Ballads of the Book


Ballads of the Book is a collaborative studio album, released on 5 March 2007, on Chemikal Underground. The project was curated by Idlewild lead vocalist Roddy Woomble, and features collaborations between Scottish musicians and Scottish writers. The album is considered a "joint effort" by all those involved. Ballads of the Book was produced at Chem19 studios by Paul Savage and Andy [Miller (record producer)|Andy Miller].

Artwork

The album's front cover was designed by Scottish author/artist Alasdair Gray, and painted by Richard [Todd (artist)|Richard Todd]. The cover states that it is "for Edwin Morgan."
The album's liner notes include each of the poems in full.

Track listing

  1. "Song For Irena" – Mike Heron & John Burnside
  2. "Steam Comes Off Our House" – De Rosa & Michel Faber
  3. "A Calvinist Narrowly Avoids Pleasure" – James Yorkston & Bill Duncan
  4. "Dreamcatcher" – Foxface & Rody Gorman
  5. "A Sentimental Song" – Lord Cut-Glass & Alasdair Gray
  6. "The Sixth Stone" – Aidan Moffat & Ian Rankin
  7. "Girl" – Norman Blake & John Burnside
  8. "The Good Years" – Karine Polwart & Edwin Morgan
  9. "The War on Love Song" – Sons and Daughters & A. L. Kennedy
  10. "The Leaving" – Alasdair Roberts & Robin Robertson
  11. "Message in a Bottle" – Strike the Colours & Rody Gorman
  12. "If You Love Me You'd Destroy Me" – Aereogramme & Hal Duncan
  13. "The Rebel on His Own Tonight" – Malcolm Middleton & Alan Bissett
  14. "Half An Apple" – Trashcan Sinatras & Ali Smith
  15. "The Fire" – Vashti Bunyan & Rodge Glass
  16. "Where And When" – King Creosote & Laura Hird
  17. "Jesus on the Cross" – Emma Pollock & Louise Welsh
  18. "The Weight of Years" – Idlewild & Edwin Morgan