Nicole Atkins‘ followers flocked to the Rubin Museum of Art’s intimate music venue to enjoy an evening of organic, acoustic music—and they enjoyed every note.

Nicole Atkins is one of a handful of singer/songwriters who has been able to evolve musically and reinvent herself since she burst onto the music scene in 2007, much to the delight of her growing fan base and fellow musicians, including the likes of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Shilpa Ray and the Avett Brothers.

Before treating concertgoers to her wondrous musical menu, Atkins came out to explain that if she seemed a bit frazzled, it was because her luggage had gotten lost and the white dress she was wearing was sent by a friend by way of Philadelphia and hadn’t shown up until just before set time. She then warmed up the room with a song from her landmark debut album, Neptune City.

Featuring noted guitarist Marc Muller (who has worked with Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M. and Steve Forbert), Atkins’ 19-song set included highlights like Neptune City’s “Maybe Tonight,” Mondo Amore’s “Vultures” and Slow Phaser’s “Red Ropes.” A rousing bit of audience participation on “As Country Was,” an ode to what country music once was, and a particularly gut-wrenching version of Lee Hazlewood’s “My Autumn’s Done Come” rounded out a poignant evening of music and insight from an artist who continues to prove that she’s vibrant, talented and is in a creative universe that knows no boundaries. Indeed, she’s recording new music with Bad Seeds drummer Jim Sclavunos, musically reinventing herself once more.

– Howard B. Leibowitz