Writer and photographer Alan Crandall submitted the following guest blog originally published at TimesCall.com:
Elephant Revival
I had the good fortune to catch an Elephant Revival show recently in Fort Collins. Good fortune for several reasons. The first is that the June 2nd show was free as part of the Bohemian Nights Presents Old Town Thursday Night Concert Series. Second, because this summer the band is crisscrossing the nation to play shows in destinations as far away as Boston, Massachusetts and Seattle,Washington.
Bonnie Paine
The third reason is that Elephant Revival provides the audience with a musical experience that spans many different genres of music. At first glance of the quintet you may be prepared to hear a folk or bluegrass band. However, just as quickly, they can transition their style and have you swaying to a Scottish/Celtic tune resonating from Bridget Law’s fiddle. Dango Rose plays strong rhythm on the standup bass, Daniel Rodriguez rocks the guitar and Sage Cook completes the strings with his electric banjo picking. To top it all off, Bonnie Paine makes playing the washboard, hers is adorned with a “Team Love” sticker, look like it is the most fun instrument to play.
Bonnie Paine and Dango Rose
From their website the band describes their jams as “Transcendental Folk.” Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon & Great American Taxi described it simply as “Love Music.”
I first saw Elephant Revival at last year’s NedFest and their talent was evident from the start. The crowd was up and dancing with the performance of their unique and melodic tunes. Formed in October 2006, the band played its first show at the Gold Hill Inn. With many shows under their belt and the word getting out, I now have friends coming up to me and asking, “have you heard that band ‘Elephant Revival?’ They’re great.”
Daniel Rodriguez
If you have not had the opportunity to hear them play, well then you are in luck and without having to travel to some distant destination, I might add. The band plans to return to it’s roots and play the Gold Hill Inn again, Sunday, June 26, but this show is not free so you can get tickets here. For more information check out their Facebook page or if you would like to help them out, you can become part of their Street Team. In any case you are guaranteed to have a good time and test your ability to label their vibrant sound.
Elephant Revival