Holy Moses

Holy Moses, an album whose front cover might just be mistaken for a police lineup, first appeared in 1971, another lost relic from the RCA vaults. Led by vocalist Billy Batson and guitarist Ted Spelios, the band, defined by an unusual blend of slightly off-kilter harmonies, honky tonk piano fills and riff-heavy guitar licks, weaves a rural, countrified blues into its rock and roll. In fact, it’s not that far removed from what The Band was recording during this same time period (you know, without the hits). “The Sad Café” and “Agadaga Dooley” best represent the band’s brand of rollicking, good-time psychedelia, while both “Rock City Road” and “A Cowboy’s Dream” showcase Spelios’s nifty guitar work. In the end, however, Holy Moses was probably a bit too out of the ordinary to make much of a commercial impact. The band splintered shortly after the release of this record, another one-and-done rock and roll casualty.

Notes: Holy Moses was co-produced by Kim King, a former member of Lothar and the Hand People. Also, lead singer Billy Batson shares a name with Captain Marvel’s alter ego (that’s Shazam to you non-comic book enthusiasts).