If you are of a certain age, you will know who Christopher Cross is. Judging by all the 50’ish folks we were walking toward the Epcot entrance with (at 4:50 – just in time for the 5:30 show), I suspected that they, like us, had decided to come out and see Christopher Cross. This was his first appearance at an Epcot festival…
Sidebar: After his first song he thanked Epcot for inviting him. In fact to paraphrase, he said something like this was a dream come true. He has wanted to perform at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for years. Turns out someone in Starship (Starship is very popular every year) told the suits at Epcot about his interest… Proves yet again, it is not “what you know” but “who you know”.
Anywho, we stop by and hear a bit of many of the performers. However, there are few that we care to listen to a full set. Not that anyone is bad. We were/are not concert folks. I can see and hear things way better renting a concert video. I don’t need to hold my breath to go to the toilet and I can enjoy way better adult beverages and food at home. So no, concerts will never be a draw for us. But hey, Epcot gives us free entertainment nearly 20% of the year. So yes, we do stop at the back and check out as many performers as we reasonably can. Plus, the sets are only 30 minutes and it is Disney…
Honestly, I am not certain why I wanted us to make a “special” trip to Epcot for this performance. Yes, I have fond memories of “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme” but where has Christopher Cross been the last 30 years? Not doing much according to Wikipedia BUT my fond memories of his first album are clear and from Wikipedia:
“Cross released his self-titled debut album, Christopher Cross, in 1979, which garnered him five Grammy Awards. He made Grammy history by winning all four General Field Grammy awards (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist) in the same year. To date, he is the only artist to have won those four awards in the same year. Hot 100 top 20 hits from this album included “Ride Like the Wind” (featuring backing vocals by Michael McDonald), “Sailing“, “Never Be the Same“, and “Say You’ll Be Mine” (featuring backing vocals by Nicolette Larson).”
Yes, as I said, we stop for many performances. Most of the time we can grab a seat at the back if we want to sit. But not for this show…
This is the back of the theater. People were sitting all along the outer walls. There were people sitting on all the planter edges. Cast members were trying to keep people from clogging the aisles as all seats were taken. Seriously, people had “moved to the center of the theater and filled all available space”. There were people standing on the planters in front of American Adventure (until asked by cast members to not be a “safety problem”).
Our view was pretty much this:
But did I enjoy it? Yes! Why? I don’t know… The playlist was his 5 hits. (Never Be The Same, Sailing, Arthur’s Theme, Ride Like the Wind, Say You’ll Be Mine) To his credit, all the musicians were given spotlight solos. Some arrangements had been altered to allow the solos. The back-up singers covered the high notes and Mr. Cross “worked past” notes that he could no longer handle. But all in all I was glad I made a point to go see him and I hope he becomes a “regular” at the one of the festivals. The crowd certainly enjoyed it. We saw several couples dancing…
It is nice to be “of a certain age”… nora and I didn’t dance but we did share a hug, squeeze and lots of smiles. That is not “extra magic” – that is love…
nick
