Underrated Guitarist Christopher Cross

TGIF - it's been a long week. I've still got lots of work to do before I'm officially done for the week, but I wanted to go ahead and post a little something for everyone to chew on. I was listening to Christopher Cross earlier today and it dawned on me that he might be one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. He made it big in 1979/1980 with his self-titled debut. He has five Grammy awards and an Oscar too... and he filled in for Richie Blackmore during a Deep Purple tour in 1970. He opened for Led Zeppelin too. Cross has a great tone, is an incredibly talented songwriter and can shred should the need arise. Cross had a very bad bout with COVID-19. The disease temporarily paralyzed him and he developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Cross still has long-haul COVID, walks with a cane and fights brain fog. But he is able to play his guitar again and can't wait to tour again when it is safe. I have seen Cross live and it was pretty incredible. Here's "Ride Like The Wind" live - guitar solo is at 3:30 (also one of my favorite songs of all time!)

Here's "All Right" with a nice solo around 2:30ish. From the album Another Page - the solo is done by Steve Lukather on the album and Michael McDonald sings backup.

There are so many other great songs - these are just two examples. Do you agree Cross is an underrated guitarist?

Comments

[Kixchix]

Did NOT know the Deep Purple thing! Whoa. Listened to All Right and ja the guitar solo is good. Have to admit I listened to this cuz it’s Yacht Rock (may be a worse moniker than Hair Metal). I’ve been know to dab in small doses of Yacht Rock on the beach in summer. So my mind is warm with those thoughts. Best post of the year Alyson!

[Him]

Hey, if he is good enough to sing background for DLR, he's okay in my book!

Cross suffers from, well, Loverboy Syndrome. He is talented as hell but not exactly photogenic. And when that started to matter, a lot of bands/artists that were good got put to the side while more 'cosmetically appealing' artists reigned in the the visual splendor of MTV.

I realize that isn't the only thing. Sure, his music is easy-listening, or yacht rock, or what have you. But, to my untrained ear, he had/has a lot going for him: good vocals, good arrangements, and, as Allyson notes, some sweet licks for all those who are caught between the moon and NYC.

I hope he manages to make a full recovery, so he can continue to entrance fans and keep the ship afloat. After all, the mack dad will make you jump jump!

[Citizen Can]

Indeed! Check out Rick Beato's vlog on CC.
https://youtu.be/j8VwP5iEr1g