Ambrosia Live At The Galaxy

Fantastic new live album from Ambrosia.....

2001 is proving to be a terrific success for Ambrosia, one of America's best loved Pop acts. Following the release of their entire catalog, in addition to a greatest hits anthology all on Warner Bros. Records, and a current record in progress, Ambrosia is enjoying their most successful touring year since reforming in 1990. In the new millennium the members of Ambrosia have given some of their most ambitious concert performances to date. "The fans have been unbelievable", say the band. "We're playing in front of audiences ranging from intimate venues to upwards of 30,000 at major festivals, and the fans go wild".

The buzz surrounding Ambrosia isn't surprising given the heights the band scaled during the 70's and early 80's. Top 10 hits such as "Biggest part of me", "How much I feel", "You're the only woman" and "Holdin' on to yesterday" have earned the band five Grammy nominations, continual radio airplay, and multi-platinum status. In 1999, VH-1 featured them on their highly acclaimed "Where are they now?" series, which prompted a huge surge of new interest in the band, and led to several more television appearances including a spotlight on TNN'S "Classic Rock" special, which tuned in over 5 million viewers. Ambrosia also captured the interest of dramatic television, landing a two-minute segment on CBS's highly rated program "Touched by an angel". Even in cyber space the band has created quite a large presence, fans from all over the world who call themselves "Travelers", team up to discuss all things Ambrosia, meanwhile adding fuel to what has become a very immense and loyal fan base.

Ambrosia formed in 1970, in the South Bay/San Pedro area of Southern California. The musicians were inspired by the progressive rock era, and developed a large regional following for their inventive musicianship and skillful arranging. Ambrosia came to national prominence in 1975 with the release of their self-titled debut album on 20th Century Fox Records.

Ambrosia was produced and engineered by the legendary Alan Parsons, and featured the top ten hit "Holdin' on to yesterday", as well as the FM classic "Nice nice, very nice". After lengthy touring, the band returned in 1976 with Somewhere I've never traveled, also produced and engineered by Parsons. The Album yielded the title song, which quickly became an FM favorite. Both Ambrosia and Somewhere I've never traveled received Grammy nominations, and set the stage for the band's signing to Warner Bros. Records. During that time the group also scored a top 40 hit with a cover of the Beatles classic "Magical mystery tour", from the motion picture All this and WW11.

In 1978, Warner Bros. released Life beyond L.A., which simultaneously scored their first gold CHR hit' "How much I feel", as well as the #1 rock track "Life beyond L.A." Extensive touring with Fleetwood Mac and the Doobie Brothers, in addition to major headlining shows, cemented Ambrosia's reputation as a stellar live act.

In 1980, Warner Bros. released One Eighty, a smash LP that produced two of the year's biggest hits, "You're the only woman" and "Biggest part of me." Though a headlining world tour and three Grammy nominations followed, one of the biggest honors bestowed upon them was Quincy Jones' declaration that "Biggest part of me" was one of his all time favorite songs.

Ambrosia released their fifth and final album, Road Island, in 1982. From the Ralph Steadman cover illustration, to the James Guthrie (Pink Floyd's the Wall) production, to the album's dark central themes, Road Island was a conceptual, adventurous work of art that brought forward Ambrosia's exceptional talents. It also marked the end of an era for the band.

Since 1990, Ambrosia is back and going stronger than ever. In 1997 Warner Bros. released Ambrosia's long awaited greatest hits CD, Anthology, an incredible album that spans the group's entire career and includes three new tracks. In addition to Anthology, the entire Ambrosia catalog has been re-mastered and released on CD for the first time ever. 2000 marks the 30th anniversary of Ambrosia, and the band has celebrated with a very busy touring schedule that has reaped box office success, while proving to the world that Ambrosia will be a driving force in the new millennium.

Words and photos from the Coast House Records website.

1. september 2001 Ambrosia recorded the gig at the venue Galaxy Theatre (see pictures and read more about the gig here), the result was a fantastic show with all the classic Ambrosia songs and is now released on the Coach House Records label. Ambrosia is a very strong liveband and all the musicians in the band are brilliant on their field. This can be heard on the album and Shem´s vocals are perfectly matched to the classic Ambrosia sound. So there is no doubt! You need to get this album. Buy it online at Coach House Records website

Ambrosia -
Live At The Galaxy
"New livealbum from Ambrosia" The Tracks are: Nice, Nice, Very Nice, Livin' On My Own, You're The Only Woman, Mama Don't Understand, Somewhere I've Never Traveled, In My Life, Time Waits For No One, How Much I Feel, Magical Mystery Tour, Drink Of Water, Holdin' On To Yesterday & Biggest Part Of Me.
Musicians on the Live At The Galaxy album: Joe Puerta, Burleigh Drummond, Christopher North, Shem Schneck, Tollak Ollestad & Doug Jackson. Available from Coach House Records/Original release year: 2002

If you want more information about the other Ambrosia album releases, you can see them here.

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