Photo, Barry McCall

By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

(March 11, 2010) — The Chieftains’ new album “San Patricio” is not your grandfather’s Irish music. The songs and instrumentals on this lengthy effort are inspired by the San Patricios, a small battalion of Irish soldiers who fought with the Mexican army against the United States in the mid-19th century.

Coupling the traditional Irish sounds of The Chieftains’ catalogue with Spanish-language lyrics and a Mexican sentimentality, “San Patricio” proves to be a completely unique experiment that redefines the power of lyrical storytelling.

The Chieftains, headed by Paddy Moloney, work their way through militaristic anthems (“March to Battle”) and riotous party numbers (“La Iguana” is one of the best). Along the way, they are helped out by Ry Cooder (co-producer of the album), Linda Ronstadt and even Liam Neeson, who provides narration on one song.

The common denominator on the 19-song album is the unique story of these military men, who longed for the shores of Ireland, but felt compelled to help the Mexicans from the encroachment of the United States.

As the liner notes point out, “for some it was a war of religion, for some it was a war of freedom and for others it was a war of adventure and opportunity. Ultimately for Mexico and the San Patricios, it was a war of tragedy and great loss.”

And the tragedy and loss certainly come through in many of the songs, perhaps with the most poignancy in “The Sands of Mexico.” Sung by Cooder, who was the driving force behind the “Buena Vista Social Club” a few years ago, “Sands” gets into the minds of the soldiers, telling their tale of dedication and worry.

Other highlights include “La Golondrina,” a wonderful anthem that features Moloney on uilleann pipes and tin whistle, Seán Keane on fiddle, Matt Molloy on flute, Kevin Conneff on bodhrán and lilting, Enrique Hernandez on chontal flute, and Olga Alanis, Gabriela Rodriguez, Efrén Vargas, Omar Valdez, Adrian Nieto and Jose Avila on percussion. The Chieftains will bring “San Patricio” to life in a few area concerts, including a St. Patrick’s Day show at New York City’s Town Hall. Whether they dive into “Ojitos Negros” with Moloney on pipe drones or “Luz de Luna,” with the crying croon of Chavela Vargas, they will certainly delight.

“San Patricio” proves that even groups like The Chieftains, who are such devotees of the traditional, can shake things up and find a new sound. Somehow in this novelty, they still retain their distinctive Irish charm, probably because they see the story of the San Patricios as simply an extension of their homeland and perhaps indicative of a greater metaphor. The gifts of Ireland, including the sacrifice of her dedicated sons, are worth exploring through music and words.

This St. Patrick’s Day, head to Mexico with The Chieftains and Ry Cooder — I promise you’ll feel like you were in Ireland.

— Visit www.thechieftains.com for more information