David Gray

英国曼彻斯特的创作才子David Gray自93年踏进唱片界，连出三张专辑却不见起色，98年卯起来盖录音室，开设IHT音乐品牌自我行销，这位被民谣歌手Joan Baez称赞为“自Bob Dylan以来，乐坛最佳词曲创作者”的年轻人终于以专辑《White Ladder》的沸腾口碑冲破音乐厂牌的商业机制，《White Ladder》蝉连英国金榜6周冠军，光在英国一地就卖出220万张，并在TOP40驻留超过100周以上，更跃升为爱尔兰有史以来最畅销的歌手专辑(不包括合辑)，2000年，透过Dave Matthews自组的ATO音乐厂牌引进美国市场，专辑轻松卖过200万张，2002年更入围葛莱美奖最佳新进艺人，David Gray真诚、简单、深刻的唱作风格树立了新时代的才子典范。
by Andrew Leahey & Kelly McCartney
British singer/songwriter David Gray had released three overlooked albums by the time White Ladder (and its international hit single, Babylon) brought his mix of acoustic instrumentation and electronic samples to the mainstream. Born in Manchester in 1968, Gray relocated to Wales at the age of nine before returning home to attend the University of Liverpool. While in school, he dabbled in several punk bands and began exploring new styles of writing, eventually uncovering his own poetic penmanship. Following a move to London, Gray signed to Hut Records in the United Kingdom and Caroline Records in the United States, releasing the single Birds Without Wings in 1992. The next year saw the release of his folksy full-length debut, A Century Ends. Through his emotional tales of passion, love, and solitude, Grays trademark style of fiery intensity countered with tender poignancy started to find an audience, particularly in Ireland. However, despite frequent solo tours (as well as an opening slot for Shawn Colvin), Grays edgy sophomore effort, Flesh, was released in 1994 to an underwhelming response, and he was subsequently dropped from his label.
Gray was now an independent artist, but EMI Records noted the singers potential and quickly signed him to a new deal. Meanwhile, the buzz in Ireland continued to build thanks to No Disco, an alternative music video program that showcased Gray every chance it got. Hanging on to that thread, Sell, Sell, Sell arrived in 1996 in limited quantities. Gray hitched up his touring boots and hit the road again, this time opening for such heavy hitters as Radiohead and Dave Matthews Band, but a lack of mainstream response resulted in Grays split from EMI. Recapturing and embracing his independence, the musician self-financed his fourth album, White Ladder, and released the album on his own IHT Records in 1998. Recorded in a London apartment with an easy blend of samplers and acoustic guitar, White Ladder was a sublime leap forward for the underappreciated Gray. Ireland certainly recognized its merit, as the record immediately climbed into the Irish Top 30. Gray found other outlets as well, offering five tunes (including the elegiac title track) to the soundtrack of This Years Love. The good fortune continued as former road pal Dave Matthews (who had taken a liking to Gray during their shared tour) made White Ladder the first release on his own ATO Records imprint in 2000. Boosted by this additional release, Babylon enjoyed a positive reception in the U.S. and peaked at number five on the U.K. charts. Its success coincided with Grays performance on the main stage at Glastonbury, and White Ladder went on to enjoy multi-platinum sales.
Gray celebrated his mounting recognition by issuing a handful of albums in 2001, including the compilations Lost Songs 95-98 and The EPs 92-94 as well as reissues of A Century Ends and Flesh. Although Grays popularity proved to be greater in Europe, he became a moderate success in the States as well, and A New Day at Midnight followed up his successful international breakthrough in the fall of 2002. Gray worked with producer Marius de Vries (Björk, Rufus Wainwright) for 2005s Life in Slow Motion; the reflective album debuted at the top of the charts in both Ireland and the U.K., giving Gray the highest chart rankings of his career. The singer then cobbled together his older material for 2007s Shine: The Best of the Early Years. The career-spanning Greatest Hits followed that fall, featuring two new tracks as well as Grays most popular numbers.