To Heaven U Ride [LIVE]

Michelle Shocked

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 4, 2007)
• Original Release Date: September 4, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Mighty Sound
• ASIN: B000T2PRHK
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,078 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Better late than never. These recently discovered tapes from the 2003 Telluride Bluegrass Festival find the eclectic Americana of Michelle Shocked in pure gospel mode. Backed by a vocal quartet, the "sacred steel" of Hot Rize's Nick Forster, and a killer band, Shocked does her best to channel her inner Mavis Staples, not only on Staple Singers classics such as "Wade in the Water" and "Uncloudy Day" but also on the Band's "The Weight" (which featured Staples as a guest performer in The Last Waltz). The audience joins the chorus on the frequent call-and-response of the material, which includes Shocked originals such as "Quality of Mercy" and "Good News" and the traditional "Study War No More" (more often titled "Down by the Riverside") along with the incantatory opener, "Strange Things Happening Every Day" (from Sister Rosetta Tharpe), and the sanctified reggae closer, "Can't Take My Joy." While some of Shocked's patter sounds like blackface minstrelsy (though she forthrightly acknowledges the issue of race) and "God Bless the Child" finds her way beyond her depth--as if she learned it from Blood, Sweat & Tears rather than Billie Holiday--the spirited performance makes a joyful noise. --Don McLeese

Product Description
Michelle Shocked comes full circle. Her debut album was a bootleg that caught the world off guard and introduced us to her. Unaware that ToHeavenURide was being recorded, it spotlights her where she’s always shone brightest live, on stage, in front of an audience. It was a special invitation to personal a gospel set at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and what a show it was! Sister Shocked shines throughout. Highlights include her cover of the Billie Holliday classic God Bless The Child, her cover of The Band’s The Weight and amazing renditions of soulful, yes spiritual Shocked originals such as Quality of Mercy which has never before appeared on a Michelle Shocked release (it was on the Grammy Award winning soundtrack, Dead Man Walking).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful voice, beautiful person..., January 21, 2008

By	W. Miree "apt. Q258" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Perhaps the most overlooked talent out there, Michelle has been singing and playing for over twenty years now. Immensely powerful voice that can also be delicate and beautiful. She is very motivated and uses her voice to speak for others who have no voice. This CD, To Heaven U Ride, is a really rockin' soulful gospel album - recorded live with great soundboard quality sound. Many people haven't heard of Michelle (which is a shame) and I think that is because it is hard to put a label on her. Sometimes it is bluegrass, sometimes it is rock, it may be folk, it may be gospel, but her strong, soulful voice always commands attention!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great live recording, October 13, 2007

By	Richard Stringfellow "dv8or70" (Monroe, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is just a terrific recording capturing Michelle Shocked in a beautiful performance in gospel mode. It'll be a treat for both old fans and those discovering her anew. Top notch musical performances couple with strong material and wonderful vocals. Joy emanates from this recording.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could Have Been Better, March 16, 2009

By	K. Martin (Maryland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While Michelle Shocked has an enjoyable, soulful singing voice, the c.d. would have been better without her commentary on politics, prejudice, etc. It was recorded live and while the commentary was acceptable to be heard once during the live event, it is distracting to hear again and again with frequent listening to the c.d. and should have been edited out.