Reviews of "Land of Light" The SaltireOrder Now!

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The CD Land of Light by distinguished harpist William Jackson, with vocals by Mairi MacInnes, includes the song of the same name which was the winning entry in the Song for Scotland competition to find a new anthem for us in the new era.  Mairi MacInnes also provides the Gaelic translation. It might be only too easy to dismiss this as another "pipes with everything" extravaganza, especially it you listen to a casual soundbite - but there is far, far more to it that that.  If the intention is to make use of this song as a national anthem, it would indeed make us sound more like a real, dignified nation than Flower of Scotland does. This album might well have been called "The Land of Light Collection" as it presents no fewer than four versions: solo vocal, instrumental, choral and Gaelic -- Murrayfield, grand prix podium, Olympic stadium, and National Mod perhaps? Whatever, it cannot be denied that it stirs the blood.  And just for good measure, the album gives fans a chance to recall some of William's triumphs. This is a must for Scots all over the globe, I'd say, and possibly the first tartan platinum of the 21st century. No not possibly --make that surely.

The Scots Magazine - July 1999
The Herald's 'Song for Scotland' competition has produced a winner : William Jackson's Land of Light.  It was chosen by a panel of three judges from 249 entries.  The judges' decision was unanimous.   Said composer and accordionist Phil Cunningham, who sat on the judging panel: "The hairs on my arms stand well proud when I hear something this good."   William Jackson is a gifted composer, arranger and performer with a thorough appreciation of Scotland's musical traditions.  His Land of Light commends itself as a prospective Scottish anthem on a number of counts, over and above its being a pleasing tune.  It is appropriate to have in new Scotland, a new Parliament and a new anthem as we go into a new millenium.  William Jackson's words express more appropriate sentiments for this purpose than the late Roy Williamson's rousing but somewhat anti-English Flower of Scotland.  By contrast, Land of Light looks forward in words that express the sorts of things you would want to see embidied in any new constitution: justice and hope, confidence and freedom.  There are references to Scottish accomplishments, but also to what we offer the world.  The incorporation of a Gaelic line into the English version is also appropriate.  The tempo of Land of Light will want to be stepped up for some purposes - and no doubt will be.  But it is a simple, haunting and versatile tune.  It adapts well to the pipes (leading theatre impresario Sir Cameron MacIntosh has already asked the Lothian Pipe Band to play it at his millenium hogmanay party) and will suit the full range of Scotland's traditional instruments, as well  as lending itself to choral, orchestral, brass band and othet arrangements.  Pipers and Pipe Bands around the world will do well to add this tune to their repetoire.

NOTES FROM THE PIPING CENTRE - Spring '99