Mike Batt & His Orchestra
London Cadogan Hall
24th May, 2010

View: at rear

Songwriter Mike Batt may still be best known for The Wombles but, as this evening showcased, he has a strong legacy of film soundtrack and solo work, as well as writing songs for other people. Mike led the show from the front of the stage, with a grand piano, orchestra behind him, and four-piece rock band to the side. The first half opened with Railway Hotel and Soldier’s Song, and Caravan Song featured the lovely voice of Florence Rawlings. No Batt set would be complete without Bright Eyes, the hit from Watership Down he wrote for Art Garfunkel. Highlight, though, were the solo tracks Tarota and Imbecile, featuring Chris Spedding and Jim Cregen. Batt was talkative, sometimes too much, but the second half opened with The Wombling Song, which brought a huge cheer. A Winter’s Tale was a moving number, and Rawlings returned. The set finished with The Closest Thing To Crazy, which rounded off an evening of excellent, varied music.

Reviewed by Joe Geesin
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