Consumer Guide Album

Michelle Shocked: The Texas Campfire Tapes [Mercury, 1986]
"Recorded on a Sony Walkman at Kerrville Folk Festival, Kerrville, USA," announces this U.K.-first debut--rather coyly, but you know those alternative Brits. And you have to hand it to those Japanese--without much depth to account for, the audio ain't bad. And maybe you should hand it to Shocked too. She's got more vocal personality than is common among solo folk, her guitar accomps her wherever she goes, and though she may be a little long on folkie mythos (sleeping in the park, guys with tattoos, etc.), she has a reporter's eye and a tale-spinner's ear. Beyond mythos: "The Secret Admirer," about a good-looking woman's looks. B+