1970’s / 1980’s hitmakers Ambrosia delivered a terrific 15 song career spanning set before a sold-out house at the Belly Up Tavern on July 22.
Still featuring original members, bassist / vocalist Joe Puerta and drummer / vocalist Burleigh Drummond, alongside longtime bandmates, guitarist Doug Jackson, keyboardist Mary Harris and multi-instrumentalist Shem von Schroeck, the band was excellent on all fronts, with virtuoso musicianship, fantastic harmonies and a setlist that was a diehard fans dream, covering all the bases. Ambrosia hasn’t released an album of original music since 1982’s Road Island, so as might be expected their current concerts are all about their classics, with all six of their Top 75 singles included in the night’s set list, along with some nice extras.
The band hit the stage at 7:30 sharp, opening strong with “Rock ‘n’ a Hard Place” from their 1980 album, One Eighty. One of the night’s first highlights was next, “You’re the Only Woman” (#13, 1980). It was a wonderful showcase for the group’s harmonies and soulful vocals, receiving a tremendous response from the full house. This was a very respectful crowd that really seemed to know all the tunes, with plenty of singing along and appreciation for the instrumental solos. “Nice, Nice, Very Nice” (#63, 1975) and “How Much I Feel” (#3, 1978) were amongst the songs that followed, and also went over particularly well, but the crowd loved every second of the concert.
In addition to songs from their own albums, Ambrosia also played some interesting covers, and told the accompanying backstories, including a song they recorded for a sound track, The Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour” (#39, 1976), a song on which they backed an artist on the original recording, Alan Parsons “The Raven” (#80, 1976) and a tune from a former Ambrosia member, Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” (#1, 1986). Both Puerta and Drummond are great story tellers, and their remembrances really added to the show. Meanwhile, Puerta’s bass playing on “Magical Mystery Tour” in particular was exemplary, driving the bands arrangement of the song. The night ended strong with a run through a superb prog-pop favorite “Holdin’ On to Yesterday” (#17, 1975) and R&B pop classic, “Biggest Part of Me” (#3, 1980), before closing with another cover, this time out a version of Gary Wright’s 1976 hit, “Love Is Alive” (#2, 1976). This was a great night of music that left the crowd happy and wanting more.
Ambrosia is on tour throughout the rest of 2026. If you’re a fan don’t pass up the opportunity to see them live. Five decades after their debut, they still sound amazing.
Ambrosia
July 22, 2026 / The Belly Up Tavern
Rock ‘n’ a Hard Place
You’re the Only Woman
Nice, Nice, Very Nice
Livin’ on My Own
Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled / Heart to Heart
Kamikaze
How Much I Feel
Magical Mystery Tour
The Raven
The Way It Is
Life Beyond L.A.
Holdin’ On to Yesterday
Biggest Part of Me
Love Is Alive
