Concert Review
Christopher Cross
40th Anniversary Tour
Monday Rocktober 24, 2022
Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Christopher Cross brought his fortieth anniversary tour to the sold out Riviera Theatre Monday evening.The show marked a rare western NY appearance for Cross who has not played here in a very long time. Cross is celebrating the release of his eponymous 1979 debut which earned him five Grammy’s. The album reached #6 and has since sold over five million copies on the strength of four top 40 singles. The show featured the entire album being performed entirely but did so by mixing in the songs throughout the ninety-minute set.
Cross seemed to come out of nowhere in 1979 with his debut which also featured a few guests on it. As Cross explained that Michael McDonald was also in an adjoining studio recording with the Doobie Brothers and ended up adding his vocals to a pair of cuts. Nicolette Larson and Don Henley also added backing vocals on it as well.
Cross brought along a full band which included drummer Francis Arnaud, pianist Jerry Léonide, multi-instrumentalist Andy Suzuki and bassist Kevin Reveyrand. Cross was also accompanied by three female background singers. The band sounded tight and spot on as the tour is almost nearing the end.
Cross and company opened with “Minstrel Gigolo” from his debut before delving into “All Right” from his second album Another Page which peaked at #12 on the singles chart. Other highlights included “Never Be The Same” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do). Song of the night would go to “Sailing” which seemed to ignite the crowd. Every once in a while you go to a show and a song you never heard of strikes a chord. I for one love discovering music that’s new to me that instantly strikes a chord. With that observation I present and recommend the gorgeous “Dreamers”, a stunning song that draws you in instantly and appears from his 2012 release Dr. Faith. Cross also brought out the acoustic and sat down for a pair of tunes including a different take on “Say You’ll Be Mine”.
To be able to still see Cross perform at this level after all he has been through over the past two years is a real treat. Cross has had no easy time since he contracted Covid-19 in the spring of 2020 which in turn caused him to come down with Guillaine-Barre Syndrome (GBS). It was great to see a fully packed Riviera come out and celebrate not only the anniversary of his debut but also the legacy of Cross. Let’s hope he visits very soon as it had been way too long.
Set List
Minstrel Gigolo
All Right
Never Be The Same
Take Five
I Really Don’t Know Anymore
Poor Shirley
Sailing
Walking in Avalon
Dreamers
Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)
Swept Away
Say You’ll Be Mine
Spinning
The Light Is On
No Time for Talk
Ride Like The Wind
Encore
Think of Laura
