David Gray's songs continue to resonate with fans
When it comes to storytelling, British singer-songwriter David Gray is a master.
He proved it again when he performed Thursday as part of the summer concert series on "The Early Show."
His latest CD is a live album with Gray and his band performing songs from two of his most recent CDs, both of which were international best-sellers.
Gray burst onto American airwaves in the summer of 2000 with "Babylon," the infectious single from his multi-platinum effort, "White Ladder."
"There is just something in the sound and the feel of that song that just captures people's attention," said Alan Light, editor of Spin magazine.
The album spent 83 weeks on the Billboard charts, earning Gray a Grammy nomination for best new artist.
"David's songwriting is very smart, literate and sophisticated," Light adds. "It's not showy and super-wordy; sometimes, the songs are built around simple choruses."
But despite his gift for words and melodies, Gray was hardly an overnight sensation. He released three albums in the '90s while constantly touring his native U.K.
He was out there playing in obscure pubs playing to very few people, waiting for the big time to hit.
Eventually, he landed high=profile gigs, opening for acts like Dave Matthews Band and Radiohead before experiencing mainstream success.
"Those are the baby steps. Then there is a big leap and then you go on from there," Light points out.
After nearly 20 years in the music business Gray is really hitting his stride. His most recent studio album, "Foundling" debuted in the top 10 -- the highest release position of his career.
"I think that this is someone who is a mature writer and a mature performer and there is no reason that he can't continue to work at this level or higher and he can continue to build an audience for another 10, 20, 30 years," Light said.