The ROGUES -- American Highlander
Dirty Linen Magazine (2009)*

The ROGUES -- American Highlander [self-released (2008)] The bagpipe and drum traditions of Scotland have been imported to the Lone Star State by Houston-based band the Rogues. An offshoot of the 1980s Celtic band Clandestine, the group -- originally known as the Scottish Rogues -- continues to bring excitement and energy to that tradition with its eighth album, American Highlander. Jimmy Mitchell and Lyric Todkill (Highland and uilleann pipes) propel the playing of founding member Randy Wothke (percussionist /composer), and muliti-instrumentalist/lead singer Nelson Stewart (former member of the Toronto-based FictionMakers, who joined the Rogues in 2001) into overdrive. Corey Walden (fiddle) and Neil Anderson (low D whistle) add textural depth. Most tunes are embedded in the reels and hornpipe tradition, but a few surprises are offered. The Stewart-penned “153 (The Simpleton’s Lament)” is a Celtic pop tune, while “The Rights of Man”, recorded live, is a fast-paced rendition of Stewart’s arrangement that was a staple of the FictionMakers’ repertoire. The album closes with a Scottish-ized version of the J. Geils Band’s 1980s’ hit “Centerfold”. (CH)


*In October of 2012 The Rogues split.  Nelson Stewart and other members continued to perform as The American Rogues.  Randy Wothke and other musicians continued as The Rogues.  

Note: American Highlander is owned by American Rogues.