Dr. Strangely Strange

An Irish folk outfit with experimental leanings formed close ties to the Incredible String Band upon its 1967 founding in Dublin by Tim Booth on vocals and guitar alongside Ivan Pawle handling vocals, bass, and keyboards. Multi-instrumentalist Tim Goulding, who harbored ambitions as a painter, soon joined their ranks. The trio took up residence and began rehearsals in a dwelling belonging to Goulding's partner, the backing vocalist known as Orphan Annie or Annie Xmas, which the occupants dubbed "The Orphanage." Following their alliance with Joe Boyd—the producer and manager shared with the Incredible String Band—Dr. Strangely Strange issued their first album, Kip of the Serenes, in 1969. En route with Fotheringay, they recruited Neil Hopwood on drums, and before year's end contributed to the Incredible String Band's Changing Horses release. Subsequent to the 1970 effort Heavy Petting, fractures emerged within the group as Goulding withdrew to join a Buddhist monastery and Pawle joined Booth in a short-lived collaboration touring alongside Gay and Terry Woods. Disbandment followed promptly, though a 1973 Irish tour marked their reunion, with another brief assembly occurring in the early 1980s. In time, Booth founded a second Orphanage that served as a launchpad for emerging Irish rock acts, including Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott and Gary Moore.