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Written by KZYR
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Wednesday, 03 June 2009 |
After a four year break, British singer-songwriter David Gray is
set to return September 22 with "Draw The Line," with help from Annie Lennox.
his first set of
all new songs since 2005's "Life In Slow Motion." While the final
track list is still being finalized, fans can expect at least
eleven new songs and guest vocal turns by Annie Lennox and Brooklyn
based singer-songwriter Jolie Holland. A twelfth song, tentatively
entitled "Indeed I Will," is also under consideration. This will be
Gray's first release on Mercer Street Records, the sister label of
Downtown Records.
Aside from a new label, Gray says "Draw The Line" is marked by a
handful of other necessary changes he found himself needing
creatively - in particular, a new band. Joining him is Keith Prior
on drums, Robbie Malone on bass and Neill MacColl on guitars. "I've
known for some time I've needed a change; a need for a challenge,"
Gray tells Billboard.com. "My appetite for everything was
undiminished. But I needed to find new people and make a fresh
start. It's very easy to get jaded and I wanted some new blood and
new ideas."
"Draw The Line" was written and recorded while Gray was without a
record label, something that he also says worked to his advantage.
"Just like with "White Ladder," which was a different set of
circumstances, this one I made out of contract. Every little tiny
detail, I feel strong about it all. I feel completely bulletproof
with this. I think it shines the light on facets of me as a
performer, a writer and a singer that I haven't perhaps illuminated
as brightly enough for a long time."
"This has been a phenomenally creative period for me," he adds.
"I've produced a huge amount of material and this is just one lot
of it."
Gray is very fond of his guest vocalists, too. Regarding Annie
Lennox, he says she "absolutely transformed the track," the album's
closer "Full Steam Ahead." Holland performs on "Kathleen," one of
the quieter tunes on the set. "It's got some charm to it, that
one," he says. "It's just held its own amongst these bigger
numbers. Holland's vocals just lifts the song out. She's a star;
she's a rare thing."
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