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Live in Ohio
February 10, 1995

by Luann Shockley

OVER THE RHINE, CANAL STREET TAVERN

After an hour's queue in sub-zero winds, Canal Street Tavern's cramped conditions and stifling atmosphere seemed almost like heaven by comparison. The motive for this overstuffed mecca was the signaled return of Cincinnati's Over the Rhine, and with them, a breath of spring to come. Vanilla scented candles lined the stage, forming an exquisite alliance with the stained glass windows on each side of the antique fireplace. A seemingly endless series of church pews dotted the tavern, filled to capacity with enamored believers, many hoping for a redemption only the angelic-voiced Karin Bergquist could give. From the opening lines of such favorites as "Happy With Myself?" and "How Does It Feel," to the lesser known "Ubiquitous Hands" and "The Genius of Water" from the independently released Til We Have Faces, the adoration and reverence heaped upon Ms. Bergquist never ceased, and with good reason. Her sweet voice encircled the crowd with striking delight and had men swooning and women sighing in spite of themselves. I actually heard someone admit that they'd "drink her bathwater," but as I turned to see who'd made such an interesting remark, I realized that it could have been any number of glowing eyes and rapturous faces that stared past me at the stage.

Bergquist seemed oblivious to it all, lost in a world of song. Bassist Linford Detweiler, a handsome lad himself, peddled whimsical humor while laying down grooves, and Ric Hordinski proved he could bust out the funk - The James Gang's "Funk 49" to be exact - during the otherwise restrained "Daddy Untwisted." Unfortunately, I never saw drummer Brian Kelley, as the drums were shoved into a tiny corner of the cramped stage. In essence, the entire show was magical, even if somewhat restrained, and though no one fell asleep - and in fact, some never even closed their eyes to blink for fear of missing something - I noticed several quelled yawns from the dubious and unrighteous. For the flock, however, many a soul was set free during the two low-key, unplugged sets OtR showered upon the unquenchable. For most, it was a mere drop in the musical bucket. Dayton's own Jane Sach's Band opened the show with a rousing set that showcased her fine songwriting and established the contemplative, elegant mood of the night.