A Look Back: June 23

(image: Phil Collins entertains 27,000 fans at SPAC, 6/23/85 – photo by the Saratogian)

By Mike Stampalia.

40 years ago: Phil Collins @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Phil Collins at SPAC, 6/23/85 – The Saratogian

Collins’ voice was great all along, especially in “Against All Odds,” the movie soundtrack he wrote that was hacked to death during the Oscars. The singer who performed it for the Academy Awards could not be here last night to do it again, he said.

– Amy Kantor for the Saratogian

30 years ago: Gloria Gaynor / Aaron Neville / Sophie B. Hawkins / Nelson / Lil’ Suzy / Martin Page / Nicki French / Dag / Diana King / Adina Howard / Rain / Third Wonder @ Starlite Theatre

The barefoot Sophie B. Hawkins delivered the best set of the day, ripping into a 30-minute set of smoldering soul-pop in the late afternnon. Backed by just a keyboardist and an acoustic guitarist, Hawkins came across like a cross between Laura Nyro and Madonna with an earth-mother sensuality and a distinct lack of inhibitions.

– Grey Haymes for the Times Union

20 years ago: Bob Dylan / Willie Nelson / The Greencards @ Wahconah Park (Pittsfield)

Dylan became incredibly focused, and gained total melodic control of his vocals, on a surprise rendition of “Every Grain of Sand” (a tribute, perhaps, to the producers of “Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan,” many of whom were in attendance, as this album was spawned here in the Berkshires?). It featured his best and most impassioned singing of the night, and set a higher bar as he rollicked through versions of “Highway 61 Revisited” and “Blind Willie McTell” before settling down in a shimmering “Chimes of Freedom.”

– Seth Rogovoy for the Rogovoy Report

10 years ago: Fall Out Boy / Wiz Khalifa / Hoodie Allen / Travie McCoy @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Unlike the headliner, however, Boyz of Zummer tour-mate Wiz Khalifa was underwhelming. The impossibly lanky artist who exhibits a fondness for smoking pot onstage is reminiscent of an early-1990s Snoop Dogg. Unfortunately for Wiz, that’s where the comparison ends. Despite being a solid emcee with prodigious lyrical timing, Khalifa simply has nothing to say. It does not matter that he works the crowd with aplomb because his music is — for the moment — forgettable.

– Tom Templeton for the Times Union

1 year ago: Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play @ Caffe Lena

The encore had a false introduction and humorous false start, stating that they would play a song made famous by the Monkees, “Last Train To Clarksville”. This quickly changed to “Lady Madonna” with a quick teaser of “Day Tripper” before reverting back. An appropriate ending to a fun evening.

– Rudy Lu for Mirth Films

1 year ago: Zan and the Winter Folk @ Hangar on the Hudson

Zan and the Winter Folk celebrated the release of their new record, “New Morse Code,” during a tornado watch.

Zan Strumfeld at Hangar on the Hudson, 6/23/24 – photo by Timothy Reidy

Anacortez / Violent by Design / Ten Bucks Til Friday / Gateway / Shawn Shafran @ Fuze Box

A free show that was also the video shoot for Anacortez’s “Last to Know.”

Anaortez @ the Fuze Box, 6/23/24 – photo by Timothy Reidy

Visit onstagealbany.com to keep up with Capital District concert reviews, both old and new.