DATE: Tuesday, May 27, 1997                 TAG: 9705280770

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Music review

SOURCE: BY JEFF MAISEY, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   51 lines

MAIN EVENT ROCKS AUDIENCE'S COLLECTIVE SOUL

Every once in a while a concert will leave you with such a fulfilling experience that you might consider an extra donation on the way out.

Collective Soul was not pressing for further compensation, but they sure earned every dollar, giving the nearly sold-out Boathouse crowd a fantastic show Sunday night.

It's time to credit this quintet from Georgia as a significant force in the music world. With three huge-selling albums under their belt, they have proven themselves not to be a fluke, as the hit songs continue to accumulate.

If you were one of those people who don't know the titles to songs but listen to radio and tune in on MTV, most of what you heard sounded familiar. The exceptions might have been the slow, vocally melodic songs ``Forgiveness'' and ``Maybe,'' both from the new album ``Disciplined Breakdown,'' and its title track, with which they opened the show.

The rest of the tunes were pure energy, and the audience enthusiastically absorbed every sound wave.

Collective Soul came across with a full sound - three guitars, bass and drums - giving the performance added strength. And the light show was great. Green and blue lights fanned from behind the band, providing atmosphere during slow-tempo moments, while a barrage of vivid color pulsed synchronistically with fast, hard-rocking pieces.

The fans reacted most during ``Shine,'' as nearly everyone sang along on this rock anthem. Other songs that went over well, with their heavy power chords, were ``December'' and ``Bleed'' from the band's self-titled 1995 release.

Vocalist Ed Roland hit every note perfectly, and he also turned out to be an entertaining showman. His interaction with the audience was down-to-earth and seemed genuine as he acknowledged his appreciation of the crowd's zealous response.

For fun, Collective Soul offered The Beatles' ``Revolution'' and a kickin' version of Ozzy Osbourne's ``Crazy Train'' as cover songs. Lead guitarist Ross Childress blistered his fret board with note-for-note precision on the Ozzy tune, and the attendees went wild with extended applause.

The encore numbers were the groovy vibes of ``Simple'' and, saving the biggest hit for last, the sobering ballad ``The World I Know.''

The entire performance was outstanding.

Opening the evening was New York City's Darlahood. Put this trio in the category of Basic Rock. They succeeded in filling the 40-minute opening with an adequate demonstration of music, but a less-than-stunning stage performance. If they plan to keep their rock 'n' roll lifestyle going, they'd be well advised to start writing a good song or two next time around.

Still, they seemed to enjoy being on stage, and no one seemed to mind.

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