"Banned in Sparta" meets "The Odyssey"

#ForFansOf The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan and Matt Damon’s epic triumph The Odyssey resurrects the ancient world that turbocharged Western civilization — democracy, theater, philosophy, architecture, art.

If that era had a soundtrack, it would sound uncannily like Robin Batteau’s magical, mystical Banned in Sparta: eleven songs mosaic‑ed from the shards of pottery and scraps of parchment left behind by Greece’s great lyric poets. These were the original singer‑songwriters — Archilochus, Sappho, Alcaeus — performing with lyres the way Dylan or Taylor Swift perform with guitars today.

Bat­teau built these songs like a paleontologist assembling a T. Rex, filling gaps in the ancient fragments with “musical bones” of his own devising. And to bring them fully to life, he chose voices from our own Golden Age of singer‑songwriting: Eric Andersen, Carolyn Hester (who hosted Dylan’s first recorded appearance), Livingston Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tom Paxton, rocker Robin Lane, plus Tony‑winning actor James Naughton and his children Greg and Keira, Batteau himself, and newcomer Matt Nakoa. 

• Bonnie Raitt: dubbed him “The Love God”

Press Highlights on "Banned in Sparta"

• Goldmine: “Contemporary sounding… readily accessible, any scholarly insinuation aside.”
• House of Prog: “So enjoyable and a whole load of fun… well worth investigating.”
• Classic Rock History: “A lifetime of weaving together tradition and invention.”
• Let It Rock: “Robin’s comeback… was totally worth it.”

  

 Cross (of Gold)  Eric Andersen Breathy, resonant male vocal with bright guitar. A deep, introspective piece in which he asks himself,  "I still adore her? Is love like this a torture. Why is this crucifixion on a cross of gold?" “I love you / hate you / love you.”

Archilochus Re‑Deemed James Naughton  Bold male vocals over soft‑rock instrumentation. A soldier’s declaration of loyalty to the god of war — poetic, grounded, and free of self‑pity. The song states they want caring people in the trenches with them, not belligerent warm mongers, making it ideal for scenes about courage, grit, or moral conflict.  “I am a servant of the Lord God of War.”

In Her Loving Arms Carolyn Hester  Mid‑tempo contemporary folk with Carolyn Hester’s iconic, airy vocal dancing around Batteau’s strings. A portrait of a dangerous, irresistible woman — the kind men return to again and again. The song’s intimate feeling makes it perfect for scenes balancing warmth with risk.“In her loving arms, love the thunder and danger.”

Thracian Filly Tom Paxton Uptempo, Appalachian‑tinctured folk with Tom Paxton’s unmistakable voice. A playful comparison between a woman and a spirited horse, full of movement and charm. Fun and timeless appeal. A lively, percussive refrain celebrating her dance. Namedropping Olympus, Dionysus, and Dorian. His imagination on what he’d love to experience with the “Thracian Filly.”  Shake your hair, shake your hair, shake your hair, you Thracian Filly

 The Most Beautiful Thing in the World  Keira Naughton Soft female vocal with acoustic guitar. A meditation on beauty and what we leave behind. “Is the most beautiful thing in the world only the thing you leave behind?”

 

Robin Batteau's “Banned In Sparta”

Collaborative Album with Classical Greek Poets and Modern Folk Singers

On July 11, Robin Batteau is releasing “Banned in Sparta,” a new collaborative album of songs based on poems by Classical Greek poets, and recorded by friends Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, Carolyn Hester, Livingston and Kate Taylor, Matt Nakoa, Robin Lane, 2-time Tony winning actor James Naughton and his gifted children Keira and Greg. Robin was inspired by an Ancient Greek History class he took when he returned to Harvard during the Pandemic to finish a degree he started in the 1960s. Robin earned the World Record of taking a 50-year break (between 1970 to 2021) to return to Harvard and finish his degree in 2022.   

“Banned In Sparta” focuses almost entirely on poets from Ancient Greece between 700 and 400 BC.  One poet, Gaius Valerius Catullus (84 – 54 BC), as smitten with the ghost of Sappho as Robin or Alcaeus, is from Rome during Julius Caesar’s reign, for whom Eric Andersen performs “Cross (of Gold),” an ode to interlaced and conflicted feelings, “Odi et Amo"— I hate and I love.

The title “Banned in Sparta” finds its name from Archilochus, the Bob Dylan of the 7^th century B.C., a warrior-poet so irreverent he was “Banned in Sparta.”  James Naughton sings the song “Archilochus Re-Deemed (I Am a Servant of the Lord God of War).” Kate Taylor performs “Telesilla’s On the Wall,” from the female poet Telesilla, who led her fellow women warriors to victory against those same renowned Spartans. 

“The Greek Lyric poets performed live, and were the stars of their day,” says Robin. “They were singer/songwriters, they played the lyre (hence "Lyric") and danced around the stage like Tom Paxton and Taylor Swift.”

Robin, who studied Ancient Greece and Integrative Biology at Harvard, found that most of what was left of the poems were fragments and myth, “So I mosaic-ed songs to reflect their expressions and intentions— who they were, and are to me.”         

A range of female poets contributed to the lyrical history of Greece including Corrina, whose “In Her Loving Arms” is sung by Carolyn Hester, and Praxilla’s “The Most Beautiful Thing in the World,” a hymn to Adonis, sung by Keira Naughton.  Sappho’s writing inspires “Terra Cotta Heart,” sung by Robin Lane.  Livingston Taylor sings “My Sappho, Sweetly Smiling” from the smitten neighbor and rival Alcaeus. 

The fun and frolicking “Shake your Hair (You Thracian Filly),” sung by Tom Paxton. Pianist and folk singer Matt Nakoa offers a Bruce Hornsby-like treatment for Simonides of Ceos’s “Theatre of Memory (Man of Gold).”    

Sharing Grammy, Emmy, Clio, and Gold Record Awards and an Oscar nomination, Robin’s recorded over a dozen albums with Pierce Arrow, David Buskin (Buskin & Batteau), and many others.  His jingles feature in long-running, award-sweeping advertising campaigns from "I'm Lovin' It" for McDonalds to “Can’t Beat It” for Coca-Cola to "The Heartbeat of America" for Chevrolet. He’s played his 1898 Scarampella violin with everyone from Yo-Yo Ma to Benny Goodman to Bruce Springsteen and has had his melodies sung by Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Judy Collins, Paul Newman, and more. His songs have supported charities and causes, including World Hunger Year, Ocean Alliance, Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, and Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for kids. The Boston Globe defines his music with David Buskin as "Acoustic Heaven."

“Banned In Sparta” songs

“Stolen in Love”  (Gorgias)  Greg Naughton (vocals: lead, harmony, background, descants),  Mark Dann (bass, synths), Robin Batteau— (acoustic guitar (custom 7-string Sigma), Greek Chorus oohs and aahs, fingerpop and heartbeat percussion). 

“In Her Loving Arms” (Corinna)   Carolyn Hester  (lead vocals), Jennifer “Genevieve” Vitanzo (harmony vocals), Jerry Marotta (drums), Mark Dann (bass, electric 12-string guitar, synths) Robin Batteau (violin (1898 Scarampella, muted), Sigma guitar).     

“Archilochus Re-Deemed (I Am a Servant of the Lord God of War)”  (Archilochus) James Naughton (lead vocal), Jerry (drums), Neale Eckstein (acoustic guitar), Robin (harmony vocals, handclaps, drums, Sigma guitar, violins).

“Telesilla’s on the Wall”  (Telesilla) Kate Taylor (lead vocal),  Mark Dann (bass, synths),  Jerry Marrotta (drums), Robin Batteau (violin, acoustic guitar (1948 Martin 0-17, nylon-strung), background vocals, descant).

“My Sappho, Sweetly Smiling”  (Alcaeus)  Livingston Taylor (lead vocal, acoustic guitar), Mark Dann (bass, synths), Jerry Marrotta (drums), Robin Batteau (violin, Martin guitar, synths, background vocals, descant).

“Terra Cotta Heart” (Sappho)   Robin Lane (lead vocal), Mark Dann (bass, electric 12, synths), Jerry Marrotta (drums), Robin Batteau (Martin guitar, drums, percussion).

“Shake Your Hair (You Thracian Filly)” (Anacreon)   Tom Paxton (lead vocal), Eric Schwartz (piano, organ), Mark Dann (bass, synths), Neale Eckstein (acoustic guitar, drums),Robin Batteau (Sigma, drums).

“Man of Gold (Theater of Memory)” (Simonides) Matt Nakoa (lead vocal, piano, synths, bass, drums, electric guitar).

“How Can You Love Me”  (Stesichorus)   Robin Batteau (lead vocal, harmony vocals, Martin, violins, synths, drums, percussion), Yani Batteau (harmony vocal, banjo), Neale Eckstein (drums, percussion).

“The Most Beautiful Thing in the World” (Praxilla)  Keira Naughton (lead vocal), Robin Batteau (Martin Guitar).

“Cross” (Catullus)   Eric Andersen  (lead vocal),  Abby Newton (cello-1897 Scarampella), Mark Dann (bass, synths), Robin Batteau (Martin guitar), violin, percussion (inspired by Marshal Rosenberg)

Juneteenth Playlist

Inspired by Bandcamp, who are giving 100% of its sales’ revenue to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund on Monday, June 19, here’s my first Juneteenth playlist.  These songs are on Bandcamp, and links are provided.   

Choose Your Weapon Kj Denhert  reggae, female voice, about war and how to prevent it, "If you don't choose a weapon, war will choose a weapon for your child." kjdenhert.bandcamp.com/track/choose-your-weapon

Help Kj Denhert  voice and guitar thoughtful ballad, bringing new life to the lyrics. Sony Music is contact for Beatles.  KJ owns her master, and has permission to record song.  motemamusic.bandcamp.com/track/help

Be A Pain  Alastair Moock  country, upbeat, tempo kindred to "Thank God, I"m a Country Boy" standing up to what's wrong, Rosa Parks, Harvey Milk, be a pain shout about it and complain, equal pay--Billy Jean King, Parkland, “Don't be polite, raise your alastair mock: be a pain: Be A Pain by Alastair Moock  country, upbeat, tempo kindred to "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy" standing up to what's wrong, Rosa Parks, Harvey Milk, be a pain shout about it and complain, equal pay--Billy Jean King, Parkland, “If you see something that’s wrong, raise your hand and say that’s wrong Point it out and name that thing by its name”   alastairmoock.bandcamp.com/track/be-a-pain

Slim in Atlanta Cornelius Eady/Rough Magic   male vocal- slang "accent" piano, early jazz, N word The poem “Slim in Atlanta” by Sterling Allen Brown is a satire that humorously looks at race relations. In the poem, the protagonist discovers that blacks are forbidden to laugh in public and are lining up to laugh in the security of a telephone booth. The poem is a commentary on the absurdity of segregation laws and how they were used to control black people’s behavior. roughmagic.bandcamp.com/track/slim-in-atlanta 

Sterling Allen Brown, Poet

If We Must Die Robin Lane  female vocals, acoustic guitar, blues, If we must die, let us noble-y die is the from the most acclaimed poem by Harlem Renaissance writer, Claude McKay  (1922).    The poem was created in response to mob attacks by white Americans upon African-American communities.  therobinlane.bandcamp.com/track/if-we-must-die

Claude McKay, Poet

Peace Begins in My Own Heart  Dan Berggren folk music male baritone, guitar, "I'm a poor wayfaring stranger traveling through this world of greed." "help my neighbor, do my part... peace begins in my own heart" danberggren.bandcamp.com/track/peace-begins-in-my-own-heart-2
 

Used to be White Ceili Rain   male vocals, rock, celtic instruments, "Strawberry Fields"-like, "It wasn't just my skin, it was the shape my mind was in--I used to be white." Writer Bob Halligan, Jr. was thinking of the American evolution regarding racial justice, and celebrating his own transformation, in a fairly sober way.  ceilirain.bandcamp.com/track/used-to-be-white

Peace on Earth  Steve Bonino  male vocals, slow, dreamlike, produced pop like Paul McCartney Beatles, Shins dream pop , wish for peace on earth.  it lists the bad times in the first verse and by the end of the second verse, it asks us all to dream.  stevebonino.bandcamp.com/track/peace-on-earth

Cognitive Dissonance   Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius  (two versions, studio and live)  male tenor vocals hard rock electric-violin & guitars People believing rumors, and losing friends due to politics and religions. “Hatred is taught.” 

Studio link: stratospheerius.bandcamp.com/track/cognitive-dissonance 

Live link: Cognitive Dissonance (Live at ProgStock) | Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius (bandcamp.com)

 

Robin Lane’s “Dirt Road to Heaven” Re-released with Added Song “All I’ll Ever Need”

March 3, Red on Red Records is re-released a re-mastered version of Robin Lane’s current and critically-acclaimed album DIRT ROAD TO HEAVEN with a recent favorite song of Robin’s.  “All I’ll Ever Need,” which found airplay on radio and YouTube is a favorite of Robin’s label, Boston-based company Red on Red Records.

The label's President Justine Covault’s decision to re-release the album is a way of giving “All I’ll Ever Need” an opportunity to be heard by more people. “When I first started working with Robin, I focused on what I could do to best support her, and I chose ‘All I'll Ever Need’ as a standalone single, because I knew the Red on Red audience would love it.  What I didn't know then was what Robin was about to teach me. She opened my ears to her songs -- songs that matter, songs that inspire, songs that soar and then dig a trench in your heart. So I fell in love with, and then picked up, the entire ‘Dirt Road to Heaven’ album, and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.”

Americana Highways’ Jeff Burger writes about “Dirt Road To Heaven,” “This 11-track latest one, most of which Lane wrote or co-wrote, offers a lot to like. Assisted by a crew that adds accordion, banjo, drums, lap steel, backup vocals, and more, Lane flirts (not for the first time) with country music on songs like “Faded Leaves,” showcases gorgeous vocal work on numbers like “Hurricane Watch,” and turns up the heat on tracks like the sultry “Hunny Dummer,” where she sings, “Turn off the phone, turn on George Jones, and let me show you how I feel.”  The Alternate Root’s Lee Zimmerman cheers, “Consider this dirt road a potential path to achieving that well-deserved greater acclaim for Robin Lane.”  

CBS TV/Sirius XM’s Bill Flanagan told Robin, “I think it might be the best record you’ve ever made.”

Boston Herald’s Brett Milano wrote, “she’s still the musical friend who’ll join you walking that dirt road.” He loves the album’s inspirational range of music: “Country on ‘Rodeo Clown,’ rockabilly on ‘Hard Life,’ full-throttle Byrds on ‘Sunshine Blue Skies.’ There’s also a couple of shiver-inducing ballads that show her ever-increasing warmth and range….(and) a few helpings of sly humor (see ‘Last Cute Minute’)."

 

Digital Streaming Link:  robinlane.hearnow.com

“All I’ll Ever Need” music video:

https://redonredrobinlane.bandcamp.com/album/dirt-road-to-heaven

The album is also on sale on Robin’s website: www.therobinlane.com/shop

  

Love and Valentines Songs

  

LAST CUTE MINUTE  by Robin Lane  country female electric "Maybelline"-styled guitar. A fun song about coming in touch with her own "fading beauty"--looking for a man with nothing wrong with him, and then admitting that she's got wrinkles. hook "This could be my last cute minute." 

ALL THAT RAZZ by Robeone - flutters, has a smooth jazz chime…. And synthesizer flow that sometimes feel like wailing vocals, Gershwin and Dave Brubeck meets Space influences.

Emily Hurd's "Kiss Me Outta My Right Mind" is a finalist and honorable mention winner in the USA Songwriting Competition.  This old-school country song is about believing love will make it right, while she's trying so hard to do the right things and watching it all fall apart.  

 

Yulia Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius (Instrumental)  Gypsy jazz fusion, like John Coltrane meets Jean Luc Ponty. “Pat Metheny on violin.” goes from moody to orgasmic and major colors.  

Love Killer Jaclyn Bradley  lush, slow tempo, dream pop female vocals, theme of fear as a love killer, let it all hang out, I'm here for the dream of love.   

   There She Is by Firefall:  Commercial pop yacht rock song that elevates an energetic and beautiful woman. "She keeps me inspired. She's taken my breath away. She's got me on fire, and I'm on my best behavior every night and day." 

 

Fall 2022 Playlist for Covers, Syncs, Radio

I chose Look Around by the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, because it feels like the good people that gave up on public service years ago are looking around, and getting together to work on solutions that will make a difference. This folk rock band is fronted by Joziah Longo.  The band has an incredible time at Cropredy this past Summer, and came out as the Festival Favorite. 

Dan Berggren, who was my radio teacher at SUNY Fredonia, is celebrating 55 years on the radio. This veteran songwriter's "Free to Read" is midtempo folk with a marching beat, acoustic guitar, bass male vocals, "We need to be free to read." He sings a list of books that have been banned: To Kill a Mockingbird, Beloved, American Psycho, Harry Potter, Diary of Anne Frank..... 

danberggren.bandcamp.com/track/free-to-read

I Cry For You by Tony Moore is about Tony's emotional struggle as his mom went through dementia, Sounding a little like Yes' Jon Anderson, the symphonic pop-rock song shares his memories of her both during and before the diagnosis.  The former Cutting Crew keyboardist recently co-wrote "Love Never Dies" with Julian Lennon on Julian's new album, JUDE. Tony is currently working on his critically acclaimed one man show and album called AWAKE.  

Extremist by Kathy Zimmer is an upbeat & layered indie pop, female vocal about finding balance within the love and hate of a close, person relationship. Her rich alto sings, "You make me happy and depressed"  kathyzimmer.bandcamp.com/track/extremist

Robin Lane's new album, "Dirt Road to Heaven" has Americana and Folk stylings.  She's been performing this music sincethe 1990s. "Woman Like That" combines Native American roots and British and New England folk stylings, and is about being stalked. Woman Like That | Robin Lane (bandcamp.com)

 

You Hold My Soul, by Nicole Bacher, explores themes of gratitude and dedication towards her partner for their journey together ... He helped her fight depression. "You made me whole let me be bold you hold my soul." One of my Toastmasters' buddies is a corporate headhunter and wrote, "Great energy and you can tell they are working together so well as a team" and "The song is great." 

“Take Your Medicine" by electric violinist/vocalist/prog rocker Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius deals with hypocrisy. The song confronts a liar and watches him run away "You can never win, take your medicine" A live version of this song is available for radio programmers as it appears on the group's upcoming double CD/DVD/Blu Ray "Behind the Curtain: Live At ProgStock."  

 

 

An Evening with Robin Lane: Songs & Stories at The Beacon Restaurant & Warwick Cinema in Marblehead, MA, Thursday Nov. 17

Join us for an evening of songs and stories from legendary singer and songwriter Robin Lane at the beautiful Beacon Restaurant Live Music Venue and Warwick Cinema in Marblehead, MA on Thursday November 17.

The evening begins at 6 pm with Robin at a meet & greet, complete with appetizers. At 7 pm, the highly acclaimed documentary about Robin Lane, “When Things Go Wrong” will be shown. The Film’s Director (and Chartbusters’ drummer) Tim Jackson, will be on hand to offer his insights. 

At 8:30 pm, Robin performs a set of her classic hits and music from her new album, “Dirt Road to Heaven.” Her band this evening features Marblehead's own John Pfister (bass), Peter Hoffman (guitar), Jim Treacy (cajon, drums).  

The Beacon Marblehead is located at 123 Pleasant Street, in Marblehead, MA 01945. On location parking is readily available.

Admission is $25 at the door.

The website is Thebeaconmarblehead.com.

The venue phone is 781-631-0180.

facebook.com/thebeaconmarblehead 

From her days growing up in LA with a father who was songwriter and pianist for Dean Martin, to mixing with folk rock stars of the late 1960s and ‘70s like Neil Young, and marriage to Andy Summers, Robin moved to Massachusetts built a band and went on record 3 albums on Warner Bros. as Robin Lane and The Chartbusters. Videos on the new MTV during those years and into the early ‘80s helped launch the band nationally. Robin has championed women’s trauma healing with her Songbird Sings Organization. Motherhood, along with decades of writing and performing have brought Robin to this point in her amazing life. So many stories, so many insights learned and healing shared, so much more to come… This unique evening will fill you with the songs, the stories and opportunity to get to know Robin Lane.  

Robin’s new album, “Dirt Road to Heaven” on Boston’s Red On Red Records, has received praises from all over the world. Germany’s MusikReviews says the album’s “songwriting impresses with high quality, the musical implementation is unreservedly enjoyable.” Alternate Root’s Lee Zimmerman cites the album’s “confidence and assurance conveyed through the effort overall.”  

British Columbia’s “Go” writes “There is a lot of life in the songs… a couple of ballads that hit you down deep.” Locally, Metronome’s Drew McManus calls “Dirt Road to Heaven” “a collection of American music that rivals Brandi Carlile and Joan Baez.” While Boston Herald’s Brett Milano says that Robin Lane is ‘still the musical friend who’ll join you walking that dirt road” or in Marblehead on November 17.