A Look Back: July 25

By Mike Stampalia.

60 years ago: The Dave Clark Five @ RPI Fieldhouse

40 years ago: Barry Manilow @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

The show, however, is over-choreographed and leaves not a moment for any spontaneity from a singer who happens to have a good personality and should be given more freedom to just be himself.

– Don A. Metivier for the Post-Star

30 years ago: Carly Simon / Hall and Oates @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Without wasting time on an intermission, Simon plunged into her show, borrowing Hall and Oates’ band (which included instrumentation ranging from saxophone to cello) and occasionally even Hall and Oates themselves.

– Greg Haymes for the Times Union

1 year ago: The Record Company / Sirsy @ Alive at Five

The Record Company at Alive at Five (July 25, 2024) – photo by Timothy Reidy for RadioRadioX

1 year ago: Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys @ Hangar on the Hudson

Robert “Big Sandy” Williams at Hangar on the Hudson (July 25, 2024) – photo by Ed Conway for RadioRadioX

Throughout the entire night, Ashley Kingman, who has been in the band for more than 30 years, kept up a constant barrage of lead guitar counterpointing Big Sandy’s melodies, stepping out when necessary to add to the songs with perfectly appointed solos. To watch Kingman play, he looks so relaxed, it’s easy to miss just how intricately each note is played.

– Ed Conway for Mirth Films

1 year ago: The Well / Year of the Cobra / Flatwounds / Gozer @ Empire Underground

1 year ago: Awan Rashad Quartet @ Jazz on Jay

Benny Golson’s “Shades of Stein” was fast paced post bop romp played with glee by the band, with Matt Niedbalski and Ian MacDonald leading the festivities with the strong encouragement of Tarik Shah. As with much of the concert, Awan just stated the main themes and dug into his bandmates cooking.

– Rudy Lu for Mirth Films

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