RECOMMENDED Michelle Shocked has quite the storied history. Born to a Mormon fundamentalist mother and blues-buff father, this Texas-bred songstress has survived a mental asylum, life as a teenage runaway and the evils of the record industry—infamously arguing her way out of her Mercury Records contract with an antiquated slavery law. Shocked has dabbled in the folk underground, the punk underground and has even added gospel to her repertoire. Now making music on her own label, thank you very much, Shocked and her band are touring in support of this year’s “ToHeavenURide”. A live recording from 2003’s Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the album is a rousing testament to the strength of gospel music. It’s impossible to deny the spirituality at work here, but Shocked isn’t trying to convert the masses; Having no idea the concert was being recorded, the singer’s performance is a delightfully candid snapshot that even the secular listener can appreciate. (K. Tighe)
Sunday, December 2 at Abbey Pub
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