HIS new album is set to be released next month, and Roddy Woomble will be previewing new songs when he appears in Bury tonight.

The Impossible Song and Other Songs album will be released on March 21, and showcases Woomble’s successful second career as a folk musician.

Best known as the frontman of rock band Idlewild, his 2006 solo debut, My Secret is my Silence, featured guest appearances from Kate Rusby, Ailidh Lennon, Karine Polwart and John McCusker.

The latest offering was recorded at the singer’s local arts centre, An Tobar in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull.

He said: “The nature of An Tobar, being a working centre for the arts on the island, including a gallery, café and performance space, meant that there were always interesting people around and musicians coming to the venue to play concerts.”

As a result the album includes a magical mix of musical contributions from jazz pianist Chick Lyall, saxophonist Rob Hall, Lau fiddler Aidian O’Rourke, accordion legend Phil Cunningham and famed Dundonian songwriter Michael Marra.  And Woomble says it is as good an album as any that he has previously recorded.

“I think this is as strong a collection of songs that I’ve ever put my name to and I’m proud that I managed to write and record them in such a collaborative and resourceful way,” he said.

“Song lyrics have a unique ability to blend magical elements into a realistic setting.

“It’s not a requirement to me that they make sense — the music can give them their meaning.”

At the gig he will be stripping the songs back to their acoustic roots for an intimate performance — prepare to be enchanted.

* Roddy Woomble plays The Met, in Market Street, Friday, February 4. Tickets cost £16 and are available from themet.biz or by ringing 0161 761 2216.