Album Review - Reg Meuross - Dragonfly

Reg Meuross – Dragonfly (Hatsongs HAT001)

When an album pops through your letterbox and drops onto your doormat, with a sleeve that credits well established musicians like Rabbit Bundrick (Keyboards) and BJ Cole (Pedal Steel) as well as from the younger end of the spectrum, Jackie Oates (Fiddle), then you drop everything, stick the headphones on, pop your stocking feet on the worktop, make a brew and close your eyes for an hour or so.

Multi-instrumentalist Reg Meuross is an exceptionally graceful singer and a fine song writer with an ear for good arrangements and fine musicianship, hence the folks he knocks about with. The title track "Dragonfly", which comes in fourth on the track list after settling the listener in with three fine songs, is probably one of the most instantly accessible pop songs I've come across in ages. It's got that steadily building power chord structure that eventually erupts into the single word chorus of 'Dragonfly' - I defy anyone not to sing along. 

In just three short verses, "Fools Gold" opens up a world of mystery and intrigue, which is impossible to avoid engaging with. Poetic story songs that unfold with such ease are such a rare thing these days, unless your name happens to be Richard Thompson.

"The Sound of Hallelujah's" addresses the common argument we all have with our offspring these days; whose version of "Hallelujah" is better, Cohen's or Buckley's? It's a good job that neither of the John Cale or Rufus Wainwright versions were brought into the discussion. Whilst Meuross agreed to disagree with his daughter Lily's assertion that the Buckley sprog's version is the definitive one, I'm going to be neutral and claim that both versions do it for me equally.

The gorgeous "Lizzie Loved A Highwayman" is a ballad to die for. Based on the Dick Turpin legend, the song weaves through verse after verse of fine story telling set to a Jackie Oates' wistful violin backdrop. If Reg Meuross isn't invited along to the Transatlantic Sessions mansion for series 4 to sing at least this one song, then Ali Bain and Jerry Douglas can scrape and slide for their supper.

Songs about desertion have always been a staple for folk singers throughout the ages. "And Jesus Wept" is poignant in that it addresses the case of Harry Farr, the first soldier to receive a pardon by the British government in 2006, after being executed ninety years earlier by his own troops for desertion, even though he was known to be suffering from shell shock. Meuross handles the subject with some gracefully sympathetic song writing, noting that it's not just cowardice that we kill our soldiers for, but the notion that 'if a man's not fighting, he might as well be dead.' Try telling Hawkeye Pearce and Trapper John that!

'Dragonfly' isn't short of good songs. I can't find a duffer amongst them. The songs are all delicately performed by Meuross together with a tastefully assembled cast, who ensure these songs are given appropriately sensitive arrangements to allow them to breathe. I feel a certain empathy towards "William Brewster Dreams of America" as it relates to the parish of Scrooby, but twelve miles from my home, where this particular Pilgrim Father set out on his adventures in 1608. I'm still trying to get out of here! Maybe I'll hop on the back of the next dragonfly that passes through.

Buy from Amazon:

	Reg Meuross Dragonfly Hatsongs 2008-05-26 £13.99