Audio CD review:
Over the Rhine - Amateur Shortwave Radio

Over the Rhine - Amateur Shortwave Radio

Band: Over the Rhine Title: Amateur Shortwave Radio Rating: Release Date: 15 June, 1999 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Like a Radio 2: Ruby Tuesday 3: Mary's Waltz 4: Blackbird 5: Moth 6: Jack's Valentine 7: Circle of Quiet 8: Anyway 9: My Love Is a Fever 10: I Will Remember

Customer Reviews Collection of 1989-1999 Live Recordings is Superb "Amateur Shortwave Radio" is a collection of live tracks of the band's first ten years. In 1999, while still in between labels, Over The Rhine issued this sequel of sorts to "Besides", their 1997 collection of odds and sodds. It is a superb collection. "Like A Radio" starts things of beautifully, with a haunting solo from Ric and crystal clear vocals from Karen. There are 2 covers, both from 1990: a faithful take on the Stones' "Ruby Tuesday", and more interestingly the Beatles' "Blackbird", which OTR makes totally its own. The album includes the long-time concert staple "Jack's Valentine", here in a 1999 recording. Linford brings it with just the right amount of wit and sarcasm. There are also 3 new songs on here: "Moth", a truly soaring "Anyway", and "I Will Remember", with newest OTR member Jack Henderson's ripping guitar solo. It is an appropriate ending for this exquisite collection of songs. In many ways, this album is better than many of the band's "regular" albums. Almost perfect. The live power of "Like a radio" (including a gorgeous guitar solo) and the beauty of the simple "Mary's waltz" shine brightly here as does the great slow-burner "I will remember". Aside from one track I don't care for, this is a solid mix of live and studio recordings from Cinncinatti's Over The Rhine. "Moth" and "Anyway" are also great tracks, the latter being my favorite on the disc because of the wonderful guitar solo in the middle. Check it out. Highly recommended. Over the Rhine - Cincy's Gift to Music Over the Rhine is one of those bands who have continued to make music with integrity, rather quietly, for over ten years. What to say about a CD that just gets better with each listen. This collection of live version of OtR favorites is more than a "greatest hits" package, however; songs are given new arrangements rather than being mere rehashes of what appears on earlier CD's. Vocalist Karin Bergquist could not sound more sultry if she tried on a track like "My Love is a Fever. " The haunting "Anyway" will make any listener wonder about past relationships, especially those that may be strained and need a little mending. "Circle of Quiet" is sheer brilliance; its series of sort of false endings is hypnotic and shows off Linford Detweiler's brilliance as a musician. And, of course, anyone who knows OtR knows that "Like a Radio" is a classic. When compared to the drivel on most radio stations today, Over the Rhine is a thinking person's band. Buy this CD; give them a listen. When they are in your area in concert, go see them. Over the Rhine never disappoint, just as this CD does not disappoint the discriminating music lover. . You can see a complete list of all Over the Rhine discography, or go back to the Over the Rhine tabs