Photos by Larry Hulst

As the temperature was falling outside, the heat was just beginning to rise inside Venue 515 in Manitou Springs. The acoustic show earlier at Independent Records seemed more like a call to the faithful, like a carnival wheeling through the streets before setting up on the edge of town. It must have worked because at the scheduled start time the crowd was still filing through the door and more chairs had to be brought in, which by the third song were completely abandoned for the rhythm and sway of the crowd in front of the stage.

Elephant Revival are a 5-piece band from Nederland Colorado, touring the front-range for the release of their new CD, Break in the Clouds(Ruff Shod Records/2010). They label their music as “transcendental folk,” and if you think you know what folk music is, just a few minutes of listening to their music will spin you a whole new definition.

From the first few moments of Bonnie Paine’s soulfull voice singing the jazz-infused “Point Of You” to the more traditional folk of Dango Rose’s “Asleep with the Light On”, you will find yourself dancing through a bluegrass-infused Celtic celebration with Bridgette Law’s fiddle and Dan Rodriquez’ solid guitar leading the way, before settling into the warmth of the hymnal-like sing-along of the title track.

The easing tempo of Sage Cook singing “Barefoot Friend” pulled the first few adventurous whimsical souls from their chairs and to the front of the stage, but when the heavy pulsing tempo of “Cosmic Pulse” kicked-in, there was no denying the gravity of the moment pulling you from your seat to join the cavorting promenade of the evening. Even those that chose to stay seated couldn’t keep from moving or tapping to the beat.

Yes, the revival came calling and the faithful were in full response.

At the end with the crowd still not willing to disperse, Bonnie treated the lingering converted to her a cappella version of Judy Collins’ “Winter Sky” before the crowd finally gave in and made their way out into the night and the new fallen snow.