Short Sharp Shocked is an album by Michelle Shocked. It is her second album, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). It was remastered and reissued in 2003 as a two-CD set by Shocked's own label, Mighty Sound. The title is a combination of her last name, and the behavioral science phrase short, sharp shock meaning "punishment that is quick and severe." The title was inspired by both "A Clockwork Orange" and by Shocked's incarceration in a psychiatric ward.

Cover artwork

The photograph of Shocked used for this album cover was taken at a protest in San Francisco during the 1984 Democratic National Convention by Chris Hardy of the San Francisco Examiner and credited as such. The 2003 re-issue de-contextualized the original photograph by closely cropping it to Shocked's face.

Personnel

*Michelle Shocked – vocals, acoustic guitar

*Pete Anderson – electric guitar, six-string bass guitar on 2

*Jeff Donavan – drums

*Domenic Genova – acoustic bass, electric bass

*Skip Edwards – piano, Hammond organ

*Mike Tempo – percussion

*Al Perkins – dobro

*Byron Berline – mandolin

*Don Reed – fiddle

*Rod Piazza – harmonica

*Kristina Olson – hammered dulcimer

*Banjo Jim Croce – banjo

*Sophia Ramos – vocals

*MDC – vocals on 11

Technical personnel

*Pete Anderson – arrangements

*Peter Doell – engineer (Capitol Studio B)

*Leslie Anne Jones – additional Engineering

*David Leonard – mixing engineer (Larribee Sound)

*Andy Batwinds – second engineer

*Bobby Lacivita – second engineer (Sound Castle)

*Eddy Schreyer - mastering engineer (Capitol Studios)

*Michael Dumds - production assistant

Charts

Album

Single

References

Category:Michelle Shocked albums

Category:1988 albums

Category:Mercury Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Pete Anderson

Artist/Band Information

Michelle Shocked (b. February, 1962) is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.

History

Shocked received her first international exposure in Europe, particularly Britain, with her debut album The Texas Campfire Tapes.

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.

Shocked continues to make music as an independent artist. In June 2005 she released a trilogy of albums called Threesome (Don't Ask Don't Tell, Mexican Standoff and Got No Strings). In September 2007 she released album ToHeavenURide.

On May 12, 2009 her new album, Soul of My Soul, was released on Mighty Sound (distributed by Megaforce/MRI through RED Distribution).

Personal life

In 1992, Shocked married journalist Bart Bull. They divorced in 2004. Her half-brother is musician Max Johnston. Shocked is a Pentecostal Christian.http

Discography

Albums

Selected recordings:

* The Texas Campfire Tapes (1986)

* Short Sharp Shocked (1988) #73 US, #33 UK

* Captain Swing (1989) #95 US, #31 UK

* Arkansas Traveler (1992) #46 UK

* Kind Hearted Woman (1994, with label release (on Private Music) in 1996)

* Artists Make Lousy Slaves (with Fiachna O'Braonain, 1996) sold only at performances, now issued as CDRs and MP3s at michelleshocked.com

* Good News (1998) sold only at performances, now issued as CDRs and MP3s at michelleshocked.com

* Deep Natural (2001)

* Dub Natural (2001) sold only at performances, later issued as a bonus disc with "Deep Natural"

* These three are included on a triple album packaged as "Threesome.":

** Don't Ask Don't Tell (2005)

** Mexican Standoff (2005)

** Got No Strings (2005)

* ToHeavenURide (2007) Live Gospel cd

* Soul of My Soul (2009)

Re-releases

Mighty Sound re-released two-CD versions of her Mercury releases – The Texas Campfire Tapes (April 22, 2003), Short Sharp Shocked (September 23, 2003), Captain Swing (March 16, 2004) and Arkansas Traveler (September 14, 2004) – each with extra tracks.

Singles

References