Mike Batt & Friends
Tarot Suite (1979)
Review by Dave Sleger
Mike 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.
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