Monday 23 December 2013

The Archivist: Christopher Cross - Another Page



March 1980 - My first year in art college. I can remember that year, the soundtrack to my work at home was the first album by Christopher Cross. It caught on in the USA like a wildfire. It produced several top 10 hits and two bona fide classics which are still played today, Ride Like The Wind & Sailing. Although, the whole album has top notch songs and the usual quality glossy American production.





Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Chris won 5 Grammy Awards for his debut album and it was one of the biggest selling albums of 1980. In fact, it has gone 5 times platinum.



I've stated earlier in the Blog, on the Swing Out Sister post, that there are some artists that I'll purchase an album without even hearing it. Christopher Cross is one of those artists.

In fact, Another Page is probably in my top 10 albums.


His second album, Another Page, was finally released in 1983. However, whether it was that the public taste had changed, or it was too long in being released, or if it was Chris' not your usual Rock Star image, Another Page did not get anywhere near the success of his debut. But in my humble opinion, this album should have been even bigger. Although it did go gold in the USA.

The album is unashamedly romantic and lush but never sentimental or cloying.

 The songwriting is even better and the performances and the production are top notch. The album should have been huge. Especially on the other side of the pond. But it wasn't. However, it remains my favourite Christopher Cross album. It contains some beautiful songs. Including the hits Alright & Think of Laura.



But the album is so much more than the singles.







He is probably best known for his theme for the film Arthur, for which he won an Oscar.



Although Christopher has continued to release albums throughout the 80s, 90s & 2000s.











He has even released two lovely Christmas albums.



But let's end with the last track on Another Page


Oh, OK, what about his biggest hit from his 2013 live album, A Night In Paris.






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