Ella Guru

Ella Guru emerged from the fertile Liverpool, England-based music scene in the early years of the new millennium. Unlike other Liverpool bands such as the Coral and the Zutons, they eschewed psychedelic rock in favour of a delicate take on the type of lo-fi Americana performed by Low and Kurt Wagner’s Lambchop. The band’s one nod to the ‘Cosmic Scouse’ movement that spawned the Coral and the Zutons was naming themselves after a song from Captain Beefheart’s legendary Trout Mask Replica.
Singer and guitarist John Yates formed Ella Guru with the intention of creating something different from the standard three- and four-piece set-ups. To this end, the band eventually swelled to include eight members with Yates joined by Kate Walsh (vocals), Christian Burwood (guitar), Nik Kavanagh (bass), Bren Moore (drums), Nick Kellington (ukulele/cornet), and Bob Pickin. 
The hushed ambience of their music meant the band was frequently to be found asking audience members to keep the noise down at live shows. Ella Guru made their recording debut in 2003 with the 3 Songs From Liverpool EP, which opened with the spellbinding ‘On A Beach’. The band’s album debut The First Album, followed in August 2004. Former Mothers Of Invention member Jimmy Carl Black contributed guest vocals to the last three tracks, including an unlisted version of ‘On A Beach’.
== Links to Peel ==
Peel mentioned their album got four stars review in the Sunday Times, Observer, Independent, Metro and Uncut on his 18 August 2004 show and said he thought it was a bad sign, because it would mean it would be bland and bring lots of advertisement. But in fact was surprised how good it was after buying the album, as he did't get any promo copies of it. He then played a track from it called Park Lake Speakers, which ended up in the 2004 Festive Fifty after his death. The album was also voted by Peel as one of his favourites for August 2004 (Peel's Record Box).
== Festive Fifty Entries ==
* 2004 Festive Fifty: Park Lake Speakers #48
== Sessions ==
1. Recorded: 2004-12-02. First Broadcast: 15 December 2004
*On A Beach / Park Lake Speakers / Tale Of The Christmas Law / Oh My Love
== Other Shows Played ==
;2004
*thumb|330x330px18 August 2004: Park Lane Speakers (CD - The First Album) Banana
*19 August 2004: On A Mountain (CD - The First Album) Banana
*24 August 2004: This Is My Rock And Roll For You (CD - The First Album) Banana
*28 August 2004 (BBC World Service): Park Lane Speakers (CD - The First Album) Banana
*09 September 2004: Wonderful (LP – The First Album) Banana
*19 November 2004 (BBC World Service): 'Park Lake Speakers (CDS)' (Banana Recordings)
*14 December 2004 (Rob Da Bank): My Favourite Punk Tune (CD - The First Album) Banana
*28 December 2004 (Rob Da Bank): Park Lane Speakers (CD - The First Album) Banana FF #48
== External Links ==
* All Music
* Discogs
Category:Artists