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October 31, 2009 / Filed under: Music, Reviews, Video Embed

"And I was yours, and you were truly mine. All mine."

- David Gray, "Jackdaws"

The tone was set right away. After emerging from backstage to the main microphone, with the crowd loudly applauding his arrival, David Gray started strumming the opening song, "Fugitive," of his latest album, Draw The Line. He then stopped abruptly, turned to his lead guitarist to his left, and started laughing hysterically as if suddenly recalling the funniest joke, and couldn't bear to hold in his laugh at the most inopportune time.

"Woah. That's not how that should go."

The crowd immediately began laughing along with him.

When most bands enter the stage and lead into the opening song in perfect harmony, David Gray instead bumbled his way into it, but demonstrated the exact type of fellow he is - an artist that sings as human as he performs - an easy-going, charming, regular guy with a remarkable talent for composing warm, rich melodies.

Regarding the opening song - apparently he didn't hit the right chords, or perhaps he was merely overwhelmed by the expansive and captivating Auditorium Theatre in downtown Chicago, designed by the famous architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan.

Either way, it took a moment for the UK native to compose himself, and a second attempt got the show started. Once it did, all else was forgotten. Music poured out from the stage, blanketing the theatre with warm vibrations of magnificent sound.

From our box seats along the right side of the stage, we had a great view of the band. We were also overlooking the main floor seating area, seeing the tops and sides of peoples heads.

One fan stood out amongst the crowd of seated patrons. He was bopping and rolling his head, waving his arms to the rhythm, and mouthing every lyric of every song. Unconcerned with those around him, he went at it as if sitting alone in his bedroom where no one could see what he was doing. Each concert usually has at least one such fan, who are often entertaining to watch, especially at a more subdued show like that of David Gray, where such displays of affection are more noticeable.

Between watching the band and this eager, demonstrative fan, we had plenty to keep our eyes on.

David Gray has a wonderful mix of guitar and piano songs. He practically jumped back and forth between the two instruments the whole night. Each melody sounded crisp and lively - which is what makes concerts so great - the music you only hear through basic speakers or headphones is completely brought alive on stage with mega-sounding speakers and equipment.

He played for over 90 minutes, with minimal breaks and talking. It was all music. I believe he got through the entire track listing of his latest release, Draw The Line, and also delved into some older, classic favorites.

On a miserably rainy and dreary Thursday night in the heart of downtown Chicago, David Gray made things "okay," even if just for a couple of hours.

Walking out of a concert is like walking out of a movie - you're so engrossed and captivated, you become a part of that world for just a short amount of time. Once the lights come on, it's like slamming you back into reality.

As my buddy Pat and I headed out into the rain, preparing for a long commute home, and minimal sleep before work the next morning, one thing was clear.

We'd get through it as David Gray did - it might start out on the wrong note, but by not taking ourselves too seriously, we'd make it.