The second album by the four-piece British progressive rock band Gravy Train from Manchester. Just a few months after the release of their self-titled debut, they returned to London’s Olympic Sound Studios in 1971 to record their follow-up album, once again with the support of Jonathan Peel as producer. The line-up remained unchanged: Norman Barrett (voc, g), J. D. Hughes (sax, fl, keyb, voc), Les Williams (b, voc) and Barry Davenport (dr). (A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man was released later that same year, in November 1971, once again on the legendary Vertigo label.

This second album marked a clear change of direction from the debut. The dissonant elements had disappeared, replaced by an obvious commercial appeal, albeit one of great musical quality. The compositions struck a more mature and complex tone overall, whilst the solos and vocals were more precise and controlled. Added to this were string arrangements that greatly enriched the band’s soundscape. The LP was widely praised and regarded as far more successful than the debut. Their tours were also very successful. Nevertheless, this album too flopped, leading Vertigo to terminate the contract. After two further albums, the group split up in 1975, having never quite achieved a major breakthrough. British Vertigo originals became highly sought-after and therefore prices went up for pristine copies.