The Troubadours - The Troubadours (2008)

Link

It’s a marriage made in guitar pop heaven. Take The Troubadours – a gang of four early 20’s Wigan and Liverpool lads who’ve been rapidly building a reputation as one of the north west’s most exciting new bands. Put them together with esteemed producer John Leckie, famed for his work with the likes of the Stone Roses, Radiohead and Pink Floyd amongst many others, and the first results are ‘Gimme Love – a soaring, shimmering debut single that manages to channel the band’s love of Beefheart, Love and The Seeds and the best bits of their hometown’s tune-rich musical heritage into four minutes of perfect pop.

Recorded in Henley On Thames’ Doghouse Studios, ‘Gimme Love’ and it’s flipside ‘Here Comes The Tide’ come from 22 year old lead singer and songwriter Mark Frith’s cannon of songs – over 300 at the last count – written since he first picked up a guitar at the age of 16. When a batch of these tracks found their way into the hands of John Leckie, he climbed straight aboard The Troubadours’ wagon and produce the single.

“As soon as I heard the songs I knew I had to work with them. It was a fresh sort of sound from the north west . When we went into the studio it turned out the band had practically the same record collection as me” – John Leckie

Meanwhile, following a succession of sold out shows across the north west of England, The Troubadours will continue their live assault building their dedicated following.

The Troubadours are: Mark Frith – vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica; Johnny Molyneux – lead guitar; Tony Ferguson – bass; Elmo Watts – drums

Some random quotes so far:-

Q Magazine – ‘Excellent debut single from this bunch of classic tunesmiths’ 'Like every great LA's, Coral and Zutons song rolled into one', 'The Next Big Things'

Zane Lowe Radio 1 - 'Thats a brilliant single and they're from Wigan and Liverpool, and its sounds like it, which is a good thing. Produced by the legendary John Leckie..''Amazing'

Gary Crowley BBC London - 'tipped for big things in 2007 going into 2008, this is my favourite record of the year!
John Leckie (producer Muse, Radiohead, Stone Roses) - 'As soon as I heard the songs I knew I had to work with them'

q4music.com - 'you can tell this lot are from Liverpool: they channel three decades worth of the city's most tune-rich guitar bands. They might even be the next in that royal bloodline. The new sound of Liverpool'