Following the release of several singles and a tour as the support act for The Who in 1969, the band Gracious were signed by Vertigo Records a year later. They recorded their debut album Gracious! (also known as the „Exclamation Mark“ album) in February/March at Philips Studios in London. It was co-produced by the band and Hugh Murphy (Diabolus, Stray, Jody Grind...), with Roger Wake as the sound engineer. At the time of the recordings, the quintet consisted of Paul Davis (voc, g), Martin Kitcat (mell, p, hrp, voc), Alan Cowderoy (g, voc), Tim Wheatley (b) and Robert Lipson (dr).

Their first LP was released in July 1970 and became an early British prog classic. Much of the music is quite complex, featuring a varied use of piano, harpsichord and Hohner electric piano. Added to this are Alan Cowderoy’s occasionally psychedelic guitar work and Robert Lipson’s jazzy drumming. Paul Davis contributes harmonious vocal passages in the typical British prog style of the early 70s. Their second and final LP was released by Philips a year later. Shortly afterwards the band split up as they were no longer getting any gigs and had run out of money. They left behind a rare Swirl classic and a truly impressive progressive rock album with a simple but ingenious cover design by Colin Fulcher Colin Fulcher!