GRACE AND DANGER

John Martyn

•

Prog Folk

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John Martyn Grace And Danger album cover

3.57 | 29 ratings | 2 reviews | 10% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 1980

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Some People Are Crazy (4:21)
2. Grace And Danger (4:06)
3. Lookin' On (5:16)
4. Johnny Too Bad (3:59)
5. Sweet Little Mystery (5:27)
6. Hurt In Your Heart (5:00)
7. Baby Please Come Home (3:57)
8. Save Some (For Me) (3:33)
9. Our Love (4:04)

Total Time 39:37

Bonus tracks on 2007 remaster:
10. Sweet Little Mystery (Old Grey Whistle Test Performance, 10/01/81) (4:56)
11. Lookin' On (Old Grey Whistle Test Performance, 10/01/81) (5:10)
12. Some People Are Crazy (Rock Goes To College Performance, 02/03/81) (4:19)
13. Grace And Danger (Rock Goes To College Performance, 02/03/81) (4:25)
14. Save Some (For Me) (Rock Goes To College Performance, 02/03/81) (3:34)

Bonus CD from 2007 remaster:
1. Small Hat (4:21)
2. Johnny Too Bad (First Version) (3:47)
3. Running Up The Harbour (6:35)
4. Sweet Little Mystery (First Version) (4:29)
5. Dead On Arrival (4:47)
6. Some People Are Crazy (First Version) (3:55)
7. Baby Please Come Home (First Version) (4:57)
8. Grace And Danger (First Version) (4:11)
9. Hurt In Your Heart (The Instrumental (4:56)
10. After Tommorrow Night (4:06)
11. Our Love (First Version) (5:27)
12. Lilo Blondino (5:08)
13. Johnny Too Bad (Dub Mix) (3:46)

Total time 60:25

Line-up / Musicians

- John Martyn (Iain David McGeachy) / vocals, guitars

With:
- Tommy Eyre / keyboards, synthesizers
- Dave Lawson / synth (1,5,7)
- John Giblin / bass
- Phil Collins / drums, backing vocals

Releases information

Artwork: Sandy Porter (photo)

LP Island Records ‎- ILPS9560 (1980, UK)
LP Island Records ‎- 478 528-90 (2016, Europe)

CD Island Records ‎- CID 9560 (1987, UK)
CD Island Records ‎- 984 268-7 (2007, UK) Remastered by Paschal Byrne with 5 bonus tracks and extra CD with 13 outtakes, all previously unreleased

Thanks to Adams Bolero for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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JOHN MARTYN Grace And Danger ratings distribution

3.57
(29 ratings)

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(10%)
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(48%)
Good, but non-essential (38%)
Collectors/fans only (3%)
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)

JOHN MARTYN Grace And Danger reviews

Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Sean Trane
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk

After two deceiving albums and lengthy intervals after their successive release, Martyn's next album came after the turn of the decade, when the music scene had totally changed, so his comeback was risky. For the first time, Martyn decided to attack the studio with a set line-up, designed as working group (but I'm not sure they toured) among which is drummer Phil Collins (probably through Brand X's Morris Pert who'd played on the previous One World) and Riff Raff's (among many others, including Zzebra) Tommy Eyre on keyboards., the bass slot being taken by relative unknown Giblin, meaning that for the first time since Stormbringer, contrabass' Pentangle Thompson is not on a Martyn record. Giblin does quite well though, almost making you forget Big Dan, especially on the amazing Lookin On.

G&D is a considerably more upbeat affair than One World, but is less pop-oriented as well, even if the opening Some People with its Pastorius?like bass and the Traffic-inspired (listen to the riff) title track are a fairly commercial start. Then comes one of the album's highlights with the excellent Lookin' In, where Tommy Eyre's electric piano adds sooo much to Giblin's bass and Collins' impeccable drumming (chronologically, this is probably the last good album where he'll play excellent drumming after Duke and Face Value). The next few Johnny Too Bad (Right, John! ;-)), Hurt In Your Heart and Mystery are average tracks that fail to rouse much interest and are nearing fillers status even if the latter's arrangements are superb. The rest of the album glides smoothly with jazzy overtones emanates from the band, but there is nothing extraordinary, worthy of writing home about.

As with One World, G&D is generally well-acclaimed by fans and the press, but personally I find neither as adventurous as Solid Air or Inside Out, nor as inspired as Leeds or Bless The Weather. Both are OK albums IMHO, but certainly no priority to newxcomers.

Review by GruvanDahlman
PROG REVIEWER

What you need to rememeber is that Grace and danger isnot what you would call prog-folk. It's rather a turn for a more radio friendly, 80's-sound. Slick, groovy stuff which on the surface seems poppy enough but underneath it all lurks the beast of a divorce and bitter break-up from his then wife Beverley. The lyrics, at the time deemed too grimand depressing, are actually a very good description of the pains and emotions running amok when hearts used to beat as one suddenly tear themselves apart.

For me this is a really cohesive album with lots and lots of great tunes. In fact, this is a surprisingly solid affair, considering the times it was written. All songs are great but it's the last five that really hits the spot. Great, moving pieces filled with amazing musical and vocal deliverance. If you like me love the works of Martyn Grace and danger is a must but if you've only just discovered him you'd be better off trying anyone of the classic like Solid air.

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