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Christopher Cross Sails into the Schermerhorn with a Boatload of Hits in Tow
by Rich and Laura Lynch
Musician Christopher Cross sailed into the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee on August 11, 2022 to play a crowd pleasing-career spanning set. Christopher is scheduled to be on tour for much of 2022 in commemoration of his land mark self-titled album that came out in 1980. His itinerary included a stop in Music City where an attentive audience enjoyed a cruise down memory lane with Cross at the helm.
Christopher Cross takes the stage at the Schermerhorn in Nashville.
Christopher Cross burst onto the scene with his debut record that won five Grammy Awards, including - for the first time in Grammy history the "Big Four" - Record of the Year (for the single "Sailing"), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also "Sailing") and Best New Artist. So 2020 should have been a celebratory year for him but the pandemic cast a dark cloud over that time. Not only was touring put on hold but Christopher himself contracted Covid with complications that led to months of paralysis so this delayed 40th anniversary tour has even more meaning to him and his fans.
As always, Cross surrounds himself with world class musicians to make his music come alive.
Cross and company were warmly greeted as they took the Symphony stage and started with "Minstrel Gigolo". Christopher's full band included three female back-up singers who filled out the sound as they ran through fan favorites. At times, Cross chatted with the crowd about some of his influences. He recalled that one of the first albums that he purchased was by The Dave Brubeck Quartet which led into a version of that group's "Take Five". A bit later he stated that Joni Mitchel was a mentor and in honor of the songstress they performed "Roberta" that featured fine solos from the band while a fluid take on the classic "Sailing" earned the crew a standing ovation.
Christopher said that he grew up in Texas where there are a lot of televangelists that in his opinion were more interested in money than God and he put his scorn to words on the edgy "Reverend Blowhard". Before presenting "Arthur Theme (The Best That You Can Do)" he shared that actor Dudley Moore was very kind to him and one night thanks to their connection he got to meet Liza Minnelli which led to another amusing antidote about her mother's famous ruby slippers. The romantic "Swept Away" was dedicated to those in love and "Dreamers" was a tribute to imaginative people especially those in the social justice realm. Cross saved the best for last as they closed with a winning "Ride Like The Wind" and the encore "Think of Laura" - which served as a perfect send off for those in attendance at the Laura Turner Music Hall.
The backup singers bolstered the vocals in a big way in Music City.
Christopher with his talented team presented a boat load of hits in arrangements that allowed all the band members to shine on their solos. In addition to touring, Mr. Cross has kept busy over the years. In 2007, he founded his own label and has released eight albums of new material including A Christopher Cross Christmas and The Café Carlyle Sessions which features jazz treatments of favorites born out of a residency at the famous Hotel Carlyle in New York City.
He also put out The Complete Works (2020) that commemorates his 40th anniversary as a recording artist and is a collection of all 12 previously-released CDs, one CD of singles and bonus tracks, and a pink vinyl containing one track from each album chosen by Christopher. Plus, he is currently on the road so check out Mr. Cross when he comes to town.
The stage configuration at the Christopher Cross concert in Nashville.
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is home to the Nashville Symphony and is situated in the heart of the downtown. Opened in 2006, this elegant concert hall hosts a wide range of acts such as Christopher Cross and features music from classical, jazz, pop, rock and world artists. Please check their website for a complete list of upcoming shows.
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is truly the class of Nashville venues.
Related Links:
For more information on CHRISTOPHER CROSS and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Christopher Cross |
Nashville Symphony
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