The Chieftains & Ry Cooder - "San Patricio"

The latest project from Irish musical icons The Chieftains deals with an unknown chapter in the Mexican-American War in 1867. The soldiers of the San Patricios, a band of men who had fled the Emerald Isle due to the ravages of famine, were immediately conscripted into the U.S. Army. Instead of facing off against the predominantly Catholic Mexican forces, the battalion switched sides and fought, but to dire consequences. But this germ of an idea, discovered through research by Chieftains' leader Paddy Maloney, did not lead to an album of dirges. On the contrary, the tunes can be quite electric, with the able assistance of noted guitarist Ry Cooder. Also enlisted to help on the CD are Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Moya Brennan, Los Tigres del Norte, Lila Downs, Liam Neeson and Linda Ronstadt.

San Patricios is to be released 9 March on merge. Find out more about the project by viewing the promotional video above.

The Chieftains start a month long tour in the U.S. this coming week, culminating with a St. Patrick's Day concert in New York City. TNOP County Clare correspondent Celtic Ray will be on hand for the 6 March show in Milwaukee and will post his review on these pages.

News From The Fun House

The class of 2010 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been announced. New inductees include The Stooges (that's Iggy Pop reading the - finally! - good news, above), Genesis, The Hollies, Jimmy Cliff and ABBA. But where are Darlene Love and Laura Nyro?

Mojo reports that Sly Stone has signed a new record deal. We'll believe it when we hear it. In the meantime, there are previews up on the web about a new documentary on the enigmatic artist that is set to premiere in 2010.

Best reviewed album of the decade? Best reviewed pop act? Metacritic lets you in on the answers.

TNOP is looking forward to the US release of Mumford & Sons' debut record, Sigh No More, in February. The Times of London provides a profile of the English band strongly influenced by Americana. Catch them on their current tour in the States or sample their single "Little Lion Man."

Can't say we go digging around in the News of the World too often, but their recent talk with Kinks-man Ray Davies proved fruitful: he's trying to gently coax brother Dave into the music arena again and is also working in the studio with Bruce Springsteen. And word is Julian Temple is directing a film of the brothers' rise to fame in the 1960s.

The xx performs a short set in The Current Studios of Minnesota Public Radio.

Issue 65 of The Fader is now available via free download. Special guest editors: Animal Collective.

We wrote in these pages previously about The History Channel special The People Speak. It premiered the other night and TNOP highly recommends a view. One of the highlights was Bob Dylan (acoustic guitar), Ry Cooder (electric guitar) and Van Dyke Parks (piano) performing Woody Guthrie's "Do Re Mi." TwentyFourBit gives us a look and listen.

That's it from the news desk for now. Go celebrate their induction by enjoying Iggy & The Stooges' "Search & Destroy" at MAXIMUM VOLUME. The video is from a 2008 performance in Montreal, and man, they still bring it, especially the late guitarist Ron Asheton.