'Now And Always - 20 Years Of Dreaming'
It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since 'Dreams' stormed the charts, but it's a timeless classic and hit that has remained with us for the past two decades.
Gabrielle in that time has proved she is more than a one hit wonder, with great songs including 'Rise' and 'Out Of Reach', and she's now releasing a greatest hits compilation which includes a massive seven new tracks alongside all her best songs.
We got the chance to chat to the star about that album, her touring plans for 2014 and her favourite 'X Factor' contestants.
You've had 20 years in the business now since 'Dreams' went to number one, how does that feel?
It feels incredible because I never imagined at all for once that I would actually be here 20 years later talking about it, so it's pretty incredible.
In that time what challenges have you had to overcome?
Oh my God... I think there's too many to mention! You know what I mean?
I remember when 'Dreams' first ever came out and we had success with it, and then my royalties closing because a producer said he wanted to take me to court, so we had to go to court - because he said he'd written the song and he hadn't - and stuff like that.
So before I'd even started it was plagued . It was incredible - it's been incredible to look back at it - oh my God - to think it nearly didn't happen.
I remember with 'Rise' - I'm fastforwarding - I had a manager saying 'You do know that's not the song' - he didn't feel it was gonna be a success - so I look back and think 'Oh my God', thankfully he was so wrong.
So, you know, so many different challenges but I can't complain I've lived to tell the tale.
You're now celebrating with the release of your new album 'Now and Always - 20 Years Of Dreaming', what can fans expect from the new tracks on the collection?
Right, the new tracks - because there's like seven songs and six of them are brand new - I'm liking the fact that I put the tracklist together - the playlist together - or should I say the order of the songs. I found that the old songs married very well with the new songs and I just think that there's a couple that people will be dancing along to.
There's one - 'Knew Me' - that's done by the producer Syience - that was fun and up-tempo, but still kind of a serious, sassy song - 'if you knew me you'd never treat me the way you did'.
And there's a song called 'Show Me What You Got'... and it was great because I was in the studio dancing along to that as soon as I was writing it - so I reckon that'll be one to put on before you go out!
Then there's a song called 'Holding On To You' which was done musically by the producer Syience - and that's really quite a sassy song.
I think there's something for everyone. There's a ballad on there, there's a new version of 'Dreams' - the remix featuring Naughty Boy which I'm really pleased.
And then of course the single which I'm very pleased with.
So I think, I'm hoping that people who liked my music previously will love this, because as much as it's a compilation of some of my greatest songs, that it's also the fact that there's some new ones. I like to think that people won't feel like they've been cheated - like I've given this a dismal offering. Usually people put out a greatest hits and probably only have one or two new songs - I've got like seven songs in total.
As you mentioned you've worked with Syience, Naughty Boy and other producers - how was that experience?
It was incredible because they were so lovely and they were so welcoming and they didn't try and pose their views on what I should sound like - they just allowed me to be myself and that's the most comfortable situation for me that I could have ever asked to be placed in.
I just had fun and coming from the one end of the spectrum where I decided I wasn't making music anymore to suddenly working with these great people that made me feel like 'oh my God I love what I do' - you know what I mean?
So it's incredible because they all had something different to bring to the table and I was just able to be that final ingredient that made it work.
Can we expect a tour or any promotional appearances to support the album?
I know I'm doing G-A-Y next Saturday (November 23).
I'm going off to Guildford to do stuff but I know that's in conjunction with radio but 2014 is definitely when I'm gonna be touring this album. We're looking from March onwards so I know that they're yet to confirm the dates, but it's looking very hopeful.
That for me is what it's all about. I love writing, but performing - going on the road with the songs - is the be all and end all for me.
You recently appeared on 'The Xtra Factor' - what do you think of 'The X Factor' show?
I love it. The thing is, I say constantly that I salute anybody who partakes on that show. You have to have that kind of steeliness inside of you that allows you to go and perform as amazingly as they all do.
Yes, we're all gonna have our favourites - I have my favourites - but I never lose sight of the fact that they're all amazing in their own right, and they do what I couldn't do. I could never be a guest performer on that show - my nerves couldn't hack it - a bit of a smaller audience - fine - but no, I know how many millions of people watch that show, because I'm one of them.
So, I love the show. It's kind of a double-edged sword though, because in one aspect it's a great platform if you want a career, but at the same time sometimes you find that these amazing people go on to the show, but only so few make it in the end - afterwards.
Then you get that idea that when people come on that they feel this is their last chance, as if 'X Factor' is the only avenue you can ever pursue to realise your dreams, and the thing is - before 'X Factor' there was no 'X Factor' - I came up through a time when we didn't have all those kind of shows, and so I believe it can be done again, without 'X Factor'. But I do love it - I've gotta be honest - I love the show.
You mentioned you have your favourites - who are they?
For me, I love - the thing is I love loads of them - but I love Hannah Barrett.
But then I love Sam Bailey.
But then I love Rough Copy! I would go and pay to watch Rough Copy. You know why? Because they gave a performance.
And then I love Luke because he's got his own little vibe going on.
I love Tamera - she's 16 - and she is as amazing as Beyonce in the sense of her technical ability. I mean - maybe not quite - I still think Beyonce's totally a performer but you know what? If Beyonce and Tamera came on-stage, I don't think that Beyonce would say 'no girl, you can't sing with me!'. She sang with Alexandra Burke, and I feel like Tamera could give that same kind of performance.
So, I love them all for different reasons but I know there can only be one winner, but it doesn't stop me recognising and appreciating all what they do - they are all talented.
Personally - do you have any other projects in the works that you can share some details about?
Ah! (laughs) I'll tell you what it is - I'm due to go back in the studio and work with - it's a producer and I know there's people I wanna work with - but one of my producers I'm definitely going back to work with - he's done Ellie Goulding and people like that, and Kylie - that's Richard Stannard.
I've done something the other day on The Trasmitter with Wretch 32, which was really cool - him singing a verse about his daughter on the song, in the song, basically with me, so that was really cool. So if anyone doesn't know about that they should go on YouTube.
I'm also working with people - there's a few people I've got my eye on but I won't say it in case it doesn't happen and I look stupid! (laughs)
Gabrielle's 'Now And Always - 20 Years Of Dreaming' is released November 18.
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