Live Review: Christopher Cross

Forum Theatre has been set up in seated mode tonight and punters wait patiently for Christopher Cross, who tours our shores for the first time in two decades, to hit the stage. Our anticipation is real. And from the moment Cross and his exceptional backing band - recruited from all corners of the globe, but mostly from France - hit the stage we know we're in for an absolute treat. These songs are part of our fibre and fondly remembered from childhood; we're transported back to seaside family holidays and coasting along Great Ocean Road in dad's green Alfa Romeo with Sailing blaring full-blast through the speakers.   

Cross' trademark, pathos-drenched vocals are flawless live - no one else on the planet sings like him; his tone is wistful, longing and filled with hope much like a teenager's unrequited crush. It's thrilling to anticipate different instrumental parts before they filter into song arrangements and we can barely contain ourselves when we recognise Sailing's intro. The gentle tinkling piano in this song sounds like the sun reflecting off the water, sparkling and incandescent. Andy Suzuki's sax playing is so wonderfully subtle and the way his instrument gradually edges its way into a piece and then escalates, becoming the focal point, is perfectly showcased during the touching Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do). Cross' between-song banter is affable and he pays tribute to Dudley Moore, stating the late actor is the only Arthur as far as he's concerned.

New song Roberta, which Cross wrote about his mentor Joni Mitchell (Mitchell's real name is Roberta Joan Anderson), bodes well for his upcoming record. Cross happily directs the spotlight toward his talented backing players and a bass solo particularly blows our minds - how does he do that!? His two backing vocalists from Nashville are so much more than that; each lady is given her own opportunity to take lead vocals and they boast completely different vocal tones that somehow seamlessly blend when harmonising with Cross. All Right sounds extra exquisite thanks to Marcia Ramirez's crystalline-pure pipes. But it's closer Ride Like The Wind that totally finishes us off. A handful of punters can't resist the boogie urge and rise to their feet: "And I've got such a long way to go/To make it to the border of Mexico" - what a tune! We all sing along to this masterful composition - "Bah-dah-dah-dah/Bah/Bah/Bah/Baaah" - and wish we could rewind to the beginning of this gig to experience it all again immediately. Here's hoping Cross will return to promote his eagerly awaited forthcoming 15th album pronto!