By Stephanie Edwards

Linford Detweiler’s earliest memory is the sound of a trumpet playing at a church tent meeting.

“I remember wanting to be on stage where the sound was coming from,” said Detweiler, from Over the Rhine.

This is one reason Over the Rhine duo —  Detweiler and his wife, Karin Bergquist — named their newest album “The Trumpet Child.”

The overall sound of the album has a jazzy, dreamy quality that you can’t help but love, and with only a couple of exceptions, the record is pretty upbeat and positive.

“The past couple of records have been full of melancholy, and Karin said we had to make a happier record this time,” Detweiler said.

If you haven’t ever listened to any of Over the Rhine, be prepared for Bergquist’s sultry, velvety voice to completely put you into a trance.

I was especially mesmerized by “Desperate for Love” and “I’m on a Roll.”

“Desperate for Love” absolutely gives the listener no choice but to be sucked in by its fun, jazz sound.

The jazzy numbers on the album are not surprising considering the name of the album and the duo’s musical skills.

The only number on the album that surprised me a little was “If a Song Could be President.” This track has a much more country sound and definitely has less than subtle political undertones. It suggests that country/folk singer Emmylou Harris should be the U.S. ambassador and folk musician John Prine should run the F.B.I.

Samples of the duo’s music can be listened to at www.overtherhine.com.

Over the Rhine has been touring extensively throughout the country.

Knoxvillians will have the opportunity to see Over the Rhine live at 8 p.m. on May 28 at the Bijou Theatre, 803 South Gay St.
Tickets are $19.50.

“We hope to go to a show and have a lot of fun on stage, but still ask the big questions. Music is a great way to look at the big picture. It’s about feeling passionate about something,” Detweiler said.

For more information, call (865) 522-0832 visit www.knoxbijou.com.