Ellington

Sparse, ethereal voices bleed through the speakers, discordantly proclaiming, "Oh, the things you can discover when you let yourself go under." The short, a capella piece, "Siren," sets the mood and theme for pianist and vocalist Caroline Crawford's debut album "Delphian," a work that wades through such weighty topics as depression and rape. Enveloped in this dark outer shell is a message of empowerment for women and a cry to not bury themselves in the supposed safety of appearances. As the last song, "Saturnalia," proclaims, "A rocket girl has got to fly."

"The songs come more from a place of power than from the viewpoint of a victim," Crawford, 35, says.

A gritty electric guitar rips through the rippling, arpeggiated piano intro to "Smoke," not unlike the way a grain of sand between the teeth rips a chill up the spine.

In stark contrast, "Northern Star," written for Crawford's husband, Ray, has poignant warmth that displays a softness not found elsewhere on an album that brings to mind such artists as PJ Harvey, Tori Amos and Metallica.

The title track, which consists only of piano and vocals, is accented with icy, shimmering motifs that contrast beautifully with the rolling quality of the lower register notes. Accompanying this musical setup is some foreboding: "Siren calls to me from the deep/I hear her song/Or a warning."

This 11-track recording has many highlights. It is consistently thought-provoking and deeply personal, as well as accessible and entertaining. The Eastern-flavored "Edge" incorporates an orchestral soundscape throughout and abruptly ends with a driving, Mark Bell-like electronic beat, while "Lilitu" tells a tale of the darker, more backhanded side of femininity ("Say you're here to keep the girls all safe/As you put another mermaid on your plate").

Crawford credits her grandfather with helping to shape her musical direction.

"It was all about learning the rules, then learning how to break them," she says. "My grandfather always said, 'Take what you learn, and form it into something that is you.'"

She spent a few summers with him, taking piano lessons and learning proper breathing techniques to develop her voice. His influence and love of operatic musical elements can be heard in her singing style, which jumps from a theatrical, higher-pitched, airy vibrato to a lower, richly soulful character. Crawford herself cites Sarah Brightman as a strong vocal influence.

Upon moving to the Jackson area in 2004, she joined up with Mississippi bluesman Arnold Lindsay and played regularly with him at the now-closed 930 Blues Café downtown. She has found more success in Jackson than in her native Huntsville, Ala. Crawford says she has live shows to promote "Delphian" in the works.

Organic, acoustic, electric, electronic, jarring, disarming—"Delphian" adds color and needed versatility to the Jackson music scene. Listen to and purchase the album, complete with lyrics, online at http://carolinecrawford.bandcamp.com/album/delphian.