David Gray

David Gray – White Ladder Live (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:18:14 minutes | 1,72 GB | Genre: Pop, Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Laugh A Minute Records Ltd

David Gray’s tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his phenomenally successful ‘White Ladder’ album proved to be a life-affirming celebration of a record that forever changed his future and which has soundtracked fans’ lives ever since.

The rapturously received tour took him from the UK and Ireland to South Africa via the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, eventually taking in 54 shows across four continents. And after playing to a total of 130,000 people just during the tour’s initial UK / Ireland arena run, it’s evident that ‘White Ladder’ still means so much to so many people.

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David Gray – Skellig (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 56:12 minutes | 1,14 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Laugh A Minute Records Ltd

After his 1998 hit record ‘White Ladder’ and his most recent 2019 album ‘Gold in a Brass Age’, David Gray treats us to a new emotional rollercoaster with 2021’s ‘Skellig’. This delicate album, steeped in deep melancholy and painful sorrow tells the story of Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of Ireland, which devout pilgrims would travel to in a desperate and perilous search of God. One can only imagine the desolation and the forlorn life some would have led there, far from civilisation. This bleakness is evoked throughout ‘Skellig’ with its languishing acoustic guitar, sombre piano and haunting vocals. Simplicity is king on this record, from its instrumentation to its arrangements, there are no musical redundancies or pretentious harmonic structures. It’s music that is boiled down to its richest, most potent form where the superfluous is eagerly omitted. Album highlight ‘Deep Water Swim’ is an elegant piano/drum led piece that would be right at home on a Leif Vollebekk record. Gray’s characterful vocal performance gives the track a charming tone. The second verse takes you away with the introduction of a curious yet gentle stuttering synth and a warm double bass filling out the low end. This, coupled with the lush backing vocals, creates a thick, alluring atmosphere that could warm the coldest of hearts. Nothing short of bliss… All in all, ‘Skellig’ is a well-balanced, refined and poignant record that merits a long and compassionate listen. Give it a go, this album will put you in touch with your feelings. – Tom Oscar Adams

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