The Tea Party
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The Tea Party is a Canadian rock band with blues, progressive rock and Middle Eastern influences. The band calls its brew of styles "maroc'n'roll." A well-known Canadian rock band with a succession of hit songs and music videos in Canada, they have said they are either hated or loved. Apparently having missed mainstream American notice, they also have a rather surprising following in Australia.
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History and music
The power trio formed in Windsor, Ontario in 1990. Its members later relocated to Montreal, then spread out to other cities in Canada.
Initially playing indie rock and blues-based music, they developed a dedicated following while experimenting with musical style, incorporating diverse instruments. They have toured with a symphony orchestra, and it was estimated they used more than 30 different instruments to record their album The Edges of Twilight. These include the dombek and darabukka, djembe, and tabla, all percussion instruments, and the esraj, harp guitar, harmonium, hurdy-gurdy (a.k.a Vielle), oud, santoor, sarod, saz, sitar, and tamboura, all string instruments.
Of special note is the rare Gibson harp guitar owned by The Tea Party's Jeff Martin. It is reputedly from 1916, and one of only 6 remaining units. There is some discrepancy as to Orville Gibson's personal involvement. Some suggest that the guitars were hand made by Orville Gibson, founder of Gibson. Some recollection indicates Orville Gibson may have over-seen their production, but not taken part in the construction process. Other sources suggest he had no connection with the company at this time.
In 2004, with the breakup of American rock band Creed, it was said that former Creed lead vocalist Scott Stapp would collaborate with the band on his forthcoming solo album, but The Tea Party denied these rumours. The album has now been released and it was confirmed to be only a rumor.
Members
- Jeff Martin -- Lead vocals, guitars, dulcimer, sitar, other ethnic instruments.
- Stuart Chatwood -- Bass guitar, keyboards, mandolin, sequencing.
- Jeff Burrows -- Drums and percussion
Discography
- The Tea Party (1991) (self-titled debut album)
- Splendor Solis (1993)
- The Edges of Twilight (1995)
- Alhambra (1996) (multimedia CD)
- Transmission (1997)
- Triptych (1999)
- Tangents: The Tea Party Collection (2000) (compilation)
- The Interzone Mantras (2001)
- Seven Circles (2004)
Videography
- Illuminations (2001) (DVD)
External links
- The Tea Party official site (http://www.teaparty.com/)
- The Tea Party at UBL.com (http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,500471,00.html?src=redirsearch&artist=The+Tea+Party)