Grace and Danger

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Grace And Danger
Studio album by John Martyn
Released October 1980
Recorded Summer 1979
Genre folk/Blues/AOR
Length 39:37
Label Island Records
Producer Martin Levan
Professional reviews
John Martyn chronology
One World
(1977)		 Grace and Danger
(1980)		 Glorious Fool
(1981)

Grace And Danger is a 1980 album by John Martyn. It was written and recorded while he was in the process of divorcing from his wife Beverley and the songs strongly reflect the emotional upheaval that he was experiencing at the time. The album was produced by his friend Phil Collins who was similarly in the process of divorce from his wife. Collins also played drums and provided backing vocals. The release of the album was delayed by Island Records for a year apparently because Chris Blackwell the label owner (and a friend of both John and Beverley) found the album too depressing.

Contents

[edit] Album Cover

The UK photographer/artist Sandy Porter created the image used on the cover (winner of the European album cover of the year) for Island Records. Whilst working on Grace and Danger, Bruno-Christian Tilley, Island Records' designer on Grace and Danger and U2's Boy album, commissioned Sandy to create the alternate image for the Boy cover which was to used on US and international releases of the album. This due to fears that the band might be accused of child pornography if the original image had been used.

[edit] Personal Quotes

"The messages I was getting back were that Chris felt it was too sad and he didn't want to put it out. He felt it too depressing and didn't want it released." - Martin Levan, producer

"I freaked: 'Please get it out! I don't give a damn how sad it makes you feel- It's what I'm about: direct communication of emotion." - John Martyn, 1981

[edit] Track listing

All tracks composed by John Martyn; except where indicated

  1. "Some People Are Crazy" – 4:19
  2. "Grace And Danger" – 4:02
  3. "Lookin' On" – 5:11
  4. "Johnny Too Bad" (Winston Bailey, Hylton Beckford, Sydney Crooks, Delroy Wilson; additional lyrics by John Martyn) – 3:56
  5. "Sweet Little Mystery" – 5:28
  6. "Hurt In Your Heart" – 4:58
  7. "Baby Please Come Home" – 3:56
  8. "Save Some (For Me)" – 3:34
  9. "Our Love" (John and Beverley Martyn) – 3:57

[edit] Deluxe Edition

Grace And Danger was released in a deluxe edition in 2007, which featured the original album remastered, with a second CD of demos and offcuts.

CD1 - The original album, plus:-

  • "Sweet Little Mystery" - 4:56
  • "Lookin' On" - 5:10

(BBC Old Grey Whistle Test live performance)

  • "Some People Are Crazy" - 4:19
  • "Grace And Danger" - 4:25
  • "Save Some (For Me)" - 3:34

(BBC TV "Rock Goes To College" live performance)

CD2

  1. "Small Hat"
  2. "Johnny Too Bad" (First Version)
  3. "Running Up The Harbour"
  4. "Sweet Little Mystery" (First Version)
  5. "Dead On Arrival"
  6. "Some People Are Crazy" (First Version)
  7. "Baby Please Come Home" (First Version)
  8. "Grace And Danger" (First Version)
  9. "Hurt In Your Heart" (Instrumental)
  10. "After Tomorrow Night"
  11. "Our Love" (First Version)
  12. "Lilo Blondino"
  13. "Johnny Too Bad" (Dub Mix)

[edit] Personnel

[edit] External links