Christopher Cross – still doing “Best You Can Do”

For the rest of his days, American Christopher Cross could easily get by performing only his biggest hits, exactly as they appear on his first and most popular albums. But the 74-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist has by no means forgotten what it means to have ambition.

So yes, much of the focus is still on those early records, ”Christopher Cross” (1979) and ”Another Page” (1983) – but every single song is treated with care, featuring a wealth of piano, guitar and, not least, saxophone solos, and even a couple of drum solos. At the same time, Christopher Cross and his four-piece band (plus three backing vocalists) also turn their attention to several lesser-known songs, including ”Dreamers” and ”Like the World”, because ’there are still people who ask for them when they come to see me perform,’ notes Christopher Cross, before adding: ’Those are people who don’t have a life.’

That is Cross as well: a good storyteller and funny. At times, he is almost like a stand-up comedian, as when he shares the story of being offered $1 million to perform for President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. ’No amount of money can make me perform at Mar-a-Lago.’ That was Christopher Cross’s spontaneous reaction, prompting his partner to reply: ’Let’s not jump to conclusions.’

But back to the music. It holds up from start to finish, every single song, because the compositions are firmly rooted in Christopher Cross’s very distinctive songwriting style. They certainly do not become any less interesting when presented a little differently. A song like ”I Really Don’t Know Anymore”, for instance, has taken on a slightly more soulful, smoother and more polished feel, while it takes a while within a beautiful piano theme before it becomes clear that we are heading into what is perhaps his most widely used melody in films and series, the dreamy ”Sailing”.

Overall, the fresh changes lie mainly in the presentation, where most songs are richly wrapped in, above all, outstanding solos from pianist Jerry Léonide and saxophonist Andy Suzuki. You simply drift away time and again. Pure delight. It greatly helps inject an extra dose of energy into a series of already unstoppable classics.

Christopher Cross is also supported by a remarkable sense of presence and a voice that remains almost intact from his younger years. Perhaps slightly uncertain here and there, but still sharp and beautiful, and arguably at its strongest in the heartfelt ballad ”Think of Laura”, which burns just as intensely as when it was first released.

His Oscar-winning film theme ”Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” was used to pay tribute to co-composer Burt Bacharach, and throughout the evening, Christopher Cross radiated a deep sense of gratitude for still being able to travel the world with his songs, despite a somewhat turbulent career marked at times by significant downturns, when both he and his music were largely forgotten or overlooked.

He has clearly come through it all unscathed and still has a strong appetite for performing and bringing joy, and fortunately, he has retained a relaxed approach to his songs. The only slight drawback of the concert was a somewhat inconsistent sound on his vocal microphone – clearly at its best during the quiet, acoustic numbers, and a little more muddled when the full band was in play.

All in all, it was ninety minutes in excellent company with an inspired singer, songwriter and guitarist who remains well worth following. He is by no means finished. On the contrary, the concert only increased the desire to dive into more of the twelve albums he has recorded and released since 1979.

Christopher Cross with band at Musikkens Hus in Aalborg, Friday 24 April 2026.