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The Closest Thing to Crazy

My Life of Musical Adventures

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The Closest Thing to Crazy

By: Mike Batt
Narrated by: Mike Batt
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About this listen

 'Fabulously readable' STEPHEN FRY

'Wildly entertaining' DAILY EXPRESS

'Rollicking ... ebullient ... Christmas present problems are instantly solved' MAIL ON SUNDAY

Nominated for the 2025 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research

Described variously as a 'polymath', a 'renaissance man' and 'one of the most colourful characters in the music business', Mike Batt has led an extraordinarily vibrant and challenging life that has been full of both glorious victories and bitter failures.

For better or for worse, he is a man who has always lived life on his own terms. Idiosyncratic but mainstream, complicated but compassionate, steadfastly maverick in spirit but avowedly commercial in outlook. He is a man of great contradictions, but even greater talent.

After starting out in the music business as a teenager, Batt shot to fame in the early 1970s for his part in the creation of the Wombles pop group. But this success proved to be just the beginning as he then went on to work with various artists as a songwriter, composer and producer, including Art Garfunkel, George Harrison, Cliff Richard, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Katie Melua.

Featuring cameos from some of the biggest stars in the business from Paul McCartney to Prince, The Closest Thing to Crazy takes us not only on the rocky (and classical) journey of Mike Batt's life but also on a tour around the inside of his mind.©2024 Mike Batt (P)2024 Bonnier Books UK Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Music Funny
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The best audible book I have listen too, being a 7yr old in 1974 having my appendix’s removed at Swindon hospital,the hospital radio DJ came to the children’s ward and ask me if I would like a record played and I asked for "Remember you're a Womble" a year later we have moved to Fleet in Hampshire to Brook House Farm opposite our neighbours at Broomhurst Farm - Where as a child growing up I was either at our farm or Broomhurst playing - This is where Mike's mum Elaine’s assistant June lived and many times would see Mr Batt and his family at Broomhurst there was always people and dogs wondering around but just thought nothing of it, I knew he was Mr Womble. There were many time's I would go into the dinning room at Broomhurst and see the Wombles costumes June would be working on. When dear Kitty Adams and June passed away, again saw him at Kitty’s and June's separate memorial's at Broomhurst. So to my ignorance I did not know what a talented, incredible musicians and the people he's has worked with in his musical career both star's, procedures and song writers - What a story he tells and so well told - Ive spend so much time googling his work and i have really enjoyed learning . Thank you Mr Batt for educating me in your work and bringing back such great childhood memories - I still go to Broomhurst occasionally now a days, I cant wait to see little Pete and tell him Ive listen to The Closest Thing to Crazy

Extraordinary talent

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This really is an extraordinary read. There are so many musical layers to Mike Batt before and beyond the Wombles, and it's all in here from the music business in the 1960s, his musical arrangements in the 1970s, the Wombles, wrecked marriages, round-the-world sea voyages, meetings with McCartney, nights out with Abba and shenanigans with Lloyd Webber.

He doesn't pull punches, either, with stories of music industry sharks and the West End critics mafioso

He produced the Kursaal Flyers brilliant 'Golden Mile' album and also, not mentioned here, but four tracks for the Kursaal's Paul Shuttleworth which are one of the best things he ever did. I could listen to them on repeat - as I do with Snark

I would recommend this for anyone interested in the machinations of the music biz over the last 40-50 years, Parts of it are a cautionary tale about what not to do. Restraint, it turns out, is just not Mike's style.

Like a Batt out of Hell

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A delightful listen, with Batt proving to be a fun narrator throughout. Obviously this is one side of any story, and I'm sure people involved may debate some if the facts, but that's true with any autobiography.

The delight of the modern age is pausing to listen to music mentioned in the book, and I've lived finding new songs from the past. I never knew he write Katie Melua's first few albums and enjoyed listening to them for the first time.

A great account of the high and lows of a music man who rushed it all on a regular basis and didn't always win.

Oh, and Wombles... lots of Wombles.

A Life Well Lived

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Mostly, as Mr. Batt is accustomed to, I knew him only as a Womble. I found him a very entertaining reader showing good humour. It was a really entertaining book. He accomplished so much so young and had great abilities which he often makes light of. Sometimes he blows his own trumpet a little too much maybe. I really enjoyed this audiobook and might even buy one or two of his non-Womble records now.

Entertaining Womble

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I always lovedthe Dreamstone as a child and even more so the music. it wasn't until year later when I worked for Virgin Megastores and Mike released his 'A Songwriters Tale' album in 2008 when I truly got to know his music and learned he was the man behind the Wombles music. I became a fan ever since. However until listening to his book, I was not aware he had been a contributer to one of my all time favourite musicals song, Phantom of the Opera. It made me fall in love with him all over again. I love his energy and learning how much I actually have in common with him. And what an inspirational life he's led. Rightly or wrongly, Mike is very open about his personal thoughts, his career, relationships and mistakes. It just goes to show that, no matter who you are, rich or poor, famous or not, successful or bankrupt. Everyone is human and have problems of their own.

Mike reads his book well, almost like listening to a friend. I love his voice, it is hypnotic and unique. A very thoroughly enjoyable listen or read if you own the book itself.

I hope you continue to work your magic Mike, well done. Highly recommend this book to anyone who knows him and doesn't know him.

Remember you're a... Mike Batt?

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