Doctor Faith

Christopher Cross | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 10, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Eagle Records
• ASIN: B004SC8YH2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,151 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

"This album feels not only like a new chapter to my career; it feels like starting a whole new book." - Christopher Cross

Product Description

Those who remember the keyboard-based soft-rock of Sailing and Ride Like the Wind will be surprised to learn that Cross writes on guitar. It's guitar that drives this surprising new record, an energized outpouring of personal reflection and societal comment: Hey Kid; Rescue; Everything; Dreamers; Prayin' , and more!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Christopher Cross Returns with DOCTOR FAITH May 11, 2011

By Scott Gross

Format:Audio CD

Christopher Cross's career arc reminds me a bit of Peter Frampton's as they both had iconic, multi-million selling albums containing hit songs that still get regular radio airplay to this day. In the years following those explosive albums, both artists' cooled off from the white hot glare of the spotlight within the changing musical landscape. Christopher & Peter have both continued to tour and release new music over the years while staying dedicated to their artistry & craft. And after all this time, Frampton even won his first Grammy for an instrumental album he put out in 2006.
Christopher Cross has also stayed busy since the Grammy filled heyday of "Sailing" & "Ride Like The Wind" releasing 7 additional albums along with a greatest hits collection, a Christmas album and 2008's exquisite "Café Carlyle Sessions" featuring tasteful, scaled down jazz arrangements of his work throughout the years. That brings us to his newest full album of original material in 12 years titled DOCTOR FAITH. The immediate observation is that Christopher isn't trying to come off like he's still 29. There's a wisdom and social consciousness within tracks like "Hey Kid"(featuring Eric Johnson on lead guitar) and "I'm Too Old For This" that shines a sorely needed light on how our culture accepts the previously unacceptable. While this subject matter isn't usually what's expected on a Christopher Cross album, he and co-writer Rob Meurer execute this slippery slope with a fearless grace and truth. The track "When You Come Home" returns listeners to more familiar, romantic waters with the gorgeous strings and plaintive melody of a man looking for redemption and a second chance in his relationship. "November" is a delicate, bittersweet ballad about a couple coming to an end. The uptempo "Leave It To Me" with its tip of the hat to the Chicago horn section tells the story of a poorly treated woman's male "pal" lending his support and possibly more. The song "Doctor Faith" re-teams Christopher Cross and Michael McDonald on a track about the struggles of therapy and the search for inner peace as life is not always "sailing" seamlessly. Other strong songs on the album include the amorous "Rescue", the quiet struggle of "Still I Resist" and the simple eloquence of "Prayin'". All songs were composed by Cross and his writing partner Rob Meurer.
Almost 32 years after he first hit the scene, Christopher's amazing voice has not aged a day and still expresses melodic imagery with a clean resonance and unblemished tone. Cross's lead guitar work is the only element that leaves me pining for more on this album. Other musicians contributing masterfully are Dave Beyer on drums, Mark Browne on bass, David Mann on soprano sax & John Thomas on piano. The lustrous strings and horns are arranged by Chris Walden and conducted by Walden & Jules Chakin. DOCTOR FAITH was produced by Christopher Cross
Listeners rediscovering Cross from 30 years ago will notice differences in the tone, subject and feel of this album. If they try to listen with "fresh ears" and without nostalgic expectations, they'll be treated to the work of a true artist in his stride.

Scott Gross
Inside Musicast.com

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Christopher Cross classic! May 11, 2011

By John Marshall

Format:Audio CD

I have been a Christopher Cross fan since I heard "Never Be The Same" off his debut album over 30 years ago. Enthusiastically, I have kept up with his career, looking forward to each release with great anticipation, knowing that I would not be disappointed. The years have gone by and, release after release, I (and all those lucky enough to have all of his music) have been treated to brilliant singing, song writing, and flawless production. And to my expected delight, DOCTOR FAITH claims its rightful place amongst the wonderful catalogue of Cross classics. 13 years since his last album of new material and WOW was it worth the wait!!!
"November" is a lovely ballad reminding me of the emotions I felt the first time I heard his classic, "Swept Away", off of 1988's BACK OF MY MIND disc. And Cross' voice has not lost a beat...it is as smooth and as beautiful as ever!
Cross and his long time writing collaborator, Rob Meurer, deliver a great variety here, ranging from the before-mentioned "November" to the upbeat and catchy "Leave It To Me", which would be perfect on a sunny trip to the beach. Crisp, clear vocals, pristine musicianship, and mature, thought-provoking lyrics make this cd a treasure for the ears. I am confident you will be hooked...I know I am!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Return to Form, Return to Himself September 15, 2011

By Eric R. Sturms

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The latest from CC is amazing and thought-provoking. Although you can tell he has lost some prcey arrangements in recent years and you can't help but appreciate how he has suffered for his integritized art, he still manages to shine here. He is contemplative without navel-gazing and hopeful without resorting to cliches or axioms that either date him or cause sighs of overuse or of being too-youthful. The last cut is more a benediction then a song but he has always sailed with peace in his heart. The albums unity and cohesion is one his best and reminds me of the negelected "Another Page" with songs that hit his marrow bone in honest self-revelation. Not for the Justin Bieber crowd but worth a look for anyone who has missed him or seen him in an intimate small-stage concert ever. It should also hold-up in time as an appeal to sanity politically when presently there is none.