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The Phantom Tollbooth
January, 1997

by Jessica Aguilar Walker

CHAPTER CLOSES FOR OVER THE RHINE ON THEIR DARKEST NIGHT

Cincinnati's gothic, cavernous Emery Theater was filled with an air of joyous anticipation for Over the Rhine's solstice concert, entitled Darkest Night of the Year. A gray-haired gentleman in polyester who played carols under bubble lights on an enormous Wurlitzer pipe organ was followed by a warm-up show from talented up-and-coming guitarist Peter Mulvey. Then it was OtR's turn, as they loaded onto the stage to the bowed bass echoes of "The First Noel." From there they closed the present chapter of their history in a delicious, three-part feast.

OtR's concerts are more like experiences. Each is a total approach to music making, a delight for all senses. With rugs, lamps and candles, they create the ethereal in a living room diversion. This evening's only difference was the news of their disjoining. After seven years, conjectures of OtR bystanders have been confirmed, and this was their final show with original guitarist Ric Hordinski.

The concert began with Linford Detweiler's (songwriter, electric bass and keyboards) pensive piano on Latter Days, one of the many selections from OtR's Summer of '96 independent release, Good Dog Bad Dog, The Home Recordings. Each band member reflected his or her array of talents as the group took "Faithfully Dangerous" from an enticing blues/funk/guitar/vocal call-and-refrain improv to mellow, moody, cool jazz. The song "All I Need is Everything" introduced background singer Terri Templeton, whose soprano complemented vocalist Karin Bergquist's breathy, earthiness with a striking ambience. Closing this segment was the effusive "Poughkeepsie," which Bergquist divulged was somewhat inspired by the holiday favorite, It's A Wonderful Life.

The next part of the evening pared OtR down to newlyweds Bergquist and Detweiler, but they were joined by Templeton, Scottish guitarist Jack Henderson, acoustic bassist Chris Dahlgren, and drummer Brian Kelley. What followed was a waltz through the quartet's newest and self-admitted Christmas release, 'Darkest Night of the Year', a dance of dreamy unconsciousness like the sleep of a child on Christmas Eve. Each carol was performed with angelic lushness and included Bergquist's narration of "The Oxen". One of the shining stars of the evening was the Bergquist composition, "Mary's Waltz". Her voice created the brilliant imagery of vision through a blind girl's eyes. The selections that followed were filled with back pew intensity, haunting laments to which Kelley added a rich, sophisticated backbone.

The final portion of the evening blazed like every lit candle of the past, beginning with the innocence of the first song ever played by the band, "Eyes Wide Open." Throughout the evening departing guitarist Ric Hordinksi played a more subdued role, yet made up for his measure with skill and agility. The selections that followed included the voyaging "Sea & Sky," the shadowy "Iron Curtain", the playful and driving "Fly Dance", and a conga line to complement "Happy with Myself". After the swirling guttural rhythms of "Daddy Untwisted" and the beckoning "If I'm Drowning," the four old friends sent themselves and fans off with the hope filled, "I Painted My Name".

Although OtR's re-structuring brought bittersweet news to this annual event, outlooks for the future are positive. Hordinski and Kelley have been performing under the name Monk and are planing a tour for Spring '97. Detweiler and Bergquist are currently discussing offers from labels wishing to be a part of Over the Rhine's next chapter. Said Detweiler, "Hopefully we can infuse some fresh blood into the situation; our main objective is to grow as songwriters, and I still believe that this story is a long way from over."