Ambrosia: Ambrosia CD Track Listing

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Ambrosia Ambrosia (1975)
Originally Released 1975\nCD Edition Released February 1, 2000\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Although they would become better known for smooth AOR ballads like "How Much I Feel," Ambrosia first made their name with this album of progressive rock with a pop music twist. Its songs skillfully blend strong melodic hooks and smooth vocal harmonies with music of an almost symphonic density. Good examples of this crossbreeding are "Drink of Water," which sounds like the Beach Boys tackling a Pink Floyd space rock epic, and "Nice, Nice, Very Nice," which utilizes a combination of stately close-harmony vocals and dynamic instrumental breaks to put forth a clever lyric derived from a Kurt Vonnegut novel. The complexity of the music is further highlighted by its crystal-clear sonic landscape, mixed by Alan Parsons, which highlights unique touches like the use of a Russian balalaika ensemble and 300-year-old Javanese gongs on "Time Waits for No One." Despite this prog rock ambitiousness, the group is smart enough to avoid letting their instrumental chops take precedence over their music's melodic content: They keep their songs succinct and punchy (nothing extends over six-and-a-half minutes) and they infuse tunes like "Lover Arrive" and the radio favorite "Holdin' on to Yesterday" with a delicate sense of pop songcraft that makes the group's cinematic sound easy for listeners to assimilate. The end result is an album that is intricate enough to please prog rock addicts but catchy enough to win over a few pop fans in the process. Though Ambrosia would go on to score bigger hits later in their career, this is definitely their most cohesive and inspired album. -- Donald Guarisco\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nNice, nice, very nice, January 23, 2007\nReviewer: Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA)\nThis is a great debut by a band that I had pretty much completely forgotten about until recently, which is a shame because this superb 1975 album is anything but forgettable. Come to think of it, the follow up album Somewhere I've Never Traveled (1976) is also quite good, although not nearly as adventurous. \n\nAs it is presented on this album, the music of Ambrosia was clearly influenced by English progressive rock although it is presented in a very accessible format - sort of a progressive/pop blend. Lush vocal harmonies and acoustic textures are balanced by tasteful Hammond organ, electric guitar, and synthesizer work; and it is all supported by a very creative rhythm section. Melodies and harmonies are all used a lot and there are some very nicely played instrumental passages in amongst the vocal sections (all pieces feature vocals). In short, the songs on this album are some of the tightest, best-written, and performed rock songs I have ever heard - this is especially impressive in that they say a great deal in the short time that it takes for each track to unfold (about 3-7 minutes). The sound quality and attention to detail throughout is also simply unbelievable and this debut is certainly worthy of the Grammy it won for Best Engineered Album (thanks to the recording wizard Alan Parsons). \n\nI suppose that it is worth mentioning that the track Nice, Nice, very Nice was authored by none other than Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - he was my favorite author while in high school and the lyrics he contributes here are very...well...Vonnegut. \n\nWell there you have it - a fantastic album by musicians who took their craft very seriously and it shows in every shimmering note on this album. Very highly recommended to folks that like the prog/pop side of things. One other album that comes to mind is Black Noise (1977) by the Canadian band FM which is roughly similar, although a bit further on the prog side of things.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nUnbelievably great debut album, July 19, 2006\nReviewer: BENJAMIN MILER (Eugene, OR United States)\nFor many years, I dismissed Ambrosia as a soft rock act. "How Much I Feel" frequently ends up on those soft rock compilations. Then I discovered this band had earned some respect in the prog rock community, and it wasn't that song or the album that song originated, Life Beyond L.A. It was their first two albums, originally released on 20th Century, their self-entitled debut and Somewhere I've Never Travelled that their reputation in the prog community sits on. \n\nAmbrosia was a four piece, Los Angeles-based band consisting of bassist Joe Puerta, guitarist David Pack, keyboardist Christopher North, and drummer Burliegh Drummond. All had classical training. They were different from your typical LA bands of the time, such as The Eagles, because they were an art rock band, something that city wasn't exactly known for. The band relied heavily on vocal harmonies, but the Yes or perhaps Styx comparisons are more valid here. I believe the Styx comparison comes from the fact some of the vocals remind me of Tommy Shaw. But then the band don't clone the sound of any band. They really had some very ingenious vocal arrangements which shows throughout this whole album. \n\nThe album was produced by Alan Parsons, which means that you get youself some top-rate production. "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" is the opening song, based on a Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. poem. I have always wondered, what was up with those fake foreign accents? "Time Waits For No One" is total genius, especially with the vocal arrangements. This stuff is definately more complex and elaborate than what the Alan Parsons Project was doing. "Holdin' On To Yesterday" was the album's hit, it was also the most straightforward number on the album, which went well over the AM dial. "Mama Frog" is a bit different from the rest of the album, it has an almost jazz rock/fusion feel, even the vocalist sings in the style of a jazz rock vocalist, but then the band goes off the deep-end with the droning synth and narration of "Jabberwock" from "Alice in Wonderland". "Drink of Water" ends on a excellent note, with lots of great synth and organ solos. \n\nNot too long after this album came out, Alan Parsons started working on Tales of Mystery & Imagination, which launched The Alan Parsons Project, and none other than Ambrosia helped some on that album! \n\nI can very easily recommend this album.\n\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nI have done died and gone to heaven, March 10, 2005\nReviewer: Chris Cormier "Wonderbar" (canada)\nProg rock with Beatleish writing and produced by Alan Parsons. The best of both worlds. This album, and their next, 'Somewhere I've Never Travelled' are studies in how to make innovative and original music, without being enamored by overplaying or overly complex time signatures, etc. This band toured with Styx, and interestingly I find a lot of styles that made their way into Styx's music seemed to be previewed by this band. The songwriting is absolutely brilliant, the instruments are played with REAL emotion, the sounds are well chosen to suit the song. Only recently discovering this band's talent, I always knew this band for their radio hits, which were well-written but rather in the vein of adult contemporary. This album, in contrast, is real rock and roll (at times), with clear melodies, surprising lyrical depth, and jazzy-pop playing, and above all, a sense that they're having fun doing this and not taking it too seriously. The last song is one of the best, with a thundering pipe organ underscoring some fiery vocals that recall 'Sixty Years On' by Elton John. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOne of the best albums of the '70s, February 14, 2005\nReviewer: leeaubel@earthlink.net "Gibsonian" (Downey, Calfornia)\nIf you really like to listen to songs that demand you sit down and pay attention, with fascinating vocals and occasionaly flashes of virtuosity, buy this album (and the next album; "Somewhere I've Never Travelled"). I first got this newe in '75 and wore it out over the next few years. \n\nMusically, they are a kind of more relaxed alternative to Yes - great singing and musicianship, with occasional flashes of brilliance... Unfortunately by the 4th album they went commercial, but the first two are spectacular... \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBest side 2 ever?, June 21, 2004\nReviewer: natimp (Alabama)\nOn the LP, I only ever listened to side 2 (the 4 last songs on the CD). But if you like Alan Parsons-style music, these are 4 of the best songs of that genre. Later Ambrosia albums are to this one as late Genesis is to early Genesis. (You would think they were different bands.) The music might seem slightly dated to some, but this is the ONLY vinyl I still pull out and play from time to time.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nUnbelievable!, December 3, 2002\nReviewer: S. Glaser (champaign, il United States)\nAn utterly brilliant release. The music is mesmerizing, soaring and clever clever clever, filled with endless surprises. And the mixing by Alan Parsons cannot be described. Parsons is the greatest genius who has ever sat behind a mixing console. You will never appreciate the full magnitude of this CD untill you play it through a high quality amp into a pair of high quality headphones. The richness and clarity of every single note cannot be matched any other way.\nThis is a band and an album that never got close to the acclaim they deserved. Don't cheat yourself by missing it.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nStunning Debut Album., July 6, 2001\nReviewer: Linda Ames (Lake Forest, CA)\nA timeless masterpiece finally out on cd. Ambrosia creates a stunning debut album mixed by the legendary Alan Parsons. Christopher North, a man known to play his organ so ferociously that his hands bleed, pulls lightning from the sky during his hammond solos on Drink Of Water. This is a must have cd!\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nProgressive MOR? Yes, it is possible., June 27, 2001\nReviewer: D. Hartley (Seattle, WA USA)\nI was starting to wonder whether Ambrosia had some superstitious reason to withhold U.S. domestic CD release of "Ambrosia 1" for so many years (were they afraid of exposing thier original, loftier artistic goals and somehow jinxing the continuing mass-appeal of thier latter-day, easy to digest 'MOR' radio pablum?) At any rate, "Ambrosia" is finally accessible, affordable, and a required purchase for the discerning rock fan. 'MOR' is perhaps an unfair label for the melodic, thoughtfully written and impeccably performed material on this stunning debut. Imagine the intricate song structures of early Yes or Genesis, recorded with the hyper-professional aesthetic of Steely Dan's pristeen "L.A. studio" sound, and you've got "early Ambrosia" defined. Lead singer David Pack's impressive pipes lead the way into some dynamic vocal arrangements (most notably on "Nice Very Nice" and the lovely, choir-like "Drink Of Water"). If you like this one, you'll next want to check out the similar "Somewhere I've never Travelled", after which the band (unfortunately) evolved toward a more 'generic' Toto/Doobie Brothers sound.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAMBROSIA BEFORE 'THE HIT', September 3, 2000\nReviewer: R. Lindeboom "theboomer" (Cambria, CA USA)\nA friend of mine told me that he saw an ad for Ambrosia recently, promoting their reunion tour. In the ad the band says: "Please forgive us for 'The Hit' we had." Yep. And with "The Hit," one of Los Angeles' greatest bands ever slipped into disrepute. But two years before this anomoly, there was this album. It is an album filled with brilliant music. .... The mix on "World Leave Me Alone" is breathtaking! The way the guitars are layered -- with the acoustic layered in a rich, frontal attack pattern rare anywhere in rock -- is the perfect blend of the light and heavy that is the hallmark of this self-titled release from Ambrosia. And then there's the stunning "Drink of Water," in which Chris North wrenches bolts of lightning from the sky with his keyboards. .... Then there's David Pack's voice. Because of *it*, it was inevitable that Ambrosia would have hits; that voice alone insured their destiny as future radio sweethearts. But before this abberation -- so serious in character that it required a printed and public apology -- there was Joe Puerta and Burliegh Drummond, on bass and drums respectively. They were incredible! Burleigh's work at the end of "Drink of Water" is stunning. .... In the history of Los Angeles rock, there have been many great bands like The Byrds, The Doors, The Mothers of Invention, Love, The Beach Boys, The Association, The Motels and Missing Persons -- and Ambrosia stands musically and lyrically with the best of them. At least in my opinion. The first two Ambrosia albums are great albums. This is the better of the two. Yes, Alan Parsons was working with these guys on the first couple of albums but these guys gave him great stuff to work with. "Lover Arrive" is as beautiful a rock song as just about any you could ever name. Haunting and rich in it's simplicity and beauty. "Make Us All Aware" is still one of the most lyrical, rich and melodic, precision "scortchers" ever set to vinyl -- er, I mean laser! :) Even the minor hit here, "I Keep Holding On To Yesterday," still holds up marvelously 25 years later. Yes, there is no perfection in this world -- something that the band explores musically with lyrical help from Vonnegut in "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" -- but this is definitely about as close as Los Angeles progressive rock has ever come. Yes, please forgive them indeed for "The Hit."\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nPleasant early progressive album, March 28, 2000\nReviewer: kireviewer (Sunnyvale, Ca United States)\nThis is one of those albums that will evoke an emotional but irrational response. People who grew up listening to this album will say this is the greatest album ever. And it is a very good album, it's just not that great. There isn't a bad song on the album, but none them are perfect. Even the fantastic classic, Nice, Nice, Very Nice (words by Kurt Vonnegut) has a bad instrumental interlude in the middle. \nThis is early progressive rock. It is softer and more pop-ish than most. But most of the music and singing are very good and it never gets into the overblown excesses of many later progressive albums (except for the reading of the poem Jabberwocky). It is very pleasant to listen to from start to end. I don't know, maybe it does deserve 4 stars. My low rating may just be an emotional and irrational response.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA classic, finally available on CD, February 7, 2000\nReviewer: David Ash "scooob" (Lexington, KY USA)\nIf you think of Ambrosia as the band that had some wimpy soft rock hits in the early '80s, take my word for it that on this, the group's debut, their ambitions were much broader, and the result was a classic album that has been out of print for way too long.\nThough the smooth vocal harmonies and devotion to melody are as evident here as on Ambrosia's later, sappier songs, just as prominent are complex, ambitious arrangements and cool time signature shifts, carried off by impressive musicianship. In other words, this is art rock, somewhat in the vein of Pink Floyd or Genesis in the mid-seventies. But it's not precious or pretentious or any of those other pejorative p-words often applied to progressive rock.\n\nBonus: the lead song's lyrics are taken from a Bokononist Calypso from Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel Cat's Cradle. If you know what that means, you must buy this album.\n\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Freddie Piro \n\nAlbum Notes\nAmbrosia: David Pack (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Burleigh Drummond (vocals, bassoon, drums, percussion); Christopher North (vocals, keyboards); Joe Puerta (vocals, bass).\n\nEngineers include: Chuck Johnson, Billy Taylor, Tom Trefethen.\nRecorded at Mama Jo's, North Hollywood, California. \nIncludes liner notes by Freddie Piro.\nAll tracks have been digitally remastered.
This rock cd contains 8 tracks and runs 38min 47sec.
Freedb: 62091508
Buy: from Amazon.com

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