Teada's second album, Give Us a Penny & Let Us be Gone, has garnered the band many awards and critical praise from all quarters. The five young musicians maintain a very traditional sound throughout the recording, focusing on creating solid, tuneful music based on 19th and 20th century texts and other recordings.

Although the group draws heavily on the respect that fiddler Oisin Mac Diarmada commands, the overall solidness of the music they produce together gives this album something that few other predominantly instrumental groups have.

Beginning the album is one of the three songs included. "Brid Thomais Mhurchadha" tells the tale of the poet's love that can restore sight to the blind! The album them moves into a more traditional instrumental tone with a set of hornpipes: "The Stepping Stone/An tSeabhean Bhocht," followed by jigs, reels, a dance set and a march. The instruments are played masterfully by the various members of the group. The fiddle of Mac Diarmada, the guitar and flute of John Blake, the banjo and bouzouki of Sean McElwain, Tristan Rosenstock's bodhran and Paul Finn's accordion all complement, contrast and blend together seamlessly.

The varying tempo is also a great feature of the album. "The Ace and Deuce of Piping" is a slower tune featuring flute and accordion along with the fiddle in the lead. One of the highlights of the album is the ending of the song, a brief recitation of a "Wren Boy" poem, from which the title of the album comes (a good explanation is given in the liner notes; if you want to know what it is, you will have to buy the album). The sung pieces also add a slower note to the album, creating contrast and setting the recording apart from the other instrumental albums out there. Mac Diarmada provides the Irish vocals with Rosenstock providing backup. The instrumental tunes range from kick-up-your-heels fast to gentle and calming slow. The variation never allows the listener to make assumptions about the music or to get bored.

The quality of the playing is undeniable and the arrangements are inspired while maintaining a strong hold to the traditional roots. Not only is the music of the best quality, but the accompanying notes are also detailed and well researched. This is not some group rerecording the same tunes that have been recorded on every other album to come out in the last five years. These are carefully selected tunes, arranged to highlight the beauty and uniqueness of each song. This album is set to become a classic among Irish folk recordings and Teada is fast becoming one of the most well-respected groups on the scene. This is a must-have for all true Irish music fans.

- Rambles
written by Jean Emma Price
published 9 July 2005