Hatsongs Records [Release date 14.03.25]
Not an artist this reviewer had come across before, although Reg Meuross does have more than 15 solo albums to his name. This album was commissioned by the Who’s Pete Townshend (who produced the album) for Reg Meuross to write an album based on the life and times of US folk legend Woody Guthrie.
Guthrie’s life story is a fascinating one (three marriages, eight children, time spent homeless, served in WWII and that’s before you start to investigate his music!), which Reg touches upon in his sleeve notes, and three of Guthrie’s songs feature on here.
Reg Meuross has a lovely vocal, perfect for the songs on here like ‘Mary’s Song’ (detailing Guthrie’s first wife Mary Jennings). This song is aided by the vocals of Marion Fleetwood, who adds her fiddle playing to good effect throughout the album.
With all things Bob Dylan currently in vogue with ‘A Complete Unknown’ recently in cinemas, the album ends with ‘The Gypsy Singer’. The song is based on Bob Dylan’s regular visits to visit Guthrie in hospital. Beautifully sung by Meuross, underpinned by swirling organ and piano played by Geraint Watkins, with the final icing on this particular musical cake provided by the fiddle playing of Phil Beer.
Of the Guthrie numbers ‘This Land Is Your Land’ is the stand-out. Perhaps one of Guthrie’s most famous songs, it never dates and is very poignant given the current political climate.
What an album. The listener not only learns more about the life and music of Woody Guthrie but has an album full of musical joy and passionate singing and playing. Pete Townshend certainly got his musical commission met and then some, as you dear listener will find when you discover this wonderful album. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
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