The Irish-American actor, producer and musician John C. Reilly– recently named as the International Guest of Honour at this year’s national St. Patrick’s Day Parade – features on the new album by leading Irish traditional group Téada. Singing the classic Percy French song ‘Eileen Óg’, the Oscar and Tony Award nominee can be heard alongside resident Téada vocalist, Séamus Begley on the acclaimed group’s sixth studio release. In addition to their continued performances at festivals around the globe, Téada’s latest release – entitled ‘Coiscéim Coiligh –As the Days Brighten’ marks a further high point for the group as they celebrate 21 years together.
Oisín Mac Diarmada says “Back in early 2019 when visiting Ireland to promote the release of the Stan & Ollie movie, Chicago-born Hollywood actor & singer John C Reilly struck up a friendship with Séamus Begley, inspired by their mutual love of Irish songs and of course Kerry!” Later that year in Los Angeles, John C. joined Séamus and Oisín on stage when they finished their Christmas tour in Hollywood, and a collaboration idea for the new Téada album was born. Pandemic restrictions made the process of recording John C.’s vocals trickier than normal, but the stars finally aligned in Spring of 2021 when John C. made it into a Hollywood studio to record the Percy French song – Eileen Óg. The song provides the ideal tapestry to blend John C.’s rich theatrical vocal talents along with Séamus’ unique sensitivity and nuance.
A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo. In 2014, the band performed to 40,000 people during an extensive 7-week tour of Japan / Taiwan, and continue to have a strong touring presence in the United States, where Téada has toured actively since 2001. May 2022 brings the release of the band’s new album on the Gael Linn label, featuring the brilliant vocals of Begley along with the band’s customary reenergising of rare tunes from the tradition
Available for sale (CD format) and digital download now at www.teada.com and www.gael-linn.ie
Photo Credit: Damien Stenson
