Auburn Ravine Revival revives the '70s at Theatre benefit

Under dim house lights, the stage aglow in violet and blue, a saxophone howls like a wolf in the night to the adoration of the crowd. Auburn Ravine Revival brought both nostalgia and passion to the Friday night benefit concert at the Odd Fellows Lodge. They would have you believing it was 1975 again. Colleen Sands, executive director of the Auburn State Theatre, said a few words introducing the band and explaining the benefit. This was the first in a series of events benefiting the ongoing restoration of the theatere. Rod Tompkins' company, RJT Construction, is leading the effort to restore the historic theatre to proper glory. So naturally, Auburn Ravine Revival threw its hat into the ring to headline one of these benefit concerts. The show also celebrates and promotes the band's first album, the Dusty Road Sessions, which was heavily featured in the band's set. The show began with a few words about the origin of the name and right into their inspiration. The band started with covers from Credence Clearwater Revival and it was clear from the onset the kind of showmanship and passion they were bringing to the crowd. Auburn Ravine Revival lives up to its name, bringing back to life a spirit and culture of America's past. The nostalgia was a welcome escape and reminder for souls of all ages. The band played in high spirits and with great passion from song one to the very end of the show. The talent and showmanship on display was staggering. Anytime there was a saxophone solo, Dave Kingsford absolutely stole the show. Everything you need to know about him came through the brass of a soulful sax. The whole band had soul. Preston Marx's knockout combo of keys and brass demanded spotlight. His talent and passion was clear whether it was keyboard, trombone or horn. He played like he came directly from the blues clubs of the 1950s and no time had passed. Every musician in the band is extremely talented; John Howe was not exempt. The band's lead guitarist was grounded in technique and elevated in emotion. His solos had as much soul and gravity as any musician on stage. Ed Warnecke backed the band with brilliant beats carrying energy and infusing the set with matched passion and rhythm. Paul Magrath's calling was evident throughout the set and carried so much weight with his basslines. Magrath and Warnecke were workhorses in the show and noticeably talented in their crafts. Jennifer Taggard's vocals were as charismatic with her stage (and off-stage) presence. She is a woman of the people and spent a good amount of time on the dance floor with the audience while impressively providing back-up and duet vocals. Rod Tompkins himself, as a frontman led the band skillfully with heartfelt vocals and passion. Tompkins' skill as a singer, guitarist and songwriter was on full display, both centering and central presence in the show. His songs wore emotion and influence proudly, skillfully weaving the lifetime of experience with the sounds of classic American blues, country and rock n' roll. They came together as a true band. Tompkins and Taggard were in the center flanked on the left by Marx and his menagerie of instruments and Kingsford's saxophone. Howe was on the left, Magrath behind him and Warnecke was centered behind them all. This arrangement played to the strengths and chemistry of the band. Tompkins and Taggard were delightful together. While she was often backup vocals to his leads, several songs featured her heavily, like Tom Petty's "American Girl," and others had an energy of a duet such as The Georgia Satellites' "Keep Your Hands To Yourself." The two had complementary chemistry. Where Tompkins was bluesy, Taggard was playful. Tompkins was a powerful band lead working with elements from all sections, giving his bandmates time to shine and taking lead when either was called. Taggard often shared her tambourine on the dance floor. The pair were the heart and soul of the performance. Marx and Kingsford were the fire, paired together with show-stopping duos and solos. They brought the fire, often dancing together on stage as they blared their brass. Howe flared up in his solos and took the center, leading in vocals on one song, while Magrath laid down the funk with his bass. Warnecke was the band's foundation, their backbone with beats and rhythm working his drums skillfully and tirelessly. The band played for four hours with a 25-minute intermission. If any were tired, they never showed. They carried the same passion and energy throughout. They made their effort and talent known and it captured the attention of all who witnessed, a chance at escapism and reliving the past. The Dusty Roads Sessions is out now on streaming and you can catch the band playing at Cable Car at 836 Lincoln Way often.