they have covered this song beautifully the past couple of shows, i knew very little about it, other than it was on the "o brother" soundtrack (the stanley bros & emmylou have both covered it).

they do it w/some great "gospely" four part harmonies (like the intro on the latest incarnation of "orphan girl"). and they have dedicated it to the crew both time i've heard it.

it's a beauty...

Heard this last night. Incredible!!

Is it just me or is OtR getting more and more political?

Just a question to ponder for all of us fans...

Euro, this song is not political, unless by political, you mean "spiritual". And then my answer would still be "no". Can you elaborate a little more on what you mean here? I think the band has pretty much always done an occasional spiritual cover every now and again. Think back to "In the Garden," "Farther Along," "Silent Night," etc. They are Christians after all, and they are musicians. I don't think it's off limits for the two to meet, you know?

what the heck does this song (or anything in tis thread, other than your post) have to do w/"politics?" it is an old "traditional" spiritual?

seriously, i don't see one word in this song that could be considered "political."

and as a fan, personally, i see no need to "ponder" their political views or beliefs. so no, sorry, it's not a question for me to "ponder."

I'd say it's no question that they'd gotten more political, from Ohio on.

But people largely in the States have either grown more angry at the current situation, or buried their heads in the sand.

2003 was the year of the Dixie Chicks controversy, and Ohio had Bush-bashing How Long Have You Been Stoned?
The next year OTR played things like the Kerry benefit.
Both Nothing Is Innocent and If A Song Could Be President made it's way onto stages last year and on Trumpet Child this year.

Well, true. It's like 11 years of no politics (that I know of) and then politics enters the picture. I remember reading the intended meaning to How Long Have You Been Stoned and thinking "what?". Oh well... "Is Over the Rhine a political band?" Lol

I've been critical of their political songs in the past.... but I don't see how this song could be construed as political.

...and even though Over the Rhine has been more overtly political in recent years, it's not really a new thing for them. AIDS may not be as politically charged now as it was in 1994, but at the time a song like "Should" was somewhat edgy. Also, I'm pretty sure they played a show for a Democratic primary convention as far back as the '96 election. They've definitely become more assertive in their beliefs, but I think it's pretty consistent for them.

Jeff

I'm going to quote Bob Dylan in an old interview when he said "'Blowin' in The Wind' is a spiritual. I took it off 'No More Auction Block'- that's a spiritual, and Blowin' in the Wind' sorta follows the same feeling...the same footsteps."

It sounded pretty as Fountain Square on a crisp night with everyone singing along at the Taft.

The spiritual isn't necessarily political.

Screaming heathen I am I happily danced in the aisle when Karin called out "Can we have a little church?" before A gospel number, way back at an Emory show.

Just to play non Devil's advocate I'll quote the other half of the duo, as Lindford said at St.E's "We like to consider ourselves hopefully unaffiliated."

(and an aside from the same nice gent at the last Old Town School shindig- on a fan might have been "overly churched". Which contained the comment "It seems now all you are is inebriated and horny."

An amusing review of Trumpet Child, eh?

Spiritually, or politically, I would say the band has grown, *gasp* matured, all over the map.

I've heard the "underachiever in chief" line be met with cheers, silence, and one not much notice (but that was a lousy crowd that stood there and missed a good show).
This tour I've mostly heard it to the pretty harmonies of the girlfriends, and all the sweeter to me.

But what do I know, I first thought ‘How Long Have You Been Stoned’ might have been about the last 2 years of the relationship I was in, as opposed to anything political.
But I was so much older then, I am younger than that now.

Besides, ’Angel Band’ gives K the chance to Emmylou it up, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

(insert smirk)
No opinion here should be taken personally except by the author.

Be well