DR. STRANGELY STRANGE Kip Of The Serenes CD/+4/Comus

DR. STRANGELY STRANGE 'Kip Of The Serenes' CD (UK, Hux Records, Catalogue #104) Brand new/unplayed copy of superior Hux label deluxe CD reissue (including 4 bonus tracks) of debut 1969 album of acid folk/psych from Irish band Dr. Strangely Strange. Fans of Incredible String Band, Comus, Mellow Candle, Mushroom, Trees, Forest, Fairport Convention, Current 93, et al, take note.

'Hux Records is proud to announce the re-release of this classic slice of psychedelic folk. Based in Dublin, the Strangelys were friends and contemporaries of the Incredible String Band, whose producer Joe Boyd signed them to his Witchseason management and production company in 1969. This first album originally came out in mid 1969 on Island Records. Over the years, Kip has acquired a considerable cult status; in 2007, Record Collector Magazine proclaimed it one of the UK's hundred most collectable progressive rock records. Previous CD reissues of Kip have been of variable quality, but we have now set matters right with this special collectors edition. Using the tape restoration skills of the Audio Archiving Company, we have re-mastered the album directly from the original stereo mixes and added four previously unheard bonus tracks, taken from the original studio sessions. Belying the age of the tapes, the sound quality is sparkling. Music historian Adrian Whittaker, responsible for our well-received archive Stangely's release Halcyon Days, has put together a lavish accompanying booklet including a history of the band, new interviews with the band members, Joe Boyd and writer Iain Sinclair, full lyrics to the songs and many previously unseen photographs.'

'Ireland's answer to the Incredible String Band, Dr. Strangely Strange engaged in the same type of psychedelic acoustic music with folksy arrangements. With traditional instruments like pennywhistle, fiddle, harmonium, and mandolin, Dr. Strangely Strange was more solidly rooted in melody and structure than the group's flaky Scottish counterparts. Produced by British modern folk guru Joe Boyd (Fairport Convention, Incredible String Band), Kip Of The Serenes is built around simple and repititious melodies occasionally interrupted by stream-of-consciousness musical and lyrical diversions.'

'Often compared with The Incredible String Band, with whom they share the opputunism and their wilful approach to folk music, this band managed to deliver two completely unique albums in a style of their own. The attitude towards making music is an altogether spontaneous one, which makes for both hilarious mistakes (not mixed away in the control-room, of course) and highly inventive half-improvised parts. Most readers will at least be acquainted with Stangely Strange But Oddly Normal from the first album, as this cut was included on the much cherished sampler Nice Enough To Eat from 1968, a track with an eerie beauty, which never managed to get clear outlines. More of the same, hardly rock music, but very psychedelic nonetheless, is featured on Kip. The lyrics are partly very wise, partly utter nonsense. (Which is which, is up to you). Unexpected twists and turns are scattered across almost all songs. The music is acoustic throughout, almost amateurish, but continuously charming.' - The Tapestry Of Delights

Tracks on this CD are as follows:

• Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal
• Dr. Dim & Dr. Strange
• Roy Rogers
• Dark-Haired Lady
• On The West Cork Hack
• A Tale Of Two Orphanages
• Strings In The Earth And Air
• Ship Of Fools
• Frosty Mornings
• Donnybrook Fair
• Mirror Mirror (Kip version)
• West Cork Hack (alt. take)
• Strings In The Earth And Air (instr.)
• Stangely Strange But Oddly Normal (alt. take)

Shipping in US is $3.00./CANADA AIRMAIL is $3.50./OVERSEAS AIRMAIL is $5.50. (Shipping totals will be consolidated for multiple winning bids.)