John Martyn - Grace & Danger (2026 Reissue) John Martyn

Released in October 1980, Grace and Danger is one of John Martyn's most personal and emotionally revealing albums. This 180g vinyl re-issue faithfully replicates the original Island UK pressing.

Grace and Danger was recorded in Spring 1979, mixed at The Townhouse, London, and eventually released on 13 October 1980. Island boss Chris Blackwell, a close friend of John Martyn and Beverley Martyn, delayed its release for a year as he found it too personal and openly disturbing. Only after extreme pressure from John was it finally released, and John got the exorcism that he needed.

In the late 1980s, John would cite this album as his favourite. The album features Phil Collins and John Giblin. Giblin’s harmonic bass playing was in the style of Weather Report's late (and great) Jaco Pastorius, a band and style John had long admired.

Relying increasingly on his Gibson SG electric guitar, John’s playing was highly inventive and beguiling. With John’s distinctive vocal delivery and painfully honest lyrics, Grace and Danger became a stunning exposition of confusion, heartache, love and remorse.

John later said that it was “probably the most specific piece of autobiography I’ve written. Some people keep diaries, I make records.”

“At times the blending of Martyn’s voice and guitar, John Giblin’s beautiful bass and Phil Collins’ immaculate drumming is simply breathtaking.” – Melody Maker