January 3, 2007 15:02

Idlewild star compiles Scots poetry/rock collaborations

And there will be a big concert too

Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble has put together an album and concert featuring collaborations between some of Scotland’s best writers and musicians.

‘Ballads Of The Book’ is out on March 5 on Chemikal Underground, with a concert taking place beforehand in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on January 30.

The tracklisting is:

Mike Heron & John Burnside – ‘Song For Irena’
De Rosa & Michel Faber – ‘Steam Comes Off Our House’
James Yorkston & Bill Duncan – ‘A Calvinist Narrowly Avoids Pleasure’
Foxface & Rody Gorman – ‘Dreamcatcher’
Lord Cut-Glass & Alasdair Gray – ‘A Sentimental Song’
Aidan Moffat And The Best Ofs & Ian Rankin – ‘The Sixth Stone’
Norman Blake & John Burnside – ‘Girl’
Karine Polwart & Edwin Morgan – ‘The Good Years’
Sons And Daughters & A L Kennedy – ‘The War On Love Song’
Alasdair Roberts & Robin Robertson – ‘The Leaving’
Strike The Colours & Rody Gorman – ‘Message In A Bottle’
Aereogramme & Hal Duncan – ‘If You Love Me You'd Destroy Me’
Malcolm Middleton & Alan Bissett – ‘The Rebel On His Own Tonight’
Trashcan Sinatras & Ali Smith – ‘Half An Apple’
Vashti Bunyan & Rodge Glass – ‘The Fire’
King Creosote & Laura Hird – ‘Where And When’
Emma Pollock & Louise Welsh – ‘Jesus On The Cross’
Idlewild & Edwin Morgan – ‘The Weight Of Years’

The album cover is an original, specially commissioned artwork by Alasdair Gray the project is also set to be the subject of a film documentary due to be broadcast by Scottish Television around the release. This night will showcase the live performances of some of the songs from ‘Ballads Of The Book’ alongside songs from the musicians' own material.

More details are available at celticconnections.com.