With a Greatest Hits album released last Christmas and no new material to promote, it was relaxed David Gray who took to the stage in Cambridge on Easter Sunday to complete a short UK tour.  For the next hour and three quarters, we were treated to most of David’s best-known tunes as well as a few more obscure moments from his back catalogue.

Arriving solo with jut an acoustic guitar for company, David went back to his roots to start with an excellent Shine.  This was followed by the rarely heard Living Room and the arrival of his guitarist and bassist to perform his best-known song.  Something of a milestone around Gray’s neck, Babylon is nevertheless a stunning song with poignant images and a fantastic tune.  The stripped down acoustic version was powerful and followed by the sole tune featured form David’ s other newish album – an excellent Long Black Veil from his covers CD which is only available at gigs or from his website.

After this, the drummer and keyboardist appeared to complete the David Gray band.  Dressed in identical suits, the four backing musicians certainly didn’t look very rock’n’roll but provided sympathetic, often textured backing to Gray’s songs.  The band particularly shone on the encores, a thrilling extended version of the relatively unknown White Ladder track Night Blindness followed by a syncopated Please Forgive Me.  Other highlights of an excellent gig included a moving Other Side, extended Lately and atmospheric From Here You Can Almost See The Sea though David’s long-standing fans would have also enjoyed hearing lesser-played numbers such as two songs from the underwhelming Sell Sell Sell LP.

Last time I saw David Gray live, the support act were the brilliantly talented Rodrigo & Gabriella and this time the openers also didn’t disappoint nor outstay their welcome.  We were treated to a handful of songs by the Neil Young influenced Phil Campbell followed by a set of similar length by the astounding vocalist Beth Rowley and her jazz and 60s influenced songs.  Definitely possible names for the future with Rowley already beginning to get significant recognition.  Both warmed the evening up nicely for the David Gray band who were also supported well by an effective light show and fine sound mix.  All in all then, an excellent intimate evening at a superb venue with a few welcome surprises in the set list.

2.4.08