On this remarkable singer's last album, The Turning (which she recorded under the name Leslie), Phillips glided through a vivid, stripped-down collection of country, pop and inspirational tunes produced by T Bone Burnett. Regrettably, almost no one bought it. Although this time out she has stuck with Burnett, she has switched labels (from Word/Myrrh to Virgin), has taken on the name of the single most important nonperforming contributor to the development of rock & roll and has broadened her concerns to the whole of American and European pop. The songs on The Indescribable Wow are often first-person evocations of fear ("I Don't Want to Fall in Love," "I Don't Know How to Say Goodbye," "I Can't Stop Cryin'"), and Phillips puts them all across with wary confidence, unsure of some moves, determined to make them all count.

The Indescribable Wow follows through on many of the strongest ideas from Burnett's last album, The Talking Animals. But instead of erudite, overly precise arrangements, on this album Burnett employs a looser style. There are overt Sixties-pop references all over the place – the modified tango "Flame" is one of many blatant midperiod-Beatles references – but Phillips always sounds progressive, even on "What Do I Do," the most self-consciously arty song here.

Whatever she calls herself, Phillips is a major talent, with great rewards to offer. Here's hoping someone hears them this time. (RS 533)

JIMMY GUTERMAN