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GENTLEMEN‘S QUARTERS The Allmans were guilty of meandering, too, but as this sixâ€"record set proves, they were several notches above their more mailess brethren. The 55 tracks provide an axhaustive look at a classic American band, a tight, frequently electrifying ensemble that used traditional blues as a foundation for its improâ€" visational journeys into rock and jazz territory. The catalyst of course was the late Duane Allman, a nimble magical guitarist whose burning slideâ€"guitar and deft solos defined the Allman sound. The best songs on Dreams attest to his prominence, but they‘re also a painful reminâ€" {â€"r that the band was never the same after his jvath in 1971. Still, there‘s enough here to satiate dieâ€"hard fans and bring new ones into the fold. Despite some weak moments, Dreams is a valuable document, an overdue tribute to a band that still represents the apex of Confederâ€" ate rock. Guitar Shop Jeff Beck Epic * As technically accomplished as he is, Jeff Beck has always been guilty of giving more tricks than treats. Being long on pyrotechnics, yet short on ideas, his albums have too often suffered from aimless flights of fancy. Garish displays of string bending while a competent rhythm section hammered away have never been enough to warrant giving his records anything more than threeâ€"star ratings. There‘s evidence of past crimes on Guitar Shop, although it‘s arguably his most advenâ€" turous record to date. His technical skills are staggering, as usual, but there‘s also a visceral side to his playing that recalls the recent work of guitarist extraordinaire, Bill Frisell. Rather than just joining the dots, Beck creates some fascinating configurations. Only when he tends to noodle do the songs lose their impact. But 450 ERB ST. W., WATERLOO (BEECHWOOD PLAZA) 747â€"3181 Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers practically invented "southern rock," a term that will be forever associated with interminable jamming and more specifically, the endless guitar solo, an act of indulgence the southern boogie men took to new lengths and lows. More tricks and treats. _ from guitarist: Jeff Beck f) Men‘s Bathrobes Sauna Wraps Resort Towels Work Out Towels Prelideresf> _ n m # ,«"/\ f #€~® 4 > c V BATH & GIFT BOUTIQUE Ross MacDonald is a Cambridge freelance Home Again, their second album, runs the stylistic gamut from hardcore and thrash to pop. Other than Minneapolis‘ Soul Asylum, who they most closely resemble, the Doughboys are one of the few bands to find the right mix of g:xiur bl\:st.e{ a‘n}dmelody Home Again gives Montreal‘s Dougboys have been getting some glowing reviews in American publications devoted to alternative music, and deservedly so. The band has described its music as "AC/DC meets the Beach Boys", a description, however, that‘s superficial at best. doesn‘t work." eccentricity thrown in for good measure. Not a bad mix, one to Whl‘:htg:edda.d?hd his ov;::_ special ingredients. is day age generic soul, funk and rap, Slam has enough going for it to stand out from the pack. record to c#tegorize, a little too ambitious to suit ratio tastes, yet not quite radical enough to be considered groundbreaking. There are hints of Living Colour‘s hardâ€"nosed rock and Fishâ€" bone‘s lively funk, with a dash of Prince‘s fecentricity thrown in for good measure. Not a Ore.‘s Reed has delivered a fine funkâ€"rock album. As good as Slam is, however, it leaves Reed_'in a itiof.a quandary. It‘s a difficult notice the shortcomings. Guitar Shop puts Beck inflnwiaht.wmuumnu gm hotshots who think they know how to ay. Dan Reed Network en Wnn y 2 M 3 :fia':...u.. .L._.!_;.'::l.t_' B&j&r“fl.fl ever *# o#