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Sweet Relief - A Benefit for Victoria Williams
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Femme Fatale Volume 2 - A History of Women in Popular Music
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LIVE @ The World Cafe (Volume 5)
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E-town Live (Original Live Recordings)
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Say What U Want - Artists for Rock the Vote
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The Facts and the Fiction
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Mexican Standoff
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
quite a combination at 2005-10-11
The first half is Mexican cantina songs. Not bad songs, just not my favorite genre. I really bought this CD for the blues songs in the second half; they are excellent. Now if we could just get her to do a whole CD of blues or blues-rock.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Shocked !! at 2005-11-19
Another great album from a wonderful artist. The cantina songs are great !! The Blues songs are awesome...and Im not usually a blues fan. Im beginning to think this woman is a musical genius.
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Got No Strings
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Definitely Not Just For Kids at 2005-07-18
Ya gotta admire and respect Michelle Shocked for making her music her way (even when you might not get what shes trying to do). She never compromises her art, even if compromising might give her a bit more popularity. So this album is pure joy: you can tell she did exactly what she wanted to do -- and the result is charming and delightful and accessible. Who else would have thought of doing a full country-swing album of classic Disney songs? And who else could have pulled it off? Answer: No one but Michelle Shocked. For me, the only disappointing track is Spoonful of Sugar. For some reason, it sounds a bit depressing to me. Was that supposed to be irony? To Be A Cat (from THE ARISTOCATS) is my favorite track, although I must admit the song never struck me as one of the classic Disney songs. Shocked makes it so clever and sophisticated and irresistably swingin that I wonder why I never paid much attention to it before. Dont think the album is just for kids. I know this middle-aged grump will be listening to it for a long time.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
I never got to the other two at 2006-05-26
I purchased Threesome because Michelle Shocked feels like an old friend to me and I like old friends. The first time I ever heard If Love Was A Train I perked right up and by the time I heard Anchorage I was in love. To this day Arkansas Traveler is one of my all time favorites as is Short Sharp and I gladly revisited them in their re-issued quality controlled form. Then I decided to see what Michelle is up to now and I cant tell you fully because I havent stopped listening to No Strings. Maybe the other two discs are even better but I wouldnt know that yet. I love this disc. It came to me at just the right time in my life and I feel like shes singing wonderful words of encouragement just to me. So nice. And I dont even like Disney. Or I didnt think i did. Do yourself a favor and get this right away. You need it. Oh boy, im going to listen to it again right now, just talking about it.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Simple and Terrific at 2005-10-24
According to the liner notes, Michelle recorded this album in three days. Those were three VERY productive days. This underproduced work is a perfect tonic to the overproduced, over distorted, and underwhelming music of today. It never pretends to be more than it is, and by that, transcends the jaded listener to a wonderful musical interlude. In three adjectives: simple, direct, beautiful.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Adults and children rejoice: Disney takes a Western Swing! at 2005-09-19
Shockeds wellspring of creativity is clearly overflowing, as shew issued three diversely toned albums all at once. This disc reimagineers classic and obscure Disney tunes as jazzy western swing songs. The sprightly treasure Spoonful of Sugar is rearranged as a sly story-song, rather than accompaniment for an eye-popping film sequence, and the joyous Bare Necessities is given a twangy, toe-tapping arrangement lined by Greg Leisz lap steel and Gabe Witchers fiddle. The Aristocrats To Be a Cat and Pinnochios Give a Little Whistle sound like they were plucked from Le Hot Club, and Dream is a Wish is turned into a gentle waltz. Parents seeking refuge from overbearing TV dinosaurs and wiggling adults, will find a fine collection of terrific songs rendered fresh and airy for children who will be enchanted by the Disney magic. The musicianship is top-notch, which means that you wont tire of hearing these gems on their hundredth play... in a row. [ý2005 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]
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Threesome
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
mixed bag of music/bad packaging at 2005-08-19
I am a fan of Michelle and I own every release that I can find. I was a bit disappointed with this release; it could have been a killer record with a little trimming.The real complaint that I have is with the packaging. The rubber dots that hold the discs in place have already come off and the cover itself is very sparse.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Be Shocked at 2005-07-28
Michelle Shocked is endlessly creative, moving effortlessly between genres and styles of music, from pop to Tex-Mex Rhumba beats to sweet Disney songs done to swing. Her voice is always great, her amusement at the wonders and horrors of this little planet always shines between the lyrics and the musical lines. Have fun. Be shocked. Be surprised. Your ears will be happy.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Great music -- cheesy package! at 2005-07-10
The music contained herein is terrific -- unfortunately the packaging is cheap. Buy the individual CDs -- I wish I would have!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Who but Michelle could pull this off? at 2005-06-24
I was so hungry for new Shocked material that I preordered the three cd set. NOTHING on here disappoints. I wont go into the details about each cd, but all three are great. You got Disney songs ( done Michelles way ), rock, and tex-mex flavor. The sound quality on all three cds is great. Michelle Shockeds voice actually seems to be better than ever now. On a few of the songs she sounds so sexy that you just go mmmm and on others she really rocks. I really like the hidden track on one of the cds...punk done Michelles way! FIVE STARS!!!!!!!!!!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Not what I had in mind. at 2005-07-18
OK, first off, to the previous reviewer, a 1 out of 5 because of the packaging is a little harsh isnt it? LOL, just kidding. Well, I gave this a 4, based mostly on the fact that its a worthy effort, and that Michelle Shocked is one of the best artists I know of. She is right there in the upper eschelon. Having said that, I really did not enjoy this collection very much. Not that it was terrible music, just that it wasnt my cup of tea. I guess this is no shock, because this has happened before with me. I was blown away by Short Sharp Shocked and Arkansas Traveler, but wasnt crazy about Kind Hearted Woman or Captain Swing. I was then blown away again by Deep Natural, but this latest set just doesnt hit the mark with me. My sugestion is that, seeing that its right here at your fingertips, I would give the sample cuts from Amazon a listen before investing the $25 or $30. If given the option, I think I would have given this more like a 3.5 out of 5, but a 3 is too harsh.
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Don"t Ask+ Don"t Tell
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
haiku for dont ask, dont tell at 2005-09-04
a pointless albumby an artist whose best daysare well in the past
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A Return to Her Peak of Perfection at 2005-08-31
If you are looking for an album with a homogenous theme that will wrap you in its sameness, giving you a comfortable place to retreat to... this is NOT the album you want. All tracks are extremely well performed, recorded and produced. However, each track could have been done by a different artist. While I doubt it was intended, the first track has somewaht breathy, yet full vocals akin to early Maria Muldaur. The next track reminds me of several Patty Smith tracks in its direct vocal style, texture and delivery. The third track uses wistful talking/singing to present a story laced with often made-up words delivered in a Laurie Anderson-like style. The list goes on, however, there is no doubt that each of the tracks is genuinely Michelle Shocked. At times playful, always intelligent lyrics are enveloped with and supported by excellent musicianship. Her best work since Arkansas Traveller, her prior peak of polish and perfection. Definitely worth the price of admission.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
EXCEPTIONAL EFFORT / A TRUE WORK OF ART / BRAVO at 2005-06-23
This CD is composed of strong, diverse and intelligent songs that come straight from the artists heart. The music explores a variety of musical genres from rock, soul, folk, to jazz all with her unique signature fusion of styles. The listener is engaged from the outset with a full range of emotions from empathy to humor. It reminds me of the Kinks at their best in the 80s. Each song has a unique flavor and after the CD is over you have no difficulty remembering the tunes. You only are disappointed it has come to an end. If you have a brain... you should not be bored or untouched by this collection.The sound quality is excellent. The arrangements are done with care and tenderness. The accompanying musicians and vocalists are used wonderfully and they clearly have a stong connection to the project. I will not bore you with a song by song description. Anyone who has ever appreciated Michelle Shocked in the past will find their own favorites... which will likely change over time with your mood and circumstances.
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Captain Swing
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Absolute Breezy Beauty at 2004-06-05
This album, Michelles second major label album, is full of breezy beauty and sparkling moments. The atmosphere is airy, less intense than Short Sharp Shocked, and has a fuller sound. The production sounds a little 80s at times, but the songs remain some of her best melodies and cleverest like Everest wordplay (I think she wrote all the music for her first 3 albums at the same time). Standouts: God Is A Real Estate Developer (angels dancin round with pinheads); On The Greener Side (send me a dozen long-stemmed roses... Ill bend them into a crown of thorns and send it right back to you); Silent Ways (everything); The Cement Lament (It was that kind of misting rain, it was that kind of night...); Looks Like Mona Lisa (melody); Streetcorner Ambassador (Those patronizing liberals took the words out of your mouth!); Must Be Luff (Ill drink the whiskey, don drink no water, yeah!); Russian Roulette (the mystery song, I say Russian Roulette is just a hole in one).This reissue includes a bunch of pretty polished demos of many of the album songs (usually Michelle and a fiddle accompanist) and live performances. One unreleased demo in particular, Early Saturday Morning, is beautiful... perfect lazy morning song, strong enough for an album cut, and worth getting the CD for.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A musical tour-de-style at 2004-06-06
As music lovers, we all have certain styles or similarities that mark our musical tastes. This was illustrated for me recently when my friend Steve made me a mixed CD that was heavy on multi-part harmony, something Im not sure Steve even realized when he was selecting favorites to include, but which makes sense as Steve himself is a bass in a local a cappella group called BlueLine. My wife, although she jokes that the only musical instrument she can play is the radio, tends to favor songs that feature a solo piano and even fell for my poor keyboard skills when we were courting. I personally love music with horns, possibly a result of my high school band days when I played both the baritone and trombone. While I like plenty of songs without a brass section, that sound will likely make me pay closer attention to it.Not every song on Michelle Shockeds Captain Swing has horns, but those that do are my favorite moments on this album and also responsible for making this my favorite Shocked album, although I also quite like Short Sharp Shocked and Arkansas Traveler. The inclusion of a brass section also underscores how much of a metamorphoses Shocked went through on her first three albums, from the recorded-on-a-Walkman (and basically released without her permission) The Texas Campfire Tapes to this multitrack, multi-instrument album. That first album, where one can even sometimes hear crickets in the background, was just Shockeds voice and her guitar, recorded live during the Kerrville Folk Festival. Her second album didnt add much in the way of instruments, but Short Sharp Shocked was made in a studio with multiple takes that smoothed out imperfections while maintaining her intimate style. For Captain Swing, the pendulum had swung all the way over into lush production although not so much that it overshadows Shockeds clever songwriting, but does transform her at least somewhat from the doyenne of the piney woods past the skateboarding punk rocker into a folky k.d. lang-inspired torch singer.The theme is swing and Shocked is catholic in how she applies it to her songs. She transforms her earlier composition, (Dont You Mess With) My Little Sister, into a hard-rocking set piece of Bakersfield that wouldnt be out of place on a Dwight Yoakam album. It Must Be Luff comes straight out of a dance hall of Basin Street, New Orleans with its combination of tuba bass rhythym, slightly out-of-tune jangly piano, and slide-and-muted trombone. Shocked anticipated the big band revival with God is a Real Estate Developer, Too Little Too Late and Sleep Keeps Me Awake, while On the Greener Side and Silent Ways highlight the fast and slow moods of Texas swing. The cool later jazz stylings that combined Glenn Miller with Duke Ellington can be found in The Cement Lament, with some of the best clarinets youll ever hear in a rock song; Streetcorner Ambassador even makes a play for a modified Miles Davis BeBop groove with its muted trumpet solo and cool jazz rhythm. Even Looks Like Mona Lisa, where the horns are replaced by a plaintive string part, has at its core a swing bass rhythm part.The subject of the songs match her earlier albums, though: concerns about the homeless and the inner city, memories of growing up in small towns, and satirical takes on life. But more than anything, these songs have a sense of fun to them that was sometimes missing in those first two albums. They are fast and bouncy and funny at times, sometimes so much that you miss the serious message of some of the lyrics. Shocked duplicated some of this chemistry in her next album, Arkansas Traveller, although the musical theme there was less interesting to me as it was based on bluegrass instead of swing.
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Short Sharp Shocked
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Truly Original talent...God This Woman is Talented! at 2004-11-06
I ordered this on a whim based on other reviews. What a great purchase, and what an addition to my music library. I sat on my porch here and savored each song...having lived in Texas, having been to the Paradiso in Amsterdam, having lived in Atlanta and been to the old (sigh) Metroplex (God Im old)...having...well, you get the idea...in other words, this CD touched me, which doesnt happen often. Thank you Michelle for such a wonderful production. Keep up the good work, Im planning on buying more an more of your music...you are truly talented. HIGHLY recommended!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Hey Chel you know its kind of funny... at 2003-10-31
But you still sound freakin awesome after all these years. This new edition is the best. That voice still breaks my heart and the extra cd makes this worth every dollar. Chel, keep writing and singing.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
DOUBLE THE PLEASURE at 2003-10-25
( THE PACKAGE ) - The re-release comes in a mini-box set format with a 52 page booklet, plenty of pictures and a good introduction by producer Pete Anderson. The album cover is misleading, but then again her last name is Shocked. So maybe it makes sense. If youre wondering about the orIginal cover with the policeman, dont worry none because he can be found on the backside. ( DISC# 1 ) Spanning the rock era for almost 50 years from Bill Haley to Dave Matthews, Short, Sharp, Shocked is one of the 5 best albums of all time. The songs range from rockabilly, folk, blues, country rock, and punk folk with superb continuity. The bluesy Graffiti Limbo is my personal highlight with Rod Piazza playing great harmonica complimenting Michelles distinctive vocal style about a poor man who got no justice. The only lowlight on this album was the last song, the original hidden track Fogtown. Its a straight punk number that didnt fit now or then. A better version can be found on The Texas Campfire Takes. The sound quality on the 1st CD is a medium improvement from the original release. ( DISC #2 ) A very good selection of almost all acoustic live songs from festivals, shows and home recordings. The sound is 90% professional. The length - 79 minutes. Michelle shows off her down home side with fun conversation and stories between songs. The performances have a hootenanny feel more like Arkansas Traveler, my favorite cut being Stawberry Jam which captures what a brilliant live performer Michelle Shocked is. ( CLOSING ) This woman from Texas has always challenged her fans by releasing something different. ( folk, roots, swing, bluesgrass, dark and gospel CDs ) Short, Sharp, Shocked is the definite starting point.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Laudible Effort Salutes Bygone Oratorio at 2005-06-01
Definitely liked this CD from the first listen. You cant find another artist with more integrity than Michelle. Knowledge and familiarity with American Roots styles is never more evident. Everyone should give this CD a try!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Great Reissue, Bravo Michelle ! at 2004-12-17
In this reissue, she added a whole CD worth of bonus material. Great material too, and all for a reasonable price. I think I listen to Disc #2 as much or more than Disc #1. It came in a cool box with new liner notes. All handwritten it appears. I wonder if she did the writing herself?I had the original back in 1989. It was a favorite back then. Its just one of those albums you can play over and over. Somehow, I sold it with my whole CD collection about 10 or 12 years ago. Then, one day I was downloading some stuff on Kazaa and I ran across a couple of songs from the reissue and checked out Michelles web site, because I hadnt followed her too closely in recent years. Now, this is where the record companies got it wrong. They think everybodys just ripping the everything off. Well, not everyone. I bought this, BECAUSE I heard it on the internet! I feel its worth every cent it cost. I happen to think that artists are entitled to the profit from their hard work. And the hard work is apparent here. What makes this even better is the fact that Michelle fought for the rights to own her material and won. So I hope shell stand to make whats due to her, instead of some record executives in LA. If youre thinking about getting this, dont hesitate. Because, you never know, it may go out of print again. Another two thumbs up. Happy listening!
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Texas Campfire Takes
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
low level at 2003-07-24
this album is really some of the folkiest, piniest music you can find outside of folkways. i highly recommend it, but i will warn that the recording levels on this album are so low, that even with stereo at full blast, some guitar-strumming is hard to hear. if you want really down-home at its best, though, youre gonna have to deal with the drawback.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
What a disappointment at 2003-06-13
This CD is a major disappointment for a huge fan. One often hears the phrase for fans only; in this case, I would say, fans stay away. Takes contains the original CD, which Michelle much lamented and which seems to have started the rift between her and Mercury Records, and the so-called real McCoy, apparently taken from the actual tapes but with more material.The problem with the second CD is the sound quality. I have heard many bootlegs that sound pristine compared to this. I literally had to turn my (100-watt) car CD player all the way up to even barely hear most of it. Many of the lyrics and the between-song dialog are practically unintelligible. This is extremely frustrating, especially knowing all the technology thats available now to fix these sorts of problems. This is 2003. Even if she couldnt get a decent copy of the tapes, they could have been cleaned up much better. This is a very weak first release for Mighty Sound. Hope the rest are better.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
The second disc is all you need at 2003-04-27
Mercurys original Texas Campfire Tapes was an unauthorized release of a bootleg recording (made at the wrong speed, no less!). The album was a delight, but it set up a rocky relationship that culminated in Michelle Shocked suing for complete ownership of her work and forming her own record label.Well, now you can toss your Mercury recording because Michelle Shocked has finally released the real McCoy. The first disc replicates the Mercury release, and is only of historic interest. The second disc is the definitive restoration of the original session, with proper order, proper speed, and proper titles, along with deleted songs.This is a must-have in your Michelle Shocked collection. Wonderful! Unfortunately, the restored sound is a bit muddy from over-processing, so I have to subtract a star.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A great look at her early years at 2003-05-13
Alt-folkie Michelle Shocked was right there when the current Americana boom was just getting underway, and Ive always thought of her as having a strong, positive influence on its growth. This is an interesting set of informal, live performances by this intelligent, unassuming alt-folkie, made at the start of her career, when she was making the rounds of various womens music gatherings. Shocked was particularly cool, though, for opting to emulate Woody Guthrie rather than lesbian folk icons such as Tret Fure or Holly Near, who often tended to be a bit dreary and un-fun. These solo acoustic recording arent completely electrifying, but they are a nice, unpretentious look at her early work. Its especially charming when you hear some truck whiz by on the freeway while shes crooning out a tune... now, thats authenticity!! The new 2-CD edition expands greatly on the original, single-disc set, and has been re-released on Shockeds own Mighty Sound label.
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The Texas Campfire Tapes
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A better CD for existing fans. at 2000-07-01
Too bad that this is the only recording offered these days by this absolutely terrific musician. This is a good CD for big fans like me but probably not the most approachable for new fans.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Simple, c?lido, directo. at 2000-05-24
Lo que valoro de este album es la actitud. Una propuesta redonda, postura ir?nica, sencillez muy cruda y canciones para ser cantadas y recordadas siempre. Los grillos y camiones, como fondo sonoro, completan la idea de que lo simple, natural y espont?neo, unidos a una buena voz, puede ser lo m?s bello y efectivo.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Remembering back when I was a kid, Id sneak down to the do at 2000-05-23
Like so many other artists (see Tracy Chapman), Michelle Shockeds early music is consistently impressive, and consequently eclipses her more recent work. Thats not to say her recent albums are rubbish - its just that The Texas campfire tapes and Short sharp shocked were so so good.The story goes that this album was recorded on a Walkman, sitting beside a campfire at an eighties folk festival. Listening carefully, you can believe it - the sound of people yelling, trucks revving and crickets chirping can be heard behind Shockeds singing and strumming. 5 a.m in Amsterdam, The ballad of Patch-eye and Meg and The secret to a long life (is knowing when its time to go) are my favourites here. Get this for its chilled-out, reflective mood, then try to get hold of Short sharp shocked for its sassiness!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Texas Campfire Thefts? at 2000-02-21
Michelle herself has called this the Texas Campfire Thefts since the people who recorded put it out without telling her and have never paid any royalties. While it is a wonderful thing, when you buy it you are helping them continue to snag an artists songs.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A must for any Michelle Shocked fan at 1999-11-13
Michelle belts out passion and beauty in many different musical styles - an incredible artist. Texas campire tapes show you her at the beginning - raw, without gloss, yet still giving goose-bumps. Honest, beautiful foundations.
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Deep Natural
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Disappointment at 2003-08-01
I really liked her album Short Sharp Shocked and still do, but this one was a waste of money. I listened to it twice and probably will never again. Her religious and preachy fanatical overtones are annoying. There is not much more to say.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A Little Sophomoric, But Very Solid Stuff at 2003-05-18
Truthfully, this isnt really my type of music, but all things considered, its really good. The only reason I heard this CD is because I had a chance to meet Michelle Shocked and she personally handed me this CD, which she told me she packaged and shrink-wrapped by herself. Ive since seen her perform at one of the local clubs in Los Angeles, and I remember seeing her on the Dr. Phil show protesting the military action against Iraq.I have the benefit of knowing this artist and what she stands for and believes in, so thats why I can appreciate her music. I know the deeper, spiritual, social, and political meaning behind the lyrics in her songs. However, if youre someone who just happens upon the CD at Blockbuster Music and listens to it simply for its musical value, you might not like it. In my personal opinion, this is a good CD to play in your car on an extended trip so you can listen to the whole thing all at once. Theres really no one track on this album that stands out above the others. I also have the companion CD called Dub Natural, which are the same songs as Deep Natural, except without the lyrics. I think both of these CDs come together in one package. That also is a nice CD to listen to, because you really get a feel for Michelles ability as a musician.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Shocked gets religion at 2003-02-26
I have a very short personal list of musicians whose CDs I always buy. She was ABOUT to fall off that list until she came out with Deep/Dub Natural. In my opinion, about Shockeds only flaw is a tendency to preach and as she matured, she made that mistake a few times.Not in this album! Like her early music, the lyrics are poignant yet nuanced. But, she has broken out of the folk mode without giving it up completely. Clearly she has had some encounter with God and she uses that as lyrical focus. But dont think this is some boring Christian album. She NEVER falls into cliche even when she re-interprets a song like Amazing Grace. That song, for instance, breaks your heart and renews at the same time.Great stuff. And dont neglect Dub Natural. I like it maybe even better than Deep Natural. I know that Shocked wasnt the first to do a re-mix second disk, but not many have done it better. It really works -- Dub has the feel of Deep but is not a needless duplication. I play Dub Natural more than Deep.I also hope this CD will open up her audience beyond the folk singer-songwriter crowd. She deserves it. Unfortunately, I doubt this release will get a lot of promotion. Good reason to buy it, though - play if for friends and they will think you have the good taste to not follow the masses.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
who is Michelle Shocked? Shes incredible! at 2003-02-25
When my local paper ran a review of Deep Natural, I had never heard of Michelle Shocked before. It was an incredibly glowing review, though. So, I decided to splurge and take a chance and pick up the cd. I popped it in my cd player and sat down. The album opens with Shocked belting out a short acapella song titled Joy. This song would later be used as part of Cant Take My Joy. My jaw dropped. Joy was powerful and just gave me a little chill. It just felt special, that the album as a whole was going to be something very special. It is. Even though Michelle Shocked can use her voice as a powerful instrument on songs like Good News and What Can I Say?, she still effectively sings Psalm when she goes softer. The range that Shocked can use her voice as an instrument is incredible....as is her gifts as a musician and songwriter. I was completely blown away by Michelle Shocked and she is now one of the few that I will recommend without any reservation.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Hidden Gem at 2003-01-17
I asked my wife to get this album for me for Christmas. I was a bit disappointed when I listened to it and thought it uneven. But then I took it to work and copied the songs I liked (Why Do I Get the Feeling, Forgive to Forget, Thats So Amazing, I Know What You Need, If Not Here, Moanin Dove, Psalm, and Go In Peace) onto my computer. When I listened to the resulting playlist I was stunned to realize what a beautiful selection of music it was. I looked at the cumulative minutes of play time and it was almost 39 minutes, the standard length of an album back in the old days. A CD made up of these songs would be an unconditional hit. It is a thematically consistent example of the best of what I would call Adult Contemporary music. It certainly fulfills the promise of Kind Hearted Woman, which I found to be an engaging, if dark, album. Its music for grown-ups who appreciate creativity. ... I will admit that the other songs on the CD arent bad, it is purely a matter of personal taste. I have to confess to enjoying the rare CD where the entire disc has the same feel (Norah Jones Come Away With Me is an example). If you have other Michelle Shocked CDs and enjoy eclectic mixes of style, then you might love the original version...
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Mercury Poise: 1988-1995
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
A nice find in the bargain bins at 2002-07-10
After finding it in the bargain bins of the [local store], it was interesting to see that its only available on Amazon as a high-priced import. It also looks like a lot of her stuff is tough to get, and thats a shame. I first became aware of Michelle Shocked by getting 1988s Short Sharp Shocked on LP, which I still own. I was happy to see she had a hit video with On the Greener Side a few years later, but for some reason I never kept up with her career. Which is strange because I played Short... over and over and over again. So I snapped this one up as soon as I saw it to see what else shes been doing. Ive pretty much stopped doing Best of.. albums for Amazon, as they are a no-win situation. I could trash the work, like I did with Styx, and all that happens there is that tons of fans trash you by finding the review Not Helpful. Or I could praise the album, like Im tempted to with Dire Straits, but am I going to say anything that a fan doesnt already know? This, on the other hand, is worth writing about, mostly because most people have never heard of her, and her stuff is tough to get. This album contains three songs from Short... (Anchorage, If Love Was a Train, When I Grow Up, plus On the Greener Side, which is all Id ever heard. For those that only have this, I would highly recommend Short.. as it has several more great tunes. Where the Short... Songs were mostly folky stuff, and theyre great, I was delighted to find a wide variety of styles here, which makes me want to check out the availability of more of her works. On the Greener Side is a great uptempo pop number. Quality of Mercy is a nice smokey blues number. Street Corner Ambassador is very jazzy. Id put Too Little too Late in the Patsy Cline category. Over the Waterfall has an Irish accompanyment, and Holy Spirit is a flat-out spiritual. The rest can go into the folky category, and thats OK. I can do without some of the wailing on Stillborn, but as a guy, Im not supposed to identify with such things. Right now Id have to say this is the most enjoyable album Ive listened to all year, and will definately seek out more product from the lady.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Music Lover from Winston-Salem at 2000-03-19
The music has a wide range and is difficult to describe. From the bluesy If Love was a Train to pop hit On the Greener Side to folk, and even gospel. Whatever you classify it as, it is great to listen to. If you ever get a chance to see her in concert, go. Weve been to see Michelle 3 times and each time has been very different. Her live performances give you the story behind the song, and that really make it even more interesting.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
All were going to get for awhile at 1999-09-21
This is okay if you cant find her albums, but its no substitute for any of them.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Classic Shocked at 1998-10-09
If you like her voice and want a single CD then this is great.
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Kind Hearted Woman
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Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Desert Island Material at 2004-08-22
Ive been a Michelle Shocked fan for years. Her CDs always cover a wide range of styles and the music has just become a part of my life. I laugh or cry or just feel good hearing her voice. Kind Hearted Woman was something of a departure in that it was way more intense than her previous works which can include very intense songs mixed with more upbeat stuff. This CD is just plain intense on the emotional scale. One reviewer referred to the wailing on the first track as being too much, but I disagree. On first listen, maybe, but its an essential part of the album and helps set the theme for the album. And if you live in Texas, or any place where the crickets and cicadas really cut loose on a hot summers day, then it makes more sense.This is one of those works that is worth far more than the sum of the parts. I would be severely depressed if I had to go to a desert island with only ONE of her CDs, but this would be the one Id take. And while its so serious with some depressing themes, she managed to throw in the obligatory references to hobos and railroads. I smile, even though its not a cheerful song.If you like upbeat music, go with something like Captain Swing or Short Sharp Shocked. But if you dont mind going into a musical dark crevice, then you cant beat this gem!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
not her best, but good at 2003-05-05
It took me a couple of times listening to this album to really be able to enjoy it. The sound is different from both Deep Natural and Short Sharp Shocked. This isnt to say that the sound is bad, but it was different enough to require several spins on my cd player. The more I listen to this album, though, the more I like it. Im not quite sure how to describe the music, even compared to her other work, but Michelle Shocked is one of the best musicians Ive heard. The only track that I cant really listen to is the first one, Stillborn. The wailing is too much for me. I havent gotten into the story behind the song, but this may be a song thatll grow on me in a few years (much like Professional Widow by Tori Amos did). The rest of the album is quite solid and includes the gem A Child Like Grace.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Kind Hearted Woman - An incomparable work. at 2003-03-21
.... These are tales of folk, some hard, some some humorous, some broken and some wistful. I am very fussy about what I listen to and I consider Michelle as one of the very few truly gifted songwriters/lyricists in popular music.There are a lot of great and enigmatic writers but she writes with a clarity and poignancy that places her well above the pack. I must admit, I found this album difficult at first. The anguished, heart rending wail on Stillborn is confronting but very much realises the immediate pain of the mothers loss. My entry point into this album was A Child like Grace which has a sweet melody that carries the song gently while the lyrics once again describe the difficult and sad memory of the death of a child. My favourite song, (because its so catchy and listenable -and because I can identify so much with its content)is The Hard Way. That song should have made waves because it is such a ...fine pop song but thats not how radio playlists get chosen! I listened to this CD again, a couple of years down the track, and thats when I really came to appreciate it. The Production/engineering by Bones Howe is marvellous. Sparse but beautiful and richly rendered. I cant imagine anyone being able to do a better job with this, its just aural perfection (I wonder what Michelle thinks?). Its probably out of print, but if MS releases it again, now that shes free of all that legal trouble, give it a try. IMHO it is a definite classic!
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
interesting but falls short at 2002-05-06
I really like Michelle Shocked and loved the previous albums, excluding The Campfire Tapes which I have yet to hear. This album thought tends to be much darker than her early work. On the previous albums there was a balance of happy and sad songs, but this one is definitely on the sad side through and through.
Michelle Shocked Album Review:
Simply Superb! at 1999-12-23
After gaining acquaintance with her earlier works, I stumbled upon this hard-to-find CD and soon found it utterly enchanting. The first few tracks might turn the non-Shocked fan away, but the subtle musical beauty of track 4s Cold Comfort has to be appreciated by anyone with an ear for simple melody. Shockeds flair for real-life stories of the so-called American-Dream gone awry may lead you to melancholic reminiscing or passive, joyful celebration. Often the pleasing sound of her music is inverted with the subtle angst of her stories. Track 6, A Child-Like Grace convinces me that Shocked is spirit-filled person. The song cries for the untimely death of a very holy child. Silver Spoon gives us a glimpse, not of Michelle Shocked, but of a person many of us wish we could claim to be. Its followed by The Hard Way, a song agonizing about leaving our childhood behind in search of maturity. The album is cohesive, beautiful and simply superb.
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