[Thanks, Sooz for inviting me!] I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio (yes, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), am the daughter of a blues musician, and now reside in Boston. I have bizarre taste in music: this is just the cassettes! You've been warned.

For my first post, I'd like to glorify the name of Ohio natives Over the Rhine. This band, hailing from (where else?) the Over-the-Rhine section of Cincinnati, has been churning out excellent performances for over a decade. At a Rhinelander Roundup fanclub meeting a few years back (after their annual Taft Theatre show, where Jane Siberry opened for them!), I scored a copy of OtR performing "Dancing Queen" with the Covington Symphony Orchestra. That's when I realized why they have such rabid fans. Not only is their folksy-pop carefully crafted and artfully performed, they have a sense of humor, too! And did I mention their singer Karin's voice makes me weak in the knees?

Karin Bergquist and her husband Linford Detweiler form the core of the group, with help from additional members here and there.

Recommended from the MP3 Attic: Thank You My Angel, Sleep Baby Jane and All I Need Is Everything.

Recommended albums: Good Dog Bad Dog (the independent issue, not the re-release), Besides (a b-sides compilation originally issued as a Rhinelander-only release) and The Darkest Night of the Year (a Christmas album you'd actually be willing to play year-round!).

Over The Rhine : discography : MP3 rarity of the month