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Concert Preview
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The Chicago Reader, Concert Preview >>
Altan are by now a grand old flagship of traditional Irish music, but thanks to the lilt in their songs—in the rich instrumental backdrops as well as the sweet voice of fiddler Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh—they still sound youthful and light on their feet. That holds true even when they play with the RTE Concert Orchestra (one of several ensembles maintained by Ireland's public broadcaster, Raidio Teilifis Eireann), as they do on their new 25th Anniversary Celebration (Compass). The album collects 15 of the band's most popular tunes, performed live in Dublin, their lilies most thoroughly gilded by the lavish arrangements. Of course the lifeblood of traditional Irish music is the informal social session, not the orchestral collaboration, and in keeping with that heritage Altan ought to let their hair down a little here—it should also help that, given their international stature, the Abbey Pub is actually a rather intimate venue for them.  8 PM, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, 773-463-5808 or 866-468-3401, $25, $20 in advance, 18+. —Monica Kendrick 03/25/10 >> go there
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