Amanda Shires at the Grape Room

Amanda Shires isn't a star yet, but it's still early days. The new Carrying Lightning finds the fiddle and ukelele playing songwriter - who was featured prominently on Jason Isbell's also excellent Here We Rest - writing intelligently unadorned country-flavored songs that quietly take hold and don't let go. "When You Need A Train It Never Comes," is the worthy of Dolly Parton (or Steve Earle) one that opens the door, and plenty of other treasures reside inside. That video, plus one for "Unwanted Things" is below. An animated clip for "Ghostbird" is on the NPR Music site here. Shires is on a four-songwriter bill at the Grape Room in Manayunk tonight. It's an early show, and it'll only cost you $5.

Previously:  Remembering Gil Scott-Heron