Chieftains’ war story has a Mexican melody

As they close in on five decades of performing together, Paddy Moloney and his band mates in the Chieftains remain excited about what they do.

Part of the satisfaction comes from the fact that they never seem to stop discovering new places around the world where Irish music and culture have made an impact.

“We hate to travel, and it’s getting worse,” Moloney said in his trademark cheerful voice, “but the delightful thing is when we get on stage. We don’t want to stop any time soon.”

So the Chieftains’ Wednesday stop at the Paramount Theater is part of a busy Celtic Connection 2009 tour, which will wind up in Ontario on, appropriately enough, St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s filled with the traditional Irish music that the band has performed around the world for decades, as well works resulting from spirited collaborations with international musicians that include a who’s who of American country and bluegrass stars.

These, days, the Chieftains are taking their musical explorations south of the border to put a Mexican-Irish musical connection in the spotlight.

The band is finishing up an album, set for release this year, that features singer Linda Ronstadt and other guests as they dive into a rich cultural bond that began when a bunch of Irish-American soldiers wound up moving to Mexico.

Several hundred Irish immigrants who were drafted into the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War decided “they didn’t want to shoot Catholics. That didn’t go down well,” Moloney said.

Pvt. Jon Riley ended up deserting before the war officially was declared, and he formed his own military force, the San Patricios — as Saint Patrick was known to their new Mexican comrades — in 1846 to fight for the other side. Many Americans viewed them as traitors, but many Mexicans saw them as friends in need.

Moloney said the Chieftains will offer a taste of the new music from the album project, which included fruitful time spent in Mexico researching a complex story.

“I filmed the whole thing. I’m making a documentary as well,” Moloney said.

Fiddler Sean Keene, an original Chieftains member, won’t be making the trip this time, but flutist Matt Molloy will be here, as will Kevin Conneff on bodhran and vocals. Moloney will bring his Uilleann pipes and tin whisle.

Triona Marshall stepped in a few years ago to play harp parts, helping the band as it continues to heal from a significant loss.

The band’s harpist, Derek Bell, died in 2002.

“For a year, I didn’t have a harper,” Moloney said. “I think [Bell] sent this one to us. She brings the house down every night with her lovely solo.”

Listeners also will want to pay attention to vocalist Alyth McCormack, who sings in Scots Gaelic and English.

“She has a voice that is so beautiful,” Moloney said.

And, of course, acknowledging how hard it is for folks to sit still while listening to some of the spirited tunes, the Chieftains will be bringing some high-energy dancers.

“The princess of dance herself, Cara Butler — I can’t leave her out,” Moloney said of the traditional-style standout. She has been teaming up with the group for 16 years.

“It’s a big family we have going around,” Moloney said of the tour.

Brothers Jon and Nathan Pilatzke, an acrobatic pair of dancers from Canada, will take the stage as well.

So what’s the next musical frontier after the Chieftains’ Mexican sojourn? Moloney said the band’s looking into the history of Irish immigrants in Brazil and Argentina, so save a space in your CD rack to see what they come up with.