Recently voted "Best Traditional Newcomers" in the Irish music category of an Irish Music Magazine Readers Poll 2002-03, Teada (pronounced "tay-da," meaning "strings" in the Irish language) debuts with a self-titled album full of lively Irish traditional music and vibrant vocals. In keeping with its mission to create a soulful, traditional sound with a subtle approach of adornment, Teada delights the ear by resurrecting old favorites with a fresh, energetic slant.

Oisin Mac Diarmada, the band's singer/fiddler from Sligo, Ireland, combines his talents with flute/guitarist John Blake (from London, England), banjo player Sean McElwain (Monaghan, Ireland) and bodhran player Tristan Rosenstock (Glenageary, Dublin County, Ireland) to form mesmerizing melodies of Irish enchantment. These hornpipes, jigs, reels, slip jigs, songs and barn dances include "Tom Connor's," "The Joy of My Life," "Handy with the Stick," "Teresa Halpin's," "Raithlin Island," "Michael Hynes," "The Surround," "Up in the Garrett," "Port Na Deorai," "Pelgin's Peador," "Micho Russell's," "Bill Harte's," "The Green Gates," "The Chaffpool Post," "The Mayday Hornpipe," "The Liffey Banks," "Pat Malloy's," "A bhean a' Ti," "Tom Roddy's," "The Old Firm Jig," "The Maid at the Well," "Rossinver Brass," "The Crock of Gold," "Johnny's Gone to France" and "The Toilet's Thimble," all in noteworthy traditional arrangements by Teada.

Woven together thoughtfully and seamlessly, these selections provide pleasant refuge from modern noise and a great deal of listening enjoyment.

Since its appearance in an episode of Flosc, an Irish television series in 2001, Teada has toured such locales as United States, Finland and Germany. Since the first half of 2003, Teada added Canada, Austria and the U.K. to its fan list, expanded by one member (accordionist Paul Finn from Laois) and has enjoyed increased popularity worldwide.

Teada comes onto the scene like a much needed fresh breeze. I will definitely keep my eyes and ears open for these rising stars -- and hope to see them at a local Celtic music festival soon!

- Rambles
written by Lynne Remick
published 10 October 2003