A Look Back: July 24

By Mike Stampalia on July 24, 2025

60 years ago: Carlos Montoya @ Berkshire Music Barn

The suddenness of Montoya’s thematic changes, the unannounced illogical changes of volume, direction and speed may be appropriate accompaniment for an arched-back, whirling, heel-stamping flamenco dancer, but in the music they fill us with frustration and confusion.

– R.C.H for the Morning Union

40 years ago: Al Jarreau / David Sanborn @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Jarreau next received a gift onstage from some fans. He opened it enthusiastically and uncovered a basketball. After Jarreau, a big basketball fan, exclaimed that it was perfect, he searched around and found the card. Jarreau kidded around a little more by saying it was from someone who wanted to use the basketball as a means to introduce themselves, and possibly attain a romantic link with the singer. He then delivered the punchline by stating that the card was signed, “Love, Willie.”

– John Magee for the Post-Star

30 years ago: Jimmie Dale Gilmore / Mindy Jostyn & Mark Miller @ UAlbany’s Page Hall

He also covered familiar ground from other pens including his nearly definitive takes of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and his old pal Butch Hancock’s “You’re Just The Wave (Not The Water).”

The latter is a shimmering, evocative tune, and Gage gave it a solo as expressive as Gilmore’s voice just one of many he offered throughout the night. Gilmore sent shivers out during the tune, with his lonesome wail perfectly matching the loner’s lyric.

– Michael Eck for the Times Union

20 years ago: The Allman Brothers Band / moe. @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

And Allman was in far from his finest form Sunday. His voice lacked the resonance on the low end that has always characterized his best work. So pinched was his singing that several times I caught myself doing a head count of the other musicians, thinking someone else had assumed the lead role.

– Mike Curtin for the Post-Star

20 years ago: Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited @ Music Haven

Mapfumos’ deep, resonant voice added the tension, the singer standing at the edge of the stage in a crouch at times as he sang on subjects often found in American folk songs – politics, freedom, fighting oppression, economic hardship and work

– Michael Lisi for the Times Union

1 year ago: Beartooth / Boundaries / Currents / Nevertel @ Empire Live (July 24, 2024)

1 year ago: Winger @ the Strand Theatre

It was guns a blazing as they say, from the opening note when they opened with a song from their latest album Seven, “Stick the Knife and Twist”. The crowd was on their feet for the rest of the show.

– Michael Bruce for RadioRadioX

1 year ago: Blues for Breakfast @ Roickin’ on the River