Live Review
David Gray – The Roundhouse, Camden, London
Having tested my gulping skills in the quickest pizza-eating session ever and frantically running over to the Roundhouse in time for the support, I arrive in the main space somewhat regretting having worn tights, socks and fur-lined boots. Wedged in between an over friendly couple, a group of cackling ladies and a frankly smelly older man I am beginning to get uncomfortably hot.
Thankfully I don’t have to wait too long before Cornish singer-songwriter (and general nice young man) Ruarri Joseph takes to the stage. Looking like he can’t quite believe his luck he offers a refreshingly energetic collection of blues-tinged songs about lovely things like his wife, friends and daughter to a regrettably less than interested audience. He battles on however, bravely abandoning his guitar towards the end of the set to perform the title track of his debut album Tales of Grime and Grit accompanied only by the stamping of his feet. It’s confident, gutsy; he definitely makes an impact – on me at least – and is all too quickly saying his thank-you-and-goodnight’s.
Half an hour later and bang on schedule the lights are off and Mr Gray ambles into the single spotlight, guitar in hand: “If you hadn’t already guessed, this is the acoustic set”. The crowd now hushed and attentive, he opens with ‘Shine’ taken from his 14-year-old debut album ‘A Century Ends’ of which the majority of the audience are clearly not familiar. Watching him this evening for the first time since an understated Brixton Academy gig back in the dark ages I was a little unsure as to what to expect so at this point, I am more than relieved. For me this is the artist at his best; it’s an intimate, no-frills-attached performance of a well-crafted song, swiftly reminding us of why his music deserves recognition. The rest of the first half continues much along this vain including a haunting performance of Ain’t No Love and an unexpected acoustic version of ‘Babylon’ that is nothing short of a triumph. Stripped of fancy electronics and studio production it allows us to better engage with the song and soon enough the entire audience – smelly older man and all – are singing their hearts out.
Following a further 15-minute break involving a lot of pushing around, pint spilling and general messiness he returns to the stage offering something a little different. Now supported by full band the emphasis shifts to well known crowd pleasers starting with an energetic performance of his most recent single ‘You’re the World to Me’ which, despite having not paid much attention to his career since ‘White Ladder’, seems to have magically penetrated my conscience. Long gone are the days of his quirky drummer kitted out in mismatching Hawaiian shirt and long socks, instead we’re greeted by a group of young men in suit and tie and it all feels a little artificial. Particularly displeasing are some rather overblown electric guitar solos, impairing rather than enhancing the music. Yet despite these flashy extras tracks ‘Sail Away’, ‘The Other Side’ and encore opener ‘Night Blindness’ retain their honest charm and we’re left with definite reassurance that the gritty young songwriter that was so appealing 14 years ago is still in there somewhere.
Having played for nearly two hours tonight the audience certainly got their money’s worth. Yet with a total of seven albums to his name, amongst numerous EPs, David Gray has only scratched the surface of the material available to our eager ears and it is by no means difficult to see that this musician is more than worthy of a Greatest Hits album.