 "classic!" | 2008-09-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: AZXX9EC4TOXBB |
This woman has a place of her own in progessiv music. Genreless, very ,very
much music. Lyrics that takes you away.Superb! |
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| "Where do you go...when there ain't no justice?" | 2007-04-09 |
| - Reviewed By cf10573 |
Michelle Shocked has a tremendous talent. Thankfully, it is hard to categorize in a word or two. Her ability to stretch the boundaries between musical genres (folk, swing, rock, bluegrass) did not sit well with her one-time record company. After a handful of recordings, Shocked's label dropped her due to 'artistic incongruity' or some such nonsense. She hit them back with a lawsuit citing conditions of involuntary servitude. This disrupted her recordings being released for awhile. In the end we all lost, in a way, because such an episode disturbs the natural flow of a career, and interrupts the artistic process. Recordings become harder to find, the relationship between artist and audience is thwarted. Such is life, sometimes.
Short, Sharp, Shocked (1986) was the first of a trilogy of albums recorded for Mercury/Polygram. If Shocked were ever to fit into the quasi-structural mold of singer-songwriter, it would have been with this release. Her folk-pop roots shine in autobiographical songs like "Memories of East Texas" and "Anchorge," and in her effective interpretation of Jean Ritchie's classic "The L&N Don't Stop Herre Anymore."
Shocked is a gifted songwriter. She can write overtly political material that will not hit you over the head with overbearing self-righteousness. She never loses sight of her senses of humor and irony. Note the gracefulness of her lyrics in "When I Grow Up," "Grafitti Limbo," or "Gladewater."
That Shocked never broke out into the national consciousness like Suzanne Vega or even Fiona Apple is perplexing. Such a dilemma poses the question: "Where do you go...when there ain't no justice?" |
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| "Laudible Effort Salutes Bygone Oratorio" | 2005-06-01 |
| - Reviewed By bmydo |
Definitely liked this CD from the first listen.
You can't 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! |
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| "Great Reissue, Bravo Michelle !" | 2004-12-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: AOKPXBWPL1OJC |
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. It's 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 Michelle's web site, because I hadn't followed her too closely in recent years.
Now, this is where the record companies got it wrong. They think everybody's just ripping the everything off. Well, not everyone. I bought this, BECAUSE I heard it on the internet! I feel it's 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 she'll stand to make what's due to her, instead of some record executives in LA. If you're thinking about getting this, don't hesitate. Because, you never know, it may go out of print again. Another two thumbs up. Happy listening! |
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| "Truly Original talent...God This Woman is Talented!" | 2004-11-06 |
| - Reviewed By reedmt |
| 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 I'm old)...having...well, you get the idea...in other words, this CD touched me, which doesn't happen often. Thank you Michelle for such a wonderful production. Keep up the good work, I'm planning on buying more an more of your music...you are truly talented. HIGHLY recommended! |
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| "Hey Chel you know it's kind of funny..." | 2003-10-31 |
| - Reviewed By User: APWDWLFUVN942 |
| 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. |
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| "DOUBLE THE PLEASURE" | 2003-10-25 |
| - Reviewed By avalondon |
| ( 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 you're wondering about the orIginal cover with the policeman, don't 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 Michelle's 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". It's a straight punk number that didn't 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 CD's ) "Short, Sharp, Shocked" is the definite starting point. |
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 "Worthy reissue, good price, bur flawed packaging" | 2003-10-22 |
| - Reviewed By adairjs |
I missed out on the original issue, but as "Arkansas Traveler" is
a favorite of mine, I picked up this reissue. Very good album, &
some interesting stuff on the bonus disc. Great price, too, but
the packaging is lame. It is in a paper covered, cardboard
clamshell box, like boxed-set LPs used to come in. This is sealed closed with a round, transparent sticker, which, in my case, tore the paper off the box when I tried to remove it. Inside, the two CDs are stacked on top of each other on a single sponge hub that is glued to the inside of the box. It tore loose the first time I tried to remove the CDs, leaving a sticky, gummy residue inside the box, which would, no doubt, stick to the CDs or booklet if you put them back in loose. You could transfer the CDs into jewel cases, but the booklet is too tall and thick to fit in with them. Very annoying. |
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| "Not Short, and Definitely Sharp, Shocked" | 2003-10-03 |
| - Reviewed By spinheaddotcom |
| Got this last night at her show at Harlow's in Sacramento, and had a chance to chat with Shel briefly. Her music begs to be performed live; each tune grows and changes, and like watching your own children, each stage seems like the best they've ever been, until you see the next. Wrote a bit more at my weblog ..... This one's long overdue. We've missed you, Shel. |
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| "A CLASSIC CD RETURNS!!!!!!!" | 2003-10-02 |
| - Reviewed By weenie102 |
| This is my all time favorite Michelle Shocked cd. I have the original, but just had to get this one. The second cd is great fun to listen to, with live performances and chat. Michelle is one of America's treasures! I wish I could see her in person, but she rarely comes close to Alabama. |
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![Michelle Shocked - Short Sharp Shocked [Expanded]](product_images/1222000/michelle-shocked-short-sharp-1222404.jpg)
International Available
![Michelle Shocked - Arkansas Traveler [Bonus Tracks]](product_images/4119000/4119359_thumb.jpg)
![Michelle Shocked - Captain Swing [Expanded]](product_images/1269000/1269907_thumb.jpg)
![Michelle Shocked - Texas Campfire Takes [Expanded]](product_images/227000/227657_thumb.jpg)
