One of the most talented singer-songwriters of our generation, Reg Meuross, is bringing his beautiful songs of life, love and social commentary to the Stratford-sub-Castle Reading Room on Friday 2nd November (doors 7.15pm, music from 8pm). The concert, which will help raise funds for the local Riding for the Disabled group is the brainchild of local music lover turned promotor Richard Death who says “I’m on a mission to extoll the virtues of live performance in general and folk music in particular, and what better ambassador could there be than Reg for all that is good about the genre? Each time I have seen him at a club or festival, my appreciation of his delightful voice and the gentle power of his words, has grown and grown.”
The ‘Reading Room’ is now the Stratford-Sub-Castle village hall, and precisely describes its original purpose. It was built in 1881 at the instigation of Mrs Mary King, the wife of the long serving vicar of the time. Mrs King was keen to encourage the local men to ignore the attractions of the ale-house or other disreputable activities, and created this space and supplied newspapers and books to allow them to engage in wholesome endeavour. Although fully modernised in terms of facilities, the ambience of a late Victorian village hall in the Romantic tradition has been preserved. This is the perfect venue for Meuross songs; his catalogue of 13 albums includes story songs which bring otherwise forgotten characters from history to life, songs of protest shining light on issues which should not be left in the dark, alongside some of the most heart-achingly beautiful love songs ever written, performed with depth and spellbinding delivery. Although it’s unusual for a concert to be held here, we feel sure Mrs King would approve of Reg’s songs! Most definitely a ‘wholesome endeavour’.
Reg first emerged onto the UK acoustic music scene in the 1980s with the fast paced duo 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.” He then went on to form the band The Flamingos which featured ex Graham Parker guitarist Martin Belmont, Bob Loveday from The Penguin Cafe Orchestra & Bob Geldof’s Band & Alison Jones of The Barely Works. In 1996 Reg decided to go solo and has never looked back he is becoming one of the most sought after artists on the circuit.
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.
Gig details
Friday 2nd November, doors 7.15pm, music from 8pm.
Stratford-sub-Castle Reading Room. Nr Salisbury. SP1 3LL
BYO alcohol. Tickets £11 directly from rndeath@hotmail.com
Raising funds for local Riding For The Disabled group
