Alice Cooper In Concert At The Palace Theater

 Alice Cooper In Concert At The Palace Theater

Albany, New York

September 16, 2022 

It has been ten years since I attended my first Alice Cooper concert. It never seems that long. Going to one of my favorite venues always makes the experience more complete. The Palace Theater in Albany, New York, is a beautiful structure, and I have attended many shows there over the last twenty years. It reminded me of some of the shows back in the 70s, just crawling with people, and it certainly looked sold out. I saw a few couples with very young children, so the cross-section of age groups was enormous.

Alice Cooper has managed to stay relevant since his career began, and this night he would prove once again why he still is. At 74 years old, he is simply amazing, considering all the mountains he has had to climb. Overcoming alcoholism and remaining married to the same person since the 70s are two miracles worthy of note. His wife is a part of the show as well. I find him inspirational and can tell myself what a great example of energy and steadfastness he is and model myself after that, all the while hoping that I, too, can be that active when I reach my seventies.

There was no opening act, and the show started a tad late, after 8 pm. Alice has a fantastic band behind him, which is no surprise for a living legend on tour. I got some great pictures with my phone, and as you can see by the first photo, so many others probably did.

Alice has an average voice but works well with the music. He supersedes what he lacks in the vocal department with a visual stage presence and acting performance adapting to each character that is the subject of every song. There is nothing flashy like flames or loud explosions; you get a giant Alice-lookalike ghoul, the massive blown-up Billion Dollar Babie, and several other characters like a hunchback and an executioner for the famous guillotine scene. Plus, Alice, in a bloodied shirt and straitjacket on Alice ("Steven" from Welcome to my Nightmare) is being taken away by two orderlies from the insane asylum with large baby heads. There is a lot to take in, and if you know the music, it all comes together and makes sense.

I thought it was a great show from start to finish and the best performances, as far as I am concerned, were "Go To Hell" and "Billion Dollar Babies." There were just a few songs on the set list I was not familiar with.

The king of shock rock is now mild compared to what you may see on stage these days. However, it is very entertaining, and now as we get closer the Halloween, it seems appropriate. I found tremendous enjoyment and humor in what I witnessed and had a blast taking so many pictures when I usually take a few. Everyone has a dark side; it takes a great performer like Alice Cooper to bring that out and get you on your feet, hooting and hollering. Some people may say I have a sick sense of humor (and I will not deny that), but what remains most important to me is the entertainment and some excellent rock 'n' roll, and if that is what you seek; you shall find it at an Alice Cooper concert.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder

September 18, 2022

Setlist:

01. Nightmare Castle

02. Feed My Frankenstein

03. No More Mr. Nice Guy

04. Bed of Nails

05. Hey Stoopid

06. Fallen in Love

07. Be My Lover

08. House of Fire

09. Under My Wheels

10. He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)

11. Go to Hell

12. I'm Eighteen

13. Poison

14. Billion Dollar Babies

15. Roses on White Lace (Preceded by Kane Roberts guitar solo)

16. My Stars

17. Devil's Food (band only)

18. Black Widow Jam (including drum solo)

19. Steven

20. Dead Babies

21. I Love the Dead (band only)

22. Escape

23. Teenage Frankenstein

24. Encore: School's Out

1

Concert Review: Living The Dream With Judas Priest and Uriah Heep At The Palace Theater In Albany, NY

Living The Dream With Judas Priest and Uriah Heep At The Palace Theater In Albany, NY

MAY 18, 2019

 Pictures Provided By Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck’s Cellphone

http://www.judaspriest.com/

http://www.uriah-heep.com/

This was a double bill that I have waited for months to see. This was also one of many times that I have seen Judas Priest however the first time I had the opportunity to see Uriah Heep.  I have been a fan of Uriah Heep since the 70s and have all the early studio releases along with a few when lead singer Bernie Shaw came into the picture. In addition to that, I had just picked up their most recent studio effort and 25th mind you, titled Living The Dream.  The album is excellent and their strongest in quite some time. I think they decided to reach back and take some of the elements that made them who they are along with more modern technologies and recording tools to come up with a real winner. And yes, it rocks, making them the perfect opening act for Judas Priest.

Mick Box started the band in 1970, bless his soul. He is the only surviving original member left, and it’s a good thing because they are not UH without him. He looks great with his long white hair and energetic guitar playing, which was from start to finish. He captured the audience immediately and that grew as they made their way through the new and the classic tracks.

Bernie Shaw mentioned how hard it was to go through 50 years of music in one hour but they did a fine job. I would love to see a full-length show with them at some point. I brought one of my friends with me that loves metal and has been following both bands forever like myself and you could not wipe the smile off his face all night, it was a beautiful thing to witness and just as satisfying as the music itself from my own perspective. 

Uriah Heep which is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield. Heep is one of the main antagonists of the novel. His character is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness, and insincerity, making frequent references to his own " 'umbleness." So how many of you UH fans remember how that relates to an album title? If you guessed Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble you are correct! There was a time when I had no clue how all this tied into the name of the band and that book.

While the visit was short with Uriah Heep, it was long enough to know that they are still alive and well and rockin’. It gave me the incentive to catch them live again. I really appreciate how they performed the early rockers “Gypsy,” “Stealin’” and “Look At Yourself.” 

So, the standard break started and they prepared the stage for the headliner that everyone was clamoring for. Everyone was chanting “Priest, Priest, Priest.”  That is a tradition at the concerts as all fans of the band know. As Rob Halford acknowledged, heavy metal fans and the overall community are the most dedicated group and they could not do what they do without us. It goes both ways Rob and we love the fact that you are still coming out to bring all that great music to us!

The opening song was “Necromancer” from their latest album Firepower. Rob came out in a new outfit for the number. I just had to get a pic of that and include it with this review. It was a great way to kick things off and the audience was pumped and ready for everything that they were going to dish out. I would say this crowd is very enthusiastic and partiers, I being enthusiastic minus all the partying. There was a couple behind me that polished of their share of alcoholic beverages but were still well behaved even though one of them spilled some of their drink on my head and left an empty cup in my seat. I know it sounds comical actually and that is exactly how I took it and carried on with a smile and enjoyed the entire spirit of the evening. 

Priest covered some ground, going through their early career to promoting the newest release with some cool videos as a backdrop to their juggernaut two-man tag team guitar players of Richie Faulkner and  Andy Sneap. And it goes without saying that the rhythm section of Ian Hill (bass) and Scott Travis (drums) is the foundation of their explosive sound.  The two six-string slingers have turned into admirable replacements for the legendary one-two punch of Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing.  They are great players and have assimilated the Priest cannon with dedication and fire that has kept things moving right along so we all can still enjoy their studio recordings and live shows.

They saved all the fan favorites for their encore which included, "Hell Bent for Leather," "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight."

With another memorable night in the books, it makes me feel blessed to be alive and able to have the privilege of attending these great live events and provide coverage. Another big thanks to my long-time partners at Chipster PR for providing me the great seats to enjoy last night to the fullest. I was fully drenched in sweat and voicing my approval along with three thousand some fans in attendance. And that enthusiasm continued into the streets after, people were buzzing and chanting all over again.

If you’re looking for a dream come true double header metal concert you need to catch this show!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

May 19, 2019

Setlist:

Uriah Heep:

Grazed by Heaven

Take Away My Soul

Stealin'

Gypsy

Look at Yourself

Easy Livin'

Judas Priest:

Necromancer Intro

Necromancer

Heading Out to the Highway

(Take These) Chains

The Sentinel

Spectre

Judas Rising

Out in the Cold

Traitors Gate

Starbreaker

Steeler

Halls of Valhalla

Prelude

Tyrant

No Surrender

Victim of Changes

All Guns Blazing

Encore:

Hell Bent for Leather

Breaking the Law

Living After Midnight

Concert Review: Living The Dream With Judas Priest and Uriah Heep At The Palace Theater In Albany, NY

Living The Dream With Judas Priest and Uriah Heep At The Palace Theater In Albany, NY

MAY 18, 2019

 Pictures Provided By Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck’s Cellphone

http://www.judaspriest.com/

http://www.uriah-heep.com/

This was a double bill that I have waited for months to see. This was also one of many times that I have seen Judas Priest however the first time I had the opportunity to see Uriah Heep.  I have been a fan of Uriah Heep since the 70s and have all the early studio releases along with a few when lead singer Bernie Shaw came into the picture. In addition to that, I had just picked up their most recent studio effort and 25th mind you, titled Living The Dream.  The album is excellent and their strongest in quite some time. I think they decided to reach back and take some of the elements that made them who they are along with more modern technologies and recording tools to come up with a real winner. And yes, it rocks, making them the perfect opening act for Judas Priest.

Mick Box started the band in 1970, bless his soul. He is the only surviving original member left, and it’s a good thing because they are not UH without him. He looks great with his long white hair and energetic guitar playing, which was from start to finish. He captured the audience immediately and that grew as they made their way through the new and the classic tracks.

Bernie Shaw mentioned how hard it was to go through 50 years of music in one hour but they did a fine job. I would love to see a full-length show with them at some point. I brought one of my friends with me that loves metal and has been following both bands forever like myself and you could not wipe the smile off his face all night, it was a beautiful thing to witness and just as satisfying as the music itself from my own perspective. 

Uriah Heep which is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield. Heep is one of the main antagonists of the novel. His character is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness, and insincerity, making frequent references to his own " 'umbleness." So how many of you UH fans remember how that relates to an album title? If you guessed Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble you are correct! There was a time when I had no clue how all this tied into the name of the band and that book.

While the visit was short with Uriah Heep, it was long enough to know that they are still alive and well and rockin’. It gave me the incentive to catch them live again. I really appreciate how they performed the early rockers “Gypsy,” “Stealin’” and “Look At Yourself.” 

So, the standard break started and they prepared the stage for the headliner that everyone was clamoring for. Everyone was chanting “Priest, Priest, Priest.”  That is a tradition at the concerts as all fans of the band know. As Rob Halford acknowledged, heavy metal fans and the overall community are the most dedicated group and they could not do what they do without us. It goes both ways Rob and we love the fact that you are still coming out to bring all that great music to us!

The opening song was “Necromancer” from their latest album Firepower. Rob came out in a new outfit for the number. I just had to get a pic of that and include it with this review. It was a great way to kick things off and the audience was pumped and ready for everything that they were going to dish out. I would say this crowd is very enthusiastic and partiers, I being enthusiastic minus all the partying. There was a couple behind me that polished of their share of alcoholic beverages but were still well behaved even though one of them spilled some of their drink on my head and left an empty cup in my seat. I know it sounds comical actually and that is exactly how I took it and carried on with a smile and enjoyed the entire spirit of the evening. 

Priest covered some ground, going through their early career to promoting the newest release with some cool videos as a backdrop to their juggernaut two-man tag team guitar players of Richie Faulkner and  Andy Sneap. And it goes without saying that the rhythm section of Ian Hill (bass) and Scott Travis (drums) is the foundation of their explosive sound.  The two six-string slingers have turned into admirable replacements for the legendary one-two punch of Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing.  They are great players and have assimilated the Priest cannon with dedication and fire that has kept things moving right along so we all can still enjoy their studio recordings and live shows.

They saved all the fan favorites for their encore which included, "Hell Bent for Leather," "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight."

With another memorable night in the books, it makes me feel blessed to be alive and able to have the privilege of attending these great live events and provide coverage. Another big thanks to my long-time partners at Chipster PR for providing me the great seats to enjoy last night to the fullest. I was fully drenched in sweat and voicing my approval along with three thousand some fans in attendance. And that enthusiasm continued into the streets after, people were buzzing and chanting all over again.

If you’re looking for a dream come true double header metal concert you need to catch this show!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

May 19, 2019

Setlist:

Uriah Heep:

Grazed by Heaven

Take Away My Soul

Stealin'

Gypsy

Look at Yourself

Easy Livin'

Judas Priest:

Necromancer Intro

Necromancer

Heading Out to the Highway

(Take These) Chains

The Sentinel

Spectre

Judas Rising

Out in the Cold

Traitors Gate

Starbreaker

Steeler

Halls of Valhalla

Prelude

Tyrant

No Surrender

Victim of Changes

All Guns Blazing

Encore:

Hell Bent for Leather

Breaking the Law

Living After Midnight

Prog Rock Concert Review: Ian Anderson At The Palace Theater-Albany NY

Ian Anderson And The Best of Jethro Tull

In Concert At The Palace In Albany, NY
November 2, 2014

Ian Anderson (Flute, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals), David Goodier (Bass guitar and double bass), John O’Hara (Orchestral conductor, piano, keyboards and accordion), Florian Opahle (Guitar), Scott Hammond (Drums and percussion) and Ryan O’Donnell (Vocals and stage antics) are all part of the Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull lineup in present day. They perform solo material from Anderson’s latest release and some of the best of Jethro Tull since the band’s inception.

Last evening at the beautiful Palace Theater, one of my favorite venues in Albany NY, Anderson and his marvelous band entertained a packed house. I got my T shirt and tour book keepsakes and even a bonus shirt that I gave to some unsuspecting fan as a gift. It’s always a joy to do some random nice thing to a total stranger, try it sometime, it feels good. The Holiday season is rapidly approaching but you don’t need that for an excuse to do a good deed.

It has been 11 years since I sat in an audience to enjoy the music of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. This night was no different than in the past, I looked forward to it for many months. I was not disappointed in the least by the time the show was over.

You know it’s a prog rock concert when you have to wait in a long line to use the men’s room at break and there is literally not one woman in front waiting to use their facilities. This was quite the opposite of most concerts I have attended in the past. This is rather funny actually and we had a good time joking about it in line. Speaking of lines, if you do not want to wait in line to get your car at the end of the concert, I wouldn’t use the parking lot in front of the venue. They give you a ticket, you hand them your keys then you wait in a long line to get your keys back so you can leave! The only good thing about it is there isn’t a mad dash by everyone to leave at the same time. Perhaps that is why they do it that way besides for general security precautions.

It was all worth it in the end though as Ian and his spot on band presented quite a show. They kicked it off with selections from Ian’s solo album Homo Eraticus. What I found interesting and quite enjoyable was the overall multimedia presentation made throughout the show. Prior to the opening song there was a presentation of several bands on a huge screen. I had never been to show that did this before, I thought it was a unique albeit modern way to present different acts to an audience before the main attraction started in lieu of having a solitary opening act.

The show opens with a short film of the band dressed as doctors in a sanitarium and Ian is the disgruntled patient. It is humorous and the band then comes out on stage all dressed as they were in the film then Ian comes out the show begins. It is all so very theatrical and most entertaining. Anderson has a different sense of eccentricity and humor which is very English (even though he is from Scotland). I always found it similar to that dry crazy Monty Python type of comedy yet very original.

Ian still moves across the stage nimbly and plays the flute with one foot carefully placed on his other leg. I thought long ago that by now he would not be doing that once he was headed towards his seventies but he still has a lot left in the tank. At a mighty spry 67 he just keeps on going for the love of the music and the process of creating it. This is what drives the man and keeps thousands of fans coming back for more at every corner of the globe.

The new solo material is as impressive live as it is in the studio. Ian and his band bring it all to life as if it was natural for them to do so. Any great band of musicians is able to translate what is created in the studio into something special and bring it to fruition with new life on the stage. This is what took place all night long.

Many of the classic fan favorites were presented such as “Living In The Past,” “Teacher,” the incredible “Thick as a Brick,” and of course the ultimate curtain closer “Aqualung.” But wait, what about the encore? A rousing interpretation of “Locomotive Breath” magnificently filled the venue with the power of prog rock. It was a rocking good end to one special evening for all in attendance.

This is an amazing group of musicians and the now with added touch of theatrics and the additional voice of Ryan O’Donnell, it gives some added textures to the music and Ian a break once in a while on the vocal duties.

If you are looking for a great night out with friends or loved ones and are open to meeting some friends you have not met yet, give Ian Anderson and his band a try. You will never regret it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Prog Rock Music Talk, Write A Music Review, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks

Setlist:

        Doggerland

        Enter the Uninvited

        Puer Ferox Adventus

        The Engineer

        Tripudium Ad Bellum

        The Browning of the Green

        Cold Dead Reckoning

        Bourée

        Thick as a Brick

        Living in the Past

        With You There to Help Me

        Sweet Dream

        Teacher

        Critique Oblique

        Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die

        Songs from the Wood

        Farm on the Freeway

        Aqualung

        Encore:

        Locomotive Breath

Prog Rock Concert Review: Ian Anderson At The Palace Theater-Albany NY

Ian Anderson And The Best of Jethro Tull

In Concert At The Palace In Albany, NY
November 2, 2014

Ian Anderson (Flute, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals), David Goodier (Bass guitar and double bass), John O’Hara (Orchestral conductor, piano, keyboards and accordion), Florian Opahle (Guitar), Scott Hammond (Drums and percussion) and Ryan O’Donnell (Vocals and stage antics) are all part of the Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull lineup in present day. They perform solo material from Anderson’s latest release and some of the best of Jethro Tull since the band’s inception.

Last evening at the beautiful Palace Theater, one of my favorite venues in Albany NY, Anderson and his marvelous band entertained a packed house. I got my T shirt and tour book keepsakes and even a bonus shirt that I gave to some unsuspecting fan as a gift. It’s always a joy to do some random nice thing to a total stranger, try it sometime, it feels good. The Holiday season is rapidly approaching but you don’t need that for an excuse to do a good deed.

It has been 11 years since I sat in an audience to enjoy the music of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. This night was no different than in the past, I looked forward to it for many months. I was not disappointed in the least by the time the show was over.

You know it’s a prog rock concert when you have to wait in a long line to use the men’s room at break and there is literally not one woman in front waiting to use their facilities. This was quite the opposite of most concerts I have attended in the past. This is rather funny actually and we had a good time joking about it in line. Speaking of lines, if you do not want to wait in line to get your car at the end of the concert, I wouldn’t use the parking lot in front of the venue. They give you a ticket, you hand them your keys then you wait in a long line to get your keys back so you can leave! The only good thing about it is there isn’t a mad dash by everyone to leave at the same time. Perhaps that is why they do it that way besides for general security precautions.

It was all worth it in the end though as Ian and his spot on band presented quite a show. They kicked it off with selections from Ian’s solo album Homo Eraticus. What I found interesting and quite enjoyable was the overall multimedia presentation made throughout the show. Prior to the opening song there was a presentation of several bands on a huge screen. I had never been to show that did this before, I thought it was a unique albeit modern way to present different acts to an audience before the main attraction started in lieu of having a solitary opening act.

The show opens with a short film of the band dressed as doctors in a sanitarium and Ian is the disgruntled patient. It is humorous and the band then comes out on stage all dressed as they were in the film then Ian comes out the show begins. It is all so very theatrical and most entertaining. Anderson has a different sense of eccentricity and humor which is very English (even though he is from Scotland). I always found it similar to that dry crazy Monty Python type of comedy yet very original.

Ian still moves across the stage nimbly and plays the flute with one foot carefully placed on his other leg. I thought long ago that by now he would not be doing that once he was headed towards his seventies but he still has a lot left in the tank. At a mighty spry 67 he just keeps on going for the love of the music and the process of creating it. This is what drives the man and keeps thousands of fans coming back for more at every corner of the globe.

The new solo material is as impressive live as it is in the studio. Ian and his band bring it all to life as if it was natural for them to do so. Any great band of musicians is able to translate what is created in the studio into something special and bring it to fruition with new life on the stage. This is what took place all night long.

Many of the classic fan favorites were presented such as “Living In The Past,” “Teacher,” the incredible “Thick as a Brick,” and of course the ultimate curtain closer “Aqualung.” But wait, what about the encore? A rousing interpretation of “Locomotive Breath” magnificently filled the venue with the power of prog rock. It was a rocking good end to one special evening for all in attendance.

This is an amazing group of musicians and the now with added touch of theatrics and the additional voice of Ryan O’Donnell, it gives some added textures to the music and Ian a break once in a while on the vocal duties.

If you are looking for a great night out with friends or loved ones and are open to meeting some friends you have not met yet, give Ian Anderson and his band a try. You will never regret it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Prog Rock Music Talk, Write A Music Review, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks

Setlist:

        Doggerland

        Enter the Uninvited

        Puer Ferox Adventus

        The Engineer

        Tripudium Ad Bellum

        The Browning of the Green

        Cold Dead Reckoning

        Bourée

        Thick as a Brick

        Living in the Past

        With You There to Help Me

        Sweet Dream

        Teacher

        Critique Oblique

        Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die

        Songs from the Wood

        Farm on the Freeway

        Aqualung

        Encore:

        Locomotive Breath