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Dallas TX, United States
Michelle Shocked (born Dallas, Texas, February, 1962) is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.
As a young feminist, she left Texas to travel, Kerouac-style, and was caught up in Reagan-era grassroots politics. Her musical career was ignited by a bootleg recording made around a Kerrville Folk Festival campfire on a Sony walkman. Released in England as ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes’ without Shocked’s authority, its success abroad enticed Mercury Records to offer the newcomer a recording contract.
Her break into U.S. national renown came with the release of her 1988 album Short Sharp Shocked on college radio rotations around the country, which was met with strong acclaim from listeners. On the crest of this independent momentum, her 1989 album Captain Swing on Mercury Records was released.
In 1995, she contributed an original song to the soundtrack for the film Dead Man Walking called “Quality of Mercy”. In 1996, she released a studio version of an underground release Kind Hearted Woman (black cover) on the short-lived Private Music label.
Starting in 2002 with the release of Deep Natural, Shocked established her own label, Mighty Sound. She reissued expanded versions of her entire catalog, made possible by having retained complete ownership of her work when she signed with Mercury in 1987.
An acoustic version of her song “How You Play the Game” was featured as the opening and credits soundtrack in the DVD of the 2004 documentary film Bush’s Brain.
As a young feminist, she left Texas to travel, Kerouac-style, and was caught up in Reagan-era grassroots politics. Her musical career was ignited by a bootleg recording made around a Kerrville Folk Festival campfire on a Sony walkman. Released in England as ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes’ without Shocked’s authority, its success abroad enticed Mercury Records to offer the newcomer a recording contract.
Her break into U.S. national renown came with the release of her 1988 album Short Sharp Shocked on college radio rotations around the country, which was met with strong acclaim from listeners. On the crest of this independent momentum, her 1989 album Captain Swing on Mercury Records was released.
In 1995, she contributed an original song to the soundtrack for the film Dead Man Walking called “Quality of Mercy”. In 1996, she released a studio version of an underground release Kind Hearted Woman (black cover) on the short-lived Private Music label.
Starting in 2002 with the release of Deep Natural, Shocked established her own label, Mighty Sound. She reissued expanded versions of her entire catalog, made possible by having retained complete ownership of her work when she signed with Mercury in 1987.
An acoustic version of her song “How You Play the Game” was featured as the opening and credits soundtrack in the DVD of the 2004 documentary film Bush’s Brain.
Shouts:
31 shouts
Top Albums
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Short Sharp Shocked
Michelle Shocked
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Arkansas Traveler
Michelle Shocked Buy- Download Album
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Captain Swing
Michelle ShockedBuy- Download Album
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The Texas Campfire Tapes
Michelle ShockedBuy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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SimonePerrota wrote:
only 30 shouts - fuck's wrong with this place...
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Scouse Mouse wrote:
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Michelle's songs - just downloaded Short Sharp Shocked and Capn Swing, Arkansas Traveller next. Can anyone recommend anything from her more recent stuff?
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RachelLynx wrote:
<3
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rainy-dog wrote:
picoesque <3
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edwinarcher wrote:
oh hell yes
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emcxmc wrote:
Happy Birthday Michelle and thanks for your latest album. I think your music is as powerful now as in the Anchorage days.
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pollepet wrote:
I remember Anchorage and the cover of this LP
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LuckyLuigi wrote:
I only heard Anchorage but I loved it and now I finally know her name I'll be sure to get some of her albums. Great Song ! :)
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wowugotit wrote:
I simply adore her latest album, Soul of My Soul. I saw her live for the first time recently and loved her performance.
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clareHusk wrote:
Where is her new album on this list???!! I wanted to listen to that amazing track about "seeing other people"
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rainy-dog wrote:
soul of my soul is actually brilliant
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kaiserzeitgeist wrote:
Goddamn if Michelle Shocked isn't strenuous.
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Owen47 wrote:
'Chelle's new record is available to download from her site and from iTunes - it's excellent!
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foxyluva wrote:
New album out May 12! http://www.songsillinois.net/2009/03/michelle-shocked-soul-of-my-soul-mighty-sound-records-may-12/
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mikestep1234 wrote:
cannot get any sound at all from Michelle, shocked and damn annoyed., Wotsup>.
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foxyluva wrote:
This current picture really stinks
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LondonLouis wrote:
There's something wrong with Graffito Limbo (no sound) and someone else reports that they've had problem on other of Michelle's tracks. Incidentally, it's a shame that more of her tracks are not available as full tracks. She's good.
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owlies wrote:
i want to start a michelle shocked cover band
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musicdish wrote:
Fans of Michelle Shocked should also check out Amy Speace...
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ihavesoldout wrote:
:O
Videos
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Events
- Apr 20 Michelle Shocked McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, Los Angeles CA, United States
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Recent Activity
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irandroll, candyvansant, fluglotse1 and 1 other person added Michelle Shocked to their libraries. 4 hours ago
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chadbaker added Michelle Shocked to the lineup of Michelle Shocked at McCabe's Guitar Shop. Thursday afternoon
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sster0, jessiedegeus, greyingrocker and 5 other people added Michelle Shocked to their libraries. Wednesday evening
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Hunter_Zombie tagged Michelle Shocked with ‘alt-country’. last month
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st0014, suentrev, themosesgun and 2 other people added Michelle Shocked to their libraries. last month
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dwyerp21 tagged Michelle Shocked with acoustic and dartmouth park. last month
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dwyerp21, bang2000, nicmx5 and 1 other person added Michelle Shocked to their libraries. last month
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Olisimus tagged Michelle Shocked with alt-country and folk. last month
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danpop73, ImWarpo, ggpiepie and 1 other person added Michelle Shocked to their libraries. last month
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chriS2491 tagged Michelle Shocked with jazz folk, swing, blues and 5 other tags. last month
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