Christopher Cross (album)
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Christopher Cross is the self-titled debut album by Christopher Cross, released in December 1979. Recorded in mid-1979, the album was one of the early digitally recorded albums, utilizing the 3M Digital Recording System.[1] In 1981, it won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It has been noted for being one of the most influential soft rock albums of the early 1980s and famously beat Pink Floyd's The Wall for that year's Grammy.[not verified in body]
Track listing
All songs composed by Christopher Cross.
- "Say You'll Be Mine" – 2:53
- "I Really Don't Know Anymore" – 3:49
- "Spinning" (Duet with Valerie Carter) – 3:59
- "Never Be the Same" – 4:40
- "Poor Shirley" – 4:20
- "Ride Like the Wind" – 4:30
- "The Light Is On" – 4:07
- "Sailing" – 4:14
- "Minstrel Gigolo" – 6:00
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
Personnel
- Larry Carlton – guitar
- Valerie Carter – background vocals
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Christopher Cross – guitar, vocals
- Assa Drori – concertmaster
- Victor Feldman – percussion
- Chuck Findley – trumpet
- Jay Graydon – guitar
- Don Henley – background vocals
- Jim Horn – saxophone
- Eric Johnson – guitar
- Jackie Kelso – saxophone
- Nicolette Larson – background vocals
- Myrna Matthews – background vocals
- Marty McCall – background vocals
- Lew McCreary – trombone
- Michael McDonald – background vocals
- Rob Meurer – synthesizer, keyboards
- Michael Omartian – synthesizer, keyboards, background vocals
- Stormie Omartian – background vocals
- Tomás Ramírez – saxophone
- Don Roberts – saxophone
- Andy Salmon – bass
- J.D. Souther – background vocals
- Tommy Taylor – drums
Production
- Producer: Michael Omartian
- Engineer: Chet Himes
- Arrangers: Christopher Cross, Michael Omartian
Charts and certifications
Chart performance
Album – Billboard (United States)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Pop Albums | 6 |
Singles – Billboard (United States)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | "Ride Like the Wind" | Pop Singles | 2 |
| 1980 | "Sailing" | Pop Singles | 1 |
| 1980 | "Never Be the Same" | Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| 1980 | "Never Be the Same" | Pop Singles | 15 |
| 1981 | "Say You'll Be Mine" | Pop Singles | 20 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI)[4] | Gold | 200,000[3] |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[5] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[6] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Awards
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Album of the Year | Christopher Cross |
| Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | "Sailing" | |
| Record of the Year | ||
| Song of the Year | ||
| Best New Artist | Christopher Cross |
References
- ^ Jim McCullaugh (November 1, 1980), "Digital the Major Topic For N.Y. AES Parley", Billboard "The Christopher Cross LP, at number 32, uses the 3M digital technology"
- ^ Christopher Cross at AllMusic
- ^ "Sale 40 - Lot 492: Italian Gold Record Award For Christopher Cross". Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles. 2011. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
- ^ "Italian album certifications – Christopher Cross – Christopher Cross" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Christopher Cross" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British album certifications – Christopher Cross – Christopher Cross". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Christopher Cross in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American album certifications – Cross, Christopher – Christopher Cross". Recording Industry Association of America.