Mike Batt 2

I found yesterday a Mike Batt record in a sales bin. 'Tarot suite'. I bought it because the name was familiar to me from the 70's. Quite a mixed affair; it is a concept album about the tarot cards.MB composed and arranged all the tracks for 'Rock ensemble' and the LSO. Some interesting musicians : Roger Chapman (Family) on vocals, Rory Gallagher, Chis Spedding and Tony Mc Phee (Groundhogs) on guitar and Mel Collins on sax. The overall sound reminds me of Alan Parsons with  a hint of Rennaissance for the orchstral arrangements. I looked quickly at his bio and he did a lot of different stuff, pop, TV music , arrangements. Is anyone more familiar with his output?

The Wombles were basically Roxy Music minus Bryan Ferry, and I believe Chris Spedding might have been involved as well. As I've spent the last couple of years about 15 minutes walk from Wimbledon Common (which is as much countryside as any normal human needs) I'd sooner that you showed Uncle Bulgaria and co a little respect.

Mike Batt has made quite a number of excellent solo albums, "Arabesque" is one of his best. He's also written stage shows, I think with Tim Rice and/or Andrew Lloyd Webber. He wrote the recent hit single "Closest thing to crazy" too.

Blimey, I never realised Roxy Music were the Wombles (which one was Brian Eno?)! I lived near Wimbledon Common at the time and it's a great place. I believe Mike Batt is now responsible for Katie Melua.