Mary Kadderly makes it merry

Carols go down easy with new album

By John Chandler

The Portland Tribune, Nov 29, 2002, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Most sensible people hate Christmas carols. They signal Ñ earlier every year Ñ that it’s time to haul out that bruised Visa card.

As debts spiral out of control, choirs of angels singing saccharine versions of “Away in a Manger” or “Silent Night” dog our every step, gleefully reminding us of unwanted obligation and impending financial collapse.

Luckily, local jazz songstress Mary Kadderly is good for what ails us. Her new album, “Christmas Memories” (Ripping Glass Records), has a soothing, tasteful touch. Kadderly glides through teeth-gritting traditionals such as “Silver Bells” and even the dreaded “White Christmas” with the grace and finesse of Dorothy Hamill cutting figure eights at the Ice Capades.

The title track is a Kadderly original. Her voice conjures up a carefree Christmas past, with pajama-clad nippers capering through torn wrapping paper before a roaring fire and Doris Day or Andy Williams wafting from the Magnavox. Kadderly turns up the thermostat a few more degrees with Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here,” that wistful skating tune from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Hats off to Kadderly’s excellent cast of backup players, who include guitarists Tim Ellis and Dan Balmer, keyboardists George Mitchell and Bill Beach and drummer Anthony Jones. This blue-ribbon ensemble succeeds in chasing away the inevitable Christmas doldrums. And with the sensational Kadderly at the mike, your chestnuts will be roasting in no time.

Mary Kadderly has her CD release party at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Lucere at the RiverPlace Hotel, 1510 S.W. Harbor Way, 503-295-6166, free.

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