Over the Rhine came into town this past weekend touring their new album Drunkard’s Prayer. I was a little apprehensive that the show might lack some of the energy of some of their past shows due to the low-key nature of the newest album, but thankfully, this was not so.

Touring with Karin and Linford are two talented musicans who have been travelling with them for a couple years now. Devon Ashley (of Indianapolis with a band named “The Pieces”) played drums while
Rick Plant (known mostly for his work with Buddy Miller) played electric bass for most of the night, but also played electric guitar on a couple of songs.

Over the Rhine was also accompanied by their opener and friend, Kim Taylor. Kim had just returned from taking her son to Disney World for a couple days and was still a little stunned from the experience. Taylor entertained the audience with a “solo” by her imaginary friend during her opening set.

Setlist (songs with [KT] indicate songs that Taylor joined the band):
Faithfully Dangerous
This is the most jazzy version that they were doing around ’97 or ’98 on tour.

I Want You To Be My Love

Born [KT]
Kim Taylor joins the band on stage, playing acoustic guitar and singing background
vocals. I always liked it when the band toured with Terri Templeton as it gave the
vocals a little depth, so Taylor was a welcome addition. Rick Plant played electric
guitar on this song.

Spark [KT]

Lookin’ Forward [KT]
Linford straps on the electric bass guitar and Rick plays electric guitar. This was
a little rollicking version of the song that I liked better than the version on
Drunkard’s Prayer.

Anything At All [KT]

Suitcase [KT]
Linford played acoustic guitar on this song. I love this song and it sounded
wonderful with Kim on background vocals. Kim got the giggles before this song (Karin said it was from the Disney trip) and had to work hard to compose herself for this song.

Bluer
Linford also played acoustic guitar on this song.

Little Did I Know
Karin wandered around the stage during the instrumental breaks.

Drunkard’s Prayer
Karin plays piano and Linford plays the accordian on this song. This is another
song that I liked much better live than on the CD.

Firefly
Karin plays piano, Linford plays the electric bass, and Rick played electric
guitar. This song was awesome! I would love to see what Paul Moak could
do with this song. Maybe he’d tear it up too much, but it would be interesting
to hear.

All I Need I Everything [KT]
Kim Taylor rejoins the band on stage.

Cruel and Pretty [KT]

—
Hush Now
Karin and Linford only on the stage for the first song in the encore.

Moondance
Great Van Morrison cover! Jazzy and upbeat. Had the crowd all bouncing and swaying
just a little.

Latter Days [KT]

Drunkard’s Prayer hasn’t grabbed me the way that Films For Radio did, and it hasn’t slowly grown on me the way that Ohio did, but the live versions of songs off of the new CD stood up very well next to the older songs. Combined with the fact that they played some of the regulars I really enjoy (like “Latter Days”, “All I Need…”) and not some of the ones that I’m burned out on (“Ohio”, “Poughkeepsie”) and all in all, I had a fabulous time.

The couple next to me smoked clove cigarettes all night long. Normally, I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes, but the aroma of the clove cigarettes was pleasing and dare I say it…. intoxicating?

I suspect the next time I smell clove cigarettes, I will think back to this night.