Linford and Karin were honored to be approached by John Wooler in the late 1990’s, an A&R man and producer at Virgin Records who had started his own imprint (Pointblank) and worked with Pop Staples, Van Morrison and John Lee Hooker. John W. and another VP at Virgin (Ken Levitan) wanted to start a small imprint called Back Porch and sign American bands and songwriters who had strong visions in place, who had strong followings, who were making unique music that felt real, and who weren’t pursuing the superstar/celebrity approach to having a career in music. The rest of Virgin was focused on getting records out by Lenny Kravitz, Moriah Carey, The Rolling Stones etc. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!)

Back Porch Records was designed to offer a home to American songwriters a little closer to the dirt. Over the Rhine was the first band to sign with Back Porch, followed shortly thereafter by David Lowrey of Cracker. Back Porch went on to release records by The Neville Brothers, Charlie Sexton, Alejandro Escovedo, Frank Black and John Hammond to name a few.

It was a good relationship in many ways. Back Porch typically let Over the Rhine record and master their records prior to hearing a note of the music. All the artwork was designed in Ohio by the in-house team that had always worked with the band. Without breaking the bank, Back Porch helped to gently re-establish Over the Rhine (and Linford and Karin) as above ground, viable, signed recording artists, whose records were once again actually available in record stores. Over the Rhine soon became and remained the best selling act on Back Porch for the duration of the relationship (2000-2006).

Perhaps the only downside was, at the end of the day, Back Porch didn’t have to do all that much in the grand scheme of things on behalf of the band’s music. They knew Over the Rhine was going to sell X number of records regardless. It’s arguable that some opportunities to significantly grow the band’s following were missed. But the artistic freedom the band enjoyed was ultimately preferable to the alternative: having label execs tinkering willy nilly with the transmission under the hood.

Not too long after Back Porch was started, Virgin closed their offices in Los Angeles and actually shut down for awhile. Subsequently, Back Porch was run exclusively out of the Milwaukee offices of the Virgin Associate Labels, which included David Byrne’s Luaka Bop, and Peter Gabriel’s Real World.

“It was a real honor to have someone like John fly into Cincinnati, sit down over dinner at Scotti’s, and say that the music on Good Dog Bad Dog was an obvious place to start. We had believed in those songs, we had played them all over the USA and Canada (John had seen us perform at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano) and we were thrilled that GDBD was finally going to be available nationally and internationally. With no distribution, GDBD had already outsold our first three IRS releases combined, and it was a real blessing to have had something to do with a collection of songs that seemed to have a bit of a life force all their own. The songs certainly surprised us.

And besides, we were going through a real Van Morrison phase! Jack had turned us onto Van’s Into the Music and a lot of his stuff that we had never heard. And there we were sitting with Van’s A&R man getting as many stories as we could out of John regarding Van the Man himself, a famously recalcitrant, unapologetic recluse.

We had John ask Van Morrison if he would sing a duet with Karin on the song Little Blue River, and John said he responded that he wouldn’t sing with anyone under the age of 50! Oh well. We marked our calendars.”

The songs on GDBD found their way into scattered prime time television shows and some independent films, including Jon Favreau’s Love & Sex, with the fab Famke Jannsen. All I Need Is Everything was included on an excellent Starbucks/Hear Music Compilation. And as far as we know, GDBD was the only record to inspire an entire episode of The X-Files, which featured a dog-expert named Karin Bergquist and an evil Dr. Detweiler who took a stake through the heart in the final minutes.

“We hope you enjoy the songs on this re-released, re-mastered version of Good Dog Bad Dog. It remains a very special record for us.”

Some time ago we parted company with a record label. Signing a record deal is a gamble and our hearts (and pockets) were empty. I for one, was relieved to be free to go back home and make a new start.

Much earlier, we had elaborately drawn up various plans to make a record, all of which were postponed or abandoned for one reason or another.

Most all we had to show for the time which had lapsed was a backstreet bareboned mess of songs which had been outlined after dark in my third story bedroom. These snapshots of the very first time Karin actually sang these songs into a microphone were usually made a few days after a song was written.

It occurred to us that for better or worse these recordings told roughly the same story we had intended to tell on the record that never got made. Oh, we had plans alright, and this is a much simpler version of the story, but it’s still undeniably our story. And by telling it even in broken sentences, we feel the river begin to move again, making room for new stories.

Ric was able to take a real handful of the third story bedroom skeletons, flesh them out, and make them feel dangerously close to a record. And once again, we find ourselves with homespun pieces of reality. Memory markers in the meanwhile. The same story. Which, if you’ve read this far, obviously involves you. Enjoy.

P.S. Still waters run deep. Quiet music should be played Loud.

Latter Days (5:34)
words and music: Detweiler
All I Need Is Everything (4:54)
words and music: Detweiler and Bergquist

Etcetera Whatever (4:52)
words and music: Detweiler

I Will Not Eat The Darkness (1:59)
music: Detweiler

Faithfully Dangerous (4:51)
words and music: Detweiler

The Seahorse (4:55)
words: Detweiler
music: Bergquist and Detweiler

Everyman's Daughter (4:10)
words: Detweiler and Bergquist
music: Bergquist

Poughkeepsie (4:54)
words and music: Bergquist

Willoughby (3:32)
music: Hordinski

It's Never Quite What It Seems (4:06)
words: Detweiler and Bergquist
music: Bergquist

Happy To Be So (4:45)
words and music: Detweiler

Go Down Easy (5:20)
words and music: Bergquist and Detweiler

GOOD DOG BAD DOG The Home Recordings.
Karin Bergquist: vocals, acoustic guitar, twelve string acoustic guitar.
Ric Hordinski: electric guitars, lap steel, E-bow, mellotron, acoustic guitar (Willoughby).
Brian Kelley: drum kit, percussion.
Linford Detweiler: upright piano, acoustic guitar, bass, hammond b-3, keyboards.

Produced by Linford Detweiler.
Co-Produced by Ric Hordinski.
Cello by Norman Johns, arranged by Linford.
Photography by Michael Wilson.
Additional photos courtesy of the detweiler archive.
Design by Owen Brock and Linford.
Art Production by Owen Brock.
Notes by Linford.
Mastered by Mark Hood and Grey Larsen at Echo Park, Bloomington, Indiana. Digital Editing by Mark Hood. Additional mastering by Trevor Sadler.

RECORDING NOTES (FARTHER ALONG THE SIGNAL PATH).
The vocals, the acoustic guitars and the upright piano, along with any keyboard parts were recorded and mixed by Linford in his third story bedroom. These sub-mixes were sent by courier up the hill to Ric’s house where he added any electric guitar parts and recorded Linford and Brian on All I Need Is Everything and Faithfully Dangerous. Ric recorded Norm’s cello on All I Need Is Everything and coaxed a melody out of his mellotron on Faithfully Dangerous - no mean feat. Ric did the final mixes for Latter Days, All I Need Is Everything, Faithfully Dangerous and Go Down Easy. Steve Harris assisted with the mixes of All I Need Is Everything and Faithfully Dangerous. Everyman’s Daughter was recorded a few blocks down Main Street at a jingle studio called Sound Images. Their house engineer, Dale Smith, a pleasant man that everyone calls Smitty, ably oversaw these few afternoons of tomfoolery. Linford re-EQ’d the mixes in his bedroom and passed them on to Ric who added electric guitars and did final mixes at his house. I Will Not Eat The Darkness was recorded and mixed by Smitty at Sound Images.

The drums and bass and acoustic guitars for Go Down Easy were recorded in Linford’s kitchen, but Curtis and his wife next door have been opposed to this practice for years, so it is not something that happens too much. Listen for the furniture.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Special thanks to Todd Kearby, Shelly Ross and Donna Howell.

Thanks to Pierre Marchand, Pat Moran, John Keane, Trina Shoemaker, Tim McAllister, Gerd Muller, Gordon and Hazel Henderson, and Don and Karen Peris for their encouragement. Thanks to Wade Jaynes, Steve Harris, Phil Keaggy, Rob Fetters, Stephen Davis, Kyle Taylor, Jeff Bell, Robin Joyce, Henry Huang, Don Smith, Jeremy Jones, The Nagles, The Mallonees, The Mearkles, Niki Buehrig, Misty Hughes, Katie Laur, Tracy Rains and Marilyn Wilson (TITCH), Willow and Gabe (good, good dogs), the mens group, the small group, the all group. Thanks to our families and many friends. Special thanks to Karen Jean and Mallory.

Thanks also to: Jimmy D’s Music for the years of reliable service and support. Farewell. Chuck Madden at ICB Audio, Rusty at Midwest Music, Jamin Xeiler, Stan Ginn, Mike Tekulve and Mike’s Music. T. J. Schmidlin and Pentode amp works, Dan Dawson and D’Addario Strings, Kerry Faye.

Additional Note: Almost all the electric guitars on this record were at one time either owned, built or lovingly attended to by the sweet spirit of Dave Bodine. We miss you.

Special thanks to Cowboy Junkies for inviting Over the Rhine to play these songs across the country and abroad. Special thanks to Terri Templeton, Mike Georgin, Randy Cheek, David LaBruyere, Jeff Bird and Chris Dahlgren. Special thanks to Stacie BeBout, Peter Leak and Mike Stucker.

Thanks to all who post us letters. Thanks to The Imaginary Apple Orchard. Thanks to all Rhinelanders. Pursue justice. Seek wisdom. Be merciful. Roll over. Good dog.

"In the days of trite lyrics and formulaic melodies, Over the Rhine shines like a light in the darkness. The Virgin/Backporch re-release of its critically acclaimed independent album, Good Dog Bad Dog, encompasses every human experience--pain, joy, loss and love. ... In the song "Latter Days" vocalist Karin Bergquist sings, "I'm dyin inside to leave you with more than just clichés." Bergquist and band member/producer Linford Detweiler don't have to worry about that. The album is a passionate collection of honest, unconditional songs."
- Jen Waters, Patriot News, Harrisburg PA

"This band's real river is not the Rhine but the Ohio--they're from Cincinnati--and they write and play a luxuriously slowed-down kind of pop-rock that will appeal hugely... Not to be missed."
- John Stifler, Hampshire Gazette, Northampton MA

"Thirteen examples of the haunting and hypnotic folk-pop that has won Over the Rhine respect from fans nation-wide. On songs like "Latter Days" and "Poughkeepsie," OtR paints all of life's depths, uncertainties, and horrors while somehow keeping hope..."
- Phil Christman, Banner, Grand Rapids MI

"...their homespun masterpiece. The stark beauty yielded by the minimal settings, along with the depth and maturity of the songwriting, are the album's greatest assets. When Karin Bergquist sings "We don't need a lot of money, we'll be sleeping on the beach, keeping oceans within reach, (whatever private oceans we can conjure up for free)," it has the feeling of a mission statement."
- Evan Cater, All Music Guide (full review here)

"The kind of CD you want to put on continuous play... on a rainy Sunday afternoon."
- Heather Lalley, Spokesman Review, Spokane WA

"Now hear this... You might want to play Good Dog Bad Dog at home while you're curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine and the lights down low. But as the liner notes say, "Quiet music should be played loud." Loud works with this. This collection of sparsely arranged and melodic songs, brought to life by the sweetly aching voice of Karin Bergquist, is full of much to enjoy. Highlights are the gospel-tinged guitar and a voice "Poughkeepsie," the somnolently funky "Faithfully Dangerous," and "All I Need is Everything."
- Brian Sink, Washington Times

"...an intensely strong collection of touching tunes about darkness, self-awareness and deep human values. The piano that underscores and transcends the otherwise basic guitar/vocal dialogue is just one obvious Over the Rhine distinction. The poetic, literary quality of the lyrics is what raises Over the Rhine over so many of their folk-pop contemporaries. ...Over the Rhine overwhelms.
- Christopher Arnott, New Haven Advocate

"A beautifully rendered album cataloging the frustrations of unrealized dreams and the expectations of starting anew. Producer and bandmember Linford Detweiler defines the sentiment resonating throughout Good Dog Bad Dog, and the album's endearingly bittersweet hopefulness is complemented by Karin Bergquist's evocative vocals. Bergquist contributes the lovely "Poughkeepsie," a penetratingly emotional song on which the vocalist seemingly achieves catharsis. The tone is triumphant and fragile... The honesty and lyrical complexity of Good Dog Bad Dog make the album extraordinary. Anyone who appreciates effective artisic expression, or loathes the politics of the music industry, should own a copy."
- Eric Robinson, BC Magazine

"The CD is a fine introduction to one of the best bands to emerge from the local scene. Good Dog Bad Dog has been a private pleasure for hard-core OtR fans for too long. It's time the mainstream national audience sat up and took notice."
- Larry Nager, Cincinnati Enquirer

"Cowboy Junkies junkies should check out Over the Rhine. The ambient rock band from Cincinnati has a new album--"Good Dog Bad Dog"--that is filled with downtempo, mood-enhancing songs. Karin Bergquist brings her dreamy voice, rich songwriting and excellent band to the U-District's all-ages Paradox Theater..."
- Tom Scanlon, Seattle Times

"'What a beautiful piece of heartache this has all turned out to be' is the first line sung by Over the Rhine vocalist Karin Bergquist, which pretty much describes the compelling and haunting nature of this record. Also enjoyable are the numerous instrumentals which make this feel more like an "album" and less like a CD, which is no easy task. Done with a piano and a top notch production that weaves in a Hammond B-3, cello and numerous layers of acoustic and electric guitar, each song builds and builds with exponential intensity. Bergquist's dramatic vocal delivery hovers over it all with a deep and bittersweet sorrow that has been made jagged by splintered rays of hope. It is just like this music is being released in time delayed capsules that will slowly, steadily, creep into your world."
- Paul Dickinson, Pulse Magazine, Minneapolis MN

"Not very often does an unconventional, lyrically intense band rise up from relative obscurity without giving into the demands of major labels. Powered by the flowing voice of Karin Bergquist and songwriting of Linford Detweiler, the band Over the Rhine is on the brink of success. The group's frontwoman could be counted among the best female vocalists in the country. Good Dog Bad Dog contains powerful, meandering journeys into the depths of human emotion. There is no doubt that their best work is featured on this new album."
- University of Wisconsin Exponent