CANADA Wk Day 4: The Tea Party: The River

[@janicemackie611]

I worked at an event bar north of Montreal in early 2000’s and was on the production team for a live performance by The Tea Party….he channels Jim Morrison..it was a fun experience!

[@mantra1612]

I live in the U.S. , but I've gone to Canada to see them about 20 times. Amazing band!

[@danakerjbam]

When they first arrived I think a lot of us sneered “Jim Morrison fronts Zeppelin? Whatever.” After a few songs, we were all “Jim Morrison fronts Zeppelin??? FUCK YEAH.” Great guitarist too.

[@dianaa9826]

Great to see Jeff Healy introduce The Tea Party... Super performance.. btw probably this was the Juno awards, Canadian version of the Grammys..

[@toddashton9696]

Thanks for getting to the Tea Party, and choosing a live track.. One of my favorites of the 90's. Big sound for a 3 piece. Great lead vocals. You really should check out some of their other tracks: Fire in the head Heaven coming down The messenger Tempation. You wont be disappointed with any of the above tracks.

[@princeofpcos9804]

Probably the most underrated Canadian band and I'm glad you picked a song off Splendor Solis which is their debut and best album

[@TheThamesmen]

That was Chris bravo

[@princeofpcos9804]

@@TheThamesmen Splendor Solis is a very good album front to back. Lots of tasteful 12 string, lots of minor keys, some Arabic scales and influence.

[@adamcotton2121]

It's not their debut album, but I agree, it is their best. Jeff disagrees:(

[@princeofpcos9804]

@@adamcotton2121 2nd album, ok, but nobody listened to the first one

[@adamcotton2121]

@@princeofpcos9804 I did! Thank goodness it's been re-released!

[@kendramcnutt5802]

I saw them live on their Triptych tour in Vancouver. It was an experience I will never forget. The special thing about them and probably why they didn’t do well in the States is they are very difficult to classify into a mainstream sound. They are influenced by so many cultural sounds and they’re lyrics are heavy on the metaphorical side. When I saw them live there were at least a dozen or more string instruments including mandolin, sitar, and even a hurdy-gurdy. They switched up playing these instruments within the songs seamlessly that you’d sear their was an orchestra sized band if your eyes were closed. Also before each song there was a story about the inspiration of the song. Their studio albums do not do their live performance justice.

[@Barnes466]

That live concert they did in Australia was brilliant! Lots of great tracks!

[@TheThamesmen]

Cool!

[@Protege2001]

Oh and just a thought, even though Canada week is long over, I wanted to recommend Unleash the Archers "Awakening" full play through version. I think you might enjoy them.

[@rossmacintosh5652]

I saw the Tea Party as the opening act for Rod Stewart in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the 1990's. I don't think anyone in the crowd had heard of them. When Jeff Martin started to play with his alternately tuned guitar having sitar-like sounds the crowd took notice. When he sang literally everyone shouted it must be Jim Morrison of The Doors reincarnated. Poor Rod had to follow.

[@KelliReimer]

This is a Band that I absolutely loved throughout my teens/20's and still do. I saw them in concert at local Vancouver BC clubs at least 6 times! Such an underrated band. Thanks for covering them!

[@TheThamesmen]

Thanks for sharing!

[@timothykalinowski504]

Great band. One of Canada's most tragically underexposed.

[@onelove1968]

Fantastic reaction. Thanks so much for featuring our favorite Canadian artists this past week. Brilliant channel. Canada LOVES you!

[@TheThamesmen]

Thanks so much!!

[@LiesThatBind]

Definitely one of the most underrated/under appreciated Canadian band. Huge fan of the band here, my favorite song is Psychopomp. They have a great discography. Their biggest radio hit was Heaven Coming Down.

[@debbie5859]

The drummer is from our community, he is well thought of, always raising money for charity.

[@trenthogan4212]

The Tea Party are probably the most underrated band ever. The trio of Ontario Trios = Rush, Triumph & The Tea Party. My favourite TP song is Stargazer

[@paulmorris8762]

add to that the Quebec trio early Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush (Frank's bro joined in later years) . Frank inspired Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, even Johnny Winter

[@Ok_wall]

Tea Party is Albertan.

[@trenthogan4212]

@@Ok_wall No they're not, they're from Windsor Ontario.

[@genxtremist3602]

Gentleman, thank you immensely for shedding light on this band for your US audience. I never understood why they weren't massive in the States because they're such strong musicians and craft high quality music. To honour your hosting a 'Canada Week', I've become a new subscriber. Accordingly, I'd like to suggest a couple of songs from Tea Party that I think you will also enjoy: The Bazaar from The Edges of Twilight (for comparison try The Grand Bazaar from the Alhambra EP) Fire in the Head & Silence are also from Edges of Twilight Temptation & Psychopomp from Transmission Thanks for your time.

[@stevemcwilliams6244]

Wow I had forgotten about these guys, time to dig back through my old albums.

[@matheuhexter6189]

I remember listening to these guys in high school. Like the doors meets led zeppelin meets black sabbath. Cool to listen to them again.

[@jona7504]

Well worth delving into their catalogue

[@bethanyp8847]

I like a London Fog, it's a specialty tea which the base is Earl Grey but it's frothed like a cappuccino. But on a daily it's a Red Rose black tea, and I've brought down my sugar intake from 5 spoons to 3. If you do another Canadian wk, look at Faouzia, a singer from (near) Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a young woman who is exceptionally talented and very under-rated. As for The Tea Party, I was fortunate to see them twice in concert, they are amazing! Their largest song (I'm pretty sure) was Temptation, and then other big songs Heaven Coming Down, Messenger, Sister Awake and a newer one is Ocean at the End. Jeff Martin gets placed in the Jim Morrison category a lot, his look is really similar as well. And their sound goes into (I think) central Asian (like Tibet area), which is absolutely fantastic. I thought that was so cool that they were introduced by Jeff Healey, awesome!

[@jamesflorance1356]

Great band and track. Psychopomp played live on their 2012 Reformation Tour of Australia is great

[@stephencoffin226]

Have my Feb.3/23 tickets pinned on the cork awaiting Tea Party with a symphony !

[@anthonypallen7919]

Ive seen this live many time's. It hurts , so loud and primal

[@anthonypallen7919]

Greetings from Montreal...these boys were better and louder later on, more mature , Jeff Martin had a deeper growl. Great live band.

[@robertalaking17]

The opening made me think of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit". What a cover version that would be!

[@musicisajourney]

Definitely dive into The Tea Party! And their sound changes album to album.

[@northof4912]

Tea Party was big in Canada, obviously, but also charted well in the UK and Australia - apparently quite popular. Completely unknown in the United States - never got any radio play at a time when heavy rock like theirs was sparse….

[@garthmckeil9539]

First saw them plugging the Splendour Solis album, playing at Brock University in St. Catharines Ontario. Great Band... I think more popular in Australia than here in their native Canada.

[@zwhtan]

This one makes Canada week a success for me😁🤘🏽

[@CGCM_Power_Chord]

You should check out Jeff Healy he was the one that introduced the Tea Party at the beginning of this video. Not sure if you are aware but he is blind. Amazing guitar player. There is a live version of See the Light that is great. There is also a live video with Stevie Ray Vaugn.

[@Bearbum]

Any song of Triumph’s from their 1983 performance at the US festival would fit in nicely with this weeks Canada theme.

[@lerxst7050]

Great band and reaction! Hopefully The Tragically Hip is on your list this week. They were the biggest band IN Canada (who never broke through outside of Canada). So many great songs I'd have a hard time recommending one. You could do a Tragically Hip week very easily!

[@TheThamesmen]

Shhhhhh (spoiler: yes)

[@jennifermason9557]

They absolutely did in Australia - they were HUGE here

[@lerxst7050]

@@jennifermason9557 Wow I had NO idea!! Did they come to play in Australia? Always thought they were our best kept secret! Dan Akroyd had them on Saturday Night Live but they never made it big across the border. When their final concert aired across the country live it was EXTREMELY emotional. Gord was sick...didn't sound the best...but man was it great to see a nation come together. Don't think I will see anything like that again. Also great last name it is also mine haha!.

[@lerxst7050]

@@TheThamesmen Awesome!!!

[@lerxst7050]

Well I was able to do a quick google search and answer my own question...they definitely played Australia at some point... and I see lots of US shows...but still think they were relatively unknown there. I work with a lot of Americans who have never heard of them. Glad to hear they were big in Australia. Hope you got to see them!

[@harysmith1024]

Best live band I've ever seen, I've seen them 3 times in Australia, Jeff Martin the lead singer can play anything with a string attached. Check out his solo stuff, it will blow your minds.

[@TheThamesmen]

Will do

[@jennifermason9557]

Love the Tea Party. Heaven coming down is my favourite song of theis. Well worth checking out their other stuff.

[@chriso6719]

Fixed it, Yay. LOL Love the Tea Party. The River was their first single. They broke up in 2005, got back together in 2011, and are still active today. From Windsor ,Ontario (across from Detroit). Lead singer is Jeff Martin, Stuart Chatwood on keyboards, and drummer Jeff Burrows. If you want more try Psychopomp, Temptation, or Sister Awake.

[@TheThamesmen]

Yep - alex here.... raw file uploaded, ignored the finish product! Sorry

[@chriso6719]

@@TheThamesmen It's ok, nobody's perfect. Thought it was pretty funny. lol

[@donhadfield2835]

Tea Party is such a great (but sometimes inconsistent) band. When they go full Transendental Grunge mode they are awesome.

[@TheThamesmen]

Definitely love this band

[@GSharper]

A couple more,.. Triumph, Saga!

[@TheThamesmen]

thanks!

[@clivematthews5296]

Well said. Already mentioned Triumph, Unleash the Archers and the obvious band.

[@Barnes466]

They are a great band! I saw them here in Halifax, Canada in a super small bar, great gig!

[@priestofsyrinx4931]

The Tea Party was one of my favourite bands growing up. They got a fair amount of hate because the lead singer looks like Jim Morrison and they have a Doors sound, but they have an excellent catalogue of music. Psychopomp, Angels, and Heaven Coming Down are personal favourites of mine. There are so many great bands and artists from Canada. You could do a full month of this stuff!

[@TheThamesmen]

I have a feeling we will have to do Canada week too if we get enough Subscribing

[@JeromeDukes]

Already commented on this song and the band on your previous upload, but did you boys notice that was Jeff Healey introducing the band?

[@TheThamesmen]

Off course. We should have been more vigilant

[@wjadam024]

I never knew the Tea Party was Canadian.

[@TheThamesmen]

And our work is now complete

[@russellmylott4810]

If Jim Morrison had a secret lovechild, you get Jeff Martin.

[@swingsloth]

Hell yeah. The Tea Party got me through my twenties. Such amazing energy. Better voice than Vedder. Driving baselines. Subtlety and power in the drumming. Just loved it. The Jim Morrison comparison always comes in. But I found they are based entirely on his look. Voices aren't particularly similar, and Martin was an exquisite axeman.

[@Harromuso]

Really worth checking out their song "Fire In The Head"

[@annmills3163]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard them before, thanks!

[@stevep2430]

I wish Jeff Healey was the one that was going to play.

[@TheThamesmen]

Good call

[@musicisajourney]

Well, now I know what happened to the Two Ronnies! Great song selection. I’ll have to see who else you’ve covered. Sloan? April Wine? Triumph? Moxy? Mahogany Rush? Voivod? Unleash the Archers? Blood Ceremony?

[@leandabee]

I absolutely adore Jeff Martin/Tea Party. Found them back in the 90s. I've seen Jeff solo and with Tea Party numerous times, and everytime, it's like the first time. Also Jeff married an Aussie girl 👌👏💞💞🇦🇺

[@notachannel7495]

If Tea Party and Big Wreck ever collided, only Our Lady Peace combined with I Mother Earth could help us. But seriously - check-out Big Wreck.

[@badgerello]

One of my favourite bands. Seen them more than iron maiden; and I’ve seen them a lot. Met Jeff a couple times - very, erm, relaxed guy.

[@clivematthews5296]

I'm glad I read in the comments that there is very much a Jim Morrison vibe to the singer/lead guitarist. Thought maybe only me. Must be short of musicians in Canada or they're mean as so many 3 piece bands. LOL.

[@BrianR.]

Happy to see this re-posted, this a an underrated Canadian band, some similarities to Jim Morrison vocally. Loving the week so far !

[@TheThamesmen]

Couldn't agree more!

[@TheEricBooth]

I can't wait for Cleveland Wk. Wow, I can't believe you all found a drummer that hits harder than Pau from The Warning. I have to admit this was some good shite right here.

[@Fish-nt5wb]

Canada week did not include Stompin' Tom Connors or Stan Rogers. This makes me cry maple syrup.

[@TheThamesmen]

Not enough days in a week!

[@olsondc666]

Just ran across this...great job. The Tea Party is a good choice. Here's a few more: Saga, Mystery, Kim Mitchell, Triumph, Helix, Killer Dwarfs, Big Wreck, Annihilator, April Wine and of course Rush. One hit wonder from Chilliwack.

[@BrindleChase]

Very cool! I'm only familiar with one song from the Tea Party and love it. It's called "Requiem" and I would highly recommend it. Very different than this song and gave me pseudo-Nightwish vibes.

[@backbeat44]

i like me some Tea Party material but seeing Jeff Healy introduce The Tea Party, I'd prefer to see him. As a note, if you don't do any Tragically Hip it would be criminal (actually you'd need at least a week) - and then there's Sloan, Blue Rodeo, BNL, April wine, Triumph, Cowboy Junkies, Chilliwack, The Ugly Ducklings, Broken Social Scene - oh forget it, the list is endless.....have fun!!

[@sean---the-other-one]

I remember them, but they weren’t entirely my cup of tea. (Insert Fozzie Bear ear wiggle gif here). This was cool, though. I was moving in time with the drummer’s floor tom. It always weirds me out seeing left handed guitarists or bass players.

[@rickfairman5640]

Chris question curious as to how you chose the Tea Party and Lover Boy especially when the Tea Party was introduced by one of the great guitar players of all time. I hadnever heard The Tea Party. I enjoyed their song. Lover Boy? Any way have enjoyed your selections and the notes you have provided for all the other weeks just being from Canda must say their selection suprised me. Just finished watching day four of Cold Chisel looking forward to day five.

[@danielpaquet3963]

Jeff Burroghs,Jeff Martin,Stuart Chatwood

[@GSharper]

Been listening/watching you guys for a while now, love your reactions. However, you cannot have Canada week without the likes of April Wine, Frank Marino/ Mahogany Rush, Aldo Nova, Gino Vanelli to mention a few,..

[@TheThamesmen]

That’s loads of bands I’ve never heard. If this week finds enough subscribers we will definitely do a Canada week 2

[@Harromuso]

I have a very exact measure of sugar in my tea, that being a "pinch" 😁

[@TheThamesmen]

Well known unit of measure

[@jona7504]

Fire in the Head is another brilliant song

[@andyburch1819]

Wow, always liked, but never appreciated the tea party. What a great talent. Very unique guitar tone and feel

[@TheThamesmen]

Thanks for listening

[@BrindleChase]

Another thought... what is it about Canada that makes 3 man bands? All the best trios are from Canada it seems? Just asking...

[@canuckled]

I'm seeing them next month. I would more reactions of there music if you post any

[@theosiemens6261]

Meth lab not crack house. Love your staff! 🇨🇦🙏

[@TheThamesmen]

Ha ha

[@stevenfadelle9085]

The Canadian "Doors"

[@paulmorris8762]

my fave TP song is Feels Like Heaven Coming Down

[@MonsterSound.Bradley]

Love this band. For something CDN and different try Gino Vannelli 'Brother to Brother'. Great musicians.

[@christopherbailey557]

Try Save Me by the Tea Party, great song!

[@trevorclark5138]

I shall push you every day to play metric bit of Divinyls ,blondie,pretenders deserve more recognition 👍

[@maruad7577]

I see you have fixed the sound issue. I had never heard of The Tea Party before but as a Canadian boomer, I do have some major gaps in my musical knowledge. My favourite Canadian band from the 90s would be The Weakerthans (John K Samson is an incredible lyricist). The Tea Party is okay but I prefer listening to groups like Australia's John Butler Trio (Ocean: Live is a good one to check out). William Prince's "The Spark: Nashville Sessions" or "The Spark" with Serena Ryder at the Juno's are beautiful ballads.

[@TheThamesmen]

I never heard of them before but I thought it was a really interesting sounds nice to have something different

[@TheThamesmen]

I never heard of them before but I thought it was a really interesting sounds nice to have something different

[@OriginalMergatroid]

Not exactly at the top of my Canadian bands list, but this was a radio hit and this performance was a great performance. I was expecting to see some April Wine, or Triumph, or Crash Test Dummies, or maybe even some Bare Naked Ladies. Maybe some Streetheart? Max Webster would have been awesome, or Trooper. Personally I always enjoyed Goddo. Oh well, off to see your next video. The Hip is always good.

[@stevep2430]

I bet you that Alex drinks Lady Grey tea.

[@TheThamesmen]

NO I DO NOT!!!!

[@flor9389]

A kind of cross between the Doors and Soundgarden. Drummer was worth watching but I love drummers.

[@skipwilliam5639]

I was never a big fan of the tea party but they have a huge following in Canada and Im ok with that,,lol

[@TheThamesmen]

50/50!!

[@JimboKM]

I'd bet money his mom met Jim Morrison. Not only the looks and voice, but the attitude that he's better than he really is.

[@TheThamesmen]

HA HA..... in a dark car park

[@Ilikeryche]

They haven't reacted to the guy that introduced The Tea Party at the beginning.

[@Alwayswilling]

If you want to do Canadian then play some of Neil Young's stuff and then checkout k.d. lang doing Roy Orbison's Crying. Where didyoufind this tea party thingy. Ugh!

[@kevindowdell8394]

Very impressive performance, very good musicians, still, not my cupa tea.✌❤🇨🇦

[@BrianR.]

Isn't tea served with scones? Tea and scones... heard that on a Monty Python episode. I drink black tea, no sugar... King Cole tea, a fine Canadian brew.

[@TheThamesmen]

and cucumber sandwiches

[@Paul-pl6dl]

Got some sound this time don't know what happened the first time but was a good song

[@TheThamesmen]

It was my mistake I uploaded the raw file sorry

[@stevenfadelle9085]

Don't think you have done jeff healey yet

[@stewarttrickett3033]

As if the The Doors, Cream, and Led Zeppelin had a love child.

[@len6482]

You picked a Gem mates :)

[@TheThamesmen]

Thank you!

[@PROGROCK-tr9hw]

Check out grand bazzar

[@danielpaquet3963]

8 sugars please.

[@nodrush80]

Well, as a Canadian I have my opinions about why Canadian bands sometimes get overlooked( lack of intelligence in some countries)😭. Leave it at that.

[@iankearns774]

Surely Lover Boy Turn me loose isn't far away?

[@northof4912]

🤢

[@iankearns774]

@@northof4912 Legendary song mate, I also like Rush and Triumph. I once picked up a great little CD by a band called Tribes of March for $5 in the bargain bin years ago. Canada has had plenty of great Rock bands over the years, but I am sure you know that.

[@northof4912]

@@iankearns774 I grew up in Vancouver….. in the 70s Vancouver fans let you know if you were the worst or the best. They booed Nick Guilder, home town boy, off the stage. Had my Lover Boy moments way back in the day - they are so far down the ladder of respectable Canadian Bands….. they were big for a flash then not. Now just hanging out in the corner with the Bay City Rollers and The Knack……..

[@iankearns774]

@@northof4912 Not too many Canadian bands made it big in Australia, same vice versa I guess. I still reckon Turn me Loose and Working for the weekend were good tracks. Prefer Triumph to them I was just taking the P155, I have about 4 of their albums. I bought Allied Forces for the sleeve art and wasn't disappointed. Very good album.

[@iankearns774]

@@northof4912 Re Nick Guilder, Queen was booed off stage at the Sunbury Rock Concert in 1975, glam rock wasn't a big thing here back then. Not heavy enough, Aussie males full of VB Beer and testosterone weren't having any of that.I was only 10yo but heard all the stories from my older brothers who are 10 and 11 years older than me, Skyhooks were just starting to break here in Melbourne and Hush in Sydney but Queen just weren't going to cut it there. LOL

[@mikeschenk4730]

The band name led you off in the wrong direction for over 3 minutes. I knew there were reasons I watched your channel. Also why I would never suggest certain bands regardless of how I felt about them lol. The drum and bass kicking in when they did was really cool and highlights what both are doing well. Interesting that they came around right about the same time as Pearl Jam. The singer has a real Eddie Vedder sound to him. Odd that they aren't big in the U.S. as their style is sort of the precursor to most modern rock music.

[@TheThamesmen]

Very true

[@philrow9652]

Shout

[@TheThamesmen]

About?

[@philrow9652]

@@TheThamesmen I was correcting previous comment ...lol...Living in the states right across the boarder in buffalo i grew up on the tea party and the hip...those two bands along with spirit of the west (check out home for a rest)are a few of my favorite live bands from the great white north

[@TheThamesmen]

@@philrow9652 excellent. Thank you

[@iankearns774]

Do you have cucumber sandwiches with your tea?

[@TheThamesmen]

Off course. With marmite

[@iankearns774]

@@TheThamesmen Hopefully not together?

[@northof4912]

Hockey……

[@TheThamesmen]

True Canada

[@princeofpcos9804]

Pearl Jam tried to poach various drummers over the decades, including Tea Party

[@TheThamesmen]

He was a very good drummer

[@trevorclark5138]

Metric

[@brianparsa7794]

They seemed to be channeling the mid-1990's alternative rock vibe. Decent performance, certainly, but totally forgettable.

[@robertmorin1493]

Have you two thought of playing any Quebecois music? Harmonium was a great band but there are scores of others worth a listen.

[@TheThamesmen]

:)

[@BrianR.]

I agree... I've been asking the same thing and recently submitted L'Heptade, but not sure if it's possible as 1 hour and 24 minutes of French music might not go well. There is also Offenbach which could work well.

[@robertmorin1493]

@@BrianR.-Plume, Charlebois. Beau Dommage, les Cowboys Fringants, Les Colocs, Mes Aïeux- the list goes on and on.

[@lbd-po7cl]

La Bottine Souriant are an outstanding Quebecois folk-jazz-Celtic-rock crossover band, playing French-Canadian roots music with a great brass section. Well worth checking out. Sure to get those “smiling boots” tapping😀🥾🥾.

[@johnlittle3430]

Kinda wild to see somebody break down Jeff Martin's vocals and only hitting one of the two massive influences (they got the point for Morrison, but somehow, some way missed Ian Astbury).

[@TheThamesmen]

Ohhhh wow. Cool spot