Barbara Walker Story
Recently heard on the latest album from jazz leaders Pieces of a Dream, Philly vocalist Barbara Walker continues her 20-year career of belting out blues and funk sounds that most (OK, all) modern-day pop singers know nothing about.
--Deesha Dyer
Fri.-Sat., Sept. 2-3, 8 and 10:30 p.m., $15, Zanzibar Blue, 200 S. Broad St., 215-732-4500, www.zanzibarblue.com.

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Cole Guerra
He moved from Michigan to North Carolina a few years ago to work on his doctorate in clinical psychology. Instead, Cole Guerra ended up working on the songs that make up his soon-to-be-released national debut, the subtle Scarves & Knives (Cleave). Co-produced with J.D. Foster, the album's sparse lyrics, meticulous arrangements and often sinuous melodies make this dark pop-rock both meditative and moving.
--Nicole Pensiero
Thu., Sept. 1, 8 p.m., free, with Kate Gaffney's Music Stop, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

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Utah Phillips
While he officially retired from touring nearly a decade ago, the passionate and politically conscious Bruce "Utah" Phillips still hits the road on occasion, bringing his charming, anarchistic persona and trusty ukulele with him. A card-carrying member of the Industrial Workers of the World (The Wobblies), the vagabond-historian-poet earned raves for his two albums with fellow anti-corporate folkie Ani DiFranco. He's touring this time in support of what he's calling his last album: a four-disc box set, Starlight on the Rails: A Songbook (Daemon Records), which covers a lot of turf — a full 30 years of studio, live and unreleased recordings.
--Nicole Pensiero

Sun., Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m., $12, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.