A Look Back: July 21

30 years ago: Queensryche / Type O Negative @ Knickerbocker Arena

The plot line revolved around the lead character, Nicky (portrayed by Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate), who was involved in some vague journey of self-discovery. Or was it about the tug of war between career success and personal satisfaction? Or maybe it all boiled down to the search for identity in an uncaring, mechanized world. Whatever.

At any rate, after 135 minutes of ranting, writhing and raving about angst, alienation and paranoia, Nicky finally arrived at his grand conclusion during the final encore of  “Someone Else?” when he finally realized, “I know now who I am, if only for a little while.”

Huh?

– Greg Haymes for the Times Union

70 years ago: Dave Brubeck Quartet @ Berkshire Music Barn

Dave Brubeck Quartet at Berkshire Music Barn (July 21, 1955) – photo by the Berkshire Eagle

This is indubitably the smoothest-working, best-coordinated, esthetically satisying organization working in the field of modern jazz. They make you understand what is meant by cool jazz. There is no shouting or jumping to this music, no turmoil, no chaos. You get a feeling of satisfaction from hearing it, a slight stirring of the inner self, a vague headiness and a need to concentrate, to work with the musician and experience the sense of creation, daring, and gamble which he is undergoing. It doesn’t make you hot; it’s cool.

– Milton R. Bass for the Berkshire Eagle

40 years ago: Huey Lewis and the News / The Neville Brothers @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Huey Lewis at SPAC (July 21, 1985) – photo by Carol Sliwa for the Berkshire Eagle

All predictable, but the audience – a mixed lot, from preteens with their parents to high school, college-aged and older fans – loved it. It didn’t matter that there was as much spontaneity and adventure as a four-day, planned bus tour of Virginia.

– Carol Sliwa for the Berkshire Eagle

20 years ago: Little Feat @ Alive at Five

1 year ago: Mammoth WVH / BRKN Love @ Empire Live

Wolfgang Van Halen at Empire Live (July 21, 2024) – photo by Stephanie J Bartik for RadioRadioX

When Wolf sings “The Distance,” the song that he wrote for his father, it chokes me up every time I hear it. You knew it was coming when he said, “If there’s anybody that you wish was here with you tonight, this song is for them.” There were some people in the crowd that started chanting Eddie when the song was over.

– Michael Bruce for RadioRadioX

1 year ago: Slavic Soul Party / Niva @ Music Haven

And, boy, do they get down! Their hour and a quarter set at Music Haven in Schenectady Sunday night was loud, tighter than a skeeter’s tweeter, and as celebratory as a Manhattan Bar Mitzvah. This nine-piece band of horns and drums — no guitars mind you — put on a set loud enough to wake the neighborhood in Schenectady’s Central Park.

– Don Wilcock for the Daily Gazette

1 year ago: Reese Fulmer and the Carriage House Band @ Freedom Park

Reese Fulmer (center) @ Freedom Park, Scotia (July 24, 2024) – photo by Timothy Reidy for RadioRadioX

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