This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
Grace and Danger is the eighth studio album by John Martyn, released on October 13, 1980 by Island Records. The album was written and recorded while John Martyn was in the process of divorcing his wife Beverley, and the songs strongly reflect the emotional upheaval that he was experiencing at the time. Martyn and Phil Collins forged a close friendship during the writing and recording of the album with both musicians going through painful divorces at the time - Collins played drums and provided backing vocals. In fact, a strong kinship exists between Grace and Danger and Collins' contemporaneous album Face Value, which also contained a strong narrative relating to relationship breakdown. The release of the album was delayed by Island Records for well over a year because Chris Blackwell, the label owner (and friend of both John and Beverley) found the album too depressing. Producer Martin Levan said of the delay that "the messages I was getting back was that Chris [Blackwell] 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." Speaking in 1981, Martyn captured his frustration at the situation, "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.'" When released, Rolling Stone described the album as "a very strong outing for John Martyn, placing him in a class with such intelligent eclectics as Joan Armatrading and Joni Mitchell."
This was somewhat interesting. Only because I'm not really sure why this would be anyone's favorite album. There are far better in the genre
A masterpiece, by an artist who is almost forgotten by the mainstream, but well deserving of a renaissance. He's just Scottish enough for a wee bonus point too, even if he wasn't born here! A lovely inclusion, which made my day brighter with every note.
I was introduced to John Martyn through his two albums in the 1001 list. Although I appreciated them at the time, I wasn't so much in the mood for another one today.
Honestly never thought I’d listen to this guys after the last album of his I got. I think I liked the other one more but this one was also decent.
Really surprised to get an album from an artist we've already seen twice on this list. Someone must really love this specific album to feel the artist hadn't gotten fair representation. In the main list I gave one a 2 and one a 4 so let's see where this one falls. Gentle, engaging in places, bluesy and jazzy in good ways, a nice easy album to listen to. That said, I still don't get it.
Why yes, I'll have another serving of John Martyn, thank you very much.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Lookin’ on, Hurt in your heart, Save some
There were already two other John Martyn albums on the list. I wouldn’t swap this one out with Solid Air - that is definitely my favorite of the three, sounding more diverse and interesting. Still, I like this laid back sound and I don’t mind sampling some more of his oeuvre.
It's never a punishment to listen to a John Martyn album. This album is less diverse and eclectic than his famous albums Solid Air and One World. Most of the songs are jazz rock, soft rock or blue eyed soul. I personaly prefer the other albums (the Phil Collins assistence has made it very smooth and conventional 1980s music), but I cannot deny its quality.
It's pleasant and nice. I like John Martyn but can't find a route to love.
Smooth, jazzy and pleasant to listen too, if a bit mopey. Fave Songs: Some People Are Crazy, Sweet Little Mystery, Baby Please Come Home, Hurt In Your Heart, Save Some (For Me)
I gave both previous John Martyn albums a 3 and so will this one. It's good, just not my style.
The first John Martyn album was pretty good and this one was pretty similar. The instrumentals had a bit more variety but it still had that martyn feel of cool laid back sound. I can see why people like him. His soft tone is very easy to listen too. I enjoyed this one a little bite more than the one on the list. 6.5/10
Calm and peaceful music. Nothing too special
The name is familiar but I have no idea why. No idea what to expect - guessing some soft rock? Yeah, soft rock with a jazzy touch. Nothing mindblowing, pretty inoffensive. Bit wussy. Alright for a one-off listen at just under 40min. 3/5.
A very credible outing for this genre of British soul, not a record I'd encountered before though I knew ew of the artist through association. Nothing against this, but it also did not ascend any particular heights for me.
This was completely and entirely fine. I had put it off for a while because I thought it would be just fine and unremarkable. I was right.
Nothing bad to say about this, but also not very memorable. It comes and goes. 2 hours is a bit long though.
Yawn
Worth the effort of listening to adverts in order to listen to the music.
John Martyn was a great addition to the original list, but a third album is a bit excessive.
Heh... seems like a waste of a user submitted album. This guy already had 2 albums on the list and I don't feel he needed another one. It's fine music but nothing I haven't heard already, especially since he had 2 other albums on the list. Looking over my previous reviews, I appreciated how short they were. Which I do here. He is in and out in under 40 minutes which is a huge plus. But otherwise, eh. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3/5 Should this have been included on the original list? No. He already had two on the list so if you want to replace one with this go ahead.
I enjoyed this. I think k need more listens as I have a feeling it will get better as you get more into the lyrical content.
This is an interesting album. Sometimes it sound like a soft rock album that somehow escaped the 1970s. Other times, it steps way out of that mode and does cool, weird stuff. I don't necessarily get it, but I think it's kinda cool when he explores a bit more with his music 3/5
It's not bad, but John Martyn for me is always a story of never rising above mediocrity
This was delightful
Bit dull
Outside of some interesting vocal moments by Martyn, there’s not much on this LP to distinguish it from other Muzak-esque products of the era. Listened to this first thing in the morning and it had faded from my consciousness by noon, just not much to dig your teeth into here melodically or otherwise.
This is nice in a proto-John Mayer kind of way at points but a lot of it made me want to check how much was left. Which by this author’s rules becomes a two star
I thought this sounds like some fairly insipid Phil Collins music, and it transpires he was heavily involved in the project, playing drums and backing vocals. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Grace and Danger Date listened: 09/05/25
Folk rock, folk jazz, jazz-rock, blue-eyed soul, reggae rock. Rollo. Un 2.
This didn't do it for me. It may have been groundbreaking for 1980 but by now, it sounds banal in comparison to what came after it.
Not sure about this... seems like a tortured Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) vibe, with a very 80's jazz artsy musical delivery. Though Sweet Little Mystery has some promise and grace, too much of the rest is a turn off for me.
I don't really think this album carries the test of time very well. It's mellow, composed, but dated. Tough to think that I'll revisit.
I really enjoyed soild air, but found this one a bit dull.
Should be a requirement that user submitted albums be from artists not on the original book list. We heard Martyn twice already---sorry for ranting here instead on the 5th Bjork appearance but I thought 'how often is that gonna happen?' So far it's 5 out of 35 albums. Bah!
Hmmm, I really liked Solid Air off the main list, and the other album was okay. But this just drones on and is uninspiring
Third John Martyn. "Solid Air" is solid (ha), but the rest of his catalogue seems to go way too deep into generic 80s territory. It's not bad, but it's also totally forgettable. What can I say. They call him John Martyn cause he be fartin. 2/5.
Quite inconsequential, compared to what was going on in the eighties, this album doesn't seem relevant to me, nor a lost gem from that decade that needed to be rescued. It gave me the impression that I was listening to music to liven up restaurants.
Just doesn’t resonate with me
Yet another abysmal '80s album.