Why is that some veteran artists are essentially held hostage by their hits, doomed to repeat the same handful of past glories concert after concert, while others are granted the freedom to pursue new directions with every tour?

One of those with that stubborn, independent streak is surely Bonnie Raitt. Raitt has a new album called "Souls Alike," and Wednesday night at the Eagles Ballroom in the Rave, she cut a very wide swath through it. In fact, she started out with three new tunes: "Love on One Condition," "God Was in the Water" and "I Will Not Be Broken."

All three fit the smart adult sensibilities that always have been part of Raitt's persona. "God" is a particularly interesting tune. Set against a swampy wah-wah guitar, it posits an Almighty that's secretive, almost sly in his ways. He's a God with a touch of voodoo who seeps in through the cracks.

"I Will Not Be Broken" is another good fit. There's a sassy sexuality about Raitt that's tempered with an obvious independence. She'll be your lover. She won't be your dog - or as the tune puts it: "Push me to the limit; Maybe I may bend; But I know where I'm not goin.' "

Maybe it comes with being a certain age, but Raitt returned to the subject of cosmic issues in "Trinkets," where she defines her own personal heaven, complete with Louis Armstrong records and wiener dogs. Raitt didn't write it, but like so much of her recorded choices, it's smartly written and explores territory not yet exhausted.

Eventually, Raitt did get around to some of the old favorites like "Nick of Time," "Something to Talk About," "Love Sneakin' Up on You" and from way back, the raucous blues "Love Me Like a Man." She also tossed in some prime rock and roll with a swipe at the Fabulous Thunderbirds' "I Believe I'm in Love With You."

At 55, Raitt seems in top form, trim, energetic and totally engaged. Wednesday's may have been the best Bonnie Raitt concert this observer has seen, and I've seen a bunch of them. She seemed particularly delighted with the Ballroom, telling the crowd, "Imagine what this place was like with all those people dancing in the '40s. Man, I wish I was around for that."

Since we've often taken the Rave to task for shoddy sound, it's worth mentioning that the sound Wednesday was pretty good. Maybe it's simply a room that requires a thorough sound check.

Opening for Raitt was singer/songwriter Maia Sharp, the daughter of country tunesmith Randy Sharp. Several of Sharp's tunes appear on "Souls Alike," and each artist did a guest spot in the other's set. Sharp seems like an intriguing, nuanced writer.

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