A Look Back: July 28 (and Chuck Mangione)

By Mike Stampalia.

40 years ago: Chuck Mangione @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

When Chuck Mangione played SPAC on this date, it was the 14th consecutive year he had headlined the venue. He was, from the ’70s into the ’80s, as much a SPAC fixture as Dave Matthews or Phish is now. He was born in Rochester, NY, and died there (in his sleep) six days ago at the age of 84. He will be missed.

Garbed in a black jacket, yellow t-shirt, loose white pants and a floppy black hat, Mangione was the picture of comfort. Wasting few words, he got right down to business with “The Day After Our First Night Together,” featuring Mangione on his bell-clear flugelhorn.

It was a pleasure to be entertained by good music alone, minus the gyrations and babble that have become an integral part of much of today’s concert fare. Mangione’s movement is in his music, not his hips.

– Lisa Angerame for the Post-Star

70 years ago: Count Basie and his Band @ Berkshire Music Barn

Star of the evening, of course, was the Count himself, who sat there like a smiling Buddha, imperturbable, and flicked his fingers over the keys in the style which has made him immortal. As usual, he didn’t play much, but what he did was great.

– Milton R. Bass for the Berkshire Eagle

50 years ago: Harry Chapin / Steve Goodman @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Although Chapin’s lyrics are his most famous asset, the strongest part of evening was the great combination of Chapin, his two brothers, Tom and Steve; guitarist Ron Palmer; bassist John Wallace; and, most of all, cellist Tim Scott.

– Steve Grandin for the Saratogian

20 years ago: Destiny’s Child / Mario / Amerie @ Pepsi Arena

The woman is a star. This is not news. Whether she’s testifying fiercely about being dangerously or crazy in love, or she’s the centerpiece of a show-stopping parade in an island-inflected “Baby Boy,” Beyonce demonstrated that she no longer needs her reunited-one-last-time cohorts, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

– Steve Barnes for the Times Union

20 years ago: Leon Russell / Folding Sky @ Alive at Five

Backed by a sturdy but unspectacular sextet (including his daughter on supporting vocals and tambourine), Russell – with his long white hair and beard, his dark sunglasses and white cowboy hat – dished up one of the most dizzyingly eclectic shows that Albany’s Riverfront Park has ever seen.

– Greg Haymes for the Times Union

1 year ago: The Head and the Heart / Phosphorescent @ Palace Theatre

The Head and the Heart @ Palace Theatre (July 28, 2024) – photo by Timothy Reidy for RadioRadioX

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