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Revenge of the Folkies – Part XII.

If you believe Texas charmer Michelle Shocked, a dancin’ fool writhes within the black-clad figure of every politically correct folksinger. Fans accustomed to Shocked’s past acoustic campfire shows eagerly embraced the singer’s brassy and convincing version of activist music, circa 1990.

What was at first anomalous – Shocked’s sensitive folksinger alto buffeted by a punch six-piece band – turned out to be rollicking and enjoyable. The rail-thin singer hopped about the stage in jeans and a tank top, wailing her best big band strut to the delight of a small but devoted crowd.

“When I Grow Up” broke it to the fans gently, before “On the Greener Side” had fans scrambling to improvise a dance floor.

Midway through the set Wednesday night, the band disappeared and Shocked conjured the charming intimacy of past shows.

“Memories of East Texas,” Graffiti Limbo,” and “5 a.m. in Amsterdam” had fans hanging on the singer’s every inflection, building to a moving rendition of “They Say The War Is Over, But I Fear It’s Just Begun.” She squirted water at a heckler in irritation, then delivered a naked a cappella version of the song, wringing her hands as she sang. Shocked has performed the song at previous concerts, but never with more conviction.

The eight members of opening band, Poi Dog Pondering, scrambled the sound man but thrilled the crowd with a loose set. The Hawaii-based Poi Dogs spliced a beatnik attitude onto a tropical sound and, with bongos, guitars, and a fiddle flailing, impressed mightily.