The Hunting Of The Snark - Mike Batt feat. Billy Connolly

[scrumsie]

Hahaha i got the record for my birthday 10 years ago , i thought it was a "Monty Python"esque" kind of musical.

[MissInformati0n]

Didn't know Billy Connolly could sing. Still don't

[s10m0t10n]

@MissInformati0n Billy Connolly was a collaborator of the late, great Gerry Rafferty in the Humblebums (they made records and everything). He also made a living singing around folk clubs so, while he might not have the greatest voice in the world, at least he can sing live and hit the right notes in the right order. I still prefer his comedy, though.

[micmoable]

see my vid MY CAT SONG "TOMBOY" or MICHAEL MOSEY'S BLUES PICKING

[Ken220280]

Listening to this I suddenly thought - this sounds awfully like the sort of thing that featured in The Dreamstone... And what do I find? It was written by the same guy! Don't know why I'm saying that

[carltonb47]

I love Billy Connolly. I didn't know he could sing....

[Derwentcub]

I love both Mike and Billy.. At the end of the day, it's a bit of fun, and I think that in these awful time, we all need a little laughter/joy in our lives.

Thanks for posting..

Cub :-)

[1920VictorianGent]

Fucking 'oribble.

This Mike Batt is a like a kid with a bomb.

[drsyn]

I think we maybe gaining on the Snark...

[teslagirl1]

@drsyn wish that was today's headline. would make picking up the newpaper a little less painful.

[pixietrix68]

I LOVE Billy- he is very funny, so it hurts to say Cliff did it so much better. Remember how it feels to be- children of the sky!!

[petshopgirl72]

It's not a bad version, have a listen to Cliff Richard he sings it better.

[misskennedy06]

i love this show rememeber watching it one easter with my uncle on tv

[TanyaManser]

Awesome - the worst crime ever to shut the stage show early!!!

[victoriaabery]

too true... I went to see it many times and managed to get tickets for the last performance which MB conducted...

[as23we12]

I picked this up on Amazon recently.....I've been looking for it for years.

It really should be back in the mainstream...where I first heard it.

[sunsetsphinx]

Saw the theatre show when i was really young and still to this day never forgot the music, so so so happy i found it on youtube :)

[CelestialAura]

Does someone have the lyrics? Or is this directly from the poem?

[CafeGrendel]

It's not directly from the poem but the lyrics are available.

[tractor666]

Great to see this again I saw it on TV when I was a kid

[fenian08]

hey all, what is this???

[Martianfan]

Will this be released on DVD?

[goonew]

Mike advised that it was recorded specifically for TV Broadcast and apparently will not be released on DVD at this time. :(

[michel031257]

Not bad (and the song is great) but I like it very much more the way Sir Cliff did it in the record!

[Moloko03091977]

The Hunting of the Snark! Immer wieder schön zu Hören. Obwohl es nicht unbeding das ist was ich sonst so höre (electro). Einfach ein geniales musikalisches machwerk das ich nicht missen möchte.

[Derventio74]

Mike Batt is a sensation.. Sadly, he is one of those who, like all the great artists will be appreciated too late to enjoy the deserved fruits of his labours - well at least to the extent he deserves.

Billy? No comment necessary - sheer magic - and a lovely caring man with it!

[mrdee11091]

thanks devento tony for sending this to me it makes a change to listen to something different thank you also for the post of this video

[helmuthoorn]

Billy is magic.

[bunchie1966]

Mike Batt is so underrated as a songwriter. Mention of him is as often as not accompanied by some sneering reference to the Wombles.

[adoggperson]

I believe he was just in The new X Files movie "I Want To Believe

[Derventio74]

Sensational! I love Billy Connolly..

Anyone who has viewed my channel will know what I think of Mike Batt - genius!

[Assnetha]

Do you know how bored and irritated you'd get if I took you to a 12 hour session of a chess tournament?......well listening to Billy Connolly makes me feel that way,he gets on my nerves........just not my type of entertainment.

[Derventio74]

Sorry you feel like that. At the moment a member of my family (stepfather) is dying in hospital. Mike Batt is one of his faves.. I thought this would cheer a few up.. Sorry I made a mistake in your case. I shall ensure I send you no more vids, mate.. NEVER..

[Assnetha]

Derventio...I don't mean Billy Connolly is not a great entertainer,I mean his type of entertainment gets on my nerves....I love someone like Joan Baez to death,but I wouldn't enjoy going to the opera with her.There's no one I admire more than Agnetha Faltskog,but some of her songs really can put me to sleep.

[Derventio74]

OK - forgiven - we are are all ephemeral and human.. Have a good week..

Tony :-)

[sonnenaufgang84]

I have to find out where to find this on dvd or at the least on vh! i remember watching this when i was a kid about 20 years ago. I loved it and miss it! Mike Batt is the greatest!

[kcrooke]

Thank you so much for posting this and sonanjc for the Dramatico link, I've only been looking for this for the last 20 years!!!!!

[nogopostal]

Is This Snark?

This is a serious question.

[mzanoi]

This is just utterly bazzar!

I LOVE Billy!

[Derventio74]

The terrific charisma of Billy Connolly, combined with the genius of Mike Batt - enough said - fantastic!

[sonanjc]

For those of you like me who just can't wait any longer for the DVD go to the dramatico website where they have the full original Hunting of the Snark concert at the Royal Albert Hall on streaming video. Just click on the Dramatico TV. The DVD can't be too far away now either.

I know there is a fair bit of debate about who sings what best but for me nothing beats the raw emotion and fun you see from the cast and characters in this live version. Beautiful. Absolutely visual and audio delight.

[tonyrivers]

Thanks for the tip about Dramatico TV. I was one of the sigers in the orchestra on this concert, and like you I want to have this on DVD. A great experience to be surrounded by this great orchestra and cast, singing Mike Batt's great music. I have also worked many times with 'Cliffy' as someone called him, but I love Billie Connolly's version myself.

Thanks again for the tip.

Tony Rivers.

[tonyrivers]

Should have said singers NOT sigers!!!!!!!!

TR

[sonanjc]

I'm shocked that being involved you wouldn't have heard before us others. Very good effort being involved.

[EmGeeKay77]

sorry hes a rubbish singer compared to cliffy. Let's not also forget John Hurt/John Gielgud on the narration (talk about dream team), Stefan Grapelli on violin amongst others...We used to listen to it as kids on camping holidays in France.

[hongibalboa]

Had the cd, lost it, cant replace it: damn! If I merember it right- Baker Julian Lennon, Beaver Deniece Williams, Barrister Roger Daltrey, Butcher Justin Hayward, Billiard Marker Captain Sensible. Cliff Richard, Art Garfunkel, Midge Ure? in the studio version. He's a clever boy, that Mike Batt.

[wulpenhof1742]

Hello,

I have this CD. All the persons you mentioned are right, except from Justin Hayward. He was not the singer on the CD version, but only on the videoversion. I can make a copy for you from this CD. But I'm searching for the DVD WITH JUSTIN HAYWARD.

Greetings,

Ernst from Holland

[PhilintheBlank0]

I get most british humour but this is over my head, sorry!

[Tom1hs]

PLEASE Mike release it on DVD from the TV recording.

We have tried to find a copy for years.

[01herb1956]

This is brilliant !!! Thankyou soooo much..I have hunted for years to try and find this concert on DVD, or VHS, to no avail. I had taped it off T V back in 1984 (?)but it got badly damaged. Please, please tell me I am going to be able to buy it. I even got into Mike Batt's website and emailed to ask about it's release, but got no response. This is the best musical ever...Up there with Phantom and Cats for me...Thanks again

[georgebur]

Yes and that is Art Garfunkel in the background too, second from the right. I wish we had a video of Cliff Richard singing this excellent song.

Lets have Captain Sensible for the Snooker Song too please!

[johnthegardener]

sorry to say Billy Connolly is superlative at the part!! All the actions & humour needed. It was such shame that the West End failed due to the nasty critics!!

[georgebur]

For the visuals I can see advantage of Billy. But for some reason, as a pure listen, Cliff dragged something extra out of this song that is a strong musical effort in the first place. What CDs are available - also is that Mike Batt conducting in the superb uniform?

[munkpuppet]

Although Art Garfunkel appeared on the studio version of the album, it wasn't him on this live TV version. This bloke (can't remember his name) was better.

[georgebur]

Most likely Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues. A strong singer but not that consistent in my opinion.

[inwoodliver]

Justin Hayward

[TIWICI]

Is Julian Lennon the baker back there in this footage? :)

[MontyPhyton99]

Yes and Roger Daltrey (The Who)as the barrister

[TIWICI]

Cool! thank you, MontyPhyton99! (BTW-- I'm a Monty Python fan too! :) )

[MontyPhyton99]

Yes that´s. Do you know "Monty Phython sings?" Very good for a s... day!

[PeterCopestake]

I should live so long ... come on Dramatico ... I'm already 67 :o)

[LWall2000]

A decidedly Arthur Sullivan slant to the music - but the words aren't up to WS Gilbert's. Snarky!

[dangermouth007]

oh my god, i love it. can't believe it's so hard to get hold of the cd. if anyone knows anywhere please tell me. please please please.

[sonanjc]

Hold on for a little longer. I'm sure the DVD can't be far away ...

[Derventio74]

Amazing!

[sonan456]

For those who loved this show (like me), keep an eye on the Dramatico website which has info on the release of the dvd. Cant wait!

[SteveNGarth]

cont... He split from teh humblebums, GR going solo and Billy oured the clubs singing songs and telling jokes. as the years went on the joke section of his act increased and the music decreased until his shows just became standup in the early 80's.

[SteveNGarth]

He started off as a banjo player in folk clubs around Glasgow, he got picked up by Gerry raferty (spellign?) and they formed the band The Humblebums. During their concerts billy started telling a few stories and jokes and the crowd loved it. after 2-3 albums Billy started tellign more and more stories and jokes at the shows and realised how popular it was.

[Mindda]

I have just found this - fantastic! Like others I am so glad this is here - I saw the original, doomed show and personally loved it and stil have my (very) old tape of it. I do wish they would bring it back!

[jctanner]

Apparently all of Mike Batt's albums are getting re released and the Hunting of the Snark album will come with a bonus DVD of the full concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

[sonan456]

can someone please please tell me if the this version is available on DVD or VHS. I have an old VHS tape of it (taped off TV) thats about 20 years old. Its getting very scratchy.

If anyone knows of any media that shows this full length performance from the Royal Albert Hall please let me know. Thanks

[adamgray83]

I seem to recall from reading Pamela Stephenson's biography of Billy that his comedy began as a filler between songs but gradually grew to be the show.

[VenetianSilks]

I just wanted to say a big "Thank you" for posting this video. I didn't know there was any video footage of this around. Is there any more? Anyway, the Bellman's Song is my favourite piece from this work, and finding it here has REALLY made my day. What a treat! I've "favourited" it so I can listen to it with my morning cup of tea each day! :)

[tyla140]

i see julian lennon!

[Polyphemus47]

Thank you SO MUCH for this posting! I had despaired of ever seeing any live video of this, one of my favorite musical works. Mike Batt is one of the unsung heroes of my pop music collection. Well, I sing him, but others ought to, as this clip attests!

[charmingwizkidwizard]

Woooow, he's good at singing!

[GyPsyDaNceR888]

yeah he is.though he's better known for his comedy, but i think- correct me if i'm wrong anyone- but he was in a bad called the humblebums and he was into folk music way before he did any comedy....well professionally.

[dumpeelover]

He played the banjo and sang with Gerry Rafferty (remember Baker Street?) in The Humblebums.