. . .

Cincinnati Post
December 27, 1997

by Rick Bird

OVER THE RHINE KEEPS THE MAGIC

One of Cincinnati's musical treasures played in one of its architectural treasures Friday and Saturday nights as folk-rockers Over the Rhine performed their annual Christmas show at the Emery Theater.

It's the fourth year for the seasonal concert and it again was a magical evening of emotive, from-the-soul stylings mixing the distinctive OtR sound with the sounds of the season.

This year the group added a second night, and while neither night was a sellout, it was close. Almost 2,200 people saw the band weave its magic over the two nights.

Credit Over the Rhine members with finding a marvelous use for the neglected Emery Theater. The hall's acoustics are outstanding and the setting suits the band's unique soothing sound as it turns the 1,200-seat venue into an intimate living room.

The star of the show was again the stunning, sultry singing of Karin Bergquist, who caresses, sobs and sighs her lyrics in a voice that seems to come from her soul. Ms. Bergquist's vocals radiated even more this year with the group adding backup singer-violinist Terri Templeton.

The haunting harmonies added more depth and elegance to the OtR song catalog. Ms. Bergquist continues to be a torch singer for a 90's generation with the band's sound getting jazzier and richer with it expanded lineup.

The group now plays as a six-piece with guitarist Jack Henderson, bassist Mike Georgin and Ms. Templeton joining original members Linford Detweiler, Brian Kelley and Ms Bergquist. Yet, the band still misses guitarist Ric Hordinski, who left the group after last year's Christmas show. Henderson is a competent guitar player content to stay more in the background following Ms. Bergquist's vocal moods. Hordinski's guitar work added a far more searing and edgy sound to the band.

Still, the enhanced sound shows the band successfully surviving a watershed year. A year ago, after its Christmas concert, the group was unsure of its future because of Hordinski's departure.

The rest of the nation may soon get a chance to rediscover Over the Rhine's incomparable sound, as it has signed with a major Los Angeles based band manager--Peter Leak--who said he is confident the group may get a national label deal in 1998. The band released two of its eight albums on IRS Records, but that deal fell apart in 1996 when the label went out of business.

Veteran Canadian singer-songwriter Jane Siberry-- a legend in her own right-- was a special opening treat for the evening. Her arresting performance was part performance art, part poetry reading and her dreamy singing was alluringly accompanied by a pianist and backup singer.