"Clandestine could be considered pan-Celtic with their innovative arrangements that cross-pollinate Scottish highland piping with Irish fiddle melodies. E.J. Jones ranks among Texas' best pipers, which isn't suprising since his lung capacity matches the size of a Lexus airbag. Jones' piping is certainly versatile, if not exhilarating, as he moves between the competition style of piping he was weaned on and the ensemble format he prefers today. The title track, "The Haunting," illustrates this point. Jones traditional highland piping segues gracefully into a flurry of a jam, with fiddler Gregory McQueen, guitarist Jennifer Hamel, and percussionist Emily Dugas all actively participating. Many of the disc's high points stem from the bands energetic interplay. On ""Slip Jigs from Hell," McQueen sets a blazing pace before Jones, after a few drones, joins the intricate melody to play in unison. As the tune progresses, McQueen abandons the melody to add artistic touches by dragging the bow just as Jones hits the high notes. Similarly, the last tune, The Geese in the Bog," features Dugas' dancing, percussive heartbeats and McQueens frantic descending glissandos as Jones pipes with enough force to knock the paint off the walls.

"The instrumentals' torrid pace occasionally takes a deep breath on a few selections ("Dunlavy's Castle," "Innisfree") sung by Hamel, a distinct vocalist who borders on the ethereal. Hamel phrases lyrics so eloquently that, combined with McQueen's passionate fiddling and Jones' serene penny whistling, her singing overcomes the challenging task of unleashing the innate beauty of a slow song. Powerful stuff, beautiful stuff."

About the Band...
"Clandestine has developed quite a following here in the past two years...what started out as a pipe band in 1991 has evolved into a high energy Celtic band. The group rocks as much as any pop band."

"Sooner or later, a band playing the traditional music of the British Isles is going to come out of our city and become successful enough to be referred to as "the New Pogues"...my money is on Clandestine."

"Clandestine's piper, E.J. Jones, is so good on the pipes that he's enjoyable indoors, and his reels and marches show the true potential of his oft-maligned instrument."

About "The Ale Is Dear"... "They do a good, spirited job on their CD The Ale Is Dear...The piping is particularly rousing, the fiddle and guitar playing, as well as the rumbling bodhrans are well-deployed...this could be a band to watch."

"Impressive CD ("The Ale Is Dear") from this popular Houston Celtic folk-rock band. The blend of Jennifer Hamel's energetic guitar, E.J. Jones's driving highland pipes and Gregory McQueen's mischevious fiddle will get you whirling like a dervish on the band's rollicking medleys of traditional reels, jigs, and polkas..."

"Ms. Hamel's vocals on a handful of traditional tunes and her two original songs...have that mournful but sly qality that fits Irish and Scottish msic so well."

"Take-no-prisoners fiddle-and-bagpipe medleys are contrasted with more contemporary originals and well-chosen covers."