Post Description

William Jackson is a sensitive and evocative lyricist. His tunes are framed along traditional lines and have catchy accessible refrains. This is an un-reconstructed folk singer. Hard to believe this is his first recording but such it is and yet only "Sail Away" is included of the songs popularised by Jim Mageean and Johnny Collins in the late 70s/early 80s. 
He's been in a rich vein of form since and this album is as warm and open as the man himself. Nothing ground-breaking you understand, but with a guideless delivery and depth of feeling that provides much to admire. 

On "The Ancient Harp of Scotland", a true solo recording of traditional tunes, William Jackson shows off his multi-instrumental skills and produces a wide-ranging selection of traditional music arranged for the Scottish clarsach. In fact, the range seems to extend beyond Scotland, with two or three pieces which I thought were English and Welsh. The vast majority of the material is quintessentially Scottish, though, from Highlands and Lowlands, East and West coasts. 
The slow airs are particularly beautiful, with the best versions I've heard of "Lude's Supper" and "Rory Dall's Sister's Lament" amongst others. There's nothing with real bite to it, but it's all very pleasant, nicely arranged and very well played apart from some strange whistling on track four! 
Alex Monaghan in The Living Tradition

Tracklisting:
1. Sir Sidney Smith's March
2. Skyedance
3. Roualeyn's Plaid
4. Mary Scott, Flower of Yarrow
5. Lude's Supper
6. Cro Chinn t-Saile
The Burning of the Piper's Hut
7. Rory Dall's Sister's Lament
8. Strathspeys: The Chisholm/Mrs Stewart of Grandtully/The Source of Spey
9. Mo Run Geal Og
10. The Yellow Haired Laddie
11. Glenlyon Lament
12. Galley of Lorne
13. La Gimblette
14. Crossing to Ireland 

20% pars meegepost