Teada
's second album proves that the artistic success of the band's first was no fluke. There they established themselves as one of the up-and-coming young Irish bands. With
Give Us a Penny and Let Us Be Gone
(a title that comes from the tradition of Wren Day on December 26) they boost themselves up into the premier league of artists, young or otherwise. There's a vibrancy and imagination in the way the instrumental sets are arranged (for example, the fiddle and
bodhran
duet on
"Peter Horan's"
), while the songs exhibit a lovely poignancy. Most of the material is relatively obscure, which helps them put their stamp more firmly on it, although
"The Trip We Took Over the Mountain,"
probably most famous in its
Seamus Ennis
version, shines in their hands.
Oisin Mac Diarmada
is a magical fiddler, but
Paul Finn
shows himself to be a fine accordion and concertina player. Having the option of
John Blake
on either flute or guitar, alongside
Sean McElwain
covering banjo and
bouzouki
, certainly adds to their options, and they take full advantage of it. It seems merely a matter of time before
is hailed in the big leagues of Irish music ~ Chris Nickson