ENGLISH singer and songwriter Reg Meuross is making a return visit to the Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon, next month, writes Colin Palmer.

He will be playing an acoustic set there on Thursday, May 10, in the latest gig in the Folk at the Unicorn series.

Regarded as a master storyteller in his use of clever and imaginative lyrics, Meuross has earned a reputation as one of the most talented folk/roots musicians on the scene.

From gigging in village halls to playing London’s Royal Albert Hall, where broadcaster Mike Harding introduced him on stage as “one of the finest singer-songwriters this country has produced”, Meuross has consistently delighted his audiences with original self-penned songs taken from six albums.

His songs are inspired by life, love and injustice and by his own experiences, and are soulfully delivered with melodic high-tenor vocals and top-notch guitar playing.

In 1996, Meuross released the critically-acclaimed CD, The Goodbye Hat, and was nominated for several awards including best song for Ring around the Roses. However, it was not until 2004 that he followed it up with the album, Short Stories, which established him as one of the country’s finest singer-songwriters.

In his Unicorn gig, Meuross will be accompanied by Bethany Porter on cello.

The support act for the concert will come from Jennifer Crook who has a growing reputation as one of the best new singer-songwriters around. Her style is a blend of English folk and Americana performed on lever harp, guitar and in vocals.

Doors for the gig open at 7.30pm, with the music from 8pm to 10pm with an interval. Tickets are £10 in advance and are available from the Folk at the Unicorn box office, WeGotTickets, Skiddle and Remade Guitars, Coxeter House, Abingdon.