GRACIOUS! BOX SET (1970-71):3 CD + DVD (Cherry Red) (2025)

Featuring Paul "Sandy" Davis (lead vocals, 12-string guitar), Alan Cowderoy (lead guitar, vocals), Martin Kitcat (Mellotron, organ, piano, vocals), Tim Wheatley (bass, vocals) and Robert Lipson (drums), the band first came to prominence in 1968 when they supported The Who on tour. They recorded a single for Polydor Records before a support slot for King Crimson in 1969 led to them purchasing a mellotron and changing style.

In 1970 their debut self-titled album appeared on the Vertigo label and the band were greeted with critical praise. This in turn led to Gracious! performing a set at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival (joining a bill that featured Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, Family, ELP, The Moody Blues and many more). Their set was recorded and filmed but was to remain unreleased.

To the press release I must add I bought my Gracious album in a bargain bin and it has become quite a rarity. The second album (working title “Supernova”) was abandoned unfortunately by Vertigo but parent label Philips did release it as “This is….Gracious!” later in 1971.

Both albums are included along with the band’s performance at the Isle of Wight Festival. Overall it’s a nice package by the sound of it with unseen photographs, band interviews and an essay,

“Gracious” was an ambitious work with a “Heaven” and “Hell” sidelong suite and a clever reworking of Fugue in D Minor with perhaps the album’s strongest piece, ‘The Dream’. There is also a mini suite on the second album and the single version of ‘Once On A Windy Day’. This is one piece of prog history that is not to be missed.