DATE: Sunday, November 16, 1997             TAG: 9711160058

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Music Review

SOURCE: By JEFF MAISEY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   55 lines

ALLMAN'S POWERFUL BLUES LEAVE CROWD SMILING

More than 20 years ago, Gregg Allman's visage graced the side of a plastic Slurpee cup as part of a ``Superstars of Rock'' promotion. The legendary Allman gave 1,500 fans a big gulp of his primary musical ingredients Friday night at the Boathouse.

Hair pulled back in a ponytail, Allman remained perched behind a wooden-bodied keyboard that resembled a fine piece of living room furniture, on stage left. His seven-member band, including guitarist Danny Chauncy, was spread across the venue's platform.

Allman & Friends kicked things off with the decade-old ``I'm No Angel.'' It was followed by the soulful classic ``Slip Away,'' originally penned by Clarence Carter. It grooved hard.

Throughout the show, Allman offered a wide variety of his favorite covers, solo tunes and the Allman Brothers' classics. As the blues-rocking icon told it, ``I'm gonna play you some new songs, and some songs you might never hear again.'' The last part of his statement was a bit eerie, and hopefully not prophetic.

If any songs received the greatest applause, the Allman Brothers' ``Midnight Rider'' and the soft tones of ``Melissa'' from ``Eat A Peach'' were the standouts.

Touring in support of his first album in nine years, the critically acclaimed ``Searching For Simplicity,'' Allman touched on its highlights. The eager fans easily got into ``The House of Blues'' and embraced ``Love The Poison'' with clapping hands.

Question: Can we still call a tune a cover song when its writer joins the band in performing it? Saxophonist Jimmy Hall put down his instrument long enough to sing his ``Rendezvous With the Blues.''

In an emotional moment, Allman - the purveyor of the Memphis-Muscle Shoals sound - spoke, ``This song is dedicated to my late brother.'' ``Dark End of the Street'' was passionately done for Duane Allman, who died in 1971.

With no intention to send anyone home in tears, the band generated grins with Wet Willie's ``Keep On Smilin' '' to end the set. ``I Need Your Love'' and ``Statesboro Blues'' were among the encore pieces, completing an evening of uniquely American music deep rooted in Southern style. No fan in the Boathouse needed to be strapped to a ``Whippin' Post'' - Allmanplayed that also - to enjoy this concert, as he turned the venue into his own House of Blues for a spell.

If you haven't heard of Derek Trucks, you soon will. A number of air-guitar players in the audience were seen trying to keep pace with his hot guitar licks.

Having just turned 18, Trucks is a teen-age prodigy. The amazing lad was well-schooled in blues-rock slide guitar, giving an A-plus performance. While you could almost hear the late Stevie Ray Vaughan playing through this guy, some of the songs had a touch of art rock colored in the style of UK. One-time Allman drummer Butch Trucks must be proud to see his son carry on in the blues tradition. Trucks' performance was the surprise of the night.

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