This is one of the pieces he created for a full orchestra. After the opening section, the breakdown part, as in bluegrass, starts with David Grisman also making an appearance. The album's lengthiest piece is called D'Alien which takes on a more electric sound than much of the rest of the CD, with Erik Golub's amplified violin and Taylor himself on the electric guitar. The track allows opportunities for solos by the various players, but unfortunately, it never seems to take off musically. When Golub's electric violin becomes a prominent part of the arrangement, the result can sometimes be reminiscent of the Dixie Dregs or Kansas.
Swamp Fox is a good example, and it's one of the album's better overall compositions.
Taylor allows himself to get quite electric with his guitars. Also with a similarly electric sound is Freerun with an interesting blend of driving rock and hints of baroque, played by Taylor on 12-string acoustic guitars that can sound like a harpsichord. Taylor overdubs at least three different acoustic guitars for the short arrangement of Greensleeves , which proves to be a great little musical gem. The album ends with its title track, The Crossing , which again sums up the sound of this CD with its amalgam of baroque, art rock, and jazz-rock fusion. Before the piece exits in a very cinematic coda with the Kronos Quartet.