Holy Moses - Holy Moses!! (1971/2006)

HOLY MOSES was and American rock/psych band from the early '70's. Though short-lived, the Woodstock-based Holy Moses came up with one of the psychedelic era's most enduring hard rock one-offs, packed with strong songs and blazing guitar parts by Ted Spelios, whose playing is said to have stunned the young Bruce Springsteen. Produced by Kim King (of Lothar and the Hand People) and Mike Esposito (of the Blues Magoos), and recorded at New York's legendary Electric Lady studio (built by Jimi Hendrix), it quickly vanished upon release in 1971Original US issue on RCA (LSP 4523) though its cult reputation has never stopped growing.

Billy Batson, a rough hewn and as authentic a musician as you’re likely to encounter, arrived in 1965 Woodstock by way of California and Greenwich Village. For a time he gigged around town as a solo act. In the late sixites he played a set at The Elephant. Sitting down afterwards with his customary bottle of Jack Daniels at the ready, he watched Holy Moses play.

The band was led by the multi-talented singer/songwriter and keyboardist Billy Batson (whose name may well be false, given that the superhero Captain Marvel is called just that). His quirky songs combined heavy rock with country and blues influences and a dash of humour, and are reminiscent of nothing so much as Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Guitarist Ted Spelios had played in New York coffeehouse regulars the Kangaroo (who made one album for MGM in 1968), and it has been said that he was considered second only to Jimi Hendrix in Greenwich Village at the time. The young Bruce Springsteen is also said to have been wowed by his talents. Fellow guitarist David Vittek had played with 1960s folk-rock also-rans the Mad Hatters, while drummer Christopher Parker had dropped out of New York’s School of Visual Arts in order to join Holy Moses, having answered an ad in Rolling Stone. Co-produced by Mike Esposito (late of the Blues Magoos) and Kim King (who’d played guitar with Lothar and the Hand People and became friends with Jimi Hendrix on New York’s club circuit in 1966)

They decided to team up. The group at that point was living in a tent on Pan Copeland’s farm—where the Sound-Outs were staged. Billy invited his newfound brothers to join him at his home on lower Ohayo Mountain Road. Batson’s namesake in the Captain Marvel comics always used to say, “Holy Moley.” So Billy felt destiny was calling when a band showed up known as Holy Moses. Billy had a bunch of songs that needed recording, so the band set about mastering them in dates around town. Buzz grew and soon Albert Grossman came calling. The band had a verbal agreement with Albert and The Band’s Rick Danko was penciled in to produce it, but Michael Jeffery (Jimi Hendrix’s manager) caught them in action at the Joyous Lake and the band decided to work with him instead.

A recording contract with RCA followed. The self-titled Holy Moses!! came out in 1971 and failed to chart. The album showcases the talent and style extant from the town’s rock ‘n’ roll heyday. In addition, a number of the waterholes are lovingly referenced, including the Cafe Espresso and The Elephant. The LP begins with a gorgeous number entitled “The Sad Cafe.” Billy Batson’s vocals and piano-playing palette is full of color and humor. His teasing Texan drawl welcomes listeners to the musical repast to come. The song is a recreation of the life and times of the Cafe Espresso—sometimes referred to as the Depresso or the Sad Cafe. Another great number is the haunting/psychedelic “Roll River Roll.” Quite frankly, the eight-number recording abounds with good listening tunes.

Though literally thousands of hard rock acts made one-off LPs at the tail end of the psychedelic era, few have worn as well as this hard-rocking minor classic " The guitar playing is often pretty hot and most of these songs are really catchy -- it's a total kick." by adamus67