The Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders

In 1968, The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders appeared. The few who heard it knew this was a moment of singular insanity.

(Elektra Records, 1968, reissued 2002 on Water Records)

The Holy Modal Rounders were a ’60s folk duo, Peter Stampfel, vocals, fiddle and banjo and Steve Weber, vocals and guitar.  They explored and revived old time mountain music and occasionally delved into blues, performing in a manic style that often was downright hysterical.  One of their primary sources was Charlie Poole, a well known North Carolina singer in the ’20s.  Stampfel channeled Charlie Poole, singing like a Charlie Poole 78 complete with the scratches. Charlie Poole made what now is called old-time (country) music, but when he was making it, it was pretty much the hits of the day for his region and the South.