Michael Philip Batt LVO (born 6 February 1949) is a British songwriter, musician, producer, director, conductor and former Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry. He is best known for creating The Wombles pop act, writing the chart-topping "Bright Eyes", and discovering Katie Melua. He has conducted many of the world's great orchestras, including the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony and Stuttgart Philharmonic in both classical and pop recordings and performances.
Early life and career
Born in Southampton, Batt attended Peter Symonds School, Winchester. His blog refers to his role as cadet Company Sergeant Major at the school .
Batt began his career in pop music at the age of eighteen when he answered an advertisement placed by Ray Williams in the New Musical Express on behalf of Liberty Records; Elton John and Bernie Taupin answered the same advert. Batt initially signed as a songwriter and artist to Liberty, but soon became head of A&R for the label. He signed and produced Tony (TS) McPhee's The Groundhogs and produced their first album, "Scratching The Surface". In 1969 he took over production duties from Noel Walker on McKenna Mendelson Mainline's first release, Stink. Walker and Batt were credited on the album only as "Liberty Staff". He produced and played piano on [Hapshash and the Coloured Coat]'s second album 'Western Flier'. Also in 1969, Batt released as producer/artist a Liberty single, his cover version of The Beatles' "Your Mother Should Know".
Podcasts:
Mike Batt
ALBUMS
- A Songwriter's Tale released: 2008
- The Very Best Of released: 2002
- Watership Down released: 2000
- Bright Eyes at the Railway Hotel released: 2000
- Best: The Ride to Agadir released: 1999
- Lady of the Dawn released: 1995
- Arabesque released: 1995
- The Winds of Change released: 1992
- Tarot Suite released: 1990
- Classic Blue released: 1989
- Songs of Love and War released: 1988
- The Hunting of the Snark released: 1986
- Zero Zero released: 1982
- Six Days in Berlin released: 1981
- Waves released: 1980
- Caravans released: 1979
- Schizophonia released: 1977
- The Dreamstone released:
A Songwriter's Tale
Released 2008- Bright Eyes
- Soldier's Song
- The Walls of the World
- A Winter's Tale
- Love Makes You Crazy
- System 605
- Caravan Song
- Theme From "Caravans" (instrumental)
- I Feel Like Buddy Holly
- Lady of the Dawn
- The Winds of Change
- Please Don't Fall in Love
- I Watch You Sleeping
- Railway Hotel
- The Closest Thing to Crazy
- The Ride to Agadir
The Very Best Of
Released 2002- The Ride to Agadir
- The Walls of the World
- Insh'Allah
- It Seems Like a Good Idea at the Time
- Railway Hotel
- Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
- The Fires of Rabat
- Caravan on the Move
- Journey to Badek
- Caravan Song
- Theme From "Caravans"
- The Winds of Change
- Portishead Radio
- Mona
- Love Makes You Crazy
- Whispering Fools
- Imbecile
- Lady of the Dawn
- Run Like the Wind
Watership Down
Released 2000- Watership Down: The Beginning (Overture)
- Bright Eyes
- Thank You, Stars
- On Watership Down (Folk Theme)
- (When You're) Losing Your Way in the Rain
- Military Theme and Development
- The View From a Hill
- Fantasia on a Flying Theme
- Chase Adventure From Watership Down
- Baroque Tune
- Frith's Blessing
- Winter on Watership Down
- Winter Song
- A Kind of Dream (Choral Fantasy)
- Bright Eyes (Steve Mac version)
Best: The Ride to Agadir
Released 1999- The Ride to Agadir
- Lady of the Dawn
- Imbecile
- The Walls of the World
- Love Makes You Crazy
- The Winds of Change
- Railway Hotel
- The Valley of Swords
- Caravan Song
- Mona
- The Fires of Rabat
- Caravan on the Move
- Voices in the Dark
- Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
- As Long as the Moon Can Shine
- Journey to Badek
- Whispering Fools
- It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
- Theme From Caravans
The Winds of Change
Released 1992- Railway Hotel
- Imbecile
- The Ride to Agadir
- Mona
- Lady of the Dawn
- Run Like the Wind
- Better Than a Dream
- Love Makes You Crazy
- The Walls of the World
- Introduction (The Birth of Number 17)
- It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
- Plainsong
- The Winds of Change
- Theme From Caravan
- The Valley of Swords
- Into the Sunset
- Children of the Sky
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A Winter's Tale
by: Mike BattThe nights are colder now
Maybe I should close the door
And anyway the snow has covered all your footsteps
And I can follow you no more
The fire still burns at night
The memories are warm and clear
But everybody knows
It's hard to be alone this time of year
It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?
A love that can never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world-wide scale
We're just another winter's tale
While I stand alone
A bell is ringing far away
I wonder if you're here
I wonder if you're listening
I wonder where you are today
Good luck, I wish you well
For all that wishes may be worth
I hope that love and strength
Are with you for the length
Of your time on earth
It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?
It's a love that can never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world-wide scale
We're just another winter's tale
It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?
It's a love that can never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world-wide scale
We're just another winter's tale
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