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Cincinnati Post
December 1999

by Rick Bird

OVER THE RHINE PLAYS SENSITIVE SHOW AT THE TAFT

Intimacy was the musical watchword for the night Saturday as Over the Rhine entertained a nearly sold-out Taft Theater for a special, tender evening of its unique folk rock music.

The concert resumed the band's tradition of a hometown Christmas concert it began several years ago, but dropped last year because of the band's touring schedule. While the evening was actually short on Christmas music, the mood was in the seasonal spirit as the band performed a sensitive, poignant set punctuated by the easy stage banter between Karin Bergquist and her husband/bandmate Linford Detweiler.

As usual, Ms. Bergquist's sensual vocals were the evening's highlight as she took fans on a retrospective of favorites from most of the seven OtR albums. The one Christmas song was Ms. Bergquist's medley of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/Silent Night." Her heavenly vocals almost make the traditional carols all her own.

True to the Over the Rhine mission, the band's musical feel and mood often change from concert to concert and year to year, always built around its introspective, intricate lyrics. Saturday's show was mellower than others, but as moving and personal as ever.

The lineup included regular band players Jack Henderson on guitar, Terri Templeton on backing vocals and bassist David LaBruyere.

But the real musical treat was the two excellent guest musicians: Jeff Bird, the multi-insturmentalist from Cowboy Junkies, and Don Heffington, the L.A. - based drummer who has played with Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris and Victoria Williams. Heffington made the most of a drum kit, while Bird provided a fresh multi-dimensional feel to the familiar OtR tunes.

Detweiler's keyboard work keeps getting better - and more subtle - as he alternates moods between the grand piano and his Hammond organ.

Ms. Bergquist remains the star of the band with her sentient, breathy vocals. She was at her torch-song best on "My Love Is a Fever," and she made the band's gentle songs sound as fresh as ever on such tunes as "All I Need Is Everything," "Jacksie," "Circle of Quiet" and "June."

Once again, Ms Bergquist and Detweiler showed how their body of graceful, serene music - full of subtle hooks- has stood up well for most of the decade.

Opening act Leo Kottke was an extra special attraction, as the veteran 12-string wizard strutted his notes-within-notes guitar work and flashed his always engaging self-deprecating dry wit.

Over the Rhine gets to reintroduce its music to a national audience next year with a just-signed deal with a Virgin Records subsidiary label. The multi-record package calls for the label to release the band's Good Dog Bad Dog next month. Previously the album was only released locally by the band in 1996. The label will put out an album of new OtR material this summer.

OtR returns to town Feb. 14 at Bogarts, resuming its collaboration with Cowboy Junkies.