Various Artists – Ballads of the Book
Ballads of the Book is the baby of Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble. Following, Idlewild’s work with Edwin Morgan on their Remote Part album. Roddy thought this would be great for others as well. He was able to get the support of support of the Scottish Arts Council and with Chemikal Underground onboard.
Contemporary writers like Ali Smith, A L Kennedy, Louise Welsh and Ian Rankin, esteemed poets like Robin Robertson, Bill Duncan and Rody Gorman feature alongside successful writers and novelists like Michel Faber, Alan Bissett, Laura Hird, Rodge Glass, Hal Duncan and John Burnside were all brought on to work with Scotland’s finest musicians. Idlewild, James Yorkston, Norman Blake, Sons And Daughters, Karine Polwart, King Creosote, Alasdair Roberts and The Trashcan Sinatras all appear just to name a few.
The album does a feature a few very strong highlights, Sons and Daughters work with A.L Kennedy on “The War on Love Song.” The track is a very brilliantly written song and Sons and Daughters really turned in to a song you could rally around. It is full of such fiery passion. Also, Emma Pollock teams up with Louise Welsh for “Jesus On The Cross” if we disregard the subject matter it is nice to hear some new material with Emma’s vocal on it. She has always had one of the best vocals. The song that will steal everyone’s heart is Foxface and Rody Gorman. It feels like such a traditional Scottish song I feel like I should be dancing.
The record is such an ambitious piece of work and with a lineup of artist you can’t argue. The teaming up of the Scotland literary world and music world is a brilliant idea and comes out with breathtaking results.
By John Siwicki
