Rediscovering Christopher Cross

The title is so stale, Super Hits Live. It sounds like something that contains poor sound-alike covers of current hits done live. More imagination should have gone into finding the right title for this album because it is clearly much more than that. Super Hits Live is a very special album. It features Academy Award-winning singer and songwriter Christopher Cross doing some of his biggest hits. And those are certainly great songs.

Super Hits Live was recorded when Cross went to Tokyo, Japan during his jazzy Café Carlyle Tour some years ago, that took him to several countries. That is the reason why his most popular songs ended up with sweet, laidback, acoustic jazz arrangements in the album. Cross himself plays the acoustic guitar aside from singing vocals in the quintet. Andy Ezrin is on the piano; David Mann on woodwinds; Jonathan Clark on upright bass; and Dave Beyer on drums.

As for the songs, included are Never Be The Same, Back Of My Mind, Open Up My Window, Walking In Avalon, Sailing, In The Blink Of An Eye, Kind Of I Love You, No Time For Talk, Think Of Laura, All Right, Arthur’s Theme and Ride Like The Wind. It is proof of these songs’ longevity and classic charm that they all came out sounding fresh in their new classy jazz stylings.

Of course, these recordings also made the listener think of the memorable originals and of Cross himself, more so now that he is set to visit Manila for a series of shows. Cross, a legendary performer from the ’80s era, will do a concert at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Oct. 29 and at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila the next day, Oct. 30. And those aforementioned songs are what his Filipino fans expect to hear him perform.

Cross, then a talented young man from Texas, became a sensation early in 1980 when he swept five Grammy awards for his debut album. He was the first artist to do so and on his first time out to be nominated at that. Titled Christopher Cross, the album was named Album of the Year while the phenomenally popular single Sailing won as Record of the Year, Song of the Year and for Best Arrangement. Cross was named Best New Artist. The next year found him dealing with more awards including the Oscar trophy for Best Original Song for Arthur’s Theme The Best That You Can Do from the Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli starrer Arthur.

 While he certainly can, given his past work, Cross is one artist who refuses to rest on his laurels. He continues to compose and record songs and tour extensively. In fact, an album titled Secret Ladder of all new originals is due for release this month. He also has a Christmas album out that I must say is a real keeper. A Christopher Cross Christmas is another acoustic outing and his expressive voice against the simple, nearly bare instruments makes even Silent Night, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Count Your Blessings and Charlie Brown’s Christmastime Is Here sound even more beautiful. Since this country of ours is already galloping merrily off to Christmas day, it would be really nice if Cross can be persuaded to sing a Christmas carol or two in his local shows.

Cross’ concerts are produced by Redstone Media Productions and Resorts World Manila with Air 21 as major sponsor. Featured guest is former Miss Saigon star Carla Guevarra. Part of the proceeds from the shows will go to the Wildlife Conservation Program of the Zoobic Safari. Tickets are now available at Ticketworld (891-9999); SM Tickets (470-2222); Ticketnet (911-5555); and at the Resorts World Manila box office (9088000 local 7700).

Himig Handog winners

Congratulations to Edwin Marollano for winning the grand prize at the recent Himig Handog Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) Love Songs competition. Marollano’s entry was Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako. It was interpreted by KZ Tandingan. He bested 14 other songwriters to win the P1M grand prize and a trophy designed by the renowned sculptor Michael Cacnio. On the other hand, KZ bagged the ABS-CBN.com Favorite Interpreter Award.

The other winning entries were Second Best Song, Halik Sa Hangin by David Dimaguila and performed by Ebe Dancel with Abra; Third Best Song, Mahal Kita Pero by Melchora “Bobbie” Mabilog and interpreted by Janella Salvador. Fourth Best Song was Walang Basagan Ng Trip by Eric de Leon and interpreted by Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz; and Fifth Best Song, Hindi Wala composed by Nica del Rosario and interpreted by Juris.

Also named winners in the special categories were Star Cinema’s Choice Award Halik Sa Hangin,; MYX’s Choice for Best Music Video Award Mahal Kita Pero and director San Beda College Alabang; Star Music Listeners’ Choice Award, Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan composed by Sarah Jane Gandia and sung by Jessa Zaragoza; MOR 101.9 Listeners’ Choice Award and ABS-CBNmobile Fan Favorite Award, Simpleng Tulad Mo composed by Meljohn Magno and interpreted by Daniel Padilla; TFC’s Choice Award and Starstudio Readers’ Choice Award, If You Don’t Want To Fall by Jude Gitamondoc and sung by Jed Madela.

Congratulations everybody and lots more hits to come.