Mike Batt - Progressive Rock Music Forum

^ agreed

My comments regarding Batt as a producer were made before this thread was turned into a suggestion thread and should be ignored., If this had been a suggestion from the outset I would not have made them. My personal likes or dislikes are immateral for the purposes of evaluation.

From the clips I have heard of Arabesque and Tarot Suite I also support his inclusion.

If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would - Neil Gaiman

Can it be noted that I never pooh-poohed the idea? Big smile

Edited by Snow Dog - April 23 2011 at 04:33

Coldness doth get away with the badness.

If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would - Neil Gaiman

Originally posted by giselle

Some of the attitudes expressed here are unhealthy, and show the worst aspect of creating a genre at all. I don't particularly like some of the stuff Mike Batt does (too sugary for my taste at least), but surely it can't be denied that the man has a high level of talent? Argue about whether it's prog (for inclusion in our church) or not, but please don't devalue our credibility by denigrating his obvious talent because you don't like it personally.

I don't see that any one has done that.

If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would - Neil Gaiman

Originally posted by Dean

I didn't like any of these examples. And not prog imo. Especially the first one..yuck

Coldness doth get away with the badness.

Originally posted by Green Shield Stamp

The problem with YouTube clips is that only the more commercial songs from Batt's solo albums are available. To assess his prog credentials you need to listen to the albums: Schizophonia, The Tarot Suite, Six Days in Berlin and Arabesque. I cannot upload these albums here without risk of being sued for breach of copyright. Can an artist not be considered for inclusion unless actual examples can be provided on this website? Should copyright laws determine whether or not an artist is eligible for Prog Archives?

I chose those Batt Video's purely at random trying to get a sample of Schizophonia, The Tarot Suite and Arabesque - whether they were representative I am not qualfied to judge since I've not heard any one album in full. If by searching YouTube you can find more representive samples, please feel free.

The suggestion/admissions procedure is pretty well documented, so please do not make assumptions or jump to conclusions.

http://www.progarchives.com/about_us.asp#add-request

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73146&PID=3942751#3942751

Edited by Dean - April 23 2011 at 08:47

If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would - Neil Gaiman

http://www.myspace.com/mikebattofficial/music/songs/the-fires-of-rabat-50503523

http://www.myspace.com/mikebattofficial/music/songs/insh-allah-50503522

http://www.myspace.com/mikebattofficial/music/songs/the-night-of-the-dead-50503535

http://www.myspace.com/mikebattofficial/music/songs/part-three-50500179

These tracks are more representative of his solo stuff.

Haiku

Writing a poem
With seventeen syllables
Is very diffic....

I would urge everyone to listen to Six Days in Berlin Part three, which is one of the finest Prog Rock tracks ever produced.

Haiku

Writing a poem
With seventeen syllables
Is very diffic....

I giggle at his involvement with the Wombles, of course, but to be honest I find that both Schezophonia and Tarot Suite qualify, and as this site's rules are to include artists who only have one album qualifying as Prog can be included here, he qualifies.
I suppose the rules here apply to all.
The Tarot Suite is a really good listen now and again. I can only urge you people to give it a try.

I'll be with you in just a moment Mrs. Bunstable.

To some extent, it's Mike Batt's own fault there is such confusion over his worth. He has produced some piffle, but he's also produced some magical stuff too.