Compare Prices
Postage & Packaging: £1.​21
Postage & Packaging: refer to website
Postage & Packaging: Free!
SHOPPING > Music > Rock & Pop > White Ladder - David Gray > Reviews

White Ladder - David Gray

from (17 offers) · Product Information

White Ladder - David Gray

Quote-start

From The Top Of The Ladder....

Quote-end

4 Jan 17th, 2007 

40 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Thoughtful, gentle and above all, British .

Disadvantages:
Depressing, sullen and not good listening for a bad day .  .  .  .

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Originality

Lyrics

Quality and consistency of tracks

How does it compare to the artist's other releases

Value for Money

sam1942

sam1942

About me:

The Police are going to have to come up with some new material if they are to reunite this year - th...

Member since:26.12.2005

Reviews:70

Members who trust:44

Short haired, young unemployed bum in a long dark coat is probably the first visual concept one comes up with when trying to describe the presence of Mr David Gray. Ordinary - no frills or even the hint of lip gloss can be found on this peculiar singer song writer who seems to have sprung up from no where only to slip quietly into the night in the last year or so. Where has he been? No one seems to know. It would appear that when an artist treads over that invisible line from commercial chuck-an-album-out-now-before-they-get-bored attitude to British film soundtrack that gives a musical backing to yet another Hugh Grant scene with puppy dog eyes, they inevitable happens; the singles dry up and Ben Elton forever leaves message on the answer phone, so let's take a peek at was has been in the world of greyer than grey, Gray…

From leaping subjectively from North to West to North again, he has certainly spent his youth as a well travelled young man. Ireland took him under it's green, lush wing and a smallish career fledged. He found a even smaller circle of friends and fans was developing (due to lack of interest in anyone else) and the promise of a future in music was heralded.

It took him, a staggering 8 years before he reached any recognisable success. (Why is it so easy to get a mediocre voice with no personality to win the X factor in three months?) It was with the extraordinary, White Ladder in 1998 that he found himself a house hold name on the release of the single, 'Babylon' (reached number 5 in June 2000.) Now on a par with Domestos and Kellogg's, Gray was thrown into stardom and many awards followed for this sullen album. This, his fourth album ran straight to the hills of the number one slot in the UK album charts and awards followed.

What probably struck us most about this man who on the surface, appeared to be just another guy with a guitar (we've had Bob Dylan, we had seen it all by now) was his gentleness within his capabilities as a songwriter. Yet, strangely, the referrals to Dylan came in thick and fast. His uncanny sound was said to be unmatched since the days of Dylan. An incredible compliment it would seem, but Gray didn't want to walk in someone else's shadow. Unassuming and strictly down to Earth, he never once throws caution to the wind and hits us with something controversial, no, not Mr Gray, who will forever be known for the man that gave us serene beauty and poetry within music, and not to mention a theme tune for the first series of 'Scrubs.'

There is very little that will surprise you about 'White Ladder.' It not just only signifies that ability of this artist but also points out a halt in the music industry at the time of it's release. August 2001 was a tough time. John Lee Hooker had passed away on a couple of months before and the whole feeling of the British music scene was taking a gentle meander down a small slope. What was been thrown upon us was the swell of dance music that nothing else seemed to have a hope in hell's chance of keeping afloat. David Gray broke through however and sailed his 'White Ladder' rubber rings and all, safely to shore.

We are presented with some familiar faces, like flicking through a photo album. The album version of 'Babylon' is featured, yet stripped bare of it's commercial successfulness and lays in it's truest form as the second track. The begging features of 'Please Forgive Me,' compliments the final track which is a cover of Soft Cell's 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.' It is here in typical Gray form; melodic, simple and effective, yet, somehow more intriguing and powerful as it's original recording. Gray has the ability, in this example of taking a track, a well known one, and making it his very own.

Despite his drolling vocal and winding approach to his material, he doesn't give the impression of mono tones and repetitive tunes too much to make the listener feel bored. He folds his arms, sits back and says 'there you are..' You want to know what goes on in his head? Then listen; an artist doesn't come straighter than this album. We even find ourselves pining for a boat and a sublime wave to 'Sail Away,' there is great amounts of room for escapism and dreams here. Fear not, dive in and let your mind carry you off.

Essentially, 'White Ladder,' has allowed us to take a peek into the very spirit of a true singer songwriter. Yes, the likeness between Gray and Dylan is there and it is, somehow, like having Dylan back again when he was inspiring, fresh and new. Gray gives us the opportunity in this album to step further into a man's psyche. He gives us an open door into his soul so we can feel his music as opposed to just listen to it. It captivates and refreshes us in the knowledge that somewhere, musicians can still be on the same wave length as the rest of us. The monochrome effect and depth of 'Nightblindness,' and the sullen words of 'what are we gonna do when the money runs out,' gives us the readiness of this artists work to tune into real life. The down side of this album is the depressive effect that it can have on you. There is little in the way of the feel good factor, yet it the element of the day is reflection and thought, then this album will take you gently by the hand and guide you through which ever mood you chose….


David Gray - vocals/guitar/piano
Neill MacColl - guitar/mandolin/vocals
Andy Metcalf - organ
Simon Edwards and David Nolte - bass
Roy Dods - drums

Iht records UK.
www.davidgray.com
HMV - £7.99
Virgin - $13.99
Amazon - £9.99

©sam1942
Ciao dooyoo and anywhere else..  

How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines

exceptional

very helpful

helpful

somewhat helpful

not helpful

off topic

Products you might be interested in »

Back To Bedlam - James Blunt

Back To Bedlam - James Blunt

Singer/Songwriter - StudioRecording - 1 CD(s) - Label: Atlantic - Distributor: Cinram Logistics - Released: 13/06/2005, 14/03/2005 - 75679345127, 75678375255

User reviews (61)

Buy now for only £ 2.80

River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)

River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)

Rock & Pop - StudioRecording - 1 CD(s) - Label: Rev-Ola - Distributor: Plastic Head - Released: 20/01/2003 - 5013929431423

Rate it now

Buy now for only £ 5.71

Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand

Alternative - StudioRecording - 1 CD(s) - Label: Domino - Distributor: PIAS UK/Sony DADC - Released: 09/02/2004 - 5034202113621

User reviews (36)

Buy now for only £ 0.01

Live Concert At The Forum - Barbra Streisand

Live Concert At The Forum - Barbra Streisand

Classic Pop Vocals - LiveRecording - 1, 2 CD(s) - Label: Columbia - Distributor: Sony Music/Arvato Services - Released: 07/1997, 27/09/2004, 10/1994, 18/09/2000 - 5099748794321, 5099748048820, 5099747759925, 4250079731497, 5099720234494, 5099749743526

User reviews (1)

Buy now for only £ 2.44

1 - Beatles (The)

1 - Beatles (The)

Rock & Pop - StudioRecording - 1 CD(s) - Label: Apple - Distributor: EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics - Released: 13/11/2000 - 724352997022

User reviews (68)

Buy now for only £ 1.49

Top Ten Hits Of The 60's - The Best Sixties Groups Ever - Various Artists

Top Ten Hits Of The 60's - The Best Sixties Groups Ever - Various Artists

Rock & Pop - 1 CD(s) - Label: Pegasus - Distributor: Trilogy Logistics - Released: 29/08/2003 - 5034504202023

User reviews (1)

Buy now for only £ 0.98

Comments about this review »

n13roy 31.01.2007 10:32

Another really well written, detailed and very informative CD review from you here, I've not heard this for a while now, but I know its a great CD, I especially like the cover version of the Soft Cell classic..........Roy.....

silver-fir4 21.01.2007 15:46

Good review, I never heard a song of David Gray before ... LG Tomas

allmodcons 19.01.2007 21:20

Good review of a great album. You're right, A David Gray could never win X factor or its' ilk. I'm strangely reassured by that....

Compare prices for White Ladder - David Gray »

1 to 5 out of 17 offers for White Ladder - David Gray Show all offers   sorted by: Price 
White Ladder - David Gray

White Ladder - David Gray

A major artist in Ireland, David Gray has a loyal but somewhat smaller following ... more

throughout the rest of the world. Since his 1994
debut albumA Century Ends, he has consistently
produced quality, folk-tinged songs that showcase
his one major talent--a r...

amazon marketplace music

Postage & Packaging£1.21
AvailabilityUsually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon marketplace m...
White Ladder - David Gray (MP3-Download)

White Ladder - David Gray (MP3-Download)

amazon mp3-downloads

Postage & Packagingrefer to website
Availabilityrefer to website
 Visit Shop  >
amazon mp3-downloads...
White Ladder - David Gray

White Ladder - David Gray

A major artist in Ireland, David Gray has a loyal but somewhat smaller following ... more

throughout the rest of the world. Since his 1994
debut album A Century Ends, he has consistently
produced quality, folk-tinged songs that showcase
his one major talent--a ...

amazon.co.uk

Postage & PackagingFree!
AvailabilityUsually dispatched within 24 hours...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon.co.uk
White Ladder - David Gray (MP3-Download)

White Ladder - David Gray (MP3-Download)

amazon mp3-downloads

Postage & Packagingrefer to website
Availabilityrefer to website
 Visit Shop  >
amazon mp3-downloads...


More reviews »

White Ladder - David Gray - review by nadams

Advantages: Talented artist, inspirational lyrics
Disadvantages: Many radio stations are not playlisting his songs

White Ladder - David Gray - review by nadams nadams 07.07.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of White Ladder - David Gray

White Ladder - David Gray - review by WILMA

Advantages: excellent
Disadvantages: to short

White Ladder - David Gray - review by WILMA WILMA 16.03.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of White Ladder - David Gray

White Ladder - David Gray - review by joshnev

Advantages: a nice mix of styles, good lyrics
Disadvantages: a couple of poor tunes,

White Ladder - David Gray - review by joshnev joshnev 05.11.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of White Ladder - David Gray

White Ladder - David Gray - review by micksheff

Advantages: Very easy To Listen Too
Disadvantages: Quite Melancholy

White Ladder - David Gray - review by micksheff micksheff 30.06.2005 (30.06.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of White Ladder - David Gray

White Ladder - David Gray - review by shanecahill

Advantages: They're fairly feckin' good
Disadvantages: Well, it's not about White Ladder is it?

White Ladder - David Gray - review by shanecahill shanecahill 23.03.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of White Ladder - David Gray



Are you the manufacturer / provider of White Ladder - David Gray? Click here