Reg Meuross

Somerset based singer-songwriter Reg Meuross represents contemporary folk writing at its best, with that rare gift of being able to touch people through his songs and performance, on a really human level. His words and music paint pictures that remain with the listener long after the song has been sung. This concert is part of the Reg Meuross Two Albums Tour, encompassing two album releases: Faraway People and Songs About A Train. These songs comment bravely on life as he sees it, bringing wide-ranging stories, from the ravages of austerity and the injustice of the plight of refugees to some of most beautifully disarming lyrics ever written. Reg is a true modern troubadour, as comfortable gigging in village halls and folk clubs as he is playing the Royal Albert Hall and huge festival stages. He consistently entrances his audiences with songs of life, love and injustice, soulfully delivered with melodic tenor vocals and exemplary guitar playing. NOTE: DOORS NOW 7.30PM.We're so excited to welcome the great songwriter Reg Meuross to the Cruck Barn! His new acoustic show (amplified by just one vintage mic) is perfect for this intimate venue.Reg first emerged onto the acoustic music scene in the 1980s with The Panic Brothers and has, over the years of touring and playing solo as well as with many other acclaimed artists, developed a style that as Pete Townshend says allows the listener to embrace the whole breadth of his work over many years without distraction he sings in the neutral accent of an Englishman who travels the entirety of the British Isles, and tastes all its flavours, influenced by all its most profound national colours. In this he reminds one of Roy Harper or Ewan McColl, recent greats who went before him. Reg then went on to form The Flamingos who featured ex Graham Parker guitarist Martin Belmont, Bob Loveday from The Penguin Cafe Orchestra & Bob Geldof's Band & Alison Jones of The Barely Works They recorded one album called 'Arrested'.In 1996 he released his first critically acclaimed solo album 'The Goodbye Hat' and was nominated for several music awards, including best song for 'Ring around the Roses'. It was followed up in 2004 with 'Short Stories' and in 2006 by the excellent 'Still'. In 2008 he released his most successful collection to date, 'Dragonfly', followed in 2010 by 'All this Longing'. 'The Dreamed and the Drowned', released in 2011, is a collection of thirteen previously unreleased archive songs. It was commissioned and compiled by Stephen Jordan at The Bodleian Music Library, Oxford, who says This is Reg Meuross at his most eclectic and inspiring best.Reg was invited by Abbey Road, in 2012, to record an album in their world famous studios and he took this opportunity to respond to the many requests for him to make a CD that reflects the warmth intimacy of his live shows. The resulting album, Leaves & Feathers did just that. It's a collection of 12 beautiful songs stripped down to the bare bones which prompted Pennyblack Music to say: calling Meuross a singer-songwriter really doesn't do the man justice. [He] doesn't write lines of lyrics. He writes short stories then sets them to some of the most captivating melodies you'll ever hear. Meuross is one of the most talented storytellers of our generation. Receiving 5 star reviews across the board, Leaves & Feathers was hailed by many to be Reg's most accomplished collection yet. Given the consistency of quality of all his albums up to now, this one was a hard act to follow, but his next album ENGLAND GREEN & ENGLAND GREY rose to the challenge dealing with difficult topics such as dementia, with a deep and moving commentary on the subject Counting My Footsteps To You; it commemorated the centenary of WW1, with an unromanticised account of the story of Flora Sandes (the only woman to fight in that war); it told the tale of the bandleader and his violin both lost in the Titanic disaster, The Band Played Sweet Marie; and it delivered an anthem for our times: England Green and England Grey. The album was awarded Best Of 2014 by FolkWords.Reg's clever and imaginative lyrics have earned him the title of Master Storyteller (PennyBlack Music) and led Mike Harding (Mike Harding Folk Show) to introduce him onto the stage of The Royal Albert Hall as one of the finest singer-songwriters this country has produced. Whether it's a village hall or the Albert Hall, Reg brings to the stage a collection of extremely beautiful songs, performed with humour and depth, and sung with the voice of an angel. Reg has that rare gift of being able to touch people, through his songs and performance, on a really human level. His words and music paint pictures that remain with the listener long after the song has been sung.PlumhallWinners of The Yorkshire Gig Guide award for Outstanding SongwritingThe Guardian and Observer's readers' Hidden Gem Quotes:"I'm a bit of a sucker for a powerfully played acoustic guitar and Plumhall deliver exactly that, twice over. Both Nick & Michelle possess voices that could easily be the focus of the duo, combined they deliver a mighty force. Smart lyric writing and wonderful harmonies set them above most of their contemporaries. Add to all that their easy stage manner and you've got yourself a great show. In all the acoustic touring that Erica Nockalls and I have done in recent years, it is rare indeed that we get to see writers and performers of such distinction." MILES HUNT & ERICA NOCKALLS - THE WONDER STUFF"Great stuff... a great duo" DAVE PEGG - FAIRPORT CONVENTION"A fine duo - go and see them if you get the chance" STEVE KNIGHTLEY - SHOW OF HANDS"Respect to Nick Hall and Michelle Plum. Great people, great artists..." IAN McNABB - THE ICICLE WORKS/MERCURY PRIZE NOMINATED SOLO ARTISTEnergy and joie de vivre...articulate, penetrating lyrics with captivating melodies and irresistible choruses...arresting vocals and that big distinctive acoustic sound"R2 MAGAZINE (read the full review)"Feisty song writers...immediate comparisons are Richard and Linda Thompson and The Lilac Time"YORKSHIRE EVENING POST (read the full review) "The heavens open and talent pours out. A superduo with....a real sense of passion and attack"FATEA MAGAZINE (read the full review)"Like watching Springsteen and Emmylou - awesome" STEVE CHAPMAN SMITH - RED LORRY YELLOW LORRY/THE TROUBADOURS