As for Mr Johns, I understand it was as a result of his attitude that DM left, and for that reason alone we should not be thankful.
I just read on the Folkcasters blog that for that album Johns was brought in as a producer and that he was more or less resposible for what was going to be recorded. He also did not want any traditional songs, well, the couple of albums before there were some traditional songs but most were original compositions so why did he veto it? Or was he hoping to reach a wider public? I can go along with that and the band probably did as well but what baffles me is that there apparently was a disagrement between Johns and Dave Mattacks which made him leave (if I have to believe what I have read) but why did the band go along with Johns and not support their longtime drummer?