This was a CD reissue of the original 1981 album.

This release on Bill Nelson's Cocteau label saw ex-Skids frontman Richard Jobson moving in a new direction on this collection of spoken word pieces. The album features a dedication to French writer Margaurite Duras - an inspiration that would continue on later Jobson releases.

Virginia's credit on the album is for piano and flute. Her actual contributions were playing piano on India Song, the arrangement of Etiquette (based on a Debussy composition), Orphee (another arrangement of a Debussy tune) and Thomas (based on a Satie composition) with Richard Jobson. She also shares writing credits with Jobson for the track Joy. Anonymous is credited to Astley/Wells/Jobson.

The album also features some other familiar names: Josephine Wells (clarinet, saxophone, piano) and John McGeoch (guitar).

The album was recorded over the course of a weekend at the Barge Studios, Maida Vale, London.

This reissue features 6 additional tracks not available on the original vinyl release, although Virginia only features on one of them.

The sleeve notes for the live version of Etiquette The Ballad state that it was recorded live at the Crépuscule Party Night at Heaven, London on 13th July 1981. Originally released on the Crépuscule (Section Francaise) compilation album A Day In October (RAD 005) December 1981. Virginia Astley plays piano.

The sleeve notes add that the original The Ballad Of Etiquette album was recorded over a weekend at The Barge, Maida Vale, London in 1981. Virginia is also seen in a photo playing flute in the CD booklet.

The track Joy might sound familiar. In fact it's an early version of We Shall Meet Them Again.

A 1982 Crépuscule video entitled Umbrellas In The Sun features Richard Jobson and Virginia performing India Song.