The Revivalists at Watermark

David Shaw

David Shaw was on his porch singing and strumming an acoustic guitar in 2007, just two weeks after moving from Ohio to New Orleans, Louisiana. Zack Feinberg, a guitarist in search of a band, rode by on his bicycle and stopped to listen. The two struck up a friendship and the Revivalists were born. Shaw recruited drummer Andrew Campanelli, whom Shaw had met at Tipitina's Sunday Music jam sessions. Campanelli’s college friend, George Gekas, became the bassist. Feinberg invited saxophonist Rob Ingraham from their music classes at Tulane University.  After a fortuitous meeting at French Quarter Fest, Ed Williams joined on the pedal steel guitar. Multi-instrumentalist Michael Girardot played sporadically with the Revivalists until becoming a full member in 2009. The Revivalists re-released the 2013 City of Sound album with eight bonus live tracks on Mardi Gras, March 4, 2014.

The Revivalists brought a bit of New Orleans to Watermark, a new waterfront restaurant and outdoor concert venue jutting out into the East River on Pier 15. Like many earlier bands from NoLa, the seven-year-old Revivalists served a jambalaya of American music, simmering with soulful vocals and rock and funk instrumental jams. The Revivalists' variation included often having a lone saxophonist rather than a full horn section, and having a pedal steel or a synthesizer driving many of the leads. As the name of the band implies, the Revivalists were rooted in the golden age of rock and roll. Frequently the rhythm section led a funk groove, Shaw started crooning a soul song and then Shaw stepped back as the band fed into extended jams, led by guitar, keyboard, pedal steel or sax. As a result, everything sounded somewhat familiar, yet fresh and exciting. Several times, Shaw descended from the stage and sang from the audience, and Williams added to the stage dynamics by frequently standing at his pedal steel, lifting his end and tilting it towards the audience during his frenzied solos. The performance was a gumbo filled with spicy good sounds that motivated the audience to dance in place under the moonlight.

The Revivalists will headline Irving Plaza on November 20. In the meantime, visit the band at www.therevivalists.com.