Heavy Petting

Released in 1970 on the legendary Vertigo label, Heavy Petting is the second and final studio album by the Irish trio Dr. Strangely Strange. Produced by Joe Boyd (known for his work with Nick Drake and Fairport Convention), the album represents a significant sonic expansion from their debut, Kip of the Serenes. The inclusion of guest musicians, most notably a teenage Gary Moore and Fairport drummer Dave Mattacks, adds a 'beefier' folk-rock dimension to their established freak-folk sound. The album is characterized by its whimsical lyrics, diverse instrumentation - including harmonium, recorder, and mandolin - and a blend of traditional Irish influences with psychedelic experimentation. Despite its cult status and championing by John Peel, the group disbanded shortly after its release, leaving Heavy Petting as a definitive document of the Dublin underground folk scene's most eccentric peak.