TODAY’S pop is tomorrow’s nostalgia. Look no farther than Christopher Cross’ debut at the Café Carlyle.
This singer/songwriter was a sensation in 1979, when his self-titled album nabbed five Grammys, including Best Album, Best Record, Best Song and Best New Artist. But though he followed it up with several more albums, nothing else came close except “Arthur’s Theme,” the Oscar winner he co-wrote with Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager and the late Peter Allen.
This gig will doubtless attract baby boomers with fond memories of “Sailing,” “Never Be the Same,” “Think of Laura” and, of course, “Ride Like the Wind.”
All were dutifully performed by Cross, accompanying himself on guitar, with sterling support from Andy Ezin on piano and David Mann on keyboards and horns.
The 56-year-old singer looks much the same as he did in his early days – an Adonis he wasn’t – and his clear tenor voice sounds terrific. The mellow music, which included several relatively unknown but pleasant tunes, didn’t suffer at all from the sparse arrangements, with Mann’s sax solos providing a welcome jazzy feel.
Only in “Ride Like the Wind” did one miss the original hard-driving production (not to mention the backing vocals of Michael McDonald).
CHRISTOPHER CROSS
Café Carlyle, 35 E. 76th St.; (212) 744-1600. Through May 10.