the Tea Merchants
the Tea Merchants
© 2005 the Tea Merchants (806747003423)
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Knock your socks off, high energy celtic trad. You may have heard Irish music before but you have never heard the combinations and arrangements the Tea Merchants have come up with.
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notes
The Tea Merchants were formed a few years ago (2002, I think it was) by Chris, Charlie, and Rob as a method by which to procure grocery money and a free evening tab at the bar. We came together as a "jam band" with the purpose of having fun and playing the music that we love, and hey if we could make a few extra bucks doing it all the better, right?
The name of the group comes from a certain evening when Chris was asked by the local music newspaper what the name of the act was. Chris, having thought the matter through carefully, suggested that the name of the group was "The Boys of the Town". Rob, reacting to the possible implications of the name, reminded Chris that the local Austin fraternal establishment "The Boyz Cellar" was located just across from where the regular Tuesday gig occurred and that the association of names might result in legal matters of copyright infringement.
So, struggling to think something up, Chris chose the moniker "Delaney's Tea Merchants" (which was then shortened to just "Tea Merchants" due to limited print space for unknown acts in the music newspaper) because the name had nothing to do with anything at all.
Since our little group got together, we have played nearly 200 gigs in just under 3 years and have had our band name painted in golden letters on the wall at Fado. . . quite an honor that. All of these developements led us to realize that we were moving beyond the "grocery money" scenario and into the fast paced, hectic, "real world" lives of semi-professional musicians. This required things like business cards, a website, and lo and behold a CD! Well, we finally got our act together on the CD end of things, about six months later the website came along, and now a full year later we have business cards and yes even tee-shirts! So there you have it, now the cd itself. . .
The music is definitely Irish trad, but we mix it up a bit playing polkas with slides, playing a waltz into reels, and one track on the cd even has a bit of a Spanish flavor to it. Guess that's what happens when your label is "Puro Conjunto Records!"
One thing this cd is definitely not is over produced. The three of us sat in one room together and recorded the tracks as if we were sitting in a session at the local pub. Best way to do it if you ask me. The music is raw, pure, energetic, and totally heartfelt.
We are most certain that as a lover of Irish music you won't be dissapointed, and if you are new to the music we'll get you hooked! Enjoy and tell us what you think.
Cheers, the Tea Merchants
reviews
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Tea Merchants
author: kellyListening to your cd right now and you guys are terrific!! Cant say enough good things about the music except, when is the next cd and where do I buy it?
Kickin' Keltic Muzik!
author: KirkFirst heard the track "High Fiddle Reels" on Marc Gunn's Irish and Celtic Music Podcast, and decided I had to have the whole CD. High energy music; if you've had a bad day in the office, put this on in your car, and your 'tude will be adjusted long before you get home! Can't wait to buy their 2nd CD, One Lump or Two.
Lively
author: Amy GainesThis CD will really get you movin...good work guys!
Tea Merchants
author: Kathy NiccumI found their music from Marc Gunn's podcast, and I am definitely glad I did! This is one of my two favorite CDs!
toe tapping good fun
author: LisaThis CD is my first purchase of Irish music and I really enjoy it. Hope to hear more from these guys.
Celtic Adrenaline Rush
author: JudithThe CD is amazing. I have been Irish Dancing for years and use this to practice and when I teach others. The music is high energy with a strong traditional tone that is hard to find. Highly recommended!!!
Good fun
author: The Tea MerchantsThese are good musicians and they know their music. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I think the CD could benefit from varying the tempi of the tracks a little more. When the whole CD is pretty much the same tempo, it starts to feel repetitious.
Big, Yummy Irish Melting Pot of Music
author: Celtic MP3s Music MagazineFor three guys who modestly claim they started a band to "procure grocery money and a free evening tab at the bar" these fellows sure can play! The self-titled CD opens strong with some traditional Irish fare, which continues throughout all 8 tracks. The only complaint I had for these fine gentlemen is that they needed more songs on the album! The sound is very full, and the instruments ring forth loud and clear, never sounding muddled. The arrangements are actually pretty complex, pushing the music (and musicians) to their capacity and giving the listener the feel that they are going all out for the enjoyment of it. You can literally hear the passion in the songs. This, when it happens, is a rare and beautiful thing. If you are looking for something a little bit different, check out track 7 (Polkas and Slides) for a fun romp. Truthfully, all of the tracks on this CD were darn good. Each of these musicians brings a very unique styling to the instrument that they play, but they all meld together well, rather than being one pitted against the other. For a big, yummy Irish melting pot of music with some extra special zing tossed in to spice it up, put these guys in and press play.