b-sides | besides...: over the rhine - live in louisville & "the trumpet child"

they all four walked onstage smiling & laughing...mickey had karin cracking up over something as simple as the two them snapping their fingers to kick off "fever." the chemistry of this foursome is amazing, fun, lighthearted, it seems that it would be impossible not to enjoy these people "working". but, while it seems to be all in good fun, when they get down to it...they seriously "get down to it." and once again, these people never fail to amaze me, and they did once again tonight, delivering another beautiful, inspired and fun set at the "930 listening room" here in louisville.

the show was pretty close to sold out (my guess, in the 250-275 neighborhood) and it was a great, respectful yet involved and appreciative crowd. i had three "first timers" with me that were just blown away by what they saw and heard and at 108 times into this, i can't say i was much different. i've said before, i don't think i have ever seen them playing like this, so "in to it," so inspired, so good yet so loose and having such a good time just doing what they do. and it is infectious. to everyone. there were a couple of times during "long lost brother" & "b.p.d." that i thought karin might internally combust...or just out and out explode. last night was as good or better than any performance of those two songs that i have ever seen. and it's pretty cool to watch karin, linford, jake and brandon shaking their heads in amazement and smiling ear to ear during mickey's solo on "who'm i kiddin'" knowing that seeing him play, time-after-time, night-after-night, that he still seems to surprise & entertain them too.

last night they were also joined by mickey's wife, molly (molly is the lead singer in "swan dive" and they were also celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary) who joined in on harmony/backing vocals with karin on "and can it be" and "fool" which were the highlights of a great set for me (as was mickey and molly slow dancing during the beginning of the song, almost bringing karin to tears). "and can it be" rivaled some of the performances w/karin and terri from years ago, which were some of my favorite performances of one of my favorite songs.

after helping out at the merch table after the show, where business was brisk, then hanging out with friends and K&L a while, i left the venue to find my rear driver's side tire was flat. brandon and jake saw me in the corner of the lot getting the stuff out of my trunk to change the tire, they came over with karin who noted "we're not leaving 'til we're sure you're ok" and after he had just finished their load out and working his ass aff all day long, brandon isisisted on taking the tools away from me, jacking up my car and changing my tire for me.

yes, these people may be great musicians, singers, artists, writers, performers...but, more importantly, they are even better people.

thanks to all for helping and more importantly, for caring, and especially to brandon...