TEADA: IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Oisin Mac Diarmada: fiddle, vocals
John Blake: flute, guitar, piano
Sean McElwain: banjo, bouzouki
Tristan Rosenstock: bodhran
Teada means strings in Gaelic, and on this debut recording the youthful-looking ensemble, led by Sligo-based fiddle player Oisin Mac Diarmada, does indeed feature string instruments almost exclusively. Mac Diarmada's fiddle playing is full of subtleties and intricacies, which are often brought out on slower paced numbers, while Blake, mostly known as a top-notch accompanist, shows here how good a flute player he is as well. The two are at the center of Teada's instrumental sound, and play well together on nicely crafted settings and well-chosen tunes. The banjo and bodhran playing are respectable if not quite as impressive perhaps, and the band achieves a nice variety of textures. Mac Diarmada also contributes renditions of two well-know songs "Peigin's Peadar"-- recorded by Dervish as "Pheigin Mo Chroi"--and "A Bhean a' Ti." Overall, a very enjoyable album. (2002)
Rating: *** 1/2
Price: $16.99
Contents:
1. Hornpipe & Jigs: Tom Connor's / The Joy of my Life / Handy with a Stick
2. Reels: Teresa Halpin's / Rathlin Island / Michael Hynes'
3. Slip Jigs: The Surround / Up in the Garret / Port na Deorai
4. Song: Peigin's Peadar
5. Reels: Micho Russell's / Bill Harte's / The Green Gates
6. Barndance & Hornpipe: The Chaffpool Post / The Mayday Hornpipe
7. Reels: The Liffey Banks / Pat Molloy's
8. Song: A Bhean a' Ti
9. Jigs: Tom Roddy's / The Old Firm Jig / The Maid at the Well
10. Hornpipe: Rossinver Braes
11. Reels: The Crock of Gold / Johnny's Gone to France / The Tailor's Thimble
