1995: THE YEAR IN REVIEW : BUDDY SEIGAL’S FAVORITE CONCERTS

In chronological order:

* Abraxas, Coach House, May 30: Members of the original Santana band, minus Carlos Santa, spewed fire and chops galore in a mind-boggling display of raw passion and musicianship. Its rhythm section remains unparalleled in any era or genre; guitarist Neal Schon made listeners forget the former bandleader.

* The Wailers, Coach House, Aug. 12: Another band sans its spiritual leader and figurehead (in this case Bob Marley) demonstrated there was a whole lot more to the magic than just the former front man.

* Chris Duarte, Coach House, Aug. 20: Playing sweaty, stinky, impassioned blues-rock in the power-trio format, Texan Duarte and his group elicit fond recollections of prime Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, et al.

* Donovan, The Coach House, Nov. 24: In the biggest surprise of the year, Mr. Gentle Hippie proved himself a master guitarist and songwriter, more relevant today than he was in the ‘60s. His new material shining like the North Star, Donovan got the last laugh over those who used to question his depth and sincerity.

* The Picketts, Coach House, Dec. 3: In another case of an opener butchering the presumed star of the show (in this case James McMurtry), Seattle’s Picketts could almost (almost!) make one forgive the city for unleashing grunge on a hapless music world. Rockabilly, hillbilly, surf, country rock, R&B--the; Picketts did it all with infectiously mischievous elan.

BUDDY SEIGAL’S LEAST FAVORITE CONCERTS

In chronological order:

* Third World, Coach House, Aug. 12. So plastic and rehearsed they actually made one pine for a Commodores reunion.

* Chris Novoselic, with Sweet 75, Coach House, Nov. 16. The ex-Nirvana bassist and well-known grunge performer flailed properly for 100 people who didn’t appear to care.

* Hovercraft, Coach House, Nov. 16. Maybe the worst performance ever by any band, anywhere.

* Love Crystals From Venus, Coach House, Nov. 24. These local New Age geezers were every bit as embarrassing as their insipid name would suggest.