| Reg Meuross | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Reg Meuross |
| Genres | Folk music |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, Singer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Website | http://www.regmeuross.com |
Reg Meuross is a notable English singer and songwriter based in Somerset, England. First emerging onto the British acoustic music scene when he formed The Panic Brothers with comedian, Richard Morton, their witty songs and warm demeanour wowed many an audience at both home and abroad. Five years of successful touring and t.v. work followed their album ‘In The Red’, produced by Clive Gregson with the ‘Brothers’ appearing regularly on TV, including Friday Night Live, and at Edinburgh, Sidmouth , Glastonbury and other festivals.
Reg then moved on to form the quintessential roots band, The Flamingos featuring ex-Graham Parker guitarist, Martin Belmont, Bob Loveday from the Penguin Café Orchestra & Bob Geldof's Band and Alison Jones of The Barely Works. They recorded the album Arrested in 1991 In recent years, Reg also toured, up until Spring 2009, with Hank Wangford and The Lost Cowboys as a member of the band and also as a solo artist with Hank on the No Hall Too Small tours.
It was in 1996 that his first solo album, The Goodbye Hat was released to critical acclaim, being nominated for several music awards, including best song for 'Ring Around The Roses'. The album was very well received leading Time Out to describe it as an 'Excellent, engaging and affecting album from one of Britain’s finest'. Country music People went on to write that 'Meuross is one of our finest home-grown songwriters. His light touch and quintessential Englishness was at times remindful of John Betjeman set to music.’ The Sunday Times described The Goodbye Hat as ‘A marvellous set of songs. Meuross’ writing has such confidence about it that some of his compositions could already be classics.’ and Folk Roots commented that ‘This album radiates class. The songs are well-crafted with original lyrical ideas and it was a pleasure to listen to…highly recommended to the open-minded.’ In 2004, Reg released Short Stories, a graceful and immaculately forged collection of songs and his second solo album. Country Music Records review of Short Stories noted that ‘he is an expressive singer who imparts a genuine sense of sincerity and understanding of the plight of his subjects. A satisfying album from a singer and songwriter of melodic songs who offers interesting and intelligent lyrics. It deserves to be heard.’ The songs run the rainbow of human emotions and whatever their original meaning when written, there is something here for everyone to identify with.
Short Stories was followed in 2006 by the least well-known of Reg’s albums, Still. Surprisingly, as it is a diamond of an album. Joyous, witty, painfully accurate in the reality of human relationships and a reflection of the direction in which the artist was naturally progressing. Maverick magazine described it as ‘A collection of extremely beautiful songs, given a fine reading by one of the Uk’s most talented singer-songwriters’ and Americana magazine hit the nail on the head when they wrote (he) ’ outlines topics and subjects that maybe you don’t think have any bearing or impact on your life, but his lyrics engage you right from the off. And then you realise they could be about you. Most artists’ songs either
bring you in and touch part of your being or provide aspirations as to where you wish to be. Meuross’ do both.’ Netrhymns make a very valid point in saying that ‘It’s a gem of an album that fully deserves to bring him some long overdue acclaim.’
July 2008 brought the release of Dragonfly. Yet again, critically acclaimed and having as one of it’s tracks, ‘And Jesus Wept’. The song was inspired by the true story of Private Harry Farr, a first World War soldier who, having served his country for two years in the trenches, began to suffer the effects of shell-shock and was shot at dawn for cowardice and desertion. One of 306 men who suffered the same fate, Private Farr was awarded a posthumous Pardon in 2006 after years of campaigning by his family. Lizzie Loved a Highwayman is the true story of highwayman Dick Turpin. Romanticised by generations, ‘Lizzie’ is told from the viewpoint of Turpin’s unfortunate widow. These two songs were performed by Reg at the Albert Hall in March 2009 when he realised a life-long dream to play there instilled in him by his grandparents, who were Drury Lane opera singers. He appeared at the Hall as part of one of six concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust featuring, amongst others, The Stereophonics, Kasabian, Fairport Convention and Kate Rusby. The title track of the album, Dragonfly, is written about the tragic events of 9/11 and the July 7 bombings in London. It is a powerful and poignant comment on those that perpetrated the act. Until I Hold You Once Again is a painfully beautiful love song..it is only when you read of the inspiration behind it that it becomes clear that this is a songwriter not afraid to write of the human capacity for love and tenderness even in the most tragic of circumstances.
In September 2010 Reg released his latest album, ‘All This Longing’. Surpassing all that has gone before, All This Longing is a seamless creation marrying tales of love and tragedy based on the lives of real historical characters, well researched and beautifully crafted into song, with poignant and heartfelt observations of the human condition. It is all there, heroes, heroines, the misunderstood poet, Thomas Chatterton, the prodigal child, the artist, the musician and most of all, the complexities of the human spirit, keenly observed and recounted with passion and understanding in an unforgettable, haunting journey.
The new all-acoustic album features the talents of Paul Sartin (Bellowhead), Andy Cutting on accordion, Jackie Oates on viola, Simon Edwards on bass and Roy Dodds (Fairground Attraction) on percussion. The album was BBC Radio Scotland’s Iain Anderson’s album of the week at the beginning of September coinciding with a mini-tour of Orkney, the Highlands and the Scottish Borders where Reg was sensitively accompanied by cellist Bethany Porter.
Reg has writing, performing and acting credits include work with a diverse range of artists such as the French Composer Vladimir Cosma (writer of the cult movie, Diva), for which Reg created songs for the movie La Capra, featuring Gerard Depardieu, songwriter Marsha Malamet, Nick Lowe, Robbie Coltrane, Lenny Henry, Chris Difford, Charlie Dore, Gary Clark, Antonia Bird and Jeremy Hardy. He has also worked with accordionist Karen Tweedie at live performances and the singer Vashti Anna, who provided backing vocals on both on Dragonfly and All This Longing.