The Rogues
5.0.
Has Something for EveryoneI
really couldn't imagine listening to an entire album of bagpipes... Well, I couldn't
until I heard The Rogues latest album, 5.O. The
fifth release by Houston's remarkable bagpipe & percussion quartet, The Rogues,
is not just another bagpipe album. It's the crossover album that will make fans
of those who never before liked the bagpipes. The Rogues take a very traditional
instrument, add modern arrangements and a very Celtic world-beat sound, to create
a Grammy-nominated masterpiece.  "Gypsy"
was my first favorite tune from the album. It opens with very simple flamenco-like
percussion and adds The Rogues' signature dual bagpipes of Jimmy Mitchell and
Lars Sloan. Then enter the percussive magic of Randy Wothke who backs Leandra
La Greca...a Gypsy Flamenco dancer! The song stands out as an introduction to
the beautiful mischief yet to come.
"Bonny
Portmore" belongs in a movie. The familiar melody opens with Wothke on keyboards
and Brian Thomas of the Houston Symphony on French Horn. How they were able to
blend that horn with two Bb bagpipes that enter in the second verse, I don¹t
know, but the result is amazing and sounds wonderful, as does Wothke's original
aire, "The Rose of Sharon." 5.0
has tunes for the traditionalists, but also features some of the newly, vogue
bagpipe rock. "Cullen Anderson" by Lars Sloan is an epic bagpipe rock
song with beautiful guest vocals by Emily Vacek. It smokes with a full drum kit,
blazing bagpipes and some rocking Bazouki-playing by Wolf Loescher. And of course,
the one thing you can always expect from any of The Rogues albums is that their
roguish sense of humor permeates throughout the album. 5.0
has something for everyone from the newbie to the seasoned Celtic music fan. When
you listen to it, you will find something that will bring a smile to your face
and have you listening to the album again and again for many years to come.
Website: Homepage
Download: "Bonny Portmore"
Buy CD : V.O.
Similar Artists: Tannahill Weavers, Rare Air, Bagpipe music bands
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