Ambrosia
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cerritos, CA
Thursday, May 13, 1999
8:00 p.m.

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Concert Review
By Roberta Mercer

The Cerritos Towne Center is an all inclusive weekend getaway spot consisting
of the Performing Arts Center, the Sheraton Hotel, Mimi's Café, Barnes &
Noble, Starbucks, Subway, T.G.I. Friday's, McDonald's and even a Wal-Mart.
Add Ambrosia to the mix, what more could a girl ask for? (Of course, not in
that order!)

The Cerritos Center for the Performing arts is a majestic venue. It resembles
an old fashioned Parisian Opera House. Perhaps a bit too snooty for rock 'n
roll.

One of the 8,000 uniformed gendarmes escorted us to our seats just as
Ambrosia took the stage.

Song list as follows:

"Kid No More"
Translation: "Happy Birthday to Me"..

"Nice, Nice, Very Nice"
Subdued crowd. (I saw Ambrosia twice at Cerritos last year. The first night
the crowd was there to see America. The second night it was a rambunctious
Ambrosia crowd.) Harmonica solo by Tollak, Joe harmonizing, with crowd
response at end. In addition to his fine keyboarding, Chris North used his
patented theatrics to rev up the crowd.

"You're the Only Woman"
David Pack dedicated this oh so romantic song to his wife, Gail. (Featured
Shem Schneck on percussion.)

"Freak Show"
Joe Puerta introduced a new song about "closet queens and aliens." (This was
the first time it was ever performed in public.) "Hot off the press," as
described by Joe.

"Time Waits for No One"
Included convincing "clock-like" special effects.

"How Much I Feel"
Dave Pack on acoustic guitar.
Featured Shem on xylophone (crowd applause)
Clearly the crowd is responding to recognized songs.

"Holdin' On To Yesterday"
Beautiful blues guitar by Dave Pack with Tollak on harmonica.
Standing "O"

Encore!

"I Wanna Know"
(I wanna know why Ambrosia wasn't the headliner! As my husband says, "Nobody
can follow Ambrosia.")

"Biggest Part of Me"
Featuring Dave Pack on vocals and the always lovely Burleigh Drummond on
backup vocals. (Not to mention providing his usual brilliant work on drums.)
Included crowd participation and standing "O"

It was during this song, that I informed my friends of our backstage passes!
(The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts has an elaborate television
monitor and sound system throughout. If a trip to the restroom were in order,
you wouldn't miss a minute of the concert!)

Backstage pass

Unfortunately, my husband had work commitments and was unable to attend the
concert. He was doubly envious when he found out that we had backstage passes.


Tollak, Roberta & Shem

 

Nancy, Shem & Cindy

David G. meets the band!
The band was gracious as well as accommodating and posed for a group photo
for a fan that traveled all the way from England to see the show!

David G from the UK meets the Best band in the Universe!

I had a conversation with Tollak about the origin of his name. Apparently, it
is Norwegian. (By the way, it does not have a "c" in it!) Just say, uff da!

Nancy & Tollak

I received a "Happy Birthday" from Burleigh!

Shem's Shoes. J. Peterman or Payless? Only his podiatrist knows for sure.


J. Peterman or Payless? Only his podiatrist knows for sure.

Roberta Mercer