New Christopher Cross Album Review

[Scott Gross]

In April of 2008, Christopher Cross was booked into a rare month long appearance at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City... The room, an 88 seat cabaret venue that was the regular gig for the late jazz pianist Bobby Short, was something new for Cross and it created quite a challenge -- To scale down the arrangements of his songs and present them backed only by piano & sax. The experience was such a positive one that Christopher went into the studio in an effort to document the new life these wonderful pop songs were given... The result is THE CAFE CARLYLE SESSIONS.

The presentation is simple... Christopher on vocals & acoustic guitar, accompanied by Andy Ezrin on piano & David Mann on sax from the original Carlyle engagement. Joining them for this recording are Kevin Axt on bass and CC band veteran Dave Beyer on drums/percussion. The acoustic jazz combo feel brings an honest, pure sound to the project while all the players are encouraged to stretch out on the solos. Christopher's voice has retained it's clear, melodic quality over the years and sounds fantastic.

Produced by Chris Walden, the new versions of classics like RIDE LIKE THE WIND, SAILING, ARTHUR'S THEME, NEVER BE THE SAME, THINK OF LAURA & more sound both old and new thru these great new jazz arrangements.

Strongly recommended for fans of this music.

[Kenneth Bremer]

It´s an awesome album....