If you need the dictionary definition of a "dog person," look no further than Victoria Williams.

As her and husband Mark Olson (formerly of the Jayhawks) prepare to head out on the road for a six-week tour beginning tonight at the Night Gallery, the wide-eyed, unconditionally kind singer-songwriter's greatest concern is how two of her three dogs are reacting to the prospect of life without their masters.

"Yeah, I'm a dog person," Williams says, while making "happy clown doodles" on the other end of the line. "They're the most incredible gift."

The same could be said for Williams' songs. Five studio albums into her career, she's earned a reputation as an artist with a unique and important -- almost childlike in its wonder -- perspective on life and music. In fact, when confronted with the unpigeonholable 40-year-old, critics will invariably revert to complimenting her with the "Q" word.

"I know they do say that about me in reviews -- quirky ...," she says, dancing the word around in her mouth like a lollipop as she debates its merits as a positive comment.

"Well, if people use it in a nice way. I guess quirky is a more accepted word than 'queer.' "

Her latest album, Water to Drink, is considered by critics and fans alike to be her finest to date. Layered over her typically atypical and affecting folk songs is a smoky jazz aura that infuses the music with an extra freshness.

The jazz element is no happy accident -- in fact, Water to Drink was originally intended as an album of standards, but evolved into predominantly original compositions with only three covers, such as the extremely fitting Young At Heart.

It's a bold and wonderful recording that deserves the warm reception it's getting.