Fire and Dust, A Woody Guthrie Story
Reg Meuross

THE recent release of the film A Complete Unknown has hopefully raised further interest about the influence of Woody Guthrie on Bob Dylan’s early career. It therefore seems appropriate for an album paying tribute to the life and times of America’s great folk troubadour to be released, especially by an artist like Reg Meuross whose own career writing and singing songs about social injustice places him firmly in the Guthrie tradition.

Commissioned by The Who’s Pete Townsend, who also plays on two tracks, and following on from his most recent album Stolen from God about the transatlantic slave trade, this album is the culmination of four years’ research into the life and times of the dustbowl balladeer receiving the nod of approval from Guthrie’s daughter Nora. 

Looking at different aspects of Guthrie’s life and commitment to working-class struggle, most of the 16 tracks are written by Meuross but with four cover versions of Guthrie’s own songs. The title track refers to the many fire tragedies that devastated his family, as well as the dust storms that forced him and many others from their childhood home. This is followed by A Folk Song’s a Song in tribute to the inspiration Guthrie has given to Meuross and other artists.

Some of the songs parallel the themes in Guthrie’s own song-writing. Fit for Work (Illegal Hands) is written from the standpoint of a Mexican migrant worker in California and sits well with the cover version of Deportees Guthrie’s famous song about the 1940 plane crash at Los Gatos Canyon. 

Other cover versions include So Long It’s Been Good to Know Ya, Ain’t Got No Home and This Land is Your Land. Often referred to as America’s alternative national anthem, this version includes the verse about the private property sign often missing from more commercial recordings.

Both old and new songs cover the whole range of Guthrie’s political concerns as well as aspects of his tragic life. Ending with The Gypsy Singer, inspired by Bob Dylan’s visits to Guthrie in his hospital bed, we can both mourn the loss but take heart from the inspiration he has given to so many others.

Backed by other musicians forming Reg Meuross and The Strike, the album will be launched at Bush Hall in London on March 12 followed by tour dates until November 8. 

For Bush Hall tickets see: Bushhallmusic.co.uk; for tour dates and tickets see: regmeuross.com.

Fire and Dust, A Woody Guthrie Story is released by Hatsongs Records.