rock/pop

"Betty's Diner" stood out on last year's Carrie Newcomer anthology; one of three new songs, it provided the collection's title and summed up the spirit of community that runs through Newcomer's songs. It was also the strongest piece, standing tall alongside 13 years' worth of the singer-songwriter's best work. On her new Regulars and Refugees (Philo), Newcomer further explores that world; waitress Miranda and her customers inhabit all but one of the 14 songs. Factory worker Kevin thinks about asking out Miranda ("Five Years On"), who gives advice and sustenance to stripper/single mom Jennifer ("I Fly"), lesbian chaplain Olivia ("Be True") and an old married couple ("Alice and Roy"). The recovering alcoholics pray together in a booth ("A Coal Red Sky") and high school dropout Deidre plays Scrabble with widowed English professor Arthur ("Betty's Diner"), while Arthur's dog waits outside, musing jazzily about loyalty ("Arthur B and Bob"). It's a mix of styles, to be sure, but they sit together comfortably.

Thu., Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m., $18-$20, with Tom Kimmel, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.