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┌────────┐
────┤ Info ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘
Artist | Mike Batt
Title | Schizophonia / Tarot Suite
Genre | Rock Format | Album
Source | CDDA Time | 77:36
Label | Dramatico Records Store | 2009
Catalog | DRAMCD0026 Rip | 2016
Bitrate | 232 kbps Size | 137.05 MB
Freq | 44.1 kHz Encoder | Lame 3.98.4
┌────────┐
────┤ Tracks ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘
CD 1/2 - Schizophonia (1977)
01. The Ride To Agadir 6:41
02. Berber's Prayer 2:10
03. The Walls Of The World 3:23
04. Insh'allah 5:04
05. The Fires Of Rabat 2:57
06. It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time 2:56
07. Bouree 1:36
08. Railway Hotel 3:20
09. Voices In The Dark 4:02
10. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood 4:10
CD 2/2 - Tarot Suite (1979)
01. Introduction (The Journey Of A Fool) 4:31
02. Imbecile 5:10
03. Plainsong 2:03
04. Lady Of The Dawn 4:04
05. The Valley Of Swords 5:38
06. Losing Your Way In The Rain 3:39
07. Tarota 6:17
08. The Night Of The Dead 3:31
09. The Dead Of The Night 1:56
10. Run Like The Wind 4:28
┌────────┐
────┤ Notes ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘
British singer/songwriter, producer, and composer Mike Batt is a journeyman
artist with a long track record of successful productions that cross from
film and television to musical theater and pop music. Born in 1949 in
Southampton, Hampshire, England, Batt was signed to Liberty/United Artists
Records at age 18 and left after two years to form his own publishing
company. Beginning in 1974, Batt began writing and recording music for the
children's television show and bubblegum pop group The Wombles, and
ultimately scored eight hit singles with the group. He then went on to
write successfully for a bevy of artists including Steeleye Span, Linda
Lewis, Elkie Brooks, Barbara Dickinson, The Kursaal Flyers, and Art
Garfunkel, with whom he won his second Ivor Novello Award for 1979's
"Bright Eyes" from the animated film Watership Down.
Despite several early-70s releases under the moniker the Mike Batt
Orchestra, "Schizophonia" is regarded by Batt himself as his solo debut. On
"Schizophonia", Batt finally was able to realize, in a tangible way, his
desire to incorporate intelligent pop, prog, and orchestrated rock into a
unified body of work. Needless to say, he wasn't able to do that with his
previous associations with The Wombles and Steeleye Span, among others. A
keyboard player by trade, Batt never allows his instrument of choice to
dictate the development and outcome of his music. Batt's true skill lies in
large-ensemble arrangements that include the standard rock & roll
configuration of electric guitars, bass, and drums.
On "Schizophonia", Batt enlists the services of several key musicians
who've worked with him in the past and who would appear in future
recordings of his; among them are guitarist Chris Spedding, percussionist
Ray Cooper, and steel guitar player B.J. Cole. Steeleye Span members Rick
Kemp and Peter Knight make cameo appearances as well. Noteworthy tracks
include the predominantly instrumental "Insh'allah", a heavily orchestrated
piece with Middle Eastern motifs, and "Voices In The Dark", a more
straightforward rocker, again with orchestral accompaniment. This is an
ambitious and well-conceived effort that would pave the way for several
more such recordings for Epic.
Batt's second solo release on Epic, "Tarot Suite", was inspired by the 22
major arcana trump cards of the tarot deck. If the listener wants to make
sense of the concept of this album, the insert provides a handy description
and explanation of the various cards and how they relate to the music. If
not, "Tarot Suite" certainly holds its own as an artfully and literate
collection of orchestrated rock & roll. Joining Batt is an impressive
assemblage of musicians, including guitarists Chris Spedding, Jim Cregan,
Rory Gallagher, and Tony McPhee and saxophonist Mel Collins. Enlisted for
vocals are ex-Zombie lead singer Colin Blunstone for the gentle pop numbers
and former Family vocalist Roger Chapman for the more rocking songs.
Frankly, Chapman has never appeared to have better control of his voice
than on "Imbecile". Either Batt or maturity has brought out the best in
this much-maligned singer. He also sings on the more subdued "Run Like The
Wind". One of Blunstone's songs, "Lady Of The Dawn", achieved respectable
'hit' status in England. Like "Schizophonia", this album is driven by the
creative orchestral (London Symphony Orchestra) arrangements and
songwriting of Batt. To his credit, Batt is not inhibited by allowing
electric guitars and other instruments to assume a dominant role in his
music rather than his own keyboard playing, which is utilized more for
texture and mood purposes.
┌────────┐
────┤ Group ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘