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One of the first things you learn in physics class is that when an irresistible force meets an immovable object, the result is inertia.

Yet by an incredible reversal of the laws of nature, the collision between Michelle Shocked (the irresistible force) and the music industry (the immovable object) has resulted in the exact opposite of inertia: music that refuses to stand still.

In a freewheeling, high-spirited set Tuesday night at The Coach House that ranged from instrumental, acoustic folk-music picking with her father and brother to the raucous, big band swing of her six-piece Captain Swing Revue, Shocked showed as little inclination to conform to the artificial music categories of the mass media as she has to toe the line any time in her rebellious young life.

In fact, in the first half of her show, Shocked seemed determined to rebel against herself. She referred repeatedly to her former political activism, asserting that it was a malady that could only be cured by vigorous movement of the backside. She then demonstrated in several loose, joyous numbers from her recent Captain Swing album what she meant.

She also gave the swing treatment to “When I Grow Up,” “Hello Hopeville” and “(Making the Run To) Gladewater” from her earlier folk-oriented album, Short Sharp Shocked.

But that these songs fit so well into the swing format showed that Shocked’s recent change in direction is less radical than it appears on the surface. There is an underlying thread of folk roots and good humor that runs through all her material.

In a set that traced her musical career in reverse, Shocked then dismissed her band and delivered such early songs as “Memories of East Texas” and “Graffiti Limbo” from Short Sharp Shocked and “5 a.m. in Amsterdam” from her first album, The Texas Campfire Tapes,/ which was recorded live on a Sony Walkman.

Reaching back to her earliest musical experiences, Shocked then called up her father and brother, who joined her on fiddle and mandolin for the traditional instrumental tune “Jeff Davis.” She called back the Captain Swing Revue Band to conclude her set with more good-natured numbers from Captain Swing.

From sensitive folk songs about East Texas to foot-stomping swing about street corner ambassadors and cement laments, Shocked’s show had all the variety and adventurous music fans could wish for.

Just as Shocked was about to become another folk Madonna, in the gold and platinum mold of Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman, she switched to swing, which hasn’t sold any records since Benny Goodman retired. Judging from Tuesday’s performance, it should sell records.