POP MUSIC REVIEW : Gatlins Making the Most of Long Goodbys : The ‘Adios’ tour bus may be nearing its final stop, but the brothers are still getting good mileage out of their gigs.

As proved by the Judds’ interminable farewell tour--which lasted longer than some artists’ careers--”adios” in country music can also mean “ante up” at the box office. The long goodby seems to be working to the Gatlin Brothers’ advantage, too, judging not only by the sold-out status of their four “Adios Tour” shows at the Crazy Horse Steak House on Monday and Tuesday, but also by the vibrant performance that brothers Larry, Steve and Rudy delivered during the late show Monday.

Unlike the Judds, there’s no tragedy sparking the group’s split, just a longing for something different after a lifetime together and decades on a nonstop tour bus. For several of those years, the Gatlins have worked the typically life-sucking county fair circuit, which leaves most acts sounding about as substantial as cotton candy.

The group plans to work together through the year and beyond that has projects and select gigs on tap. If their “Adios” album, due in April, takes off as the last few of their 23 discs haven’t, don’t be too surprised if the brothers never get around to hanging it up.

But in the meantime, at least the idea that their road has an end seems to have loaded some new ammo in the Gatlins’ guns. Their names may not be engraved on the various country hats that they donned during their 15-song set--innovation and identity aren’t their strengths--but they filled those hats, with enthusiastic, expertly wrought performances.

Though brothers Steve on bass and Rudy on rhythm guitar offer excellent vocal support, the Gatlins’ appeal--as ever--is basically Larry. Looking like a curious cross between James Caan and Richard Simmons, Larry writes all their songs and does nearly all the lead vocals and front-man work. Though he had throat surgery last year, he sang beautifully with a powerful, high tenor that recalled both Roy Orbison and Rodney Crowell.

The set ranged from the expected greatest hits to several new songs from the “Adios” album. Nearly all the songs, and a good deal of between-song clowning, had a loose, relaxed spirit (the mood was defined by Larry’s introduction of an under-rehearsed new waltz-time ballad, “Standing to the Side of the Storm,” when he declared, “If we screw this up, big deal--We’re quittin’ anyway”).

Another new song, “Star Spangled Broken Heart,” showed strong novelty-hit potential, working “The Star Spangled Banner’s” “oh say can you see” verse into its melody and story line. Somewhat less novel was a jukebox weeper that relied on several old Orbison choruses for its hooks.

On such songs as the sad ballad “Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall,” the drama and range of Gatlin’s voice recalled Gary Morris’ operatic flights. There was a more neighborly lilt to his singing, rather like Marty Robbins’ on “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love.”

Other hits in the set included “She Used to Be Somebody’s Baby,” the Orbison-like “Night Time Magic” and the forgettable and, it figures, Grammy-winning “Broken Lady.” Steve and Rudy each got a lead verse of the road-weary “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You).” And the four-piece backing band laid out for a while, allowing the brothers to harmonize a gospel tune while the Crazy Horse’s video screens showed early home movies of the three.

The farewell encore was composed of two new, apt songs: “All You Dare to Dream,” a persuasive ballad about letting some dreams go to pursue other ones, and the more up-tempo “Adios,” of which the title says it all. Not one to skimp at special events, the Crazy Horse did a special job on the free show programs, printing the cover in gold leaf, and handed out flowers to the Gatlins’ female fans.