Over the Rhine: 20th Anniversary Celebration - The Taft Theatre/Cincinnati 12.19-21-2008

friday, december 19th - reunion of the original over the rhine (karin bergquist, linfird detweiler, brian kelley, ric hordinski)

there is so much to say about this band, this weekend, this show, their fans (my friends) that i know i won't do justice to it all.

first of all, what a brilliant, wonderful, and rocking evening of music. i think many "lesser" bands, that hadn't played together in over 12 years might have played it "safe" on this kind of "one-off" reunion gig.

OtR, did not play it safe. in fact, they stepped out.

they covered the bases with the tunes that were "expected" (ie: "required") by long time fans, but surprised many with the inclusion of; "conjectures, daddy, i painted..., a gospel number." in an evening of highlights, for me the standouts were; how does it feel (w/reprise), june, like a radio, and the incredible second set ending "if i'm drowning" with the classic one-by-one stage exits.

the band sounded excellent, it was hard to believe that they had not played together in front of an audience for well over a decade. there was a great vibe on stage, lots of smiling, laughing, great stories.

i'm not expecting for this to happen again anytime soon, but if it does, i sure as hell planning on being there.

SET ONE
Eyes Wide Open
How Does It Feel?
How Does It Feel? (Reprise)
Within Without (with Kim Taylor)
Like a Radio
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
June (with Kim Taylor, Jake, Kenny Hutson, and Julie Lee)
Circle of Quiet (with Kim and Julie)
Daddy Untwisted (with Kim and Julie)

SET TWO
Paul and Virginia (L&K with Jake, Kenny, Mickey, Kim, and Julie)
Poughkeepsie (same minus Mickey)
Mary's Waltz (L, K, Paul Patterson)
Silent Night (Duet) (L, K, Paul, Julie)
Faithfully Dangerous (with Jake)
A Gospel Number (with Jake, Kim, Juli)
All I Need Is Everything (with Jake, Kim, and Paul)
If I'm Drowning

ENCORE NUMBER ONE
My Love Is a Fever
I Painted My Name (with Kim and Julie)

ENCORE NUMBER TWO
Latter Days (L & K)
What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding? (with Jake)


saturday, december 20th

set one:
-born
-waste
-all i ever get
-white horse
-here it is
-world can wait
-message from jack
-if nothing else
-roll
-trumpet
-kiddin'

set two:
-ohio
-pro day
-bpd
-happy birthday to kim and kenny
-darlin'
-snow angel
-pull through
-northpole man
-tom
-when i go
++
-c&p
-changes come
++
-hush
-new redemption song

*the setlist shows bpd as the set opener and ohio as the second song, wonder if she just changed her mind?

great damn night of music.

and...Sunday, December 21, 2008
St. Elizabeth Church - Norwood, OH

I Want You to be My Love
Long Lost Brother
Suitcase
Anything At All
We're Gonna Pull Through
Bothered
[Kim Taylor] Days Like This *
[Julie Lee w/Jake & Kenny] Does the Road Wind Uphill **
Paul and Virginia
Poughkeepsie
Goodbye Charles
[Q and A]
Hush Now
Jack's Valentine
Cruel and Pretty

Karin Bergquist - vocals, guitar
Linford Detweiler - piano, guitar, vocals, bell
Kenny Hutson - guitar, dobro, mandolin, pedal steel
Jake Bradley - upright bass
Mickey Grimm - drums, percussion
Kim Taylor - vocals, guitar
Julie Lee - vocals, guitar
Nick Radina - congas

This show was the last of 3 concerts staged as part of Over the Rhine's 20th Anniversary and Christmas celebration.

this was truly a wonderful weekend of music, friendship and fun.