I went to see a screening of the Yacht Rock web series at the Bell House on Saturday. I am not ashamed to admit that I remain oddly and totally into the stuff that gets collected under that inspired moniker (misleading as it often is). So it was cool that Ambrosia was also on the bill, celebrating their 40th anniversary, though a quick look at their discography suggests that they've been laying low for about the last 25 of them. Hipsters were out in abundance, dressed in floral Caribbean shirts and captain hats. But about 2 songs into Ambrosia's set, it was clear that this was to be no festival of Loggins/Messina beardiness. They're the kind of band that no one really remembers (myself included), but whose music will have gotten into the ears of anyone who's spent quality time in waiting rooms. Old farts or not, they brought the goods—progging it up and then smoothing it out with heavenly harmonies that sounded like a chorus of Michael McDonalds hiding backstage. They knew their audience's game but were jaunty enough to elide the "so uncool it's cool" paradigm that the venue suggested. They just worked it like smiling pros. Shit was tight, and joyous love was everywhere. I think I got some of it on me.
Here's a jam that inches a little onto Steely Dan's turf. Which is no crime in Songblague's legal code.
Ambrosia - If Heaven Could Find Me
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