the original series) first aired on NBC - September 8, 1966 to be exact. In honor of that day, I am posting Leonard Nimoy's first album. I know this album has made the rounds many times before, but I decided to go ahead and share mine since I already had it digitized (it was one of the first ones I digitized, being the Star Trek fanatic that I am). You can find Leonard's four other albums on this blog, too, by clicking on one of the labels. Mr.Spock holds a special place in my heart - that was also the name of one of my dearly departed kitties (gone two years now). But I did have the pleasure of meeting Leonard Nimoy at a Star Trek convention several years ago (he signed my copy of "I Am Spock"!), and I was able to snap several photos of him. Also, back in college, we had this huge computer printout (remember the dot matrix printers?) of Mr.Spock posted on the wall of the computer science department office. I think that's what made me decide to major in computer science. It was the logical thing to do.

(BTW, the picture is one I found on the web. A lot of my album covers are in bad shape so I often use pictures I find on the web, or I just find better pictures than the ones I take with my old dinky 1.2 megapixel digital camera. Yeah, I know I need to get a new one.)

Track listing for Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr.Spock's Music from Outer Space:

Side 1:
1. Theme from "Star Trek"
2. Alien
3. Where is Love
4. Music to Watch Space Girls By
5. Beyond Antares
6. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Earth

Side 2:
1. Mission Impossible
2. Lost in the Stars
3. Where No Man Has Gone Before
4. You Are Not Alone
5. A Visit to a Sad Planet

Leonard Nimoy - The Way I Feel (1968)

Well, since I've already posted three of my five Leonard Nimoy albums, I figured I might as well finish out the lot. I didn't post the very first album because, as I mentioned in the post for "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy", someone else already had it and I listed that link. But, if y'all want me to, I can go ahead and record my album and post it - just let me know! Today, I'm posting "The Way I Feel", which is probably my favorite of his folksy albums. I particularly like his version of "If I Had a Hammer". You're going to think I'm really weird (well, you probably already think that), but this version gets me all teary-eyed when he starts speaking towards the end - I think I start feeling all patriotic and stuff so I get all emotional. I don't know - maybe it 's just the menopause. Anyway, here's another to add to your Leonard Nimoy collection! (No cool liner or track notes on this one.)

Track listing for Leonard Nimoy - The Way I Feel:

Side 1:
1. I'd Love Making Love to You
2. Please Don't Try to Change My Mind
3. Sunny
4. Where It's At
5. Both Sides Now
6. If I Had a Hammer

Side 2:
1. Here We Go 'Round Again
2. Billy Don't Play the Banjo Anymore
3. It's Getting Better
4. Consilium
5. Love is Sweeter
6. The Hitch-Hiker

Leonard Nimoy - Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy (1968)

Well, after posting that last Leonard Nimoy album on Sunday, my buddy, Gordon, requested in his comment that I post this album. Ask and you shall receive (provided I have the album, of course)!

Anyway, in this earlier album (I forgot to mention on the last post that Leonard had gone on to be a regular on TV's "Mission: Impossible" when he recorded that album), "Star Trek" was on TV and Leonard recorded this album as Spock on one side and as himself on the other. Being the Trekker that I am, I like the Spock side better, although, I love "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins"! It's just a hilarious song, especially if you watch the video of Leonard singing it! (If you want to watch the video, just click on the "Leonard Nimoy" label on this post, and it'll bring up all posts. I posted the video when I did "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy" a while back.) There is one song on here that I don't like - "If I Were a Carpenter". I've never liked that song (not even when Bobby Darin sang it) - I just think it's one of the most boring songs ever. Just my opinion. Some of you may love that song, and that's great, so I hope you like this version! Enjoy the album! Oh, and after each song, I've typed what it says on the record for that song.

Track listing for Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy:

Side 1:
1. Highly Illogical - Spock's reactions to some earth-behavior.
2. The Difference Between Us - Could Spock ever feel hidden, deep, emotional love problems? Could he react as a human in a romantic situation?
3. Once I Smiled - Once Spock's emotional barriers were broken down, and for a short while he tasted a bitter-sweet romantic experience.
4. Spock Thoughts - Some excellent vulcanian advice and philosophy.
5. By Myself - As "alien" to the planet earth, Spock is not always completely at home, and feels his loneliness at times.
6. Follow Your Star - Aim high in life. Make your goal a star and follow it.
7. Amphibious Assault - A surrealistic battle of the future. Will war come to this?

Side 2:
1. The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins - Long an admirer of the "Hobbits", Nimoy sings of the adventures of the bravest Hobbit of them all.
2. Cotton Candy - A modern, thought-image in musical setting, written by one of the camera crew of the Star Trek series.
3. Gentle On My Mind - The kind of song that Nimoy personally loves to sing.
4. Miranda - A lovely Bart Howard song in a classic-folk tradition.
5. If I Were a Carpenter - Another "modern" folk song, sung by Nimoy in an unusual rhythmic setting.
6. Love of the Common People - A song that Nimoy enjoys singing on personal appearances, since it reflects his own philosophy.

Leonard Nimoy - The New World of Leonard Nimoy (1970)

Before I get on with today's post, I just want to say thanks to everyone who has left their great comments on my past posts, and for the well-wishes for me and my new home! Thanks!

Okay... after I posted one of Leonard Nimoy's albums, I got some feedback asking for another album. I think I mentioned in the previous post that I was lucky enough to buy the entire lot of five albums on eBay (plus a Star Trek bloopers record)! I don't know what I value more - these five albums of his, or my autographed copy of his book "I Am Spock". Now that I've mentioned that, I have to digress a little and tell you about the sci-fi convention I went to a few years ago where Leonard Nimoy was the super-special guest. I went ahead and bought the VIP ticket so that I could be in the group of fans that would get his autograph. We could take one item and he would sign it, but not personalize it. That would've been nicer, but I was happy enough to just be able to stand across a table from him and have him touch and sign my copy of his book! I think after that day, I pretty much thought that I can now die happy (although, I'd rather not die just yet!).

On with this post - I've read that this is the hardest to find of the Leonard Nimoy albums, so I hope you are not disappointed. In addition to the usual covers, he also sings a couple of his own compositions. What a treat! I really like listening to Leonard - it really relaxes me. As the liner notes say: "This album is Leonard Nimoy. A very refreshing experience."

Track listing for The New World of Leonard Nimoy:

Side 1:
1. Time to Get It Together
2. Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town
3. The Mayor of Ma's Cafe
4. I Walk the Line
5. I Finally Saw the Two of You Today
6. Mary's Near

Side 2:
1. Abraham, Martin & John
2. Proud Mary
3. Let It Be Me
4. Everybody's Talkin'
5. The Sun Will Rise
6. Put a Little Love in Your Heart

Live Long and Prosper

Well, this has truly been a sad month for me. Only two weeks after losing my beautiful Sabrina, my little guy, Mr.Spock, joined her in the big kitty condo in the sky (on my birthday, no less). Spock was an 18-year-old Manx, and I'd had him since he was 2 years old, when I adopted him from the Humane Society where I volunteered at the time. He and Sabrina were best buddies for 16 years, so I knew it wouldn't be long after she died that he would be joining her, especially since he'd been ill for almost 3 years. Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and dementia at the end of 2004, the vet gave him maybe 2 months to live. But, Spock was quite the little fighter and just kept bouncing back after each of his crises. In the last year, he also developed some masses which most likely developed into lymphoma, which is what eventually caused his demise.

Besides the fact that he was so cute at the Humane Society, one of the reasons I fell in love with Mr.Spock was his name - I am quite the Star Trek fan. My little guy was the sweetest of my feline family - he never got into trouble and was always the most affectionate. In his later years, he was happiest when he was lying on my lap or chest, or when he was cuddled up next to his buddy, Sabrina. As with my other two cats, Stinkerbelle and Sabrina, I have made this compilation to honor him.

Most of this compilation consists of several versions of the theme from Star Trek the Original Series and some of the movies with the original cast, since those are the ones where Spock was a main character. Two vocal versions are included - and you'll understand after you listen to the lyrics why the theme was usually played as an instrumental - but the truly scary version is the one sung by Nichelle Nichols. Still, it's a must for any Star Trek collector or collector of "interesting" songs. I've also included the more sad tunes from "The Wrath of Khan", where Spock dies. Anyway, I hope you like this compilation that I dedicate to my cat, Mr.Spock. In my heart, he will always Live Long and Prosper...

Track listing for Live Long and Prosper Compilation:

1. Star Trek Main Title - from "The Cage" soundtrack
2. Theme from Star Trek - from Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr.Spock's Music from Outer Space
3. Star Trek Theme (end title) - from "The Cage" soundtrack
4. Star Trek Theme - The Secret Agents
5. Star Trek Main Title - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
6. Theme from Star Trek (vocal) - Nichelle Nichols
7. Mr.Spock - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
8. Theme from Star Trek - Van McCoy
9. Star Trek End Title - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
10. Theme from Star Trek - The Galactic Force Band
11. Star Trek Theme - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
12. Theme from Star Trek (vocal) - Project:Pimento
13. Spock's Arrival - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
14. Theme from Star Trek - Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle
15. Spock Walk - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
16. Star Trek Theme - Todd Rundgren and Utopia
17. Spock - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
18. Star Trek Main Theme - Cincinatti Pops Orchestra
19. Spock's Death - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
20. Spock's Funeral - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
21. Prologue and Main Title - from Star Trek III:The Search for Spock
22. Star Trek TV Theme - with narration by William Shatner
23. Live Long and Prosper - Star Trek TV Quote by Mr.Spock

Leonard Nimoy - The Touch of Leonard Nimoy (1969)

As I said in my last post, I'll be posting several "celebrity vocal" albums for these next few posts. As I've mentioned before, I'm a major "Star Trek" fan - I've been on several Trek cruises, been to several sci-fi conventions, have a tattoo of the Starfleet command insignia (am I scaring you yet?), and have quite a collection of Star Trek memorabilia, including an arcade size STNG pinball machine. I've met quite a few of the actors from the various TV shows and movies, but my most exciting meeting was that of Leonard Nimoy - Mr. Spock (oh, one of my cats is named "Mr. Spock"). After I met him and had him autograph my copy of "I Am Spock", I felt that I had attained the Holy Grail of Star Trek-dom and could die happy.

I remember watching "Star Trek" as a little girl, and Spock was definitely my favorite character. After the show went off the air, I remember watching Leonard Nimoy on "Mission: Impossible". Then he disappeared for awhile (or rather, I just didn't see anything he was in). When I went to college, I majored in computer science (of course - nerd that I am) and the first thing I saw in our department office was a huge computer print-out of Mr. Spock. My interest in "Star Trek" was renewed, and that interest eventually grew into a major dedication to all things Star Trek.

Well, anyway, Leonard Nimoy recorded some albums back during the days of STTOS. He may not be the best, but he's certainly not the worst! I rather enjoy listening to his albums and I find his voice somewhat mellowing. He did a couple of albums that were more tongue-in-cheek, but this one is not one of those. "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy" is mellow, folksy, and a nice album to listen to while relaxing in a hammock on a warm, breezy afternoon. I hope you like it as much as I do! Oh, and for a humorous touch, I'm posting the unedited version of the "Bilbo Baggins" video below!

Track listing for Leonard Nimoy - The Touch of Leonard Nimoy:

Side 1:
1. I Search for Tomorrow
2. Maiden Wine
3. Now's the Time
4. Cycles
5. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today

Side 2:
1. I Just Can't Help Believin'
2. Nature Boy
3. Contact
4. The Man I Would Like to Be
5. A Trip to Nowhere
6. Piece of Hope

Leonard Nimoy sings "Bilbo Baggins" -