My Secret is my Silence

My Secret is my Silence is the debut studio album by Idlewild lead vocalist Roddy Woomble, released 24 July 2006 on Pure Records.

My Secret is my Silence
Studio album by Roddy Woomble
Released	24 July 2006
Recorded	2006
Genre	Folk
Label	Pure Records
Producer	John McCusker
Roddy Woomble chronology
My Secret is my Silence (2006) Before the Ruin (2008)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
BBC	Favourable link
Kerrang!

The album, produced by John McCusker, features tracks co-written by McCusker, Rod Jones, Michael Angus and Karine Polwart, as well as the vocals of folk singer Kate Rusby.

Regarding the album, Woomble states that: "the barriers were down so I could do whatever I wanted. I don’t look at it as a solo record – I mean, my name is on it, but it’s more of a collaborative effort. There are ten people on it!".[1]

Woomble also notes that he is "in a position that I can decide to put out records under my own name, playing music that wouldn’t be considered rock music, but I can also play with the band and put out rock albums. It’s not like I wake up in the morning with a beard and a tammy and warble folk songs, and the next day it’s all leather jackets. The two things run in tandem pretty well".[2]

Writing and composition

In 2013, Woomble noted that My Secret is my Silence was "written mostly in a one-bedroom flat in Glasgow, in the comedown from the Warnings/Promises era of Idlewild. It was a time of long tours and record company pressure. I had a longing for wide open spaces, glens, rivers and trees, and to be rid of the trappings of a moderately successful major label rock band. So [the] record is all about escapism".[3]

Track listing

1. "I Came In from the Mountain" – 2:40
2. "As Still As I Watch Your Grave" – 4:45
3. "Every Line of a Long Moment" – 3:39
4. "My Secret is My Silence" – 4:12
5. "Act IV" – 4:22
6. "From the Drifter to the Drake" – 3:37
7. "If I Could Name Any Name" – 3:57
8. "Whiskeyface" – 2:47
9. "Waverley Steps" – 4:05
10. "Under My Breath" – 3:44
11. "Play Me Something" – 3:40

Personnel

• Michael Angus - acoustic guitar (4 and 9) electric guitar (5 and 6) vocals (6)
• Dave Burland - vocals 4, 6 and 11
• Ian Carr - acoustic guitar (1, 8 and 11) lead electric guitar (2 and 10)
• Andy Cutting - accordion (1, 2. 8, 10 and 11)
• David Gow - drums, percussion (2, 3. 4. 5, 6, 8, 9. 10 and 11)
• Rod Jones - acoustic guitar (3 and 4) electric guitar (2, 3,4, 5, 6. 8,9, 10 and 11) vocals (2, 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. 10 and 11)
• Ailidh Lennon - bass guitar (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and U)
• Michael McGoldrick - flute (2. 8. 10 and 11) whistle (5) uillean pipes (2, 6 and 11)
• John McCusker - violin (2, 3, 4, 5 8 and 10) cittern (6, 9 and 11) tenor guitar (7) Wurlitzer (3)
• Karine Polwart - acoustic guitar (7) vocals (2, 4, 6, 7 and 11)
• Kate Rusby - vocals (1, 5, 6, 9 and 11)
• Donald Shaw - harmonium (5, 7 and 9) Wurlitzer (3 and 7)
• Roddy Woomble - lead vocals (all songs)

References

1. Drowned in Sound - Features - ReDiScover: Idlewild
2. Idlewild interview - Perfect Timing | The List
3. http://www.civilianglobal.com/arts/interview-roddy-woomble-idlewild-uks-best-contemporary-folk-artist-listen-to-keep/#ixzz2MWLJNclG