I picked up Cherish the Ladies' live album, aptly named Live!, at a concert by the Irish-American sextet in Carlisle, so the sound of their live performance was still fresh in my ears when I first gave a listen to the 2-year-old CD.

I was not disappointed. Live! does a fantastic job of capturing the sound and feel of Cherish the Ladies on stage, lacking only the lively chatter of flutist Joanie Madden between tunes to give it that completely authentic touch. (Although I still can't believe singer Aoife Clancy signed her name right across her face on the album's front cover!)

CtL's six members have certainly earned their reputation for standing tall among contemporary Irish musicians. And they make that clear immediately here with a fiery opening track featuring "The Cat That Rambles to the Child's Saucepan/The Otter's Nest/Richie Dwyers." Madden in particular demonstrates her skill with a whistle on this track.

But Madden is working with an equally talented band here. Joining her on this album (recorded live at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H., on March 16, 1997, and at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington, Vt., on March 17) are Mary Coogan on guitar, banjo and mandolin; Siobhan Egan on fiddle, bodhran and whistle; Donna Long on piano, fiddle and harmony vocals; and Mary Rafferty on accordion and whistle. Besides whistles, Madden also plays flute and sings harmony.

Completing the band is Aoife Clancy, the only native Irishwoman of the lot, who plays guitar, bodhran and shaker. She's also the band's lead singer, and she leads the band through a selection of beautiful ballads on Live!. Songs here include "Mal of Lismore," "Sir Hugh of Graham," "Fear An Bhata" (a Gaelic lament which leads into a lively instrumental set), "Banks of the Roses" and "Keg of Brandy." Throughout, Clancy's voice is strong and clear, a fine example of Irish singing. (Her solo album, Soldiers & Dreams, is reviewed here.)

There are plenty of great instrumental tracks, too, including the gorgeous "The Level Plain (Meagh Seola)," which features Madden this time on flute, and an array of great set pieces. Each member has her moments in the spotlight, such as Egan's swooping fiddle to launch her original tune, "The Galloping Hound," and Long's precise piano work on Turlough O'Carolan's "Bridget Cruise" and "The Mountain Top." The band overall has a tight, crisp sound, giving each performer her due, and together they produce some excellent live tracks.

An extra layer of you-were-there realism is added by the aerobic taps of Irish dancers Eileen Golden, Sinead Lawler, Niall O'Leary and Dave O'Hanlon. Although we can't see their flying feet on CD, we can hear the percussive proof of their fine dancing.

I won't say owning a copy of Live! is just as good as being there -- but, as albums go, it's pretty darn close.