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David Gray blesses us all Dear Life part 1

Writer's picture: Brad GardnerBrad Gardner

Updated: 8 hours ago


David Gray's 13th LP Dear Life is out today Friday, January 17th 2025.
David Gray's 13th LP Dear Life is out today Friday, January 17th 2025.


Before discussing this brilliant album, I would like to share how I first became familiar with David Gray's music and what a ride it’s been being a fan of his.


The year was 2001 and my family and I were on the trip of a lifetime in the South of France followed by a weekend in Paris. We all absolutely fell in love with the citie’s cafes, museums and life changing food and music.


Me (with bleached blond hair) on the Champs-Élysées in the Spring of 2001.
Me (with bleached blond hair) on the Champs-Élysées in the Spring of 2001.

On a city walk, we discovered what is still to this day, the best record store I have ever been to. It was the Virgin Records Megastore right on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The beautiful 3 story building was packed with every kind of media you could imagine and there was even a bar and restaurant at the top floor.


 Upon finding this picture on the web I sadly discovered that the store is now closed.
Upon finding this picture on the web I sadly discovered that the store is now closed.

At this store you could pick any CD of your choosing and walk up to a listening station, scan the barcode on the back of the CD you were interested in and it would magically start playing the album for you. I had never seen anything like that, and my 16 year old mind was blown. This was my happy place, I had found a corner musical heaven.


Keep in mind this was very much the era of the CD and downloads had maybe just begun. I must have spent the better part of an hour looking around the store while my parents happily had some drinks at the bar on the 3rd floor.


After combing through the isles, I had finally chosen an album called White Ladder by David Gray that caught my eye in the new release section. An employee also told me that it was an incredible record. The CD also had a sticker on the front with a testimonial quote from Dave Matthews praising the album and David Gray's songwriting.


I was sold, I bought the album not knowing I would go on go listen to his music for the rest of my life. I can still remember hearing White Ladder for the first time on my portable cd player in my room at a bed and breakfast just blocks away from the Champs-Élysées . It has become a bonding record with my friends and family and I for 23 years now. When we ultimately did return home from Paris, I had an idea to see if he was touring and coming to Canada or if he was a maybe a rare European act only.


To my surprise, the timing was perfect, and he played Toronto just a few months after our trip. That would end up being the first of 6 times I've had the privillage of catching a David Gray concert.


Therefore, it's always a special day when David Gray puts out a new record. All I can really say is that I am thankful for his music and to be a David Gray fan is a magical experience.


Today, 23 years later, David Gray has released his 13th album titled Dear Life. I’m only on my fourth listen through as I write this, but what a beautiful collection of songs this is!


The perfect record to get swept away in with it's lush production and sentiment, packed with captivating lyrics that float among his trademark hypnotic and swirling songwriting that is fraught with soothing hooks. This album has lots of mojo, vibe and presense. The kind of record that can make bad speakers sound good if you know what I mean. The album also features the very welcomed return of fan favorite drummer and original White Ladder collaborator Craig McClune (commonly known by fans as “Clune”.)


“Dear life” was recorded after the success of his White Ladder 2oth anniversary tour which was initially put hold due the global pandemic and was completed the following year. I can confirm that the delay of that tour was absolutely worth the wait.


David Gray white ladder 20th anniversary tour in Toronto, Canada July 15th, 2022 at Budweiser stage


After the tour, Gray moved homes and subsequently recording studios, leaving behind a studio where he had crafted so many of his recent albums. This new change seems to have played a part in this incredibly refreshing batch of songs that he has blessed us with today.


I feel very lucky to live in the same time as this noble songwriter. In Dear Life David Gray takes fans into uncharted musical waters, and it’s a joy.


Love, courage, magic, contemplation and revelation seem to be at the fore with this one. I am so, looking forward to spending more time with the music and catching it live!






To be continued ... 

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