Ann Kittredge- ‘You Sleigh Me’ – Holiday Album Release Party

By Alix Cohen

Among dozens of holiday shows, Ann Kittredge’s holiday album release proved particularly warm and original. Gathering talented friends, presenting lesser known, sometimes quirky material, hosting with bonhomie, creates an evening of both tradition and surprise.

Alan Menken/Lynn Ahrens’ “A Place Called Home” is from a musical version of A Christmas Carol in which Kittredge appeared for six seasons. She partners her silken soprano with a story about stealing a nameplate off the door of an actor to whom she admitted the crime years later when he played Scrooge. He was not feeling the spirit.

From Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas, we hear the enchanting “Each Ornament Has a Story” with its author Randy Klein at the piano. Kittredge conjures each bauble, imbuing it with family history. Karen Mason performs a cool, seductive, bass-centric “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie) Patting her hip, twinkle in her eye, vocal surges from purr to growl extravagantly fanning out. The artist makes a real number out of something we think of as a ditty.

Paul Rolnick sings his own “It’ll Be Christmas before You Know It”, a sweet, heartfelt song that sounds like a classic even the first time one hears it. (With Henry Cory) Brent Barrett’s “Christmas Mornings” was written by his husband Bernard Blanks. “No more gifts/All we want to do is lift each other high…” Barrett’s exuberant, slightly gravelly delivery enhances the formidable sentiment.

Forty years ago, Jeff Harnar arrived poor and unprepared to New York winter. A bag lady offered a sweater from her cart which, freezing, he gratefully accepted. She then gave directions to a church where he’d be fed after helping others. “We looked at each other as homeless. I can’t express the magnitude of the gift she gave me.” Harnar’s stunning “Drummer Boy” follows, arms at his side. Moved, the room holds its collective breath. A last little smile is priceless. (Katherine Kennicott Davis- arrangement, Brian Lasser)

Kittredge then joins him for two Hannukah songs, one traditional folk, one by Peter Yarrow. The duo bring respectful gravitas to another vista. Vocals are pristine, cottony. An Alex Rybeck arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “Snow” (from White Christmas) joyfully shushes down the mountain. Kittredge has disinterred the melody’s original lyric as written for Call Me Madam:“Freeee-the only thing I wants to disagree/With those who disagree with me…”

Our hostess startles and delights with a polka medley taking her back to childhood. “It’s just another polka/But Holy Smoka…” Infectious fun is aided and abetted by Christopher Denny’s terpsichorean fingers. Riding the lightness of the moment “I Took My Harp to a Party” (Noel Gay/Desmond Carter) shows Kittredge’s comedic colors, eyebrows knitted in silent film expression.

The ineffable “What Child is This?” (William Chatterton Dix) and “Mary, Did You Know?” (Buddy Green/Matt Lowry) emerge in familiar tandem. Kittredge perches on a stool, microphone in hand, heart cracked open. She sings like a caress.

Ann Kittredge really believes “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” (Edward Pola/ George Wyle). Cute in her mom’s buffalo check mini dress, she extends welcome as if in her living room, albeit with polish. Peer affection is palpable. The artist organically nurtures. Her maternal side contributes to overall tone. She’s not just touching, she’s touched.

Opening Photo- Christopher Denny & Ann Kittredge
Photos- Alix Cohen

Ann Kittredge- You Sleigh Me– Holiday Album Release Party
Barry Kleinbort- Director
Christopher Denny- MD/Piano
Guest Pianists: Alex Rybeck, Randy Klein
Mary Ann McSweeney- Bass; Rex Benincasa – Drums

Chelsea Table & Stage https://chelseatableandstage.com/
The CD- Sleigh Me https://lnk.to/AKYSM