Review + Photos: David Gray Gives a Career-Defining Performance in New Jersey

The acclaimed musician and songwriter is supporting his new album 'Dear Life'

Last night, acclaimed singer-songwriter David Gray bought his Past & Present Tour to the illustrious Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey. The new run sees Gray trekking around the globe extensively, playing a very special career-spanning set that includes some of his biggest hits, a few rare gems, and songs from his latest album, Dear Life. Fans have been filling venues to capacity to experience what may be Gray's finest hour, and he is not disappointing at all.

After a lovely opening set from , Gray strolled out onto the stage and kicked things off with "After the Harvest," the opening track from his new album that arrived just a few days ago. Throughout the 24-song set, David pulled five tracks from his new record, including giving "The First Stone" its live debut. Fans reacted favorably to the new material, which blended in seemlessly with his many other hits.

Sprinkled in among his hits and new tracks were a few rare gems. One such song was "Disappearing World" from 2005's Live in Slow Motion.

"This one, we haven't played this one in a while,"Gray said.

A new song - "Leave Taking" - seemed to be an extra special one for David.

"This song has become a bit of an obsession," he stated. "To write it, to record it, and now to play it live with my mates for you."

Other highlights from the set included "This Year's Love," "Please Forgive Me," Be Mine," "My Oh My," and more. He threw in a cover of the Depeche Mode classic, "Just Can't Get Enough," which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed. His seminal 1998 album White Lader received the most attention, and rightfully so.

At the end of the set, Gray closed things out with a rather obvious choice - his platinum chart-topping hit, "Babylon." The song brought the crowd to its feet once again. Sometimes an artist's signature songs can start to feel a bit overplayed for die-hard fans as time goes on, but it didn't seem like one single person minded hearing Gray belt out "Babylon"once again.

With the crowd needing just a little bit more, Gray returned to the stage and gave them a whole lot more. He proceed to play a four-song encore that started off with the live debut of "The First Stone," followed by the tour debut of "Shine" from his 1993 debut LP A Century Ends. He wrapped things up with "Flame Turns Blue" and "Sail Away."

This tour is the ultimate testament to David's career. Spanning over two decades, he's not only proven his talent as a songwriter, but with this new album, he's proven his staying power. For seasoned fans, this tour is a must-see. For newer fans or anyone looking to catch David for the first time, this just might be the perfect time.