The Indescribable Wow is the fifth studio album from American singer and songwriter Sam Phillips. It is her first album for Virgin Records and her first album she released after moving from Christian pop to secular alternative rock and using the name Sam rather than Leslie. The single "Holding On to the Earth" peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in early 1989. Reception The Indescribable Wow was well received. In Rolling Stone the reviewer said, "Phillips is a major talent, with great rewards to offer" while AllMusic states that the album's music is "timeless". Track listing Personnel Sam Phillips – vocals, guitars Mike Utley – organ David Miner – harpsichord, harmonium, bass T Bone Burnett – guitars, mandocello, Marxophone, arrangements (5) Jerry Scheff – bass Mickey Curry – drums Steve Jordan – drums Alex Acuña – drums, percussion Ralph Forbes – drum machine Darrell Leonard – trumpet Buell Neidlinger – cello, string bass Van Dyke Parks – arrangements (5) Production T Bone Burnett – producer Rik Pekkonen – recording Tchad Blake – additional recording Mike Ross – recording assistant Dave Knight – assistant engineer Clif Norrell – assistant engineer Brian Soucy – assistant engineer Kevin Killen – mixing Howie Weinberg – mastering at Masterdisk (New York City, New York) Jeff Ayeroff – art direction Mick Haggerty – art direction, design, cover photography Melanie Nissen – back and inside photography References 1988 albums Sam Phillips (musician) albums Albums produced by T Bone Burnett Virgin Records albums