Back in the early '90's I became a fan of folk-rocker, Michelle Shocked after picking up a copy of the popular "Short, Sharp, Shocked". I loved that album as well as it's horn drenched successor "Captain Swing". But nothing prepared me for the release of her wonderful CD, "Arkanas Traveler". "Arkansas Traveler" is Michelle's homage to the 19th century musical form known as "Minstrel Music". Not many artists would have the guts to take on this music due to the racist manner (blackface makeup, derogatory humor) in which many of these songs were originaly presented over a century ago. But Michelle with both dignity and a really good sense of humor, tackled these classic songs of the American south, producing one of the best albums of her career. She gets plenty of help by being joined by a plethora of roots-music artists including the late Pops Staples, Taj Mahal, Gatemouth Brown, Doc Watson, Allison Krauss, Norman Blake, Hothouse Flowers, Uncle Tupelo ETC. With a group of journeymen such as these how could you go wrong? I love these tuneful classic songs, which can so easily get stuck in your brain. This happens everytime I hear her renditions of "Secret to a Long Life" or "Over the Waterfall". Sometimes I'll find myself singing these tunes for half the day, after hearing them. Other favorites include "Jump Jim Crow" (with it's Zippity Do-Dah ending), "Prodigal Daughter" & "Weaving Way". Finally there is the hilarious, spoken word routines of the song "Arkansas Traveler" ("Hey farmer... where does this road go to? Been livin' here all my life, it ain't gone no where yet!") I played these corny routines for my young nephews and it totally cracked them up into fits of laughter! For the longest time this CD was (criminally) out of print. It has now been re-released with crystal clear remastering and six bonus cuts featuring alternative takes and live renditions. I love this CD and highly recommend it!!

'Captain Swing' showed a more confident, more experimental Michelle Shocked than might have been expected from the breezy official debut, 'Short Sharp Shocked'. However, that confidence all too often expressed itself as swagger. With 'Arkansas Traveler' it has matured to an easy assurance. In this fabulous collection of songs, Shocked seems to have a hundred years of American music at her fingertips, and to be able to combine any ingredients from that century to creat something that is both fresh and familiar. Not since The Band's 'Music From Big Pink' has such a stylistic gumbo been created with such zest and integrity. In her sleeve notes, the artist credits 'Minstrel Music' with being the inspiration - and in so doing does herself a disservice. The album is richer and more layered than the simple term implies, and carries influences from a far wider range of Americana.

In this repackage Michelle has included about seven bonus tracks notably Come Along Way. When I first heard this song live in hollywood Sept 2004 I thought it was a touching new song relevant to the hustle and bustle in my beloved adopted city Los Angeles. I joined her on her walk to recover her bike from the Repo Man and met the immigrant lady waiting for the bus, the boys gaily standing in windows naked, the bridge we seldom cross in La. You know which one. before she sees the repo man. Afterwords I felt as if I WALKED 500 Miles! I was surprised how good this 1990 release sounds today as if it was recorded and recovered intact from a time capsule. Michelle has one of the strongest clearest ballsiest voices in show business that you may have never heard. If you need to get up to speed with with a talent that rivals KD Lang, Carole King, Paula Cole, Etta James, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams, George Thorogood, Laura Nyro or Susan Cowsill to name a few. Stick out your thumb and Pickup the Arkansas Traveler, remember in her eyes we still have a long way to go and she will return the favor!

Bob Saldana

Songwriter\Producer La to Nashville

OK, so Michelle Shocked has not sustained the interest of much of the music buying and listening public. This album was, however, her peak of polish and perfection. Very-well-produced by Don Was, accompanied by a Who's Who of musicians from a number of persuations (The Band, Doc Watson, Uncle Tupelo, Taj Mahal, Norman Blake, Gatemouth Brown, Allison Krauss, The Hothouse Flowers, and Pop Staples, among others) blending new compositions and classics, Ms. Shocked put forth an album that by all rights SHOULD have catapulted her into the sustained limelight of the music buying and listening public.

If you have not listened to any of Michelle Shocked's albums, this would be a magnificent starting point! (All of her albums are available directly from her Mighty Sound label... details are in her new album, "Deep Natural".)

From the reviews here, it looks as if most Michelle Shocked fans prefer Short Sharp Shocked. That's strange to me, because I think this is a terrific album. The songs are gorgeously written. There are some self-conscious moments (shocked's anti-war song is utterly predictable and unaffecting) but other songs, such as "Blackberry Blossoms" and "Prodigal Daughter", are jewels.

I played this album for my parents, who are generally fans of classical and celtic music. They instantly loved it, recognizing Shocked's songwriting skill and vocal warmth. This is a good album to get people interested in Michelle.