YOU don’t often hear the phrase “protest singer” these days, but the tradition – which stretches back for many years in unions and traditional working communities, and was reinvented by the folk singers of the 1960s – lives on in Reg Meuross, the Crewkerne-based singer-songwriter whose work has always championed the issues of the day, from homelessness to the climate crisis.

His latest project, commissioned by and produced by Pete Townshend (of The Who, for those who don’t know the name) is a tribute to perhaps the greatest protest singer of them all, Woody Guthrie.

Fire and Dust, released in mid-March, tells Woody’s story with passion, wit and a deep empathy with one of America’s finest folk musicians, the man whose song This Land is Your Land is sometimes known as America’s unofficial national anthem (heaven knows what happens to people who sing it in public over there now).

The song is one of a few of Woody’s best known – including Deportees and Ain’t Got No Home – that are on the album, but most of the 16 tracks are by Reg, capturing the anger, humour and brutal honesty of Woody’s own work.

The album showcases Reg Meuross’s wide-ranging skill as a song-writer, singer and musician. Pete Townshend – now a Dorset resident – says: “Reg’s terrific songs tell Woody’s life story with respect and affection, but also truth.“

When Townshend called Reg to suggest the idea he saw how the project would “draw a direct line from Woody, through Bob Dylan, to Reg Meuross”. Townsend pledged his full support to realise this vision both as a studio album (which he co-produced and played on) and a series of live tours across the UK and beyond.

Highlighting racism, bigotry, corruption and inequality of Woody’s time – and every bit as relevant today, particularly in the US – the song-cycle is focused on the life and times of a man who lived through and told the story of Dust Bowl America.

There isn’t a weak track on the album, but stand-out songs include the title track, Fire and Dust, the wry ballad, I Sent for a Wife, the heartfelt Fit for Work and the final powerful song, The Gypsy Singer.