The only album by the band from Woodstock, New York. The author of all the songs on the album is keyboardist Billy Batson. Billy arrived on the East Coast of the United States from California and for some time performed solo in venues in the town of Woodstock. After his concerts, he used to sit down somewhere with a bottle of Jack Daniels and listen to the performances of other artists. So one day he met the group “Holy Moses”. He liked the musicians as potential performers of his plans. He offered to team up to record a whole series of his finished songs. The group quickly learned Batson’s songs and played them around the city until word reached Albert Grossman. This famous American music manager often hung out in Woodstock, since his charges, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and The Band, lived in the rural surroundings nearby. Grossman, like any entrepreneur, was eager for new talent. He quickly became friends with Holy Moses and agreed with them on management and recording, the producer of which was already assigned to Rick Danko from The Band. However, the agreement was only in words, not sealed with papers. Soon the group’s performance was noticed by Michael Jeffrey, Jimi Hendrix’s manager, who never let talent go, clinging to it with a stranglehold. He managed to convince the guys to work with him. Jeffrey signed the “Holy Moses” contract with the monster recording company “RCA”, which released the album “Holy Moses!!” in 1971. The album was recorded at Jimi Hendrix’s newly built Electric Lady Studios in New York. Album produced by Kim King and Mike Esposito. Mike played in the psychedelic rock band “Blues Magoos”, and Kim King was the guitarist of the group “Lothar And The Hand People” and was friends with Jimi Hendrix since 1966… Batson’s songs are distinguished by humor and spontaneity, and musically it is hard rock, successfully blending with country and blues influences. Album “Holy Moses!!” failed to sell at the time, although over the years it has gained cult status among fans of psychedelic era rarities. But the group, unfortunately, died a long life.
Tracks:
All songs written by Bill Batson.
01. The Sad Café – 00:00
02. Dig A Deeper Hole – 05:12
03. Rock City Road – 08:32
04. Roll River Roll – 12:01
05. Agadaga Dooley – 16:05
06. No Turnin’ Back – 19:15
07. A Cowboy’s Dream – 25:20
08. Bazaraza Bound – 29:44
Personnel:
– Teddy Speleos – lead guitar, vocals
– David Vittek – rhythm guitar, bass, vocals
– Bill Batson – organ, piano, vocals
– Marty David – bass, tenor saxophone, vocals
– Christopher Parker – drums, percussion
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– Kim King, Mike Esposito – producers
