INFAMOUS STRING DUSTERS & ELEPHANT REVIVAL AT OPERA HOUSE

11 Jan INFAMOUS STRING DUSTERS & ELEPHANT REVIVAL AT OPERA HOUSE

The Infamous Stringdusters, one of progressive bluegrass’s most exciting bands, will sweep into Telluride’s Sheridan Opera House this Friday and Saturday, January 13 and 14. As if that isn’t enough to make you want to throw down a tarp, Colorado neo-folk collective Elephant Revival will share the hallowed old stage with them, swapping headlining honors.

The sound of the Infamous Stringdusters is somehow familiar and timeless, yet propels the legacy of bluegrass and string band music into the future with a stunning blend of musical virtuosity and fresh energy. Each musician — Andy Hall (Dobro), Andy Falco (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Travis Book (upright bass)  — plays his part flawlessly but free of the cool reserve of more mannered players. There is real commitment, warmth and heart in Infamous Stringdusters’ music.

Devotion to their chosen instruments and to their craft is evident throughout their impressive repertoire, whether it’s a respectful John Hartford cover or one of their own, seamlessly crafted compositions.
Vocal work is always what separates the truly great from the mighty fine and their voices blend beautifully. A harmony that makes you tremble is a divine thing. Lead vocals are swapped around, giving the band’s sound further depth and personality.

Try this Music Fog session of “All the Same” from their 2010 release Things That Fly:

The Infamous Stringdusters open the festivities on Friday and play the later set on Saturday.

Elephant Revival is a Nederland-based quintet that has taken the Colorado modern acoustic music scene by storm. But the word is out. They’re not just a well-kept Colorado secret. Enthusiastic support from the likes of radio stations like KOTO in Telluride have helped nurture the band’s growing popularity and they’ve caught the attention of national giant NPR. Steady touring only makes a band more seasoned and such has been the case with Elephant Revival.
Like The Infamous Stringdusters their instrumentation is what makes you sit up and take notice. Excellent songcraft wends its way into your psyche.  Transcendental folk, if you will.

The band is Bonnie Paine (vocals, washboard, djembe, musical saw), Bridget Law (fiddle and vocals), Sage Cook (electric banjo/guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, viola, vocals), Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo, vocals), and Daniel Rodriguez (acoustic guitar, electric banjo/guitar vocals).

The band delights in tossing a cornucopia of influences into its sound – Celtic, blues, acid country, traditional folk and jazz excursions are reminiscent of their folk-rock forebears Fairport Convention.
Two albums – the eponymous Elephant Revival and their sophomore effort, Break In the Clouds — have cemented their reputation as young messengers from the past with, as String Cheese Incident’s Bill Nershi once remarked, “their hearts in the future.”

Check out this live version of “Tam Lin”:

The Infamous Stringdusters and Elephant Revival play this Friday and Saturday, January 13 and 14 at 9 p.m. Infamous opens on Friday, Elephant Revival opens on Saturday. General admission tickets for this all ages show are $23 and available by visiting www.sheridanoperahouse.com or by calling 970-728-6363.