Amanda Shires: Tiny Desk Concert

Maybe it's the quiver in her voice or the poetry in her spare writing, but there's a magnetic pull that draws me into the music and stories of Amanda Shires. "I have one happy song, but I'm not going to do that today," Shires says with a bit of a smile during this performance at the NPR Music offices. But that's okay.

You may have seen this West Texas fiddler, now based in Nashville, behind Gwyneth Paltrow in the film Country Strong. You may have heard Shires playing with Drive-By Truckers' Jason Isbell or with Justin Townes Earle, the Thrift Store Cowboys or the legendary Texas Playboys. But for this Tiny Desk Concert, Shires performs with only her musical partner, the outstanding musician Rod Picott. Here, they play songs from Carrying Lightning, Shires' inspired new record, and the result is simple, raw, heartfelt and a delight.

Set List

• "Swimmer..."
• "Shake The Walls"
• "When You Need A Train It Doesn't Come"

Credits

Michael Katzif (cameras); edited by Bob Boilen; audio by Kevin Wait; photo by Mito Habe-Evans/NPR