The band that jams together, stays together. It is hard to call to mind a band since The Decemberists that incorporates so many instruments (all members of Elephant Revival are multi-instrumental) or can weave such grand tales into their repertoire. If astute fans listen close enough to Elephant Revival lyrics, they may discover the equivalent of a chapter book in verse.
Take the epic of the “Currach,” and its family of songs that follow the journey of a young boy who was swept away at sea. On Friday, Boston was treated to a seldom heard part of that story during “Stolen,” which is released only on their Sands of Now (Live at Boulder Theater) album. The band also played “Furthest Shore,” the latest part of the tale off of Petals.
The Nederland, CO-based quintet is in the midst of their East Coast tour celebrating the release of their fourth studio album Petals, which culminates this month with a headlining show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater where Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band will open for them.
The crowd eagerly welcomed music off of the new album, such as the cadent and free-spirited title track “Petals” and the sweetly piercing “Season Song,” but there is no denying that Elephant Revival already cultivated clear fan favorites as seen in the boisterous sing-a-long to “Grace of a Woman” during the encore closer.
Bonnie Paine (who shares lead vocal duties with Dan Rodriguez and Charlie Rose) has a voice that is downright succulent and is unparalleled in today’s folk arena, particularly in inflection and clarity. Though her voice shone through the entire performance, it was during the band’s hot cover of Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic-rock classic “White Rabbit” that it really transcended and even the most ardent of Grace Slick fans would have to agree that her version is striking.
Other highlights were the Celtic sounding mandolin instrumental “The Pasture” led by Dango Rose (no relation to bandmate Charlie) and Bridget Law on the fiddle.
Overall, the music was crisp and gorgeous even though the Paradise Rock Club proves difficult for acoustics and did not do justice to certain parts of the band’s pieces such as “Fall Down,” a rock burner that is strong on vocals which sounded a little cloudy.
Elephant Revival frontman Daniel Rodriguez told Glide Magazine last month that “Playing in Boston is always good, so much fun for us. The first time we played, we opened for Dispatch at the Boston Garden. Every time we play we look forward to it. Charles (Rose) is from Boston. Last time we opened for Josh (Ritter) at House of Blues and people really responded well to us. We are looking forward to seeing how many people at the Paradise are at the Josh show.”
Indeed, the room was packed and in a full circle moment, Chadwick Stokes (Dispatch, State Radio) was added to the bill as an opener a few weeks ago. Stokes, also a Massachusetts native, drew his own fan-base. In addition to providing support, he played on several songs during Elephant Revival’s set and debuted a potential new Dispatch song called “Mama J.” He also delivered perfection in the form of a duet with Paine on his heartbreaking tune of unrequited love “New Haven.”
Sam Kassirer (known for his work with such artists as Josh Ritter, Lake Street Dive and Langhorne Slim) and who produced Petals, joined the band on drums for a few songs, including the dramatic “Hello You Who.”
The single most wonderful quality about an Elephant Revival show is to see the way they connect as a band. Their chemistry is palpable; the familiar swapping of instruments, the wordless communication and exchange of furtive glances, and the rapture in their intimate jams feels almost too personal at times to witness, like you are stealing a private moment. Only they welcome it. Elephant Revival are a group of people who are happy and humbled to play together and it emanates through their music and into the crowd.
Photos by Rich Gastwirt
Setlist:
Home In Your Heart
Remembering
Birds & Stars
Sea Monster
Stolen
The Pasture
A “Capella”
Season Song
Hello You Who
Flight Patterns
When I Fall
Petals
On & On
Single Beds
The Garden
White Rabbit
Mama J
Rogue River
Encore:
Furthest Shore
New Haven
Grace
