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Michelle Shocked
The Old Lion Hotel
Monday

It was a night of “yee-haws” and “y’alls” from Michelle Shocked, the powerful Texan singer and songwriter who brought folk-tinged fiddle music, swing, and country into the mainstream through deft use of poignant lyrics and intriguing stylistic collages.

In a performance highlighted by old favorites including “Anchorage” and “(Don’t You Mess Around With) My Little Sister,” the concert was a forum through which to renew old acquaintances with local audiences and to expose new material from her latest offering, Arkansas Traveler, made with the collaboration of musicians discovered or sought out during a caravan trip through America.

The many different sounds and influences which have inspired much of her work were easily recreated by a backing band of three multitalented musicians, who worked furiously, using a variety of instruments from the mandolin to the violin and acoustic guitar.

After crediting her father, “Dollar Bill” Johnston, for his contribution to her work on Arkansas Traveler, Shocked whipped through new numbers including an adaptation of Cotton Eyed Joe folk story, retitled "Prodigal Daughter, and “Shaking Hands (Soldier’s Joy), the sorrowful tale of a soldier addicted to morphine. While she colorfully recounted stories behind many songs, she was careful not to become overly introspective or reflective. The performance was as much storytelling and thigh-slapping fun as it was musically enthralling.