Over the Rhine – Across the West: Conversations on a Musical Train (November 5th-10th)

on thursday, i will be flying out to los angeles to join over the rhine for their train expedition across the wonderous landscape of the great american southwest (Los Angeles > Santa Fe > Painted Desert > Petrified Forest > Winslow, AZ > Grand Canyon > Los Angeles).

i will be posting photos and a few words here, as time and internest access allow, during the trip.

please drop in here daily and take a peek, this is sure promising to be one heck of a trip.

from the flyer for the trip:

Join Over the Rhine and their friends Lucy Wainwright Roche, Mickey Grimm, Swan Dive, Michael Wilson and Lynn Neal for an unforgettable trip through the wide open spaces of the American Southwest to Santa Fe and some of our greatest National Parks… the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest and the Grand Canyon!

We will travel in overnight luxury in our own railroad cars from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, across the Mohave Desert, tracing the lines of Route 66, “the Mother Road”, and then by chartered motorcoach to the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, Winslow, AZ and the Grand Canyon, before reboarding our train for the trip home.

ON BOARD:
LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE (www.myspace.com/lwrlwr)- Lucy grew up in Greenwich Village, New York City, the daughter of Suzzy Roche of The Roches and Loudon Wainwright III. Her childhood was spent living out of a suitcase, either on the road with her parents or being ferried around to different relatives in her big musical clan – one of the most storied musical families in North America. We have had the privilege of touring with and getting to know Lucy. We love her songs, her clear-as-a-bell voice, her instinct for a great story, and her unforgettable sense of humor. You will too.

SWAN DIVE (http://www.swandive.org) – Songwriters, Bill DeMain and Molly Felder, (and Molly’s husband, Mickey Grimm) will delight you with their harmonies and beautifully-crafted pop songs. Bill and Molly have performed and collaborated with many of Nashville’s most gifted. You will soon come to appreciate their generosity as both musicians and curious human beings…

MICHAEL WILSON (http://www.michaelwilsonphotographer.com) – is an American photographer and music lover who has photographed a wide array of songwriters and artists – Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, BB King, Andy Warhol, Joe Henry, Randy Newman – and many, many others. His photographs have figured prominently throughout Over the Rhine’s recorded catalog, and Karin and Linford have cited Michael as one of their most important influences, musical and otherwise. Michael will be presenting his work throughout the week and has generously agreed to make individual portraits of all who board the train – an amazing keepsake. Those interested will also have the chance to hop off the train or bus at various times, cameras in hand, and make photographs with Michael. (Photo of MW (c)Tim Andries).

LYNN NEAL It just so happens that our naturalist on board, who will be available to illuminate much of what we’re seeing, answer questions, provide some historical context etc is a Barnesville High School graduate from Barnesville, Ohio, and former classmate and friend of Karin’s. Lynn now resides and works and conducts research in Arizona, and has a contagious, memorable sense of humor as well. We’re so happy it worked out for her to ride along.

MICKEY GRIMM – Mickey deserves his own category. He recorded and toured with Over the Rhine the last several years, but has recently gone into semi-retirement to be able to spend more time with his family in New Harmony, Indiana. Few people have made us laugh more than Mickey – and we realized we had to get him on board so that all could experience his storytelling and flare for the colorful and absurd. Not to mention general sweetness.

Day 1, Friday, Nov. 5
Late in the afternoon we board our private section of the storied Southwest Chief at the monumental Art Deco/Mission style Los Angeles Union Station, first opened in 1939. The Southwest Chief is the modern-day incarnation of the famous Santa Fe Super Chief, the “train of the stars” in the 1930’s and 40’s. We have four chartered private cars expressly for our own use – the stunning Overland Trail, a beautifully restored club-lounge car built in 1949 for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and sleepers Pacific Sands (1950, Union Pacific), Salisbury Beach (1954, Boston & Maine) and Palm Leaf (1951, Santa Fe, built for the Super Chief). Berth space is provided, with private rooms for one or two available as well.

During the evening, as the train climbs Cajon Pass, we will mingle in the lounge and watch our train slice through the night. The Southwest Chief heads into the heart of the Mojave Desert, tracing the lines of Route 66, “the Mother Road,” through Kingman, Seligman and Flagstaff, Arizona.

Day 2, Saturday, Nov. 6
A leisurely brunch awaits as we roll through Navajo Country, past Gallup and Albuquerque, with midafternoon arrival in Santa Fe. We have the rest of the day free to explore this fascinating city. In the evening, we’ll have a concert in town, with our rail cars serving as our hotel for the night.

Day 3, Sunday, Nov. 7
We board our chartered motorcoach for a day of exploration west to the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National Park. With one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, historic structures, archeological sites, and displays of over 200-million-year-old fossils, this is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science. Our on-board naturalist, Lynn Neal, will provide commentary about the flora, fauna and culture of this fascinating region. Late in the afternoon, we arrive in Winslow, Arizona, at our home for the next two nights, the stunning La Posada Hotel and Gardens. After a buffet dinner at the renowned Turquoise Room Restaurant, we will enjoy a private Over the Rhine concert in the La Posada ballroom.

Day 4, Monday, Nov. 8
Monday is a day to relax, enjoying the buildings and grounds of La Posada. This historic Harvey House was designed by pioneering architect Mary Jane Colter in 1929 and recently reopened to the public. A workshop and open mic during the day are followed by another private Over the Rhine concert this evening.

Day 5, Tuesday, Nov. 9
Bright and early, we depart Winslow for the Grand Canyon, whose powerful and inspiring landscape overwhelms one’s senses through its sheer immensity. Summertime heat and crowds have given way to crisp autumn air and the chance for unhurried contemplation of this awe-inspiring vista. Returning to La Posada late in the day, we enjoy a final appetizer buffet before reboarding our private sleeping cars. The overnight trip back to Los Angeles will pass quickly, with easy conviviality and socializing in the lounge car.

Day 6, Wednesday, Nov. 10
Arrival in Los Angeles scheduled for 8:15 am Wednesday.

OVER THE RHINE
http://www.overtherhine.com

Over the Rhine is headed by the husband-and-wife team of bassist/pianist/guitarist Linford Detweiler and vocalist/guitarist Karin Bergquist. The band’s namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. They have both toured and recorded in many shapes and forms. Over the years, the band has shared the stage with a number of musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Ani DiFranco, and toured as “adjunct” members of Cowboy Junkies.

Formed in the spring of 1989 as an indie-rock band, Over the Rhine have steadily built an enviable and intensely loyal following, even as their music has developed and matured into the realm of dark, acoustic-driven Americana. Their recent discs, Ohio, Drunkard’s Prayer and The Trumpet Child have sparked exceptional press and radio response and have led to steady touring before ever-increasing audiences.

“The crowd included travelers from their early 20s up to their 80s… One of the biggest pleasures was to see people suddenly ‘get it’, and to watch with glee as they were completely swept away by the music and camaraderie of the group. We thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts, for the kind words, the big laughs, touching displays of courtesy and countless amazing performances. The Roots crew worked their magic again!” – 2008 trip participants

Each night there will be plenty of music, informal jams from our patrons, but also intimate shows with Over the Rhine and their musical guests. This will be an astonishing trip, the stuff of legend. There’s only room for forty-six patrons on board… solo traveler or groups of friends, couples, casual listeners or devoted fans – you are welcome here!