Reg Meuross
Album: Leaves And Feathers
Label: Hatsongs
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.regmeuross.com

Fate has got in the way of me seeing Reg Meuross since I enjoyed his performance at Trowbridge Village Pump Folk Festival many years ago. I booked him for a night at the Topic Folk Club in 2011 but sadly he had to cancel at the last minute due to a sudden family illness (all turned out well I am glad to say). My next opportunity to see Reg was at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in the same year but once again I missed out as there was a major clash and he was over the other side of the festival site playing his only set of the weekend. I am hoping to put things right when Reg does finally get to the Topic in May this year but in the meantime his new CD will keep me well sustained through the spring.

From the very first guitar and cello notes on track one 'One Way Ticket to Louise' (undoubtedly one of the few romantic songs set on a bus) it is clear that something very special this way comes. The CD was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and features a stripped down line up of Reg on guitars, dulcimer, banjo and harmonica, Bethany Porter on cello and Lily Meuross, Jess Vincent and Bethany on backing vocals. This small scale perfectly suits the intimacy of Reg's songs. The voices and instruments envelop the listener in a warm blanket of sound that seems to displace the rest of the world and its worries to a distant locked room.

It is quite difficult to pick out individual songs for commentary as it could be seen to disservice to the others but I will try for the sake of example. 'My Jerusalem' is a moving song inspired by Blake's original, 'I Am The House' (which has a self explanatory title!) has an irresistible chorus and 'My Name is London Town' stands in the same company as 'Streets of London' and 'Waterloo Sunset' as one of the finest songs written about this great city.

The performances and production are exemplary throughout and the sound of the cello in particular is simply ravishing. A very fine achievement, then, and a CD I can recommend without reservation. I am looking forward to that Topic gig even more now!

Joe Grint