Over the Rhine

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Mostly folk/rock and alternative pop, with frequent forays into the beautiful and fierce and eclectic, and traces of jazz throughout. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

According to them (at least at the time of Faces), they play "post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged art-pop." (neal)

Status:

Most recent release, The Trumpet Child (2007)

See also:

Over the Rhine's official home page

The Ectophiles' Guide entry for Linford Detweiler

Comparisons:

I most often hear them compared to the Cowboy Junkies, who they have been touring with off and on over the past couple of years. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

They have kind of a feel of Clannad, October Project, Renaissance, and yes! even Happy Rhodes with some pop/rap/country/Brazilian sounds mixed in. (72064.3606@compuserve.com)

For some reason, I used to mix them up with the Innocence Mission. (iflin@speakeasy.net)

over the rhine are a little darker, but pretty sympatico to 10,000 maniacs, i think, like, halfway between 10,000 maniacs and october project? (10,000 maniacs and the cowboy junkies with a healty dollop of the heartland on top? i think over the rhine is too acoustic and earnest to be on a vector towards october project. (woj@smoe.org)

Covers/own material:

Own, with occasional covers.

General comments:

Lyrically, the group's songwriters (mostly Linford Detweiler) concentrate on the subject of love, looking at it from many different directions and moods. The only consistent emotion stretching is an optimistic belief in love, even on the definitely sad songs. However, the lyrics tend towards the emotional and evocative rather than descriptive, so it's tough to figure out what some of the songs are exactly about. Yet they still speak to the heart through some rich and imaginative metaphors. Musically, the centerpiece is Karin Bergquist's voice, a rich, low-pitched voice (which reminds me of someone on whom I cannot put my finger). Just call it wonderful. Some memorable melodies and hooks only add to her strength. The music itself borrows from many different forms of music from ethereal to rock to folk to even rap. Yet these influences merely color the music which has the group's own stamp, relatively sparse and not too distinctive. Yet somehow, it all works! (dbx@aa.net)

Once upon a time, I discovered a band named Over The Rhine opening a show for Squeeze. I was intrigued by the show, and even more so by the incredible beauty of their discs. These were the independent releases Till We Have Faces and Patience. I picked them up and my fondness quickly grew to fandom. I'm not sure what happened, but as Over The Rhine made the leap to the majors, I got left behind. Some years later, a friend popped on Good Dog Bad Dog, and I was instantly smitten all over again. That release, and the recent films for radio are about as good as lilting moody pop gets. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Over The Rhine yet, you have a lot of wonderful music in store for you. (10/01, neal)

Over the Rhine can do some pretty rockin' stuff...as well as some very beautiful slow stuff. Karin Bergquist has an absolutely gorgeous voice, and backup vocalist Terri Templeton blends well with Karin. Most of their songs were written by keyboard player Linford Detweiler, who happens to be the son of an Amish minister (or something like that).... Karin has such a heavenly voice when she's performing the softer songs (like "Cast Me Away")...but can rock with the best of 'em, too (like "All I Need is Everything")!...I have all of the albums and love them all, so I can't recommend one over the other.... Although they're relatively obscure here in the States, they've done some touring in Europe and have an established fan base in some European countries. (riphug@aol.com)

Comments about live performance:

over the rhine were brilliant! i'd never seen them before, but have wanted to for years, and they certainly didn't disappoint. their set consisted mostly of songs from good dog bad dog, along with several they apparently haven't recorded yet. i didn't recognize anything as being from patience, eve or 'til we have faces, though i do remember them playing all i need is everything and poughkeepsie, which of course was quite appropriate ;-} (c. 2001, ) Saw Over The Rhine yesterday. It was a night of interesting contrasts for me. I last saw Over The Rhine about 6 years ago, opening for Squeeze. They were a 6-piece, and I didn't really like them that well. I was struck by the beauty of their CD packaging, and picked up a copy of 'til we have faces based mostly on that and promise. I loved the CD, and picked up a few more over the years. Last night, they were a 2-piece augmented by a stand-up bass player who plays with the Cowboy Junkies. I thought they played a really solid, short set. They played an excellent cover of Gillian Welch's "Orphan Girl", as well as a lot of new stuff. (c. 2001, neal) i thought they were really tight. that was the most focused performance that i've ever seen by over the rhine—relatively little banter, a fixed setlist with a planned sequence, and a focus on keeping the show moving. previous times, they were laid back and not too concerned with pacing, etc. (5/01, woj@smoe.org)

I wholeheartedly agree that Over the Rhine last night were fantastic. I brought two friends who had never heard (of) them before, and they both enjoyed it quite a bit. (5/01, meth@smoe.org)

Recommended first album:

Eve was the first album I got, and it remains one of my favorites. However, people who are unfamiliar with their work seem to prefer Good Dog Bad Dog at first. Amateur Shortwave Radio provides a good overview of the band's career, in addition to a few new songs and covers. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

Start with Good Dog Bad Dog if you like the folkier side of things, or the magnificent films for radio if you like a moodier, lusher sound á la Cowboy Junkies or Willow. (10/01, neal)

Recordings:

• Till We Have Faces (1990)
• Patience (1992)
• Eve (1994)
• Good Dog Bad Dog: The Home Recordings (1996)
• The Darkest Night of the Year (1996)
• Besides (1997)
• Amateur Shortwave Radio (1999)
• films for radio (2001)
• The Cutting Room Floor (2002)
• OHIO (2003)
• Changes Come (live, 2004)
• Drunkard's Prayer (2005)
• Live from Nowhere, Volume 1 (2006)
• Snow Angels (2006)
• Discount Fireworks (2007)
• Live from Nowhere, Volume 2 (2007)
• The Trumpet Child (2007)

Till We Have Faces

Release info:

1990—Scampering Songs
This album was re-released in 1995, with some extra tracks, by the now defunct I.R.S. Records.

Availability:

The pre-I.R.S. version, without the booklet, is listed at http://www.overtherhine.com. The I.R.S. version is also available, but only on cassette, and both versions are listed as being in very limited supply.

Ecto priority:

Recommended for fans of Over the Rhine

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar
Ric Hordinski—electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin
Brain Kelley—drums, percussion
Linford Detweiler—bass, keyboards

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler and Timothy McAllister

Comments:

It's not too difficult to tell that this is the band's earliest work. I would not recommend this album as an introduction to the band, but it nonetheless contains hints of their later brilliance, with two of my favorite Over the Rhine songs, "Paul and Virginia" and "Ubiquitous Hands." (eperkins@surfbest.net)

I love the original release, which is an even lusher looking package than the beautiful patience. I haven't listened to the two later recordings much, but this one is a great, catchy collection of wispy, folky, pop songs. There were a bunch that lodged firmly in my head as soon as I got the disc...I found the songs catchy and clever, and had many of them stuck in my head for months. (neal)

um, i-forget-who sent meredith a copy of this a year or two ago. the first time that we listened to this, we didn't recognize the band at all. we were mightily embarrassed when we realized who it was. i have not listened to the album much since then.... (woj@smoe.org)

Patience

Release info:

1992—Scampering Songs
This album was also re-released, in a slightly altered version, by the now defunct I.R.S. Records.

Availability:

The pre-I.R.S. version, without the booklet, is listed at http://www.overtherhine.com. The I.R.S. version is also available, but only on cassette, and both versions are listed as being in very limited supply.

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for fans of alternative folk/rock

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar
Ric Hordinski—electric and acoustic guitars
Brian Kelley—drums, percussion
Linford Detweiler—bass, keyboards

Guest artists:

John Catchings—cello

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler

Comments:

This album contains "Jacksie," one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written. The rest of the album is consistently good, though a few of the songs are a little too "poppy" for me (particularly "Circle of Quiet," which is, not too surprisingly, one of the only Over the Rhine songs I've heard on the radio). (eperkins@surfbest.net)

For my money, much better than their '94 release Eve. Sad and ebullient and melancholy and fun and etc. "I Painted My Name" was on permanent repeat on my CD player for weeks. (dixon@physics.Berkeley.EDU)

This one was quite the find. Thank you to all of you that mentioned this recording in particular. This is the work of true musical genius.... Now I know this is heaven.... (72064.3606@compuserve.com)

The disc is one of the nicest looking discs I have ever seen. (neal)

i found it in a cutout bin and started paging through the jewel booklet. wow! it's just plain gorgeous! (woj@smoe.org)

Eve

Release info:

1994—I.R.S. Records—29332-2

Availability:

Has been unavailable, but the CD version, without the booklet, is now listed at http://www.overtherhine.com "while supplies last"

Ecto priority:

High

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar
Ric Hordinski—acoustic and electric guitars, lap steel
Brian Kelley—drums, percussion, additional vocals
Linford Detweiler—bass, keyboard instruments

Guest artists:

Chris Dahlgren—upright bass
Bob Dillon—additional guitars

Produced by:

Over the Rhine

Comments:

This was my introduction to Over the Rhine and remains one of my favorites. I never get tired of "Within Without," "Melancholy Room," "June," and...well, ok, the whole album. Over the Rhine's harder edge comes out here in songs like "Daddy Untwisted." (eperkins@surfbest.net)

It's not quite what I expected from mention on ecto—much bluesier, but still very cool. I have a friend who's gonna love this. (burka@jeffrey.net)

The album Eve continues to grow on me with such a rate that I won't get it out of my CD-player for a long while. At first there was a couple songs I listened to over and over again, but by now I'm not longer sure which song I like the best. The music is really complex with a lot of things happening at the same time. In the beginning I was first of all listening to the words. But short time ago when I did walk home from school, the beauty of the production hit me so hard that my tears were flowing. The vocals are so amazing where the harmonies are at times so discrete that one has to listen carefully to hear them at all. The album is so complex and still everything is feeling right.... If the rest of the albums are half as good as this one then I won't be disappointed. (onealien@mo.himolde.no)

Good Dog Bad Dog: The Home Recordings

Release info:

1996—Scampering Songs—ss0003; re-released 1999—Back Porch Records/Virgin

Availability:

Re-release widely available

Ecto priority:

High

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar, twelve string acoustic guitar
Ric Hordinski—electric guitars, lap steel, E-bow, mellotron, tambourine, acoustic guitar
Brian Kelley—drum kit, percussion
Linford Detweiler—upright piano, acoustic guitar, bass, electric piano, keyboards, spoken word

Guest artists:

Norman Johns—cello

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler

Co-Produced by:

Ric Hordinski

Comments:

This is Over the Rhine's first independent album after leaving I.R.S. This strikes me as the band's most accessible album to date, as evidenced by the fact that most people I introduce Over the Rhine to gravitate towards this one. It also contains one of their most gorgeous ballads, "Poughkeepsie," as well as the jazzy "Faithfully Dangerous." Additionally, this is Over the Rhine's last studio album with Ric Hordinski, one of the band's major creative forces. Ric has since gone on to form his own band, Monk. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

I have Good Dog Bad Dog, and really enjoy it. The material on Good Dog Bad Dog is on the slower side of things (although not necessarily ballads), which is just fine with me; it allows Karin's voice to really show through. (bill@wagill.com)

Over the Rhine is a band I always liked, but never got really excited about—but this album grabbed my attention from the first note and didn't let go until the end of the last song. Man, her voice is gorgeous on this album. (jjhanson@att.net)

The Darkest Night of the Year

Release info:

1996—Scampering Songs—ss0004

Availability:

Available through mail order at http://www.overtherhine.com

Ecto priority:

Recommended for fans of Over the Rhine or of new versions of traditional Christmas music

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals
Linford Detweiler—upright piano, acoustic guitar, harmonium, electric bass
Ric Hordinski—guitars, E-bow
Chris Dahlgren—acoustic bass
Brian Kelley—drum kit

Guest artists:

Norm Johns—cello
Terri Templeton—additional vocals

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler and Ric Hordinski

Comments:

The bulk of this album consists of arrangements of traditional Christmas music, but there are also some original songs and instrumentals. "Thank You My Angel" is one of their better songs, and "Mary's Waltz" (also available on Amateur Shortwave Radio) is quite pretty. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

Besides

Release info:

1997—Scampering Songs—ss0005

Availability:

Available through joining the band's fan club at http://www.overtherhine.com (membership also includes a newsletter, a fan gathering, and discounts on additional purchases), or at stores in the Cincinnati area

Ecto priority:

Recommended for fans of Over the Rhine

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar
Linford Detweiler—acoustic guitar, bass, piano, mellotron
Ric Hordinski—electric guitar, E-bow
Brian Kelley—drums

Guest artists:

Chris Dahlgren—bass
Norm Johns—cello

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler, Ric Hordinski, and Over the Rhine

Comments:

This album makes a good addition to a fan's collection, with live versions of songs from past albums, as well as some previously unreleased material. It's clear why some of the songs were not released on the band's studio albums, but they're still interesting to hear. And it is almost worth the cost of the CD for two of the better tracks, "Murder" and "Lucy." (eperkins@surfbest.net)

Amateur Shortwave Radio

Release info:

1999—Grey Ghost Records—GG 0001

Availability:

Available at shows or through mail order from the band, at http://www.overtherhine.com

Ecto priority:

High

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboard organ
Linford Detweiler—piano, keyboards, Hammond B-3, bass, spoken word
Ric Hordinski—guitars, E-bow
Brian Kelley—harmony vocals, drum kit, percussion
G. Jack Henderson—electric guitar, lap steel
Terri Templeton—harmony vocals
Mike Georgin—bass

Guest artists:

Northern Kentucky Symphony

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler and Ric Hordinski

Comments:

This album serves as a retrospective of the band's first ten years. There are new versions of old songs, as well as an excellent cover of the Beatles' "Blackbird," and one of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday." These covers, as well as the three previously unreleased originals, make it well worth the cost of the CD. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

films for radio

Release info:

2001—Virgin/Back Porch—72438-50663-2-0

Availability:

Widely available

Ecto priority:

Very high

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, upright piano, acoustic guitar
Linford Detweiler—drum loop, hammond and vox super-continental organ, upright and Wurlitzer electric piano, acoustic and electric Guitars, drum loops, toy piano, Hofner bass, keyboard flutes, brushed snare loops, rain tree, keyboards

Guest artists:

Byron House—cello, bass
Dave Perkins—e-bow, shaft guitar
Don Heffington—drum kit, percussion
Jack Henderson—electric, lap steel and 12-string guitars
Love Sponge:
     David Davidson—violin
     Kristin Wilkinson—viola
     John Catchings—cello
Michael Aukafor—hammered dulcimer
Michael Timmins—electric guitar
Mickey Rapael—bass harmonica
Norm Johns—cello
Pascal Gabriel—programming, keyboards, loops
Terri Templeton—harmony vocal

Produced by:

Dave Perkins, Linford Detweiler

Comments:

This album moves Over The Rhine into another level for me. Their time spent with the Cowboy Junkies is fairly apparent in the general sound of the album. While it is reminiscent of the Junkies, and is infused with some of their world view, it is most definitely an Over The Rhine album. This album is one of the most striking and beautiful releases I've picked up this year, and will definitely be in my top 10 for 2001. Contains a cover of Dido's "Give Me Strength". (10/01, neal)

This is a grower, a real beauty, and I can see myself listening to it for good time to come, and finding more and more to like about it. (10/01, adamk@zoom.co.uk

The new films for radio is still sinking in. As someone else already pointed out, it has a fuller band sound, and a more rhythmic one. But Karin's voice still shines, and shines well. I am more hung up on the home-grown, humble, melancholic sounds of Good Dog Bad Dog, and I guess I expected the same kind of thing here (I have that problem with artists, I get fixated one one album or sound, and other albums by the same artist seem disappointing at first). But, artists must evolve, and Over The Rhine seems to have done so with this work. After the first full listening to the album I found myself hunt-and-pecking for particular tracks which stuck to my mind. I am still trying to decide how I would rank this album, but at this point I can say that it is definitely Over The Rhine stock. Perhaps a bit more poppish than "alternative" (whatever that means anymore). But also fuller and more "evolved". Although the ballads in Good Dog Bad Dog are still my favorite works (and the "rock" in "Besides my least favorite), I would still recommend this album to ectophiles, and definitely to Over The Rhine fans.
     And as an addendum let me say that I have been growing to like this album more and more; it has earned a steady presence in my CD player. (bill@wagill.com)

Drunkard's Prayer

Release info:

2005—Back Porch—72438-66233-2-4

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, percussion
Linford Detweiler—piano, acoustic guitar, bass, Wurlitzer, percussion, backing vocals

Guest artists:

Byron House—upright bass
Pete Hicks—electric guitar
David Henry—cello
Brent Gallaher—saxophone
Devon Ashley—drum kit

Produced by:

Linford Detweiler, Karin Bergquist and Mahan Kalpa

Comments:

A spare and deceptively simple album with a very modest and homegrown feel (Linford and Karin recorded it in their living room, and I think I guessed that before I read it). There's a certain intimacy here and closeness, an openness and simplicity in the instrumentation. The songs themselves seem built out of simplicity, often out of just a handful of phrases. The first two songs are by far my favorites. The rest of the album kind of goes up and down for me. There are some songs I find kind of boring and others I really like. The overall sound though, what I like to think of as the sound of November when the album was recorded, is lovely. (JoAnn Whetsell)

Snow Angels

Release info:

2006

Availability:

See website

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Linford Detweiler—acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, Hammond organ, bells, background vocals
Karin Bergquist—vocals

Guest artists:

Mickey Grimm—percussion, drum kit
Byron House—upright bass
Brad Jones—bass, Lowrey organ, mandolin, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Fats Kaplin—violin
David Henry—cello

Produced by:

Over the Rhine and Brad Jones

Comments:

A lovely collection of jazzy, bluesy, folksy holiday originals. I like this one much better than their previous seasonal offering, The Darkest Night of the Year. (JoAnn Whetsell)

Snow Angels has a very similar sound to The Trumpet Child. It's good but not nearly as moving to me as The Darkest Night of the Year. A totally different mood. (onyx@vianet.ca)

It's not as dark as The Darkest Night of the Year, (a little bit more cocktail, kind of like this year's The Trumpet Child), but it's got the same class and amazing musicianship as everything else they've done, and is filled with originals as strong as any other Over The Rhine record (which is what I love about their holiday stuff). (timjy@sbcglobal.net)

Discount Fireworks

Release info:

2007—Back Porch Records/EMI—0946 3 64927 2 8

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—vocals, piano, acoustic guitar
Linford Detweiler—acoustic guitar, tack piano, Hammond organ, keyboards, drum loops, guitars, bass, cello arrangement, loop, piano

Guest artists:

Brad Jones—bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Mickey Paoletta—pedal steel, slide guitar
Mickey Grimm—drums, percussion
Jack Henderson—lap steel, guitars, electric guitar
Don Heffington—drums, percussion
Byron House—bass
Dave Perkins—guitar
Michael Aukafor—hammered dulcimer
Will Sayles—drums, percussion
Pascal Gabriel—programming, keyboards, loops
Ric Hordinski—guitars, mandolin
Norm Johns—cello
Devon Ashley—drums
Vess Ruhtenberg—electric guitar
Jason Wilbur—electric guitar
Peter Hicks—electric guitar
Brian Kelley—drums, percussion
Rick Plant—electric guitar
Kim Taylor—harmony vocal, acoustic guitar

Produced by:

Compilation produced by Linford Detweiler; songs produced by Brad Jones, Over the Rhine, Dave Perkins, Paul Mahern, Linford Detweiler, Ric Hordinski, Trina Shoemaker, Gene Eugene, and Tim McAllister

Comments:

I've always kind of admired Over the Rhine more than actually enjoyed them. Discount Fireworks, a compilation of their first 15 years together, is the first full album I've really enjoyed. The moods they cover, the shadings of voice and instruments used to evoke the different senses of the songs...I feel like I'm finally starting to get them. And, more importantly, enjoy them. This is a great collection for people new to their music. And for long-time fans, it includes one new song and one live track. (JoAnn Whetsell)

The Trumpet Child

Release info:

2007—GSD/RedEye—GSD101

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Karin Bergquist—voice, nylon string acoustic guitar
Linford Detweiler—piano, acoustic guitar, nylon string acoustic guitar, vibes, Wurlitzer electric piano, Rhodes, Hammond organ, tack piano, voice

Guest artists:

Brad Jones—upright bass, percussion, bass harmonica, chamberlain, bass, electric guitars, harmonium, organ, swampy slide
Neil Rosengarden—trumpet, valve trombone, muted trumpets
Jim Hoke—saxophone, alto flute, vibes, clarinets, bass clarinet
Mickey Grimm—drum kit, percussion, drums, 10W30
David Henry—cellos
Devon Ashley—drum kit, percussion
Tony Paoletta—goldklang slide, pedal steel
Chris Carmichael—violin, cello, viola
Byron House—upright bass
Rick Plant—slide guitar
Lindsay Jamieson—drum kit, percussion
Matt Slocum—electric guitar

Produced by:

Brad Jones

Comments:

You won't be disappointed. This CD is amazing. It sounds different, but not really, and is chock full of fantastic songs. Lots of praise lavished on this one—and totally well deserved. (neal)

This is a great collection of songs. The jazzy/cabaret feel is a new direction, but it's perfectly suited to Karin's voice. The album flows so well, it's hard to pick favorites, but I would have to list "Entertaining Thoughts," "Let's Spend the Day in Bed," and the Latin-flavored "Trouble." It's all great though. Minor quibble: I would have ended with the brilliant, carnivalesque "Don't Wait for Tom." (JoAnn Whetsell)

I've long been a fan of Over the Rhine, but this album seems much stronger than previous. Maybe it's because I saw them twice this year, but the first time I heard the song "The Trumpet Child" I was pretty blown away—think it's one of the best songs of the year for sure, but the whole album is good. (jjhanson@att.net)

Further info:

Over the Rhine also released a video in 1994, entitled Serpents and Gloves. This video is listed as a limited edition but is currently available through mail order at http://overtherhine.com. It contains interviews with band members, as well as some nice video footage, including videos of "Happy With Myself?" and "Jacksie." It is definitely worth getting if you're a fan. (eperkins@surfbest.net)

You can contact the band at: Over the Rhine, Post Office Box 2572, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201, e-mail: OtRhine@aol.com, fax: 513-241-0777. You can also go to http://www.overtherhine.com to join the Over the Rhine discussion or announcement lists.

Thanks to Doug Burks, Emily Perkins, and JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.