Ambrosia

[djsmed]

There are many cool Ambrosia tunes scattered throughout their catalog, but one very cool one is "ICE AGE" from ROAD ISLAND.

I would love to hear it here and turn the listeners on to one they may not know.

-djsmed-

[Rick and Roll]

When I was a teenager, they were flying under the radar. "Holdin' On To Yesterday" came out as a 45 (I still have it), and is still one of my top 10 or 20 tunes. I never followed up on them, and only have a compilation disc.

How is their stuff and what do you recommend?

[JRV]

How nice to see another Ambrosia thread!

I LOVE early Ambrosia. Among my all-time favorites. I posted a similar thread among my first to this forum some months ago, but it was ignored, so I'm glad to see another thread begun.

Their 1st album (eponymous) is edgy and adventurous musically and lyrically. That's what Holding on to Yesterday came from, though that's among the more conventional. I agree: Unlike Pirates, great song. But my fave from that album is Nice, Nice, Very Nice, a Kurt Vonnegut poem they set to music (also on the "Anthology" CD). Among other things, the only rock song I can think of that was sung using choral diction..."Nah-ees Nah-ees Veddy Nah-ees, So many people in the same dee-vah-ees". This wildly creative album gets a vote for the most literate rock album ever made from a guy (me) who loves writing. The album was produced by Alan Parsons. Some (all?) of Ambrosia also appeared among the studio musicians on his "Tales of Mystery and Imagination", which is also (...the only album of his...) among my faves.

Their second, "Somewhere I've Never Travelled", is equally strong musically, though more conservative and approachable than the first. Pack even switched to falsetto. Lyrically, the second album isn't as strong, but still a great album. Some funny, Zappa-esque, stuff on there, too, like Cowboy Star . This album came out when I was in college; turned some friends in the dorm onto them (and prog in general) with that album. Also produced by Parsons. AM has this album. My favorite at the time was "I Wanna Know", because of its explosive power. But over time, it hasn't worn as well as anything on the 1st album. Its lyrics also seem a little silly now, too.

After that, Ambrosia and Parsons changed record labels, parted company, and adopted substantially more commercially-viable styles. With substantially more commercial success.

Ambrosia's third, "Life Beyond LA", has its moments, but is mostly formulaic late-70s-early-80s top-40. I remember an interview where they admitted their prog fans would be disappointed (this one certainly was) that they planned to explore other musical avenues going forward, but might eventually return to prog. At the time, they said their immediate plans included a C&W album! I don't think that ever materialized. I think they had a few albums after that and a few top-40 hits, but since I didn't follow top-40 I lost track of them. For me, there was no Life Beyond LA[g]. I don't know Ice Age or "Road Island", so maybe I missed some good stuff by dismissing them. Maybe they did return to prog. I'll definitely look into that because when Ambrosia was good, they were very ("Veddy") good.

I bought the "Anthology" CD but have only played it a few times; too much pop pablum. Whenever I get around to start burning my LPs to CD for enjoyment in a post-turntable world, Ambrosia's will be among the first.

Wow, I wrote a lot! Must be more passionate about their music than I realized.

[Rick and Roll]

Well it only looks like I need the first two or three. Don't worry about writing too much, it's appreciated.

I'm well aware of certain forum members' aversion to Pirates and love affair with Vapor Trails.

Originally posted by JRV
Whenever I get around to start burning my LPs to CD for enjoyment in a post-turntable world, Ambrosia's will be among the first.

What will you do with your vinyl after you've transferred them JRV?

Maybe we could discuss it when the time comes.

I'm a confirmed vinyl junkie.

[JRV]

Originally posted by Keith Waye


What will you do with your vinyl after you've transferred them JRV?

Maybe we could discuss it when the time comes.

I'm a confirmed vinyl junkie.

Interesting question, Keith. Hadn't thought about it until you asked, but while I'm generally not a packrat, I think I'd have a tough time giving up the LPs. Too much sentimental value. Not to mention 12" x 12" cover art the likes of which we'll never see again.

Originally posted by JRV


I think I'd have a tough time giving up the LPs. Too much sentimental value. Not to mention 12" x 12" cover art the likes of which we'll never see again.

Damn!

But if I'm honest I think I knew that would be your answer. They take up a lot of space in the house (I have getting on for 3,000 of the beauties) but they are irreplaceable. Each one has a special meaning. Some the remembering of the feeling of Joy when I finally found it at a record fair, some the memory of where I was when I first heard it and some for the amazing art work on the cover.

I miss vinyl albums greatly. On a decent deck the sound of vinyl is SO much more alive than CD and other digital media which I think are sometimes too "Bright". Vinyl sound has a quality about it that is impossible to define but you will notice instantly if you listen to, say, Focus III/Answers Questions, Questions Answers, on vinyl and switch back and forth to the CD version at the same time.

I remember times when a party used to consist of everyone turning up (usually wearing massive flares....to let you know the era I'm talking about) with a bundle of albums under their arm and listening to them on a grotty little machine, usually a Dansette, in the middle of the room. It was amazing that the LPs didn't sustain more damage but some are still going strong to this day.

OK that's my ranting over with. I'd better go and dust off a Hawkwind album and disappear in a cloud of.............memories.

Oh Yeah, that's another thing. Albums make great Rolling mats!!!!!!!! CD cases........Nah!

[Rick and Roll]

I'll try that with the Focus (I have both). Do I need any chemical or other stimulation?

3,000 albums, wow! Does Britian tax that (they tax everything else).

There was a lady named Heloise who did "advice" columns, and she said that album covers would make great cases for circular saw blades. AUUUGGHHH!

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
I'll try that with the Focus (I have both). Do I need any chemical or other stimulation?

3,000 albums, wow! Does Britian tax that (they tax everything else).

There was a lady named Heloise who did "advice" columns, and she said that album covers would make great cases for circular saw blades. AUUUGGHHH!

No need for "chemicals" man!!! Just EARS!!!!

No tax on albums......just horrible retailers who read "Record Collector Magazine" and know what they're selling!!!!!

Hey Rick!!! Do you have any vinyl you might want to sell a "Junkie" in the UK?

[Rick and Roll]

to get around to it (family keeps me busy), and I'm not sure if I have any titles you may need (except for Aviator), and most of the vinyl is in less-than-perfect condition, all that being said -

I will consider it.