over the rhine
Over the Rhine
Chicago Pizza Fest (Lincoln Park/DePaul)
Chicago, Illinois
Oh, Karin Bergquist, everything about you is sexy.
I am so sad that I've missed OtR the past few times they've been through Chicago, because every time I see them, it's like discovering an old friend all over again, or wearing a warm sweater that you can't ever get rid of. Seriously, there are not enough words out there for me to say just how much I love Karin and Linford.
I'm hoping someone at the message boards posts a set list, but here's what I remember. They opened up with Fever, and then went in to Long Lost Brother, which I love SO much more live. There is a LOT of power in that song. Karin eventually moved over to the piano for Ohio and Firefly and... something else, I think. God, I love Firefly. My memory will not fail me now. I didn't ever expect to love that song as much as I do, but it's one of my favourites. Other songs that cropped up were B.P.D. (You're makin' a mess / Somethin' you can't hide / A slow suicide / Just one bite at a time.), Anything At All (or at least, I think), Spark, and a cover of This One Goes Out to the One I Love. They also did a few new songs from their new album, Trumpet Child, which hits stores in August, including a beautiful song called I Don't Wanna Waste Your Time, that they wrote about going out on the road again.
They closed with Orphan Girl, which is a Gillian Welch tune, and ooh, it just gave me chills. Beautiful. Their encore was Hush Now (Stella's Tarantella), which I adore live, but am always a little meh about on the album. The live version just makes me want to dance a dirty, dirty waltz.
The crowd was atypically crappy -- not too enthusiastic, and most of the people were drunk and obnoxious. I've chanced upon so many good concerts (and good crowds) that I'd forgotten how awful they could be otherwise. But for about an hour and a half of beautiful music and basking in the glory of Karin and Linford, all for $5, well, I can't complain.
If you ever have the chance to check them out, please go see them live. It's a mesmerizing experience that's worth every cent.
