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

Gracious! supported The Who on tour in 1968. Touring with King Crimson prompted them to purchase a mellotron and change to a more progressive style. Their prospects were not boosted by the plain white ‘wallpaper’ image on their Vertigo debut in 1970 and their second album ‘This is Gracious!’ is often the more highly acclaimed of the two due to its variation in style incorporating rock, blues alongside symphonic prog as well as the interplay between the mellotron and electric guitar. Membership of the group included Alan Cowderoy (guitar, vocals), Paul Davis (lead vocals and 12-string guitar), Martin Kitcat (keyboards, vocals), Robert Lipson (drums) and Tim Wheatley (bass, vocals). Gracious! appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival (included on this release, two tracks on CD and DVD) but sank into obscurity after just two albums.

I bought my ‘Gracious!’ album in a bargain bin and it has become quite a rarity. ‘Introduction’ is a confident start with a wailing guitar solo, harpsichord and some excellent drumming. I must admit to having a ‘soft spot’ for the album; the mellotron on the two part ‘Heaven’, gentle bass and chiming guitar and sudden change to acoustic guitar and assertive vocals and switch to piano (and ending strongly with organ and guitar break, a classical flourish with ‘choir’) perfect for the subject matter as part of a suite, with a musical descent into ‘Hell’ to follow, a trio of ominous guitar notes becoming more complex and agitated with a treated harpsichord sound perhaps (?), very ‘Twilight Zone’ before a slipstick wild west bar routine and a can-can kick in, returning to the opening guitar riffs – expect the unexpected! There is also an ambitious if not entirely convincing reworking of Bach’s ‘Fugue in D Minor’. The 17-minute ‘Dream’ has another lift from classical music (Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’) then launches full tilt into heavy prog rock with early blues-based guitar and electric piano soloing. There are lots of variations, some corny lyrics, a ‘Hey Jude’ parody, another heavy guitar solo; Gracious! really throw the kitchen sink at this number. There is a certain naïve charm about the music.

‘This is Gracious!’ also had a 4-part 15-minute suite entitled ‘Super Nova’. After an atmospheric prelude the group launch into ‘Blood Red Sun’ which is not a million miles away from King Crimson’s ‘21^st Century Schizoid Man’ say some (with a percussive interlude and a strident guitar ‘question and answer’ break). Mellotron rich sounds and dynamic drumming are followed by an acoustic passage of play which herald the pastoral ‘Say Goodbye to Love’ – nice vocal harmonies here. The mellotron returns ominously. The organ leads to the anthemic and somewhat melodramatic ‘Prepare to Meet Thy Maker’ which completes the suite. ‘C.B.S.’ is a bit of a jazz rocker similar in style to Colosseum perhaps. ‘Blue Skies and Alibis’ has a touch of Chicago Transit Authority about it. By the way I personally think ‘Gracious!’ is the stronger album (not by much) but both are well worth investing some time in listening.

The Isle of Wight numbers are ‘Super Nova’ and ‘Once on A Windy Day’ (the studio single version can be heard on CD two).