Stunning song cycle for Woody Guthrie.
Commissioned by Pete Townsend (yes, that one), who also produces and plays on the record, ‘Fire and Dust’ is a song cycle by folk luminary Reg Meuross. It is a tribute to Woody Guthrie, which touches on personal stories from inside Guthrie’s life story, while continuing to carry the flame for the causes he championed throughout his life.
This concept could so easily be an earnest and dull, but thankfully, it is anything but that. There is a vibrancy to the music that captures the very best of what folk music can offer. Mandolins, accordions and pianos add colour to the songs, without ever swamping them. Townsend demonstrates himself to be someone who can utilise the subtle textures to demonstrate each song to beautiful effect.
Opening with the title track, it sets the scene for the musical journey to follow; glittering mandolin notes and a jaunty melody usher in Meuross’s plaintive vocal, and his tale of Woody’s beginnings in kicking against “a cruel and unjust world”.
Meuross shows himself again and again to be a wonderfully skilled writer, able to summon a wide range of lyrical and musical colours from his palette. ‘I Sent For A Wife’ appears to start as something lightweight and even slightly misogynistic, but it somehow develops to a story of unexpected depth, love and survival. ‘Woody’s Song’ shows the cost to those left behind as Woody is off on his travels, set to a lovely, lilting melody.
Meuross mixes some Guthrie originals together with his own tracks. A gently rollicking ‘So Long, It’s Been Good To Know You’ a joyous and uplifting ‘This Land is Your Land’. Perhaps the star here, though, in terms of the project as a whole, is his beautiful take on ‘Deportees’, which is then followed by his own, even more closely observed, ‘Red Shoes’. It is like the same story but seen right up close, unbearably sad and achingly beautiful.
This is anything but a history lesson alone; with the current regime in the USA, it feels urgent and necessary to be mindful of the fates of the underprivileged, and to ensure the human stories continue to be told. The skill of Meuross is that he can tell the stories from the hearth as well as preaching from the soapbox. With the recent Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ bringing Guthrie into the conversation once again, this record is a stunning collection that continues to fight the good fight.
Great review Jonathan. Another in Reg Meuross’ list of brilliant albums. ‘Stolen From God’ was a hard act to follow, but he’s produced another piece of vital historical research that is also wonderful songwriting.
Saw this show last Friday at Nailsea Folk Club, Bristol. And it was stunning. So well researched, and performed with such feeling. The album too is a treat. You have done the dustbowl balladeer a great tribute Reg.
Great review, capturing my experience very accurately – I saw Reg performing this song cycle on Saturday evening. Another tremendous night of lyrical passion and powerful commentary that deserves a bigger audience – especially at a time when the stories he tells resonate so clearly against real events happening right now.
Catch it if you can – and buy the album.
Les