Banned In Sparta
Nouveau Retro, 2025
8/10
A violinist with an impressive resume, Robin Batteau pens a collaborative album of songs based on poems by Classical Greek Poets.
“Stolen In Love” opens with the expressive singing and warm guitar that’s complemented by a dreamy background of wordless ambience, and “In Her Loving Arms” follows with frisky drumming and Carolyn Hester’s flowing voice.
In the middle, “Sappho Sweetly Smiling” recruits Livingston Taylor’s distinct voice to the upbeat melodies, while “Terra Cotta Heart” benefits from Robin Lane’s alluring pipes for the album’s best that’s timeless and heartfelt folk-rock.
Close to the end, “How Can You Love Me” showcases mesmerizing guitar alongside intimate singing that’s poetic, and “Cross (Of Gold)” exits with Eric Andersen’s husky voice guiding the mature song craft that illuminated by strings.
A record that’s many years in the making and began when Batteau went back to Harvard to finish a degree he started 50 years prior, he employs many vocalists and organic instrumentation for the Greek tragedies turned into modern folk.
Travels well with: Elliott Murphy- Infinity; Robeone- Optimistica