The Impossible Song & Other Songs
Encyclopedia
The Impossible Song & Other Songs is the third solo album by folk musician and Idlewild
vocalist Roddy Woomble
, released on March 21, 2011 on Greenvoe Records. Regarding the album's overall aesthetic, Woomble states: "My first two solo albums were much more low-key than this one and they were far more rooted in traditional Scottish folk. This record is a real change – it's more eclectic while still being part of that folk scene."
The album's artwork is by author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick
, noted for her series of children's books featuring Katie Morag
.
The album entered the UK album chart at #73.
with his wife, Ailidh Lennon. Woomble notes: "We moved to Mull for the space, for the environment, but it's actually been the people that have been so important. My wife has family there. At first I knew no one at all, but the songs I've written have definitely been shaped by the people I've met. Sometimes I think it's odd how these songs came together quite quickly, then I think, well maybe it's not been quick at all, maybe it's taken me 34 years to get here and I just didn't realise it."
The album was recorded over four months at Mull's local arts centre, An Tobar, with Woomble enlisting thirteen musicians to assist in recording. Former Idlewild
bassist Gavin Fox
appears throughout the album, alongside other noteable musicians, incliding Phil Cunningham
, Lau
's Aidan O'Rourke and Michael Marra
.
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
vocalist Roddy Woomble
Roddy Woomble
Roderick "Roddy" Woomble is the lead singer of Scottish rock band, Idlewild and a solo contemporary folk musician. To date, Woomble has released six full-length studio albums with Idlewild, and two solo albums, My Secret is My Silence and The Impossible Song & Other Songs...
, released on March 21, 2011 on Greenvoe Records. Regarding the album's overall aesthetic, Woomble states: "My first two solo albums were much more low-key than this one and they were far more rooted in traditional Scottish folk. This record is a real change – it's more eclectic while still being part of that folk scene."
The album's artwork is by author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick
Mairi Hedderwick
Mairi Hedderwick is a Scottish illustrator and author, best known for the Katie Morag series of children's picture books set on the Isle of Struay, a fictional counterpart of the real-life inner Hebridean island of Coll where Hedderwick has lived at various times for much of her life.She has also...
, noted for her series of children's books featuring Katie Morag
Katie Morag
Katie Morag is the title character of a series of children's picture books written and illustrated by Mairi Hedderwick. The gentle stories have been praised for their good humour, strong sense of place, and for the feisty and independent character of Katie herself.The books are set on the...
.
The album entered the UK album chart at #73.
Background and recording
In the spring of 2008, Woomble moved to the Isle of MullIsle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
with his wife, Ailidh Lennon. Woomble notes: "We moved to Mull for the space, for the environment, but it's actually been the people that have been so important. My wife has family there. At first I knew no one at all, but the songs I've written have definitely been shaped by the people I've met. Sometimes I think it's odd how these songs came together quite quickly, then I think, well maybe it's not been quick at all, maybe it's taken me 34 years to get here and I just didn't realise it."
The album was recorded over four months at Mull's local arts centre, An Tobar, with Woomble enlisting thirteen musicians to assist in recording. Former Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
bassist Gavin Fox
Gavin Fox
For the Canadian Actor see Gavin Fox Gavin Bernard Fox is bass player with the band Concerto For Constantine. He has also been in the band Vega 4, Scottish rock band Idlewild, and Irish indie rock band Turn.-References:...
appears throughout the album, alongside other noteable musicians, incliding Phil Cunningham
Phil Cunningham
Phil Cunningham may refer to:*Phil Cunningham , Scottish accordionist with the folk group Silly Wizard*Phil Cunningham , English guitarist, member of New Order, Bad Lieutenant and Marion...
, Lau
Lau (band)
Lau is a contemporary folk three-piece from Scotland, named after an Orcadian word meaning "natural light." The band is composed of Kris Drever , Martin Green and Aidan O’Rourke . To date, the band has released two studio albums and a live album.Their debut album, Lightweights and Gentlemen, was...
's Aidan O'Rourke and Michael Marra
Michael Marra
Michael Marra is a Scottish musician from Dundee.Jenny Marra, the Labour MSP, is his niece.-History:Michael Marra was brought up in the Lochee district of Dundee. His first public performance was at an NCR Christmas party in the 1950s...
.
Track listing
All songs written by Woomble/Maclean, unless otherwise noted.- "A New Day Has Begun" (Woomble/Maclean/JonesRod Jones (musician)Rodric "Rod" Iwan Pryce Jones is the guitarist and backing vocalist for indie rock band Idlewild.Son of classical musician, John Pryce-Jones, Jones is an energetic live performer, and his guitar playing has been described as "gritty yet melodic."In 2000 Jones played second guitar for Graham Coxon...
) - "Make Something Out of What it's Worth"
- "Work Like You Can"
- "Tangled Wire"
- "Roll Along" (Woomble/Maclean/Jones)
- "Hour After Hour" (Woomble/Maclean/Jones)
- "Leaving Without Gold"
- "New Frontier" (Woomble/Maclean/Jones)
- "Old Town"
- "Living as You Always Have"
- "Gather the Day"
- "Between the Old Moon"
Musicians
- Roddy WoombleRoddy WoombleRoderick "Roddy" Woomble is the lead singer of Scottish rock band, Idlewild and a solo contemporary folk musician. To date, Woomble has released six full-length studio albums with Idlewild, and two solo albums, My Secret is My Silence and The Impossible Song & Other Songs...
- lead vocals - Sorren Maclean - acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, organ, backing vocals, vibraphone
- Gavin FoxGavin FoxFor the Canadian Actor see Gavin Fox Gavin Bernard Fox is bass player with the band Concerto For Constantine. He has also been in the band Vega 4, Scottish rock band Idlewild, and Irish indie rock band Turn.-References:...
- bass guitar, accordion - Gregor Donaldson - drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Jill O'Sullivan - backing vocals
- Gordon Maclean - double bass, accordion ("Work Like You Can")
- Mhairi Hall - piano ("Make Something Out of What it's Worth")
- Kevin Brolly - clarinet ("Make Something Out of What it's Worth")
- Aidan O'Rourke - fiddle ("Work Like You Can", "Hour After Hour")
- Seonaid Aitken - piano ("Tangled Wire"), violin ("Leaving Without Gold"), backing vocals
- Chick Lyall - piano ("Roll Along", "New Frontier", "Between the Old Moon")
- Rob Hall - sopranino, soprano and tenor saxophones ("Roll Along", "Between the Old Moon")
- Michael MarraMichael MarraMichael Marra is a Scottish musician from Dundee.Jenny Marra, the Labour MSP, is his niece.-History:Michael Marra was brought up in the Lochee district of Dundee. His first public performance was at an NCR Christmas party in the 1950s...
- organ ("Old Town") - Phil CunninghamPhil CunninghamPhil Cunningham may refer to:*Phil Cunningham , Scottish accordionist with the folk group Silly Wizard*Phil Cunningham , English guitarist, member of New Order, Bad Lieutenant and Marion...
- accordion ("Living as You Always Have")
Production personnel
- Roddy Woomble - producer
- Gordon Maclean - recording
- Tony Doogan - mixing, additional recording
- Frank Arkwright - mastering