George Strait once sang "When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar, you're listening to the sound of the American Heart" and that's exactly what is happening when you listen to Todd Fritsch's sophomore album "Sawdust." Released in 2007 on Spinville Records, the album features a steady package of seventeen songs that couldn't be considered anything but country music.
"So ziemlich jeder, der das nach ihm benannte Albumdebüt in seinem heimischen Plattenschrank sein Eigen nennt, dürfte auf die neueste Veröffentlichung von TODD FRITSCH gespannt gewartet haben. Die Messlatte lag dem nach vielgelobten Debüt des Texaners ungewöhnlich hoch. Soviel sei gesagt: Die Erwartungen erfüllt Sawdust zweifellos, ein Überraschungseffekt bleibt allerdings aus. Der ist aber auch gar nicht nötig, denn auch wenn die Zutaten die gleichen sind wie beim Erstling, ist das Ergebnis alles andere als fade.
Der 26-jährige Sänger, Songschreiber und Musiker liefert auf seiner wieder von Doug DeForest produzierten Einspielung ein kräftiges musikalisches Lebenszeichen der traditionellen Country Music. Das durchweg ohne Füller auskommende Angebot besteht aus 17 (!) klasse Songs allerbester, purer, schnörkelloser Honky Tonkin’-, Roadhouse-, Dance Hall-, Western Swing-, Two-Steppin’-, Love Makin’-Country Music voller Authentizität und mit viel Gespür für das Unverfälschte.
Auch die zweite Scheibe des erfolgreichen Newcomers ist bis an den Rand gefüllt mit wunderbaren, reinen, ehrlichen und frischen Country-Songs, die die Herzen der Country-Traditionalisten höher schlagen lassen. Bei der „Good Time“-Nummer („Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero (Has His Day)“) erhält Fritsch gesangliche Unterstützung durch die Lone Star-Legende Gary P. Nunn. Eine willkommene Fortsetzung findet die auf seinem Debütalbum begonnene Zusammenarbeit mit Eddy Raven, einem erfolgreichen Nashville-Hitlieferanten der 80er Jahre. Nach einer erfrischenden Neuauflage von dessen Charttopper „I Got Mexico“ geht er dieses Mal noch einen Schritt weiter und verpflichtete Raven als Duettpartner für den „Drinking Song“ „Tequila Tells“ – ein hitverdächtiger Titel, der im Original auf einem 1994 veröffentlichten Album von Eddy Raven zu finden ist.
Zu Ende geht die überaus abwechslungsreiche Songkollektion mit einem weiteren Cover. Zu hören gibt es den Cowboy-Klassiker „Little Joe The Wrangler“, den vor Todd schon von unzähligen seiner Kollegen aufgenommen wurde, darunter Marty Robbins, Rex Allen, Roy Rogers, Red Steagall, Michael Martin Murphey und Chris LeDoux. Ein Schuh der perfekt sitzt, denn so oft es ihm die Zeit erlaubt, hilft Fritsch auf der elterlichen Farm in Willow Springs, Texas aus.
Der charismatische, immer ein wenig an den frühen George Strait erinnernde Todd Fritsch ist mit einer kräftigen, ausdrucksstarken Stimme gesegnet. Auf seinem zweiten, ebenso knackigen wie herzerfrischenden Album Sawdust bietet er seinen Fans und denen, die es erst noch werden, hochfeine, pure Country Music in alleredelsten Klangfarben. Ein sympathische Neuling mit jeder Menge Talent und Drive, dem nicht wenige Experten eine große Karriere prophezeien und den Sprung nach ganz oben zutrauen."
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"Pretty much everybody, who own his self titled debut album in their collection, must have highly anticipated the latest release of Todd Fritsch. Expectations were unusually high following the Texans much praised debut. That much can be said: Sawdust fulfills the expectations, but does not surprise too much. It doesn't have to, although the ingredients are the same as with the first record the result is anything but boring.
The 26 year old singer, songwriter and musician delivers a potent musical sign of life for traditional country music on this record which has once again been produced by Doug DeForest. The offer consists of 17(!) great songs with no 'fillers' - pure, straight Honky Tonkin', Roadhouse, Dance Hall, Western Swing, Two Steppin', Love Makin' country music full of authenticity and a lot of feel for the real thing.
The second disc of the successful newcomer is also filled to the brim with wonderful, pure, honest and fresh country songs which will make the hearts of country traditionalist beat faster. Fritsch gets some vocal support from Lone-Star legend Gary P.Nunn on the good time song "Every Honky Tonkin' Hero Has His Day". A welcome continuation of the cooperation with Eddy Raven, a successful Nashville hitmaker of the 80's, from his debut album can also be found. After a refreshing re-release of Raven's chart topper "I Got Mexico" Fritsch takes it one step further and enrolls Raven as a his duet partner on the drinking song "Tequila Tells" - a hit-to-be which was originally released on a 1994 Eddy Raven album release.
The very varied song collection ends with another cover song - the cowboy classic "Little Joe The Wrangler" which has been previously recorded by many of Todd's colleagues like Marty Robbins, Rex Allen, Roy Rogers, Red Steagall, Michael Martin Murphy and Chris LeDoux. The shoe fits perfectly, since Fritsch helps his parents on their ranch in Willow Springs, Texas whenever his time allows.
The charismatic Todd Fritsch, always reminiscent of a young George Strait, has been blessed with a strong, powerful voice. On his second album SAWDUST Fritsch serves his fans, and those who want to become his fans, pure country music at its finest. A genuinely nice newcomer with lots of talent and drive for whom many experts predict a big career and the jump to the top."
Written by Max W.Achatz for CountryJukebox.de, September 2007 Spotlight. Translation by Robert DiBlanco.
MUSIC MORSELS - Sept 2007
Capsule Reviews by By Mark Waterbury
Todd Fristch - Sawdust
Diamond Music Group - RGGP0003
The second CD from Texan Todd Fritsch showcases why he is becoming one of country’s rising stars. A true cattle ranching cowboy, the West courses through Todd’s veins and pours out of his stellar voice and lyrics that stick to tried and true subjects while still telling great stories. From emotive ballads like “The Rock” and “Life’s A Circle” to the more upbeat “What’s Wrong With Me” and “Honky Tonk Talk” Todd infuses far more of his soul into his music than most country stars do these days. Pure honesty and catchy songs work to wonderful effect here.
Written by Mark Waterbury for Music Morsels, September 2007
Todd Fritsch - Sawdust
By: John Walker
This is what true Texas music is all about. Not wanting to stray from his true cowboy roots, Todd Fritsch follows up on his self titled debut in 2005, with more quality music for us to hear. Todd writes or co-writes 7 of the 17 songs on this cd. Fritsch even gets some duet help from Eddy Raven on “Tequila Tells”, and Gary P. Nunn on a classic sounding “Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero (Has His Day)”.
"First things first: this is a run-of-the mill album - and this is a compliment as it couldn't be bigger. This is exactly how I envision country music. I have discovered it in this form decades ago - Todd Fritsch shows that it can still be done. Modern, zesty, fresh, straight forward. Anything but dusty, boring or out of its time.
Todd Fritsch is a young, good-looking Texan who has everything to become a star. A powerful, distinctive voice, persona and charisma. Musically I am reminded a little of George Strait. When he decided to conquer the country music world, I was residing in the US and was absolutely sure to have seen a new superstar.
Fritsch still spends part of his time on the ranch where he can relax with a 16 hour work day from his touring. This could change very soon because this album is more than a hint. Fritsch recorded strong self-written material and great songs from other writers. He mixes ballads with up-tempo songs, he commands Honky-Tonk as well as Shuffles, Waltzes, Western Swing, Cowboy Songs and "Straight Country". Todd's latest silver disc "SAWDUST" is refreshing country music, straight ahead and sensitive, modern and traditional, as Texan as unilateral.
Result: It wouldn't be fair to single out a song on this album. Put on "SAWDUST" and enjoy the album from beginning to end.
Written by Manfred Vogel for Country.de, August 2007
Translation by Robert DiBlanco
TODD FRITSCH " SAWDUST "- 2007
Son album précédent m'avait très intéressé, mais avec " Sawdust ", je suis devenu fan ! Tout d'abord, ce sont 17 titres qui composent la galette, et d'une richesse étonnante. Du honky tonk bien traditionnel comme " guilty conscience " ou bien des titres plus rock tel " If you don't like country ", jusqu'à des ballades sublimes comme " life's circle " ou " tables ", n'hésitant pas à s'essayer au traditionnel " Little Joe the wrangler " dans un style bluegrass qui lui convient merveilleusement (laisser d'ailleurs le morceau continuer, vous aurez une petit surprise réjouissante…). Bref Todd ne s'est pas moqué de nous. De plus, il compose la majeure partie de ses morceaux. Il est souvent comparé à George Strait, même si son mentor n'est autre que le grand et regretté Chris Ledoux, mais cette comparaison est tout à fait exacte. Il en est le digne successeur assurément. Notons aussi la présence de Leland Martin à l'écriture de " honky tonk talk " qui avait lui aussi fait un album sublime dans la lignée d'Alan Jackson. Des paroles qui parlent de la vie, des paroles honky tonk à 100%. Todd sera à l'Arbresle (10 mn de Lyon) le samedi 22 septembre prochain. Ce sera un sacrilège de le manquer….ou bien c'est que vous n'aimez pas la country music !
Chez Diamond music group / Spinville records
Written by Florent Dufour for www.CountryMusicCD.fr - August 2007
"Todd Fritsch is one of a new breed of singers coming out of Texas. They are RAW, GRITTY and make you want to dance. Todd brings all of this and more to the table. His style is really in your face. From the driving Honky Tonk sounds of "No Part Of" and "If You Don't Like Country" to the nostalgic ballads of "The Rock" he will make you go back to listen to his music "one more time." This young artist can not be pigeon holed into one nook. There is an obvious feel of sitting in a Texas Honky Tonk.
Todd Fritsch is a young country singer from a Willow Springs ranching family who seems to be taking the "Strait" road toward success. On his new CD, Sawdust, filled with love and longnecks, his smooth delivery constantly reminds of George Strait without ever sounding like he's actually copying that mainstream icon.
TODD FRITSCH
Sawdust
Spinville Records
(17 Selections – Playing Time 58:17)
This sophomore album by Texas-based country singer Todd Fritsch will either make or break the young star. There are 17 songs on this album, which is quite a bit to digest at one sitting, and usually suggests that an album contains a lot of “filler” material …but Fritsch sings ‘em so ‘country’ that you end up wishing there were another 17 songs still to come.
Todd Fritsch - Sawdust
Most contemporary country music is 80's rock and roll wearing a cowboy hat. Todd Fritsch’s take on country combines the prerequisite catchy hooks and bridges with enough soul to create something of substance. His original song “All That’s Left is You” qualifies as an instant western swing classic. On the performance side, his country tenor soars in a duet with Eddy Raven on “Tequila Tells.” In seventeen cuts, Sawdust reveals that Fritsch has what it takes to move up from opening act to major headliner.
Written by Steven Stone by Vintage Guitar Magazine, August 2007
