Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams brought his acoustic tour to a near-full Peabody Opera House Tuesday night.

The show was a tranquil affair (no cellphones in use during the show, no one seated or standing in the aisles during songs) that had down moments when Adams was not speaking or performing. But some fans used this time to insert themselves into the concert with various shouts, questions and yelps.

Since when did seeing how loudly one can say "shhh" become acceptable?

But no amount of audience distraction could take away from the scraggly rocker's often gracefully introspective and moving show that came off like his version of a "VH1 Storytellers" episode.

Adams was solo, without his backing band the Cardinals, and he bounced back and forth between a trio of mini set-ups: a stool and acoustic guitar, a gorgeous antique upright piano and a stand-up microphone.

After unceremoniously walking onto the stage, taking off his jacket and politely setting it down, he offered, "Nice to see you here. How is everybody doing? Sit down. I'm going to make you feel a little more depressed."

The good-natured former Whiskeytown singer opened up with "Oh My Sweet Carolina," and then followed with songs from his "Ashes & Fire" album, including the title track and "Chains of Love."

The generous set list included choice older songs such as "New York, New York," "Let It Ride," "Everybody Knows," "The Rescue Blues" and "Firecracker"; Whiskeytown song "16 Days," and plumb covers of Oasis' "Wonderwall" and Alice in Chains' "Nutshell."

The night-long mixture of his strumming and voice, which hung heavily and precisely in the air, was near magic.

"I don't know which song this is yet," he said, while playing away at early song "Dirty Rain." "I'm just starting something."

Jason Isbell, whose latest album is "Here We Rest," opened the concert. He not only celebrated his birthday while the crowd sang a verse of "Happy Birthday" to him, but he also shared a song with Adams during the headliner's set.

Adams' show was a special presentation by the Pageant at Peabody Opera House.