**1/2 Cosy Sheridan

ONE SURE THING

(Waterbug)

The third album by this New Hampshire native who now calls Utah home features 15 tracks recorded live at Club Passim in Cambridge and at Utah State University. Live albums like these typically emphasize the between-song patter that singer-songwriters rely so heavily on to establish audience rapport, but Cosy Sheridan plays it pretty straight here, depending on her soaring, dynamic vocals, rich, rhythmic guitar playing, and carefully honed songcraft to get her personality across.

The effort is largely a success. With Darleen Wilson (Bill Morrissey) producing, Sheridan compiles old favorites, a batch of new songs, a few covers, and traditional tunes. Deftly backed by bassist Kent Allyn, she's an imposing presence on contemplative numbers that channel Joni Mitchell via Shawn Colvin -- love songs, women's fare, and some novelties for which she is perhaps most noted, including "Waldo lost his balls today." It's lines like that one, plus her sure delivery, that keep Sheridan and this album from falling prey to self-absorption.

-- Seth Rogovoy

(Cosy Sheridan plays the Harvard Winter Folk Festival at Sanders Theatre this Saturday, March 15. Call 628-3390.)