This week, Ira spoke with Christopher Cross.
Singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, who will be performing at the Golden Nugget February 12, made history with his 1980 self-titled debut album, winning five Grammy Awards, including—for the first time ever—the four most prestigious awards: Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also for “Sailing”), and Best New Artist.
Now, 30+ years after his extraordinary emergence into the music business, Cross continues his recording and performing career with a new album, “Secret Ladder,” that evokes the artistry of such great singer-songwriters as Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman while addressing contemporary concerns head-on.
“Of course, I’m still a romantic at heart,” adds Cross, whose classic hits – including “Ride Like the Wind,” and the Oscar-winning “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” from the film starring Liza Minelli and Dudley Moore – remain staples on radio to this day.
While Cross is an avowed pacifist, he is a big supporter of those who serve in the armed forces. “Secret Ladder” includes the late-added track, “We Will Remember You,” as a means of honoring their service.
“My father was an Army doctor and my mother, a nurse,” he says. “I feel strongly that returning vets and those who made the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be recognized and never forgotten. The song itself is neither pro- nor anti-war. The children’s choir really enhances the message. We recorded it after the album was finished, but I felt that it definitely needed to be included.”
The album ends with the loving, lushly orchestrated “A Letter to My Children.” “It’s a very personal song,” says Cross. “I wanted to make a lasting statement for my kids that reflected both the wonderful mystery of their births and my deep feelings for them now that they’re grown.”
http://www.christophercross.com
