Customer Reviews

Very Best of Christopher Cross (Remaster

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ask most people what they know about Christopher Cross and they'll probably mention "Sailing" or "Ride Like the Wind." The more astute might even say, "Didn't he sing that Arthur song?" Even fewer will remember "Think of Laura" (made popular by its inclusion in General Hospital) or "A Chance For Heaven" (which graced the 1988 Olympic music compilation).

In "The Very Best of Christopher Cross," all of those songs are included, but we are treated to Cross's best work since his days near the top of the charts. Many fans are likely not familiar with songs like, "I Will (Take You Forever)," which could be one of the most beautiful pop wedding anthems of all time. Cross's growth as a musician is evident in "Avalon," "When She Smiles" and "Hunger," which are infinitely deeper than most of the work on his debut album. In fact, as this CD has played almost constantly since I bought it, I have found myself listening to the newer songs much more than the older ones which won Grammys and an Oscar.

When he erupted on the scene more than 20 years ago, Christpher Cross had a unmistakable voice and was a musican and lyrical craftsman. Since then, that craftsmanship has only deepened, and in this CD we are finally treated to the best of Cross's songs, regardless of how high they may have peaked on the charts.

is why this talented composer faded so quickly after his amazing 1980 debut (Christopher Cross) which won him FIVE Grammys. The thing is for people that continued to follow his music (especially oustide of the US) he didn't fade. To date he has released seven studio albums, each of which displays his unique voice, wonderful sense for melody, and ability to perform a ballad or upbeat number with equal success.

For those who thought Cross was a one-album-wonder this collection of hits, album tracks, and "shoulda been hits" should provide a nice summary of what they've been missing. After the Grammys came Another Page which contained the positive "All Right" and etherial "Think of Laura" which could be heard on the ABC soap "General Hospital". "Another Page" was a strong LP that deserved more attention than it received. '86 gave us a rockier Cross with Every Turn of the World (the energetic title track is included here). '88 found Cross returning to form with the excellent and all but overlooked Back of My Mind. The title track, "I Will Take You Forever" and what may be Cross's most beautiful ballad, "Swept Away" are presented here in remixed versions.

OK, I confess, I lost track of Cross in the 90s and so for that reason the stuff culled from his last three efforts is new to me but is also as strong as his earlier efforts and only serve to tempt me to dig deeper into those later releases. Hopefully this compilation will serve as a reintroduction to other fans of that first effort who, like me, lost track of this talented singer/songwriter over the years.

Fortunately, someone gave me a copy of this album for Christmas this year, because I know I would not have ever picked it up for myself. It's not because I do not enjoy Cross's music - I just had so little familiarity with it. I have one scant memory of him performing "Sailing" on some television variety show when I was nine years old. Until this album, I had entirely forgotten about all those hours skating along to those three or four most familiar Cross songs that most people would remember. Listening to this album, and hearing "Ride Like the Wind" again after over twenty years, a song which I had forgotten had been one of my favorite skating songs, was such a joy!

The author of the album liner notes theorizes that Cross was knocked out of the mainstream consciousness by the advent of MTV videos, because, despite the degree of his craft, Cross was just a regular guy on the outside. If I understand the author correctly, someone (perhaps Cross himself) apparently felt he was not stylish or good-looking enough to be a successful video artist. Perhaps Cross was put off by the idea of having to make videos in order to get attention for his music. If that is the case, I don't blame him. But, times have changed, and I really believe there is a large audience of folks who are looking for the sort of well-written music Cross has demonstrated over and over again that he is capable of writing, and they long to hear great music such as this performed by artists with unique, pure voices - and Cross certainly possesses one of the most beautiful voices.

The time is right to see Mr. Cross back on TV, and if not there, at least back on the radio. In the meantime, I will enjoy this wonderful compilation of songs. Very enjoyable!

This is Christopher Cross' first US best of release and it covers his entire career from 1980-1998. Three new remixes aside, this touches on all his albums. The liner notes are up-to-date, there's track-by-track information and the sound is great. A perfect CD for those who've wondered what happened to Christopher Cross, and are interested in catching up with him.

Christopher Cross was on his way to mega stardom in his peak, but a new music form came along and killed that. That new music form is called, "the video". Mr.Cross is not the best looking man, so it was hard to market him. Therefore, his stardom declined. But for the people who knows a real artist , Christopher Cross remains close to our hearts. Songs like the classic, "Ride Like The Wind" will take you to another place especially if you are stuck in traffic. "Sailing" is so relaxing, it reminds me of a Sunday evening (just when the sun is going down) and Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) just makes you feel good and gives you hope about love. Lesser known songs like "Walking In Avalon" is just as special as the classics. Critics may have hated Cross when he started out, but I bet they feel sorry for it (considering the sad state of the music business today).

When the 1980's began, Christopher Cross seemed to be at the top of his game. He scored big hits with Sailing, Ride Like The Wind, and Think Of Laura. Surprisingly, once MTV came into play, Christopher Cross turned into a big joke. Nonetheless, his music still kept going its stride in full wind.

The 2002 album, The Very Best Of Christopher Cross, is a true retrospective to one of the most underrated singers and songwriters. The songs here are simple and melodic, like a relaxing tour of Lake Victoria. The songs here are pure classics that still keep the mind flowing like Arthur's Theme, Walking In Avalon, and Loving Strangers, from the Tom Hanks film, Nothing In Common.

While many still have written Christopher Cross off in the 1980's, his songs and countless melodies will still be played on for many years to come. For many people who've thought of him as a one album wonder, a man who has won 5 grammys and an Oscar, Christopher Cross will still keep sailing away.

Amazingly, it has taken over 15 years since his last appearance in the top 100 for a domestically-produced compilation CD of Christopher Cross' music to see the light of day. While billed as "Very Best of...", this album serves as a greatest hits collection, almost complete.

In an annoyingly frequent pattern though, Rhino produces these compilation CD's of artists' works and then proceedes to leave off just one chart hit. Here, in a 19-track CD, with ten charted hits, what would have been the difficulty in including Cross' last charting song, "Charm The Snake"? The title "Very Best of..." itself comes into question in that three of the included tracks from the "Back of My Mind" album are remixed versions, previously unissued. How do three unissued tracks qualify as "very best"? Nitpicking aside, this does include all the big hits - the astounding "Sailing", the ethereal "Think of Laura", the pop jem "Arthur's Theme" from the movie and other uncommonly well-constructed pop ditties. Also on the plus side here appears the licensed-from-Sony swimming theme from the '84 Olympics, "A Chance For Heaven". The remaining tracks are album cuts from Cross' post-charting-era albums of diverging styles.

The included liner notes booklet provides a brief musical backround on Cross along with track details and an album discography. This long-awaited Cross compilation provides fans of both his hits and artistry with an excellent collection of superb musical craftsmanship, essential to any gathering of pop music from the 80's.

I don't know why Christopher Cross' career took a nosedive because he's still one of the greats of easy listening even now. I love the song, Swept Away, which has always been my favorite. Maybe it's because it was used in the Growing Pains Hawaiian episodes. I love Sailing, Come to My Window, and of course, Arthur's theme. People will realize that Christopher Cross' music is still relevant, soothing, deeply relaxing, and classic because it holds up even in today's standards. Yes, I know it's not the 1980s anymore but when you hear Chris' singing, you can still remember it. At least with today, the internet and the computer age has allowed us to gain easier access to it. I remember searching every music store for this song. I'm not one of those people who burn their music off the internet. I'm old fashioned. I would rather buy it and listen to it on cds in my car or at the gym. When I hear him, I feel a little relaxed about life in general.

It was 1979, I was up at a cottage on the lake north of Toronto and it was sunset when I first heard "Sailing". Now everytime I hear that song I'm taken back to golden sunsets on the lake and this beautiful song playing.

Other great songs are "Arthur's Theme", "I Take You Forever", a great duet that came out in 1988 and I have fond memories of, "Think of Laura", a melancoly tune but a song that just take you back to the early 80's like "Arthur's Theme" and a modest hit from 1987 called "Swept Away", great song. I also first heard this song on a "Growing Pains" episode and loved it.

I'm all about the ballads on this CD. To me Christopher Cross' music takes me back to a wonderful nostalgic time in my life, as I'm sure so many of us can relate. His music puts a smile on your face. I agree with another reviewers comments about his looks-okay so he doesn't look like Brad Pitt-So What! He seems like a down to earth guy just singing from his heart and I think his fans wouldn't have it any other way.

I bought it for "Sailing," and received a bonus in the form of "Arthur's Theme," "Ride like the Wind," and "Avalon." If you have never given Christopher Cross a good listen, get this CD collection at a good price and enjoy it! Four stars! (Frankly, I wonder where he is now...)