Mariah Carey hits right note belting out holiday favorites

Fortunately, it was a Christmas-themed concert, so Mariah Carey actually had some good songs to sing in her busy, glitzy, slightly daffy show Wednesday night at McCaw Hall.

Among the disposable, forgettable hip-hop and disco numbers were such welcome carols as "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World." The big closer had Carey, in the briefest of Santa suits, being carried on the shoulders of two of her dancers while belting "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

As expected, the evening was as much a fashion show as it was a concert. There were at least 10 costume changes, ranging from a glittery pink and silver leotard to a gold lamé gown; cut-off-to-almost-nothing jeans and T-shirt; a shimmering black evening gown; a low-cut, sexy red dress; and pink short-shorts with tiny top.

She could afford to show lots of skin. She looked in great shape, as she entered the hall by gliding down Aisle E, surrounded by bodyguards. Her thousand-watt smile was radiant, and so was her long, copious blond hair.

It was the first diva extravaganza in beautiful, classy McCaw Hall. The glittery production, with its big multilevel stage, could hardly fit. Although the hall is relatively small — with a seating capacity of about 2,900 (it was close to sold out) — and sightlines are good from every level, there was a huge video screen showing the stage action and other visuals (mostly Carey music videos). An annoying camera on a big crane often blocked a view of Carey — but she looked great on the big screen.

With so many costume changes, a good part of the show was turned over to the dancers, singers and band, while Carey retreated backstage. Those numbers were OK. But nobody paid big bucks to see them.

The carols weren't the only decent songs. In one of the quietier moments, she sat in a big, overstuffed red chair and sang "Through the Rain" quite nicely, with few vocal affectations. "Hero," one of her many songs with an uplifting, you-can-make-it theme, was also well sung. The best song was a cover of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," a duet with backup singer Trey. Again, it was a slow number, in which Carey's remarkable voice could shine.

Too much of the time she wailed through tacky disco songs, the worst of which featured no-talent rappers like Busta Rhymes and O.D.B. on film. Why she attaches herself to such losers is a mystery. She has the talent to sustain a career like that of Tina Turner or even Barbra Streisand. But she keeps making bad song choices, which is why her career has stalled. Unfortunately, there were too many of them in the show.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com