REVIEW: David Gray – White Ladder 20th Anniversary

Multi-platinum, multi Brit award and Grammy nominated David Gray celebrates the 20^th anniversary of his trail blazing album White Ladder. A direct influence to the workings of Ed Sheeran’s making, the anniversary release celebrates this much loved album by expanding it with rarely unheard, unheard and rare material released via CD, digital and for the first time on vinyl on IHT Records.

The set features the album in full, fully remastered but deep down in the music you can hearing the infancy of the recording equipment used to conjure up the album that is so loved universally. Gray at the time of writing and recording the album was an unknown, he had released 3 albums prior which received little if any fanfare. All changed, eventually with White Ladder.

Of the album that is presented here the 2^nd discs opens up some relatively unknown treasures. Lights Of London is a modern day folk say in a similar vein to many Bob Dylan classics, the basics are sometimes the only things you needs to create greatness, i.e. acoustic guitar and vocals. Over My Head has Gray imploring over the microphone ‘all I want is you’ whilst Through To Myself has an almost Velvet Underground feel with its rock and roll feel.

The demo of This Year’s Love features Gray alone delicately tinkling on a piano, maybe some might picture him on a grand piano but it’s more likely to be a Yamaha PRS 75 holed up in his bedroom. Finally the demo of Please Forgive Me actually feels not to dissimilar to the composition that features on the actual album, the electric drum kit with Gray breathing his now well know lyrics over the popular music, the combination inspired many to wobble their heads in unison.

A fine rebirth that will no doubt entice further upcoming singer / song writers to never give up in their quest to achieve recognition for their efforts in bedrooms, doorways and bedsits. Gray and White Ladder is an inspiration to those musical paupers who long for similar successes.

White Ladder – The 20^th Anniversary is available via the following link