Christopher Cross - Christopher Cross (2LP)
Expanded 45th Anniversary Edition
Vocals – Christopher Cross
Backing Vocals – Don Henley, J.D. Souther, Marty McCall, Michael McDonald, Michael Omartian, Myrna Matthews, Nicolette Larson, Stormie Omartian, Valerie Carter
Bass – Andy Salmon
Drums – Tommy Taylor
Guitar – Christopher Cross, Eric Johnson, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton
Keyboards – Michael Omartian, Rob Meurer
Percussion – Lenny Castro, Victor Feldman
Saxophone – Don Roberts, Jackie Kelso, Jim Horn, Tomas Ramirez
Trombone – Lew McCreary
Trumpet – Chuck Findley
Arranged by Christopher Cross, Michael Omartian, Rob Meurer
Written by Christopher Cross
2 LP, Gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : unspecified (US)
Label : Omnivore Recordings
Original Label : Warner Bros. Records
Recorded in July 1979 at Warner Bros. Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) and Pecan Street Studios (Austin, Texas)
Produced by Michael Omartian
Mastered and restored by Bernie Grundman and Michael Graves
Originally released in 1979
Reissued in 2025
Tracks:
Side A
- Say You’ll Be Mine
 - I Really Don’t Know Anymore
 - Spinning
 - Never Be The Same
 - Poor Shirley
 
Side B
- Ride Like The Wind
 - The Light Is On
 - Sailing
 - Minstrel Gigolo
 - Mary Ann (Japanese-only A-Side)
 
Side C
- Say You’ll Be Mine (Demo)
 - I Really Don’t Know Anymore (Demo)
 - Parade (Demo)
 - Smiles Of Angels (Demo)
 - What Am I Supposed To Believe (Demo)
 
Side D
- Ride Like The Wind (Demo)
 - The Light Is On (Demo)
 - Passengers (Demo)
 - Say Goodbye To Mary Ann (Demo)
 - Sailing (Demo)
 
Awards :
The album won five Grammy Awards at the 1981 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist, with Cross becoming the first artist to win the four major categories in the same year.
Reviews :
« Christopher Cross' debut was a huge hit and widely acclaimed, at least among industry professionals (critics didn't give it a second listen), leading to multi-platinum success and Grammys. In retrospect, it might seem like the kind of success that's disproportional to the record itself, especially to hipper-than-thou younger generations, but in truth, Christopher Cross was a hell of a record -- it just was a hell of a soft rock record, something that doesn't carry a lot of weight among most audiences. That doesn't erase Cross' considerable gifts as a craftsman. Yes, he does favor sentimentality and can be very sweet on the ballads, but his melodicism is rich and construction tight, so there's a sturdy foundation for the classy professional gloss provided by his studio pros and friends, including indelible backing vocals by Michael McDonald. And while the hits like the dreamy "Sailing" and the surging "Ride Like the Wind" deserved all the attention, they're hardly the only highlights here -- to borrow a sports metaphor, this has a deep bench, and there's not a weak moment here. In fact, soft rock albums hardly ever came better than this, and it remains one of the best mainstream albums of its time. » AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
 
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4,5 / 5 , Discogs : 4,86 / 5