Although Home is Shirley Crabbe's debut CD, in a way it is a culmination of her comeback as well. Crabbe endured vocal chord surgery in 2006, from which she has gradually bounced back. With her prior vocal, operatic and classical studies, her musical theater experience, and early guidance from the likes of Etta Jones and Dakota Staton, the singer now appears ready to finally fulfill her potential. Her impressive new CD certainly points to that being the case.

On the opening "Lucky to Be Me," you are immediately struck by Crabbe's lilting, buoyant voice, and her clear enunciation, relaxed rhythmic sense, and keen interpretive skill. Even the veteran Houston Person seems to respond specifically to the singer's style and artistry in both the tone and phrasing of his tenor sax solo. The following memorable version of "You Taught My Heart to Sing (Sammy Cahn's lyric to McCoy Tyner's music) is enhanced by pianist Donald Vega's lyrical solo and sensitive comping. Crabbe is credited for both of these highly palatable arrangements.

Matt Haviland contributed the radiant arrangement of the title tune, "Home," the gorgeous ballad from "The Wiz," as well as playing a gracefully succulent trombone solo on the track. Crabbe's sincerely personal delivery benefits from her musical stage background.
"Seasons" was written by Roland Hanna for Sarah Vaughan's Crazy and Mixed Up album. Crabbe's ability to plunge deeply into the words and their meaning with great expression is no better evident than on this selection. Vega's piano solo stands out once again with its lyricism, and is played with an appealing sound reminiscent of Herbie Hancock.

Crabbe effortlessly maintains the swift tempo of "Detour Ahead" while phrasing freshly and unpredictably. Dave Glasser's cavorting alto solo and Jim West's nimble piano spot seal the deal on this successful excursion through Haviland's arrangement. Credit to bassist John Burr and drummer Alvester Garnett for their stalwart support here and throughout the CD. Person plays the intro for Crabbe's soulful treatment of Oscar Brown, Jr.'s "Strong Man." Haviland's arrangement is once again top-notch. Person preaches robustly in his improv, and Crabbe's interaction with the saxophonist brings to mind his long-time association with the late Etta Jones.

"Not While I'm Around", Stephen Sondheim's ballad from "Sweeney Todd," is given a heartfelt reading by Crabbe. Trumpeter Brandon Lee's obbligatos and solo add greatly to the pensive mood, while West's piano provides the proper supportive commentary. The singer gives Carole King's "So Far Away" a more floating and soft-spoken treatment than the original, but it works just as effectively. The natural beauty of Crabbe's voice is clearly evident here. West, Burr, and Garnett breath as one behind her.

Crabbe's creative arrangement of "Summertime" contains an African rhythmic pulse and a modal framework, the latter most pronounced in Vega's piano solo. This is a refreshingly different take on the frequently sung and played standard. In sum, Crabbe's very attractive voice and her ability to convey the essence of a lyric make her a jazz vocalist you want to hear again and again. Her second CD can't come soon enough.