Dr. Strangely Strange: Heavy Petting (55th Anniversary Edition)

When Irish psychedelic folk band Dr. Strangely Strange released their second album Heavy Petting in 1970 it sort of fell in between the cracks. Music was getting louder and playing in bigger venues as an acoustic act did not work. Half-heartedly they tried to insert the use of electric instruments into their new material, but somehow it failed to gel. Being rooted in tradition was all fine and dandy, but adding a burst of guitar played a very young Gary Moore and organ (think Deep Purple Mk I) every now and then felt awkward. In hindsight, it is obvious that they were scrambling and missed their window to become a big act like Fairport Convention or that band's most notable off-shoot Fotheringay.

Heavy Petting is not a bad album as such by any means, never mind its lack of a cohesive approach. Had they built upon the stand-out track, the sprawling Sign On My Mind, it would have become an instant classic. If anything it offers a glimpse into their modus operandi and with the release of the expanded 55th Anniversary Edition the tracks sounds clearer and have more punch.

The people at niche label Think Like a Key tnce again called in the help of fabled retired sound engineer Prof Stoned. While he was it he got rid of the uneven balance that was the result of the band recording the album in fits and starts in different studios The addition of songs they recorded for radio sessions plus a few live tracks that were recorded at folk club Les Cousins make it clear that playing live as a small ensemble was the way to go if they wanted to sound like themselves. They took a gamble and lost. A few months later they played their last gig at Drury Lane in London on May 16, 1971. It was not the end of the band however, but that is another story.

Dr. Strangely Strange:
Tim Booth: vocals, banjo, acoustic guitar, keyboards, harmonium, rhythm guitar, bass
Ivan Pawle: vocals, organ, bass, mandolin, guitar, bass guitar, tin whistle, human whistle, keyboards, harmonium, piano
Tim Goulding: vocals, organ, bass recorder, recorder, keyboards, fiddle, piano, violin, one-string fiddle, harmonium
Guest musicians:
Annie Christmas: harmonium, vocals
Andy Irvine: mandolin
Johanna: harmonium, vocals, keyboards, cover photo
Linus: percussion, autoharp, whistle, finger cymbals, vocals
Dave Mattacks: drums, percussion
Gary Moore: lead guitar
Johnny Moynihan: bouzouki
Jay Myrdal: Glockenspiel
Brendan Shields: bass guitar
Heather Wood: vocals

Heavy Petting (55th Anniversary Edition) is released via Think Like a Key (2CD, digital). Liner notes by Roger Houdaille. Release date: April 24.

Tracks:

1. Ballad Of The Wasps
2. Summer Breeze
3. Kilmanoyadd Stomp
4. I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes
5. Sign On My Mind
6. Gave My Love An Apple
7. Jove Was At Home
8. When Adam Delved
9. Ashling
10. Mary Malone Of Moscow
11. Goodnight My Friends
12. Lady Of The Glen (1970 Single Edit)
13. Sweet Red Rape
14. Good Evening Mr. Woods
15. Horse Of A Different Hue
16. Cock-a-Doodle-Doo
17. Lady Of The Glen (Full Version)
18. Jove Was At Home (Radio Session)
19. Ashling (Radio Session)
20. Mary Malone Of Moscow (Radio Session)
21. Frosty Mornings (Radio Session)
22. Horse Of A Different Hue (Radio Session)
23. On The West Cork Hack (Radio Session)
24. Ballad Of The Wasps (Radio Session)
25. Sweet Red Rape (Radio Session)
26. When Adam Delved (Les Cousins 1970)
27. On The West Cork Hack (Les Cousins 1970)
28. Ballad Of The Wasps (Les Cousins 1970)
29. Gave My Love An Apple (Take 1)

» drstrangelystrange.co.uk