Outskirts of You (Freedom, 1996)

This album can serve as a fine primer on the "Austin Sound,+ which is almost as formulaic (though considerably more passionate) than the "Nashville Sound." Bosworth's debut (she was previously heard on a couple of compilations including last year's superb "Austin Country Nights") has a little rockabilly, a little honky-tonk, a little blues, a little this and a little that-and of course funkier musical backing than you'll hear on the radio.

As a singer, Bosworth has a husky voice that's pleasant but not extraordinary. The songs can, for the most part, be given the same description. (Except for the fine old rockabillly obscurity "Ain't Gonna Waste My Time," they're all new Austin originals.) The standouts come from among the five that Bosworth wrote alone - "When The Sun Comes Up," "Up All Night" and especially "Don't Call Me Crazy" (with a Patsy Cline styling).

All in all, it's an enjoyable, and promising, debut.