Tarot Suite is the third solo album by English singer-songwriter Mike Batt, credited as "Mike Batt and Friends". It was released in 1979 by Epic Records.
Background and content Tarot Suite is a concept album, inspired by the 22 Major Arcana trump cards of the tarot deck, of which Batt had been fascinated by the artwork and tradition. The album's liner notes include a description of the various cards and how they individually relate to each track on the album.
Like his previous album Schizophonia (1977), Tarot Suite contains what Batt has described as an "experimental combination of rock and symphonic instruments.
Critical reception
In a review for AllMusic, Dave Sleger said that the album is "an artfully and literate collection of orchestrated rock & roll", and that it features an "impressive assemblage of musicians". He opined that on the track "Imbecile", guest singer Roger Chapman "has never appeared to have better control of his voice".
Track listing All tracks written by Mike Batt.
Side one
Side two
Personnel Adapted from the album's liner notes. Musicians
Mike Batt – vocals (side one: track 4), arranger, conductor Colin Blunstone – vocals (side two: track 1) Roger Chapman – vocals (side one: track 2; side two: track 5)
Tony Carr – percussion B. J. Cole – pedal steel guitar Mel Collins – saxophone Ray Cooper – percussion Jim Cregan – lead guitar Harold Fisher – drums Mike Fry – percussion Rory Gallagher – lead guitar Ricky Hitchcock – rhythm guitar Chris Karan – percussion London Symphony Orchestra – orchestra (leader: Irvine Arditti) Frank McDonald – bass guitar Tony McPhee – lead guitar Trevor Morais – drums Roy Morgan – percussion Alan Parker – rhythm guitar Chris Spedding – lead guitar Les Thatcher – rhythm guitar Martin Kershaw – rhythm guitar
Technical Mike Batt – producer Mike Thompson – principal recording engineer Robert Butterworth – engineer Gary Langan – engineer Dick Lewsey – engineer Julian Mendelsohn – engineer Vaughan Rogers – engineer John Timperley – engineer Eric Tomlinson – engineer Sleeve design: Mike Batt & Simon Cantwell Artwork: Jack Richards Photography: Peter Lavery Typography: Richard Field
Charts + Chart performance for Tarot SuiteChart (1979)Peakposition
References
External links Tarot Suite at Discogs