Sharp shocks
By Jim Sullivan, Globe Staff | September 29, 2004

Sailing different musical but similar political waters as Colonel Claypool is indie vet Michelle Shocked. You might think of her as the Southern-born country counterpart to her British pal and onetime touring partner Billy Bragg. Right now, Shocked has pulled a curious arrow from her quiver: She's rereleased her popular 1992 album, "Arkansas Traveler" (featuring old-timey string band, bluegrass, and fiddle tunes), adding seven tracks, and is touring behind it on what she calls her "Jams Tour." This means she is inviting members of the audience to come up and jam with her and her guitarist. (Bring your own fiddle, banjo, guitar, or mandolin.) This makes Go! a little queasy as we consider the possibilities -- amateur egos run amok! -- but we have to respect the punk rockiness of it all. In another unusual move, Shocked has issued a set list of the songs she intends to play. Pick up the "Arkansas Traveler" disc, as most of them come from it, or check out www.michelleshocked.com. Shocked is at the Regent Theatre tonight. Opening at 8 are Rachel McCartney and the Resophonics. Tickets are $25.