DATE: Sunday, June 22, 1997                 TAG: 9706190184

SECTION: CAROLINA COAST          PAGE: 24   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: AFTER DARK 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

MCGEE BAND TREATS AUDIENCES TO GROOVE-ORIENTED ACOUSTIC MUSIC

Pat McGee remains one of the best little-known singer-songwriters of the '90s.

That's mostly because he writes and performs poignant tunes about confused characters at the wrong cultural moment.

At a time when anger is all the rage in popular music, the guitarist uses telling details and wry humor to fashion songs that borrow a little from rock, country and folk.

``It's acoustic music,'' McGee said during a telephone interview from his Richmond home. ``But it's a little more groove oriented.''

McGee was talking about the songs on his new album, ``Revel.'' Unlike his superb 1995 solo album ``From The Wood,'' the new disc features McGee's five-man touring band and several top-notch studio players.

``The sound is fuller,'' McGee said. ``We did that to get some radio airplay.''

Radio airplay strategy aside, ``Revel's'' thicker sound shows off McGee's songwriting more effectively. Each of his songs seems to take on a life of its own. ``Passion,'' powered by Agents of Good Roots saxophonist J.C. Kuhl, sketches a portrait of a young man who wants to show the world the beauty of change.

``Flooding Both Of Us'' presents a detailed vignette about a man and woman experiencing the ebb and flow of a love relationship.

The strongest song as well as the most specific, ``Elegy for Amy,'' is a piano ballad that eulogizes a McGee fan who died of cancer. It's the kind of record Elton John made during his ``Madman Across The Water``/``Tumbleweed Connection'' period.

McGee said the album is selling well and ``Passion'' is receiving significant radio airplay, including spins on two of his hometown's stations.

``Passion'' also will show up next month on a compilation album called ``Aware.'' The album from a Chicago-based label showcases 12 of the best unsigned bands in the country. Just a few years ago, Hootie and the Blowfish and The Dave Matthews Band were two of the ``best unsigned bands.''

McGee was buzzing during our telephone conversation. He was still feeling the effects of playing before 12,000 Parrotheads. The McGee Band opened for Jimmy Buffett when he played Nissan Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on June 13.

``They (the fans) were receptive,'' McGee said. ``We didn't feel like they wanted us to get off the stage.''

McGee's crackerjack band features Al Walsh on vocals and guitar, Jonathan Williams on vocals, piano and keyboards, John Small on bass, Chardy McEwan on percussion and Chris Williams on drums.

Don't miss The Pat McGee Band. They're poised for a break through. And if a major label doesn't sign them soon, I'll be part of the anger in pop music. ILLUSTRATION: The Pat McGee band

HOW TO HEAR 'EM

Who: Pat McGee Band

Where: Port O'Call, milepost 7 on the beach road, Kill Devil

Hills

When: Sunday and Monday

Cost: $5

Call: 441-7484

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