A Look Back: August 7

By Mike Stampalia.

1 year ago: John Legend with the Philadelphia Orchestra @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

As the narrative flowed, Legend guided the crowd through the story of his life — his time in high school, playing piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything” for which he was only paid $500, and the beginnings of his career in which he worked closely with the artist formerly known as Kanye, now known as Ye, and performed uncredited backing on  Jay-Z’s “Encore” and Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name” as well as Estelle’s “American Boy.”

– Emma Ralls for the Saratogian

60 years ago: Miriam Makeba @ Berkshire Music Barn

She sang with a wide range of dramatic and rhythmic expression and dynamics. Her soprano voice was sometimes big, full, round and warm; sometimes aggressive and biting; sometimes thin, high and dry. It was agile and accurate and vigorous.

– R.C. Hammerich for the Morning Union

20 years ago: The Backstreet Boys / Kaci Brown @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Truth of the matter, the crowd was there for the old songs, and they got plenty of those too: “As Long as You Love Me,” “All I Have to Give,” “Larger Than Life,” “Shape of My Heart” and the best song of the night, “I Want It That Way.” Littrell is still the best singer of the group (by far), but lovable lug Carter still generates the loudest screams and cheers.

– Greg Haymes for the Times Union

10 years ago: Steve Kimock @ Bearsville Theater

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