Click Here For A Review of The David Pack Maestro's Show

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Click Here For A Review of The Conejo Valley Days Concert!

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Click Here For Another Review of The Arizona Charlie's Concert!

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Click Here For A Review of The Coach House Concert!

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Concert review of Ambrosia's concert at Mammoth Mountain

in Mammoth Lakes, CA  on November 28, 1998 by Robert Mercer

Ambrosia at the Canyon Lodge, Mammoth Lakes, CA
November 28, 1998
Concert review by Robert L. Mercer

I would gladly trudge through a blizzard to see Ambrosia. In fact, I did.
Well, not exactly a blizzard, but it was 17 degrees and snowing. Perfect
weather for this ski resort, but cold for a Southern Californian like me.

My wife and I waited for the show to begin in the “Grizzly Bar” (which was
adjacent to the venue), warming our hands around mugs of steaming hot
chocolate. Ambrosia and their entourage began to trickle in... Burleigh,
Tollak (with girlfriend, Lynne), Shem (fresh off the slopes), Nathan (the
roadie), and fellow Traveller Bob Hicks.


Bob Hicks & Robert Mercer


Robert Mercer & Roberta

Unfortunately, and much to the surprise of the audience, Dave Pack was unable
to attend the show. Mike Keneally was recruited to sit in for him. Mike is a
tremendous guitarist who won a Grammy for his work with Frank Zappa on the
“Broadway the Hard Way” album. Most recently he was with the Steve Vai Band.
Already familiar with Ambrosia material, he “practiced in his hotel room” to
prepare for the gig. But until human cloning techniques are perfected, the
mega-talented David Pack will remain irreplaceable.



Ambrosia opened with “Nice, Nice, Very Nice” with Tollak on harmonica,
followed by “Livin’ On My Own,” “You're the Only Woman,” and “Mama Don't
Understand,” with Joe shining on bass and lead vocals. Throughout the show
Tollak Ollestad and Shem Schneck got a chance to showcase their formidable
vocal talents, sharing the parts usually sung by Dave. Mike stayed faithful to
Dave's guitar compositions most of the time, but he did get a chance to
exhibit his own style as well during the concert.


Keneally, Shem & Burleigh

Next, they performed the Drummond/Pack/Puerta composition “And...Somewhere
I've Never Travelled” with Burleigh handling the intro vocals, and Shem taking
over on lead vocals,  adding xylophone and conga drums to the mix.

Joe and Tollak sang the beautiful “Hopes and Dreams,” followed by “How Much I
Feel” and the spirited “Angola” complete with Joe's audience participation
scat-singing. During Shem's bass solo everyone on stage picked up the nearest
percussion instrument and added to the rhythm.


Jumpin' Joe & Shem

Mike Keneally ripped a guitar solo on his bright green Fender Stratocaster and
the band broke into “Kamikaze,” with Keneally synchronizing his guitar with
Shem's xylophone. Burleigh then introduced the “glorious manhood” on stage to
the packed house, including Joe as the “heart and soul” of Ambrosia (I second
that) and Shem as “the greatest glockenspiel player in rock ‘n roll.” Chris
North was a crowd favorite all evening, clearly having fun, making his
patented “madman” faces at the audience. He “abused his organ,” a new Hammond
(not present was his old, trusty Hammond B-3), turning it upside down during
“Holdin’ On To Yesterday.” Tollak began the song with a bluesy harmonica solo.


Joe Puerta-Bassus Erectus

The crowd enthusiastically brought the band back for an encore rendition of
“Biggest Part of Me” with Shem assuming the lead vocals, and Mike Keneally
staying close to the Dave Pack guitar solo. The band joined at center stage
and took their final bow, leaving to a continuing ovation.


Final bow, Final show 1998!

Ambrosia is indeed the food of the gods. If you go to Zeus's Restaurant, on
top of Mt. Olympus, the menu reads:  Pack, Puerta, North, Drummond.
No substitutions, please.


Joe, Colin Hays & Rich


Roberta & Tollak


Roberta & Mike

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