B

Dr. Strangely Strange

Band members Related acts

- Orphan Annie (aka Annie Xmas) - vocals (1967-70)
- Tim Booth - vocals guitar (1967-71)
- Tim Goulding - vocals, keyboards (1967-70)
- Neil Hopwood - drums (1969)
- Andy Irvine - mandolin (1970)
- Linus - percussion (1968-70)
- Dave Mattacks - drums (1970)
- Gary Moore - guitar (1970)
- John Moynihan - bazouki (1970)
- Jay Myrdal - glockenspiel (1968-70)
- Ivan Pawle - vocals, bass, keyboards (1967-71)
- Brendan Shiels - bass (1970)
- Gaye Woods - (replaced Tim Goulding) (1970-71)
- Terry Wood - (replaced Tim Goulding) (1970-71)

- Colosseum II (Gary Moore)
- Fairport Convention (Dave Mattacks)
- Skid Row (Gary Moore)
- Steeleye Span (Gaye Woods and Terry Woods)

- Thin Lizzy (Gary Moore)

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Kip of the Serenes Company: Island Catalog: ILPS 9106 Year: 1969 Grade (cover/record): -- Comments: -- Available: -- Price: --	First off, recognize this Irish outfit is going to have a limited, if devoted, audience. That may be helped or hindered by the fact that to our ears they sound like an Irish version of The International String Band (ISB) (itself an acquired taste). Having graduated from Dublin's Trinity College, in 1967 singer/guitarist Tim Booth hooked up with bassist Ivan Pawle. Discovering a common interest in music, the two starting playing local clubs with buddy Brian Tench. Tench was quickly replaced by painter-cum-multi instrumentalist Tim Goulding and as Dr. Strangely Strange the trio began practicing at the Orphanage; the home of Goulding's girlfriend Orphan Annie. Probably due to the fact she owned the rehearsal space, Annie was added to the lineup as a backing vocalist. With the Orphanage serving as a pseudo-commune, the band came into contact with a number of musicians, including ISB member Robin Williamson. Impressed by the band, Williamson mentioned them to manager/producer Joe Boyd. Visiting Ireland, Boyd caught the band opening for the band Skid Row. With Boyd signing on as manager, the quartet was signed by Chris Blackwell's Island Records. Recorded in London with Boyd producing, 1969's "Kip of the Serenes" offered up a stereotyped set of "hippie" sounds. With the three principles all contributing material, largely acoustic selections such as "Dr. Dim & Dr. Strange", "A Tale of Two Orphanages" and "Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal" offered up a hard-to-describe mix of traditional sounds, spur of the moment improvisations (they even left the control room sounds in the mix) and psychedelia. Admittedly, it may not sound particularly impressive, but the results have an odd and captivating impact. Well worth hearing. Touring as an opening act for Fairport side project Fortheringay, the lineup was expanded by the addition of drummer Neil Hopwood (literally pulled from the audience during a concert in Wales). Interestingly, the album did little in terms of sales, but Island elected to included "Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal" on a compilation of newly signed acts. The resulting album "Nice Enough To Eat!" proved a massive seller, generating considerable attention for the band, including an extended touring schedule, including opening slots supporting Blodwyn Pig, Free and Traffic. "Kip of the Serenes" track listing: 1.) Strangely Strange but Oddly Normal 2.) Dr. Dim & Dr. Strange 3.) Roy Rogers 4.) Dark Haired Lady 5.) On the West Cork Hack 6.) A Tale of Two Orphanages 7.) Strings In the Earth and Air 8.) Ship of Fools 9.) Frosty Mornings 10.) Donnybrook Fair

Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Heavy Petting Company: Vertigo Catalog: 6030 009 Year: 1969 Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Price: $150.00	Following an appearance on ISB's "Changing Horses" LP, the band signed with Vertigo. Again produced by Boyd, 1970's "Heavy Petting" found the band sounding more comfortable and confident in the studio. Like the debut, the results were suitably eclectic. On the other hand, backed by an all-star cast including Sweeny's Men mandolin player Andy Irvine, Fairport drummer Dave Mattacks and guitarist Gary Moore tracks such as "Summer Breeze" and "Gave My Love an Apple" offered up a tougher, more rock oriented sound. Highlights included the extended "" and the pretty "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes" (be sure to check out Moore's wonderful solo). (The album was originally released with a Roger Dean designed die cut, gatefold sleeve. Be aware that the set is in such demand, counterfeit copies exist - some with the elaborate gatefold cover.) "Heavy Petting" track listing: 1.) Ballad of the Wasps (Tim Goulding) - 2.) Summer Breeze (Tim Booth) - 3.) Kilmanogadd Stomp (Ivan Pawle) - 4.) I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes (Tim Goulding) - 5.) Sign On My Mind (Ivan Pawle) - 6.) Gave My Love an Apple (Tim Booth) - 7.) Jove Was at Home (Ivan Pawle) - 8.) When Adam Delved (Ivan Pawle) - 9.) Ashling (Tim Booth) - 10.) Mary Malone of Moscow (Tim Goulding) - 11.) Goodnight My Friends (Ivan Pawle) -

Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: Alternative Medicine Company: Big Beat Catalog: CDWIKD 177 Year: 1997 Grade (cover/record): -- Comments: CD format Available: -- Price: --	Joining the ever lengthening list of reunion acts, 1997 saw the original trio reunite. Released by the small Big Beat label, "Alternative Medicine" featured a collection of what can best be described as Irish country music. Produced by Paul Scully, and backed by guitarist Moore, drummer Bruno Staehelin and fiddle player Joe Thoma ... "Alternative Medicine" track listing: 1.) Lilty's (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 2.) Darksome Burn (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Hopkins - Iavn Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 3.) Heat Came Down (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 4.) James Gang (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 5.) Hale Bopp/Jig for Jack (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 6.) Hames and Traces (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 7.) Wishing (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 8.) Whatever Happened to the Blues (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 9.) Too Much of a Good Thing (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 10.) Hard as Nails (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 11.) Planxty Roland (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 12.) Epilog (Booth/Goulding/Pawle/Pawle/Pawle/Scully [1]) 13.) Strange World (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) - 14.) Pulp Kayak (Tim Booth - Tim Goulding - Ivan Pawle - Paul Scully - Joe Thoma - Tutty) -

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