Over the Rhine 20th Anniversary Celebration

There are few bands I will drive through a snow storm to see but Over the Rhine is definitely one of them. December 19th my wife Heidi and I were planning to leave for Cincinnati to see Over the Rhine celebrate their 20 years with two concerts. We were planning to leave work early but the plans changed when a big snow storm hit Detroit that morning.

School was cancelled but we still left about the time we originally planned. As we drove down Telegraph I thought we might just make it to Cinci in time for the concert. My friend Brook seemed wise to have left 12 hours earlier, and it took him ten hours to make the 4.5 hour trip.

Once we got off Telegraph and on to I75 the roads got better. It is funny how you notice you're at the State line by the nicer roads in Ohio. Our timing was actually good because we missed the ice storm in Ohio. The roads were salted and we could enjoy all the beautiful ice on the trees. I thanked Heidi for not putting her foot down to squash the planned trip. She knew how important this weekend was for me.

I've always regretted not seeing Over the Rhine prior to Ric Hordinski and Brian Kelly's exit from the band. I became a fan of the band in the early 90's when I bought a cassette copy of their album Patience, but I always assumed I would catch them later. Friends who were much smarter always told me of their legendary performances and I could get a taste of it on live recordings but nothing is like seeing the real thing live.

The band has become a different beast since Ric and Brian left, still amazing live and on CD. Less alternative rock and more American/Folk Rock. The original lineups last album, Good Dog Bad Dog, foreshadowed that change in sound.

There was excitement in the air for this first night. I heard many people say this was the night they had to make. When the band walked on stage you heard people shout "Welcome back," to Ric and Brian.

Ric is amazing on guitar and that was clear on so many songs. If I'm Drowning and Daddy Untwisted were the obvious examples to point to. During Daddy Untwisted I thought he would become possessed by the song as he shook every bit of guitar magic out of it.

I underestimated what a fine drummer Brian Kelly is. My friend Brook described it as the soul that he brings to the music. I'm not one for most drum solos but as he was left alone on stage for the end of If I'm Drowning I was able to marvel at his playing.

It was also fun to watch Linford strap on the bass. I'm so used to seeing him behind the keyboards so it was great to see what a talented bass player he is. It was obvious he was having fun. I appreciated hearing his comments about how the band came together while they were in college.

Karin is definitely the focal point for the band and rightfully so. She so effortlessly creates magic when she sings. She can caress a vocal like the best Jazz singer, or her vocals can soar like the best gospel or rock singer. It is hard to adequately describe what she does, you have to catch her live if you haven't already.

They did many of my favorites including Circle of Quiet, Within Without and Like a Radio. I just hope this wasn't a one time trip back in time. They really need to take this line up to Cornerstone or the Calvin Faith and Music Festival. I would also love to see what they could create if they stepped back in a recording studio.

Saturday morning started off great with breakfast at Bob Evans. Heidi and I enjoyed the candy cane hot chocolates (she still tells people about them, they were that good). Heidi decided to stay at the hotel for the day to read and watch movies. Actually I think she wanted to avoid the parade of geekery as Brook and I planned to hit used record and bookstores. Our first stop was
Everybody's Records. What an amazing store. Brook and I agreed that we could drop a fist full of money without even trying. I made my way out with copies of the latest CD's from the Pretenders and Lindsay Buckingham, along with a used vinyl copy of a Delaney and Bonnie album from the early 70's. We also checked out the Ohio Bookstore, five stories of used books, and picked up coffee and hot chocolate at Khaldi's Coffee Shop. We picked up Heidi and then were off for dinner before night two of Over the Rhine.

I really enjoyed talking music with Brook. It is always cool to meet someone that likes some of the same music, and isn't afraid to admit their love of old Christian rock (the good, the bad and the ugly). I won't forget the Black Sabbath vinyl that he dug out to listen to on the turntable at Everybody's Music.

Night two focused on the last ten years of Over the Rhine. So much great music to pick from. I was hoping for Little Blue River. I've always enjoyed the beauty of Linford's piano playing in that song. Unfortunately it didn't make it on their set list, but there were so many great songs it was hard to quibble. The Trumpet Child was the focal point for the show, and the song Trouble was one of my favorites. I especially enjoyed the few from Ohio that kicked off the second set and Changes Come was very powerful.

Karin and Linford always surround themselves with such talented musicians. Jake Bradley and Mickey Grimm were great. Kenny Hutson is a great addition to the band on various guitars and mandolin. I always missed him after he left Vigilantes of Love. I always thought VOL was at its peak when he was in the band. And you can't forget Kim Taylor and Julie Lee on background vocals. The ladies were stunning. I wish I could have caught their solo songs on Sunday at St. Elizabeth's.

I can't wait to hear the next Live From Nowhere CD. Hopefully some of these special performances will make their way on it. And who knows, maybe they'll have enough for a double live CD. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Top CD's of 2008

It has been way too long since I last posted. Thanks for your patience. I've been thinking of my favorite music of 2008. I'm writing this from the top of my head so I will probably overlook something. I'll comment more in detail at a later time.

These are in no particular order:

JD Souther "If The World Was You"
Rodney Crowell "Sex and Gasoline"
Sam Phillips "Don't Do Anything"
Jackie Greene "Giving Up The Ghost"
Steppin' In It "Simple Tunes for Troubled Times"
Ralston Bowles "Rally at the Texas Hotel"
Kate Campbell "Save the Day"
The 77's "Holy Ghost Building"

I knew my mind would blank out. Oh well, more to come later.

What are some of your favorites from this past year?