IT WAS one of the remarkable songs that came out of the extraordinary creativity that flourished in the run-up to the independence referendum in 2014.
Now it is about to be given the prominence it deserves on the crowdfunded Songs for Scotland 2 album which is aimed at keeping Scottish culture at the heart of the independence debate.
For creator Eddie Reid the Saoirse’s appearance on the new album alongside the well known names of the current Scottish music scene is “humbling”.
“I am totally honoured; I am the wee guy from the scheme and I am now finding myself in the company of the likes of Stanley Odd and Karen Mathieson, pinching myself and wondering how did this happen?” said Reid.
Reid does admit he has a “knack for a tune” and this carried him for 10 years abroad in Galway, Montreal and Casablanca. They are all places with a history of occupation and his time there gave him the chance to reflect from a distance on Scotland’s situation.
The result was Saoirse, which means freedom, and is a perfect fit for the Songs for Scotland 2 album which takes off from its predecessor, produced in the heady days of the 2014 independence referendum.
As well as producing a downloadable album of songs, it is also hoped that enough money can be raised to fund a scholarship for young musicians named after Scots polymath Alasdair Gray. While the first album embraced the incredible creativity that was sparked by the independence campaign, the theme of the second one is still upbeat with its theme being Gray’s dictum – “work as if you live in the early days of a better nation”.
The mastermind behind the project, Kevin Brown, explained that he came across Saoirse on the Songs for Scotland Facebook page in the run up to the referendum.
“There was an extraordinary efflorescence of musical creativity back then that went hand in glove with all of the political ferment,” he said. “The most amazing material popped up on that page, including Eddie’s Saoirse. It’s another deeply emotional appeal to Scots ahead of the vote to listen to the better angels of their natures. It’s a very acoustic song, and from the heart. Quite beautiful!”
Having been heavily involved in the Yes campaign on his return to Scotland, Reid was “absolutely gutted” at the result.
However, although he thinks the situation here will get worse before voters have the courage to break away from Westminster, he believes it will happen and people will find the strength to make the country a better place.
“My belief is that if all we are left are crumbs then we will bake a nice loaf of bread,” he said. “I think we are an unstoppable people who will overcome the odds against us.
“For me independence is inevitable. There is a massive disconnect between Westminster and the realities of life in Scotland. This democratic deficit fails to reflect our values and only full autonomy can correct that. When the pain of Brexit starts to bite, the previously undecideds and so-called ‘soft Nos’ will hold our nation’s fate in their hands. I believe they will help write a new chapter in our history.”
Meanwhile, Reid is continuing to play music having recently taken part in informal sessions at Jarvies in Yoker in tribute to Finlay Lawson who he says was the first to believe in his musical ability and bought him his first guitar. He has also been appearing alongside his son Lloyd, formerly of the Meatmen, at acoustic sessions in McGregor’s in Blackfriar Street in Glasgow’s Merchant City. For more information on Songs for Scotland 2, go to www.songsforscotland2.eu, or visit the crowdfunding page on Indiegogo: https://igg.me/at/s4s2
The National is project sponsor for Songs For Scotland 2. Every Monday, we will publish a weekly piece about one of the artists taking part.
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