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Still album cover

Track Listing:

  1. My Nirvana
  2. Down To The River
  3. The Man In Edward Hopper's Bar
  4. Days Like These
  5. All I Want
  6. Don't Give Up
  7. Something New
  8. I'll Come Back
  9. Do You Really Want My Love
  10. How Many Days
  11. The Poacher
  12. Morning Glory
  13. Bonus...It's Me Or Elvis

Offspring Records

www.regmeuross.com

Still

Reg Meuross

Reg Meuross has had a long and winding career. You probably unwittingly know a fair amount of his work already. He has writing, performing and acting credits that link his name to Robbie Coltrane, Jeremy Hardy, Paul Merton and Chris Difford of Squeeze to name a small proportion.

Musically in 1986 he formed 'Panic Brothers' with comedian Richard Morton and they produced an album 'In The Red.' Next up he was a member of 'The Flamingos' with an album called 'Arrested' to their credit. Now he spends spells in Hank Wangford's band and concentrates on his solo career. 'Still' is his third release following 'The Goodbye Hat' and 'Short Stories'

This time round Reg has applied to 'Rent A Maestro' and Martin Carthy, Phil Beer and Miranda Sykes have answered the call. Not only them but John 'Rabbit' Bundrick keyboard player for The Who and trusted sticks man Roy Dodd have made the trip to Presshouse Studios in Devon. Collectively they give shape and coherence to the project. Their skill and experience elevate Reg's mellifluous writings to a higher level.

Reg is a firm believer in the salvation of love. To start with a conclusion of his 'love is the chalice, the holy grail, everything else is just detail.' I get the feeling he already knows he has his nirvana in his hands but like most of us understand life has a habit of clouding the simplest of issues.

Our journey is eased with several melting close harmony choruses on 'Down To The River,' 'Don't give up' and 'Something New' that could pacify a raging bull. Even if the later two are accounts of illicit affairs and family conflict there's always a way back in these songs. Reg scores highly on bravery points for tackling Larry Beckett and Tim Buckley's 'Morning Glory' and it suits the pervading mood. Another echo of the past is his rock and roll pastiche at the end rounding things off with a grin.

Miranda's bass languidly snakes around Reg's words whilst at the other end of the spectrum Phil's fiddle glides through several numbers most notably 'The Poacher' where it locks horns with Martin Carthy's clipped guitar tones. Here Reg has penned his masterpiece and if there's any justice a future standard.

Age may have brought a contemplative mood but in Reg's case it also brings wisdom, a depth of skill and a great phone book! Mid-life crisis or a bad day he's always on the road home and these travels are well worth hearing about.

David Kushar

Reg Meuross Solo at The Twickenham Folk Club.
4 Nov 2007, 19:30
The Cabbage Patch, London, London and South East TW1 3SZ
67 London Rd, Twickenham. www.twickenhamfolkclub.com