‘All this Longing’ is Reg Meuross’ fourth solo album since 2004, and over the past he’s been steadily building his career with carefully crafted songs and beautifully produced and presented albums. He’s never quite had either the critical or commercial recognition his writing has deserved, but this new album looks set to change that with a collection of songs and musicians that are difficult to ignore.
This collection of songs is all based around Reg’s silky smooth and effortless high tenor, and his fluid and rich guitar work; together they create a sound that’s hard to place in time, there are obvious links to American singer/songwriters of the 60s/70s, but he incorporates many other influences that make this an album that is instantly accessible and rewarding from the very first listen.
In addition to his multi guitar work (acoustic, tenor, high strung), he’s joined by a strong group of musicians who add a range of instrumentation, these include Jackie Oates (viola), Paul Sartin (oboe, violin), Andy Cutting (accordion) and Bethany Porter (cello). Whatever arrangements he chooses to use on the songs, everything is beautifully balanced and understated, and this approach suits his vocals and allows the thoughtful lyrics to come to the fore.
The whole album is full of strong songs, and all 12 have something to offer over repeated plays making it difficult to pick highlights. There’s a strong, heartfelt study of murdered Chilean folk-singer Victor Jara, but most of the songs are concise character songs that pack in lots of detail in his very skilled and efficient lyrical style, ‘Angelina’s Coming Home’ and ‘The Heart of Ann Lee’ are perfect examples of this with full rounded lyrics and stories packed into 3 or 4 minutes each.
‘All this Longing’ is a contemporary singer/songwriter album of the very highest calibre – the lyrics are thoughtful and considered, the arrangements perfect, and the vocals and playing from Reg is up there with anything we carry from North American artists. This is an album not to be missed – very highly recommended.
Track listing
1 Angelina's Coming Home
2 The Heart of Ann Lee
3 Looking for Johnny Ray
4 For the Seeds of Love
5 The Drover's Road
6 The Shoreline and the Sea
7 If I Should Fall from You
8 The Redcliffe Boy
9 Shadows on the Wall
10 Victor Jara
11 The Bitter Wind
12 Sail Away no More
