A Look Back: July 6

(Image: Dave Mason – photo by the Morning Call)

By Mike Stampalia.

50 years ago: Dave Mason / Livingston Taylor @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

The entire night broke loose when Mason went into “All Along the Watchtower.” It got crazier when he played “Only You Know and I Know” and “Feelin’ Alright,” a pair of Mason songs made famous by others. Mason came back to play a pair of encores, with “Bring It On Home” being the best.

– Steve Grandin for the Saratogian

30 years ago: Junior Walker and the All Stars / Blue Jeanne Blue @ Alive at Five

From the opening blast of  “Hip City, Part II” straight through the brace of encores highlighted by “Peace and Understanding (Is Hard to Find),” the fiftysomething Walker was a wonder.

Clad in a snazzy two-tone, black ‘n’ blue tux, Walker wailed for all he was worth, for a solid, sizzling 90-minute set.

– Greg Haymes for the Times Union

20 years ago: Asia / Fear of Flying @ Northern Lights

Vocalist/bassist/guitarist John Payne made the old hits sound crisp and fresh, and dove into the band’s new materials with gusto. Downes, seeming younger than his years, even managed to maintain eye contact with the audience while playing two keyboards simultaneously (one question though: does the guy really need nine keyboards? Who does he think he is, Rick Wakeman?).

– Alan Wechsler for the Times Union

10 years ago: Amanda Palmer / Lady Moon and the Eclipse / PWR BTTM @ Bearsville Theater

1 year ago: Dave Matthews Band @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

1 year ago: Marshall Allen and the Sun Ra Arkestra @ Opus 40

The music is both familiar and alien. The set consisted of both Sun Ra and Marshall Allen compositions. Elements of New Orleans jazz were played, except they sounded like they were from space, much like the way Jimi Hendrix transformed the blues. The music certainly swings, but at the same time is discordant. Brazilian samba rhythms were also heard, again from another world. African electric guitar was also part of the mix. It felt like the music of the African diaspora was traveling in space.

– Rudy Lu for Mirth Films

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