Tarota marks the sixth song I’ve featured from Tarot Suite by Mike Batt and Friends – one of my all-time favorite albums. Inspired by tarot card imagery, the record masterfully blends orchestral elements with progressive rock and folk influences. No other album was played more in our house during my youth. My father adored it like no other, insisting it be played whenever my parents entertained friends. I, too, felt a deep urge to share it, introducing songs from Tarot Suite to my school friends, hoping they’d recognize its brilliance. And sure enough, during a makeshift camping trip, they confided that it was, indeed, the bee’s knees. To sum it up, I’d be lost without this record.
Mike Batt is a British composer, songwriter, and producer known for his eclectic musical style, blending classical orchestration with pop, rock, and folk influences. Tarot Suite was his traditionally difficult follow-up second album of which he had the following to say:
“The success of my first solo album, Schizophonia had spurred me on, and I wanted to make a truly cohesive album that had a dramatic concept on which to hang the ideas. I had always been fascinated by the artwork and the tradition of Tarot Cards. I wasn’t really that interested in the occult, – I suppose I was curious like anyone else, but I got to know the various Tarot packs and read a lot about them. I decided to write an album (“Tarot Suite”) which would once again combine my more experimental combination of rock and symphonic instruments and ideas with songs, some of which could be quite simple. Looking back, I think it was the most cohesive of my solo albums.”
This spectacular instrumental Tarota continues to impress me after all these years. The tarot cards of Justice and The Wheel of Fortune were presented on the album insert and linear notes to represent this song. The cinematic song is driven by an energetic, medieval-flavored melody that showcases Batt’s signature orchestration. The track features a fusion of rock elements, with prominent use of various electric guitar solos (even a country flavoured one towards the end) that sometimes overlap each other, lively string arrangements and a galloping percussion. Tarota like the rest of the record evokes a sense of adventure, mystery, and destiny – fitting themes for an album centred around tarot.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Admittedly, the only two songs by Mike Batt I can name are “Lady of the Dawn,” which is another track from the “Tarot Suite” album I bet you already covered, and the monumental and cinematic “The Ride to Agadir.” As a relatively complex instrumental, “Tarot Suite” may not be as memorable but certainly sounds worthwhile listening to you.
Looks like Mike is still batting, which is cool. Last December, he released the single “Winter Song” featuring Paul Carrack.
I cannot begin to tell you how cool it has been revisiting these tracks from ‘Tarot Suite’ and chatting to people from mostly my earlier articles who’s music from Mike Batt impressed upon them so greatly – and from way back then also.
Of course this music is scarcely known to the wider contemporary musical community. It’s also been so nice to read your thoughts on all this in my latter articles; that makes Batt’s contribution still feel current and significant.
That ‘Winter Song’ is gorgeous and one I’ll no doubt explore when we reach the ‘W’s in the alphabetical listing. I’m so appreciative of the link Christian!
Also his songwriting which included Garfunkel’s rendition of ‘Bright Eyes’ is spectacularly moving:
I like the interesting rock music. Mike Batt truly nails this musical piece. Thanks for sharing, Matt.
In my youth, I would have probably put this song lower on the pecking order of the record, but over time I have become to appreciate it more. It takes time to ingest while it meanders and find its groove, but once it does, it’s something else. I’m so happy you thought so highly of it.
I don’t know. I don’t have much music on my phone, yet I’m surrounded by music lovers, so every day, music is with me. Papa is a music lover. My neighbours are music lovers. A lot of music around me, so I can appreciate music from time to time.
That’s nice to have music surrounding you. Next to my family, music has been my biggest love and saviour.
That’s so good to hear, Matt.