Unrefined sound of Ohio’s coal towns hits PA

Featured on the TV shows “Third Watch,” “Felicity,” “X-files” and “Angel,” the critically… Featured on the TV shows “Third Watch,” “Felicity,” “X-files” and “Angel,” the critically acclaimed and often overlooked duo, Over the Rhine, will be bringing their organic folk sound to Pittsburgh tomorrow.

Over the Rhine, lead by the powerful vocals of Karin Bergquist, is a combination of country, folk, gospel and rock ‘n’ roll. Bergquist’s melodic voice is very similar to the soft, poignant vocals of Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones. Her musically versatile husband and co-writer, Linford Detweiler, along with a handpicked five-piece band, carries her vocals.

The band’s 10th release, Ohio, is a contemporary album that covers many genres. The double-disk album contains 21 songs that are stripped down and raw; all recorded on a 16-track analog tape machine. They wanted to produce the most natural, unrefined sound that they could get. The latest technology and loops just wouldn’t work. They wanted to sound the way their idols, Willie Nelson and Janis Joplin, did.

Over the Rhine’s members are mostly out to please themselves. They make the music that makes them happy and just hope that there are people out there who enjoy it as much as they do.

Their record label, Back Porch Records, let them record the whole album without listening to any samples of it until it was almost finished. At that point, Over the Rhine realized that they were making a double album and were pleasantly surprised that Back Porch stepped back and let them do everything their way.

Although they haven’t received a huge reception in the United States, Over the Rhine’s past tours through Europe have always been successful. The fan base they do have in the United States is very dedicated and has stuck by them throughout the past decade. Many critics would agree that they are one of the most overlooked talents in America.

Bergquist and Detweiler both were raised in small coal towns in Ohio and bring a little piece of that with them through their simple and straightforward performances. Along with their stop in Pittsburgh, they are touring throughout the United States until December, and are in the midst of planning a United Kingdom tour in 2004.

Over the Rhine will play at Moondog’s in Blawnox tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the 21-and-over show are $13. For more information, call (412) 828-2040.