Antone's, Sunday June 26: Michelle Shocked

Antone's, Sunday June 26

Michelle Shocked

Don't Ask Don't Tell (Mighty Sound)

Michelle Shocked

Got No Strings (Mighty Sound)

Michelle Shocked

Mexican Standoff (Mighty Sound)

Anyone who's followed Michelle Shocked over the years knows she can be just a little, let's say, unpredictable. So it should come as no surprise that the native Texan decided to release three very different albums on the same day – available separately, or together as Threesome. While each has a concept of sorts, they're tied together by Shocked's elemental love for all brands of American roots music and a particularly turbulent period of her life that included a divorce. Don't Ask Don't Tell is the Michelle Shocked that originally attracted an audience; in fact, she refers to the LP as "Short Sharp Shocked all grown up." Containing some of her best work, Don't Ask is an intriguing listen that darts from rock, blues, and folk to punk and border-flavored songs with a seductive charm that counters the caustic subject matter – the nasty breakup of a marriage. Got No Strings, meanwhile, reimagines songs associated with the films of Walt Disney as Western swing. It works in part because of the smart ensemble play of producer/guitarist Nick Forster, of Hot Rize and ETown fame, lap steel master Greg Leisz, Gabe Witcher on fiddle, and David Jackson on bass. Shocked crooning "Wish Upon a Star" and getting frisky on "To Be a Cat" reveals a new side of her artistry. Five Latin-tinged tunes followed by five Texas blues shuffles, Mexican Standoff is the least successful of the trilogy. The Latin sides seem affected, even with the production assistance of Los Lobos' Steve Berlin and the appearance of Joel Guzman's accordian and the bajo sexto of Max Baca. Like most of the blues being made today, the shuffles seem rote and uninspired, even if Shocked is obviously trying her best to infuse them with some soul and verve.

(Don't Ask Don't Tell)

(Got No Strings)

(Mexican Standoff)