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, Blood Oranges in the Snow (seasonal, 2014)
See also:
Over the Rhine's official home pageThe 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)
- Live from Nowhere, Volume 3 (2008)
- Live from Nowhere, Volume 4 (2009)
- The Long Surrender (2011)
- Meet Me At The Edge Of The World (2 CD, 2013)
- Blood Oranges in the Snow (seasonal, 2014)
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)
This album is perfectly accomplished... With all the range, musicality and professionalism I've come to expect from Over The Rhine. But the "come on get happy" tone just isn't my favorite. It's totally a personal bias... But I like my Over The Rhine served with a sharp dose of melancholy. I'm an Ohio and Drunkard's Prayer boy through and through. I do love Karin's jazz stylings... If the whole record really were recorded in a cocktail vibe, I might be more inclined to coast on the mood... As I do listening to the excellent Snow Angels. But there's some uptempo Americana numbers in the middle that disrupt that particular flow and demand to be listened to on their own terms. Like I said... A perfectly good record... But the first time in a while that Over The Rhine won't land a spot in my year-end favorites. (timjy@sbcglobal.net)
The Long Surrender
Release info:
2011—Great Speckled Dog—GSD 105
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar
Linford Detweiler—piano, vocals, Wurlitzer, acoustic and electric guitar
Guest artists:
Greg Leisz—all stringed things great and small
Keefus Ciancia—skeleton keys, lost radio, prepared piano, and ship-to-shore orchestration
Patrick Warren—pump organ, iron lung and laptop zither
Levon Henry—tenor saxophone
David Piltch—upright and electrified bass
Jay Bellerose—bells and whistles, basement tubs, wooden legs, pocket change and false teeth
Lucinda Williams—vocals on "Undamned"
Niki Haris, JeanMcClain, James Gilstrap—backing vocals and tornado management
Produced by:
Joe Henry
Comments:
A great album—carrying on from where The Trumpet Child left off. (jjhanson@att.net)To be honest, this was something of a disappointment, as well, but I still need to give it time. I was expecting a natural progression from the fun and funky Trumpet Child, but this is more of a return to the languid grace of their previous albums. Beautiful enough, but I was expecting something different. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)
Not sure yet how this album will stand over time. In many ways it's a very beautiful album, but by the end I'm left a little cold and weighed down by too much lounge-y jazz. But there's quite a bit that's really good. Opening track "The Laugh of Recognition" is a great example of what the band does best. "Only God Can Save Us Now" is another beautiful track, and "The King Knows How" is killer. (JoAnn Whetsell)
I love this band. I'm not sure about this album. (christina_skov@hotmail.com)
Meet Me at the Edge of the World
Release info:
2013—Great Speckled Dog—GSD 106
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar, tenor guitar
Linford Detweiler—vocals, acoustic guitar, upright piano ("The Birds of Nowhere Farm")
Guest artists:
Jay Bellerose—drums and percussion
Eric Heywood—pedal steel, electric and acoustic guitars, Hilo Weissenborn
Jennifer Condos—electric hollow body bass and Earthwood acoustic bass
Patrick Warren—upright piano, harmonium, chamberlin, autoharp, accordion and additional keyboards (disc one & "All Over Ohio")
Mark Goldenberg—acoustic guitar, mandolin, gut-string acoustic guitar (disc two)
David Piltch—upright bass ("Earthbound Love Song," "The Birds of Nowhere Farm")
Van Dyke Parks—accordion ("Favorite Time of Light")
Aimee Mann—harmony vocals ("Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down")
Produced by:
Joe Henry
Comments:
2 CDs worth of laidback wonderful. (JoAnn Whetsell)Doesn't have the epic sweep of films for radio or the playful quirkiness of The Trumpet Child and is two (short) CDs of music that I found tuneful, sophisticated and ever so slightly dull. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)
It's funny, I've actually gotten into The Long Surrender MORE than the new one (finally listening to them both for the first time at the same time).
Surrender feels a little more intense and devastating (how I like my OTR), Edge of the World more pretty and like let's make a sing-songey music book (something I respect their talent for but doesn't get under my skin as much as, say, Karin belting "OHIO"). (timjy@sbcglobal.net)This is a band that continues to just wow me and mature with each release. Hard to believe they've been going at it so long (since 1991), but they just get better and better. Think this marks their 15th studio album.
This is a very solid effort, produced by Joe Henry and continuing in their folk-rock vein. You can definitely hear influences like Lucinda Williams on tracks like "Gonna Let My Soul Catch My Body", and Emmylou Harris on others. This is a bit more melancholy album— a bit more serious—lacking some of the fun, light-hearted tracks of recent releases, but still a pretty varied album. A bit on the bluesy side.
On initial listen I wish there was more of Linford's piano playing, but overall it's a great addition to their already impressive catalog.
And Karin's voice just gets better and better. (jjhanson@att.net)I completely agree with Jeff...Karin's voice is absolutely exquisite on the new album...they are relying a bit more on lap steel than his piano, but the album just *sounds* really really good from an auditory perspective. (gordoja@optonline.net)
Blood Oranges in the Snow
Release info:
2014—Great Speckled Dog—GSD 108
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Karin Bergquist—vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion
Linford Detweiler—vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, Wurlitzer
Guest artists:
Jay Bellerose—drums and percussion
Jennifer Condos—hollow body bass
Eric Heywood—pedal steel, acoustic guitar
Justin Golden—additional vocal (1)
Jason Goforth—harmonica and lapsteel ("Blood Oranges in the Snow" coda)
Brad Jones—string arrangements (3, 9); upright bass (9)
The Chris Carmichael String Quartet & Orchestra—strings (3, 9)
Kim Taylor—acoustic guitar (6)
Jack Henderson—piano and vocal (7)
Mickey Grimm—drums (9)
Produced by:
Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist
Comments:
More than just a Christmas album, this album continues to highlight this duo's great songwriting with winter/Christmas themed songs. (jjhanson@att.net)This contemplative set of winter/Christmas songs is in the vein of their recent albums and a really lovely addition to their catalog. (JoAnn Whetsell)
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)Compilation work includes:
*Track unavailable elsewhere
- "Goodybe" on Roaring Lambs (2000)
- "Poughkeepsie" on East Timor Benefit Album (2000)
- "Fever" on Hidden Treasures: Cincinnati's Tribute to King Records' Legacy (2002)
- "The Poopsmith Song"* on For the Kids Three (2007)
- "Waiting on a Friend"* on Paint It Black: An Alt Country Tribute to The Rolling Stones (2011)
Thanks to Doug Burks, Emily Perkins, and JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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