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Post by jjnaz on May 16, 2008 22:35:33 GMT -5
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Post by jjnaz on May 16, 2008 22:37:36 GMT -5
Gavin DeGraw’s self-titled album debuts at No. 7 on BillboardBy M&C News May 14, 2008, 15:47 GMT Platinum recording artist and singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw roars back with his self-titled album ‘Gavin DeGraw’ (J Records). Spurred on by his infectious first single “In Love with a Girl,” the album enters the Billboard album charts at #7 with 66,111 albums sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. ‘Gavin DeGraw’ marks Gavin’s first Top 10 album and celebrates his biggest scan week ever. Additionally, the album is #1 on the digital sales chart this week. ‘Gavin DeGraw’ is the long-awaited follow-up to his platinum debut Chariot, which featured the hit singles “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Chariot” and “Follow Through”. The video for Gavin’s new single, “In Love With A Girl,” was directed by acclaimed director Wayne Isham and features “Laguna Beach” beauty Kristin Cavallari. The video debuted with an appearance from Gavin on MTV’s “TRL” in April and is currently in large rotation on VH-1. Additionally, “In Love With A Girl” has been in the Top 10 for three weeks on the Hot AC radio chart. Billboard Magazine dubs his infectious first single “In Love With A Girl,” “A rocking home run in the same ballpark as ‘I Don't Want to Be,’” while USA Today remarks that the songs on ‘Gavin DeGraw’ are, “At once instinctively earnest and resolutely clever,” and People Magazine states, “The singer/songwriter quickly reminds us why we fell for him.” Gavin has performed his hit "In Love With A Girl" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS Early Morning, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Last Call with Carson Daly and is scheduled to perform on The Late Show with David Letterman in June. Additionally, DeGraw performed on Clear Channel’s “Stripped” on release date and has recently appeared on MTV’s “TRL” and Vh-1’s “Top 20 Countdown.” ‘Gavin DeGraw’ was produced by the famed Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson who is known for his work with bands as varied as My Chemical Romance, Daughtry and Motörhead. The album showcases an edgy pop/rock sound evident on the first single, “In Love With A Girl.” The 12 songs on ‘Gavin DeGraw’ revisit the themes of love and relationships, while taking Gavin’s matured songwriting in an exciting new direction. DeGraw has performed on nearly all major national television shows and his songs have been featured in many television shows and feature films most notably his hit single, “I Don’t Want to Be” as the theme song for the WB hit, “One Tree Hill.” In addition, DeGraw wrote and recorded "We Belong Together" for the 2006 film “Tristan and Isolde” and has made appearances on the season premieres of NBC’s “American Dreams,” Showtime’s “Dead Like Me,” and on the WB’s “What I Like About You.” www.monstersandcritics.com/music/news/article_1405414.php/Gavin_DeGraws_self-titled_album_debuts_at_No._7_on_Billboard_
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Post by jjnaz on May 16, 2008 22:40:01 GMT -5
Gavin DeGraw: Not that kind of singer-songwriterBy Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer May 15, 2008 Gavin DeGraw describes himself as a singer-songwriter but he says it with a sour expression. That's because these days that term evokes a sensitive pretty-boy image, while DeGraw's ideal would have a bit more gravel and gravity, along the lines of Kris Kristofferson. "That's exactly how I view it," said the 31-year-old artist, whose self-titled sophomore album debuted this week at No. 7 on the national sales chart after selling more than 66,00 copies in its first week of release. "Right now there are a lot of young men who are singer-songwriters who have this image that is a little softer than I like. I'm more comfortable with men who act like men and make music that reflects that." The rock-inflected "Gavin DeGraw" gives the singer his first trip to the Top 10, and his path has, like so many music stars today, been paved by television more than radio. The South Fallsburg, N.Y., native first cut through when his song "I Don't Want to Be" was selected as the theme song to "One Tree Hill," and his songs have popped up repeatedly on "American Idol." "The era of a Wolfman Jack picking up a song and making someone's career by bringing it to a radio audience, that's just not happening anymore," DeGraw said. "Now you have to find different routes to your audience, and television and the Internet are the ones that seem to be working." That approach is working for veterans as well: Neil Diamond, boosted by his recent visit to “American Idol,” saw his latest album, "Home Before Dark," sell 146,000 copies to claim the No. 1 spot on the chart -- the first time the 67-year-old star has reached that top slot on the tally. Also debuting this week: Toby Keith's double-disc "35 Biggest Hits" at No. 2 (103,000 copies sold) and Clay Aiken's "On My Way Here" at No. 4 (94,000). Josh Groban, Dierks Bentley and Luis Miguel also debuted this week with new albums, taking positions 8 through 10 on the chart. geoff.boucher@latimes.com www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-gavin15-2008may15,0,5756963.story
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Post by jjnaz on May 16, 2008 22:43:35 GMT -5
Neon Reviews: Gavin DeGraw's Self-titled AlbumAuthor: TJ Tanner Four years ago I fell in love with a boy. His voice was full of soul; his songs were sweet and easy to digest. Whether he was strumming his guitar or sitting at the piano, he drew me in with every word that came out of his mouth. He was Mr. Nice Guy and couldn’t be anything but even if he tried. His name? Gavin DeGraw. And even though he’s trying to somewhat shake his Mr. Nice Guy image with a new sound, he’s still the same charming guy I fell in love with on his debut album, “Chariot,” four years ago. On “Chariot” we were introduced to the South Fallsburg, New York native who is probably most noted for his first single, “I Don’t Want to Be,” which also doubles as the theme song for “One Tree Hill.” The album drew critical acclaim for fusing together soul, rock, and pop seamlessly and for Gavin’s talent for writing songs about love people from all walks of life could relate to. Even under the more rock-oriented sound of his sophomore self-titled album, his artful songwriting is not lost. He can still poetically get across the sentiments of being in love, falling out of love or being rebellious. To get that rock edge, DeGraw enlisted music producer Howard Benson whose resume reads like a contemporary rock who’s who (he’s worked with Daughtry, Hoobastank, Flyleaf, and My Chemical Romance). And just like the songwriting, there’s no losing that soul influence in his voice. The album opener and first single, “In Love With A Girl,” is a good example of the new sound. It’s blaring rock guitar and Gavin’s edgier vocal delivery kind of give you a hint of what’s to come but often he revisits classic GDG. Top 5 songs according to TJ, in no particular order, are: - Next To Me: From the minute this song starts, you just know it’s going to be a good one. It’s rock/pop joy. It’s the perfect song to sing along to. I mean, come on! “Wait a minute, sister/I know I aint your mister yet/Just gimme the chance and see/but you won’t even get next to me.” How can you not love it? - I Have You To Thank: This song is perfect. Gavin’s voice is purely hypnotic. He sings about being so completely in love with a girl that he can’t think of being with anyone else. No one else will ever compare. The emotion evoked in his voice is so clear that you can completely feel it and you kinda wish you were the girl he’s singing about. Lucky betch. - Cop Stop: Gavin’s talent as a songwriter is really displayed in this one. There are good pop songwriters out there but few can turn a song about an emotionally overrun woman into such a delicious metaphoric pop masterpiece. “Wishing wells were made to echo a dime/the consequences are you keep on relying/you’ve become a run and hide refugee/baby I’m a cop, stop/put up your hands and surrender to me.” Saving a wounded duck has never sounded so good. - She Holds The Key: The return of “Chariot” era Gavin. Gavin cites soul greats like Sam Cooke and Smokie Robinson as some of his top influences, and there’s no denying that when you hear this song. “She Holds The Key” is a soul-drenched ballad that is just as gorgeous stripped down acoustically as it is on the album - order his album at www.gavindegraw.com and you can see what I’m talking about. Yup, I’m gonna be stingy. - We Belong Together: I can’t take how alluring Gavin’s voice is in this song. From the minute the song opens with Gavin singing, “We belong together like the open seas and shores,” I want to scream, “I KNOW! I KNOW WE DO!” The chick in the song doesn’t believe they do, though. The production is pretty simple, this song is driven completely by its compelling lyrics and Gavin’s delivery. The bridge offers a pretty hawt guitar solo but the best part is at the end where a vulnerable DeGraw sings, “Someday when you’re lonely/Sometime after all this bliss/Somewhere lost in emptiness/I hope you find this gift…./I hope you find this gift…./I hope you find this gift.” Silly betch. So, am I still in love with this boy? Clearly. The core of who Gavin DeGraw is as a musician is still written all over this new album. Mr. Nice Guy isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. He’s just gotten a little bit more edgy. neonlimelight.com/2008/05/10/neon-reviews-gavin-degraws-self-titled-album/
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Post by jjnaz on May 16, 2008 22:45:34 GMT -5
Billboard.com - ReviewOn his sophomore album—the follow-up to 2003's slow-building platinum smash "Chariot"—Gavin DeGraw deftly weaves together rock, pop and soul influences without letting the seams show. Courtesy of producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, P.O.D., My Chemical Romance), this 12-song set leans more on its rock muscle than anything else, with biting guitar chords punctuating DeGraw's taut and tuneful melodies in the opening track and first single, "In Love With a Girl," to such classic rock-aping pieces as "Relative." DeGraw's soulful vocal swoops stand out on "I Have You to Thank," while his balladeer side emotes on "Young Love" and "Let It Go." "We Belong Together" moves from an anthemic start into a delicate dynamic build that provides a master class in DeGraw's deft straddle between craft and passion. —Gary Graff www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i9fd76a66aebe6d4c64e17bb437a80f27
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Post by jjnaz on May 16, 2008 23:07:57 GMT -5
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Post by jjnaz on May 25, 2008 19:07:27 GMT -5
From PEOPLE Magazine, 5/26/08: From NASCAR Illustrated, February 2008:
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Post by jjnaz on May 28, 2008 22:31:05 GMT -5
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Post by jjnaz on May 30, 2008 23:49:39 GMT -5
Here's a review on the London show... __________ DeGraw Follows Through with Great Show PromiseAmira Hashish, Evening Standard 29.05.08 (Critic rating: 5 stars) Occasionally, you stumble across an exceptional gig; the type that makes you realise why live music is hard to beat in the entertainment stakes. By the time Gavin DeGraw finished his third song at Shepherds Bush, he had laid down the foundations for one such show. Mid-way it was pretty much cemented, building up to a polished and well-rounded finale. Superb. So, to continue with the building analogy, let's fill in the gaps...Certain songs fulfilled their true potential when performed live; Chemical Party being one. Showing off his impressive range in an improvised interlude, the singer wouldn't have been out of place leading a gospel group. But his transition into rock and blues was made with ease. You name it, he can adapt to it as far as music genre is concerned. It's not surprising then that he has a background in opera. Essentially though, Gavin's music is accessible enough to fall into the pop category and this is probably the reason the venue was packed. It would seem he has a loyal following. Most of the songs from first album Chariot were accompanied by a singalong. The American artist even left the vocals to the audience at times while he played the piano or guitar (with flair). Judging by the new material showcased, the soon to be release second album sounds promising. If Gavin returns this time next year, no doubt its songs will be greeted with the same warm reception as tracks like Follow Through and In Love With a Girl (the latest single). Of course, every great performer needs firm support. And Gavin's band, comprising of musicians from New Orleans and New York, went beyond their call of duty. So comfortable was he with his group that he thought nothing of stopping half-way through a song to correct mistakes. Professional and confident, it was difficult to fault this set. What a show. www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-23351428-details/Gavin+DeGraw/gigReview.do?reviewId=23488365
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Post by jjnaz on May 31, 2008 0:01:30 GMT -5
Here's a link to an interview from the same London reporter (see article above). It's very long, but here are some highlights: www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23487712-details/Good+to+talk/article.doHow charming it is to listen to Gavin Degraw. Not just when he sings but also in conversation. He is the sort of person that takes the time to get drawn in and, in turn, gives you a thorough response; a great talker. He, unlike many males, isn't deterred by the phone either. From the word 'hello' the musician is ready to chat be it on an international call or face to face. In short, Gavin has a lot to say and it's a pleasure to speak to him. ... 'When I was in my teens I went to an awesome concert that changed my perspective on music. Until then, I didn't think it could offer the type of career that would be helpful to others. But when I noticed how much joy came over the people at this show I realised music was medicine. It wasn't going to cure anything but it certainly would alleviate the pain for a little while. Then I thought ok, I can pursue this because it's not totally selfish.' ... One of the biggest compliments Gavin has received is from Kris Kristofferson who said, 'Gavin I'm a new fan' when bumping into him at the songwriter's hall of fame. But the highlight of his career came backstage at one of his concerts. 'Sam Cooke's brother and Solomon Burke heard me perform one of Sam Cooke's songs and congratulated me on doing it justice. That was amazing.'
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Post by sunshine on May 31, 2008 0:04:15 GMT -5
Here's a review on the London show... __________ DeGraw Follows Through with Great Show PromiseAmira Hashish, Evening Standard 29.05.08 (Critic rating: 5 stars) Occasionally, you stumble across an exceptional gig; the type that makes you realise why live music is hard to beat in the entertainment stakes. By the time Gavin DeGraw finished his third song at Shepherds Bush, he had laid down the foundations for one such show. Mid-way it was pretty much cemented, building up to a polished and well-rounded finale. Superb. So, to continue with the building analogy, let's fill in the gaps...Certain songs fulfilled their true potential when performed live; Chemical Party being one. Showing off his impressive range in an improvised interlude, the singer wouldn't have been out of place leading a gospel group. But his transition into rock and blues was made with ease. You name it, he can adapt to it as far as music genre is concerned. It's not surprising then that he has a background in opera. Essentially though, Gavin's music is accessible enough to fall into the pop category and this is probably the reason the venue was packed. It would seem he has a loyal following. Most of the songs from first album Chariot were accompanied by a singalong. The American artist even left the vocals to the audience at times while he played the piano or guitar (with flair). Judging by the new material showcased, the soon to be release second album sounds promising. If Gavin returns this time next year, no doubt its songs will be greeted with the same warm reception as tracks like Follow Through and In Love With a Girl (the latest single). Of course, every great performer needs firm support. And Gavin's band, comprising of musicians from New Orleans and New York, went beyond their call of duty. So comfortable was he with his group that he thought nothing of stopping half-way through a song to correct mistakes. Professional and confident, it was difficult to fault this set. What a show. www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-23351428-details/Gavin+DeGraw/gigReview.do?reviewId=23488365WOW!! Impressive review, Joyce. This sort of rave makes you want to go see him perform doesn't it?
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Post by jjnaz on May 31, 2008 0:12:03 GMT -5
WOW!! Impressive review, Joyce. This sort of rave makes you want to go see him perform doesn't it? Absolutely!! I added some more tour dates in the other thread, but there's nothing in AZ or CA yet. Still waiting...
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Post by jjnaz on May 31, 2008 23:05:46 GMT -5
DeGraw doesn't wanna be another singer-songwriterBy Erin Carlson Associated Press Writer Friday, May 30, 2008 NEW YORK -- The term "singer-songwriter" makes Gavin DeGraw cringe. "It makes you feel like a weakling the way all the singer songwriters are marketed, you know what I mean? ... It's not masculine enough for me. I don't feel like I fall into that category in a lot of ways," he said. Maybe it's because he was seen as the sensitive songwriter dude that the gregarious 31-year-old is anxious to break out of that mold. DeGraw -- who sings, writes, and plays multiple instruments -- debuted his skills as a pop artist on his 2003 album "Chariot." The CD went platinum two years after its release and spawned the hit "I Don't Want To Be," and the love song "Follow Through." DeGraw sought a harder edge for his recently released, self-titled second album. He enlisted the expertise of producer Howard Benson, who helped shape discs by Daughtry and My Chemical Romance. "I thought it was important to get someone who could grab the vocal and really push it out in the forefront, and put enough body in the rest of the recording to make it sound powerful," DeGraw said. "Instead of like a weakling. I think it's very important right now. And the way that ... the music business has marketed people who do what I do is a great disappointment to a man like me." Benson's handiwork can be heard on the new single "In Love With a Girl," which begins with a hard-rock guitar intro. The focus of the music, though, is DeGraw's bread-and-butter: his catchy hooks, soulful voice and emotive lyrics. "I wasn't trying to distinguish the album as a rock album or a soul album or a singer-songwriter album," he said. "I was intentionally trying to avoid the idea of being one genre, and just be someone who writes songs and will do whatever production suits the song." Tom Corson, executive vice president of J Records, said DeGraw is "growing up a bit." "The record retains incredible pop hooks and incredible singing and a large pop sensibility," Corson said. "But it has a very edgy and crunchy feel to it that gives a little more gravitas." DeGraw grew up the son of a prison guard and detoxification specialist in the small town of South Fallsburg, N.Y., and cultivated a fan base playing gigs in Manhattan restaurants, bars and clubs. He eventually signed with J Records and released "Chariot." The label heavily promoted the record, and DeGraw was cast as an heir to Billy Joel -- another pop piano man. The album's success was slow-burning, but "I Don't Want To Be," the angsty theme to TV's "One Tree Hill," eventually became a Top 10 Billboard hit in 2005. Bolstered by that accomplishment, DeGraw toured another year in support of "Chariot." He began working on his follow-up in 2006, and continued performing for live audiences. In recent weeks, DeGraw said he's noticed more guys at his shows. He considers the extra dose of testosterone a positive sign. "They're going, 'Oh, you know what? This dude's different. It's not just nice boy. It's not just nice boy playing music,"' he mused. reporternews.com/news/2008/may/30/degraw-doesnt-wanna-be-another-singer-songwriter/
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Post by --->Riza <--- on May 31, 2008 23:47:50 GMT -5
Nice, he is really getting substantive press. BTW, I listened to his Let's Get it On Carson Daly version. I superimpose my memory of Joss stone with him, it is superb LoL. (I have great imagination )
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Post by jjnaz on Jun 1, 2008 16:05:38 GMT -5
Nice, he is really getting substantive press. BTW, I listened to his Let's Get it On Carson Daly version. I superimpose my memory of Joss stone with him, it is superb LoL. (I have great imagination ) Sure wish we could find a good copy of him singing that with Joss Stone--one that has decent audio. Maybe they will sing it together again at some point. I was just going to watch the Carson Daly version again last night, and the video has been removed from YouTube!
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