A confession: We once left a Victoria Williams show because her sloppy style -- stopping songs in mid-stream, telling endless stories about her dog, constantly retuning her guitar -- was too annoying. While that unpretentious openness is the very thing that endears her to many fans, we've always preferred her studio work, where she's focused, inspired and often riveting. And never more so than on Water to Drink, a sweet little masterpiece that's easily her finest disc. Roaming through styles from chamber-folk and country-pop to Latin lounge, Williams (aided by ex-Jayhawk hubby Mark Olson and a crack ensemble) lays down rich, lush tracks that provide a perfect pillowy cushion for her idiosyncratic, little-girl voice. It's hard to decide what's stronger -- the earthy, mystical joy of originals like Memphis soul groove Gladys and Lucy and the shoo-be-doo-be gypsy jazzer Claude, or her dreamy, loving covers like the title track (an Anton Carlos Jobim bossa nova) or Until the Real Thing Comes Along, on which she channels Billie Holiday via Rickie Lee Jones. Drink deep -- Water is so sweet, we just might give live Vic another try at her West End gig Oct. 4.

Track Listing 1.Grandma's Hat Pin
  02.Gladys and Lucy
  03.Water To Drink
  04.Light The Lamp Freddie
  05.Claude
  06.Joy Of Love
  07.Until The Real Thing Comes Along
  08.Lagniappe
  09.Junk
  10.Little Bird
  11.Young At Heart
  12.A Little Bit Of Love