Balanced Lineup!
by zantac on 4/1/24The Showroom at the Golden Nugget - Las VegasWhen you see a group that started in 1975, you do not always get the originals. But with the complex music of Ambrosia, there are still three of the original members that tour. Joe Puerta is the bassist, who is probably the best bass player I have ever seen, Burleigh Drummond is the drummer who can lead the band through the changing pace that their music demonstrates, and Christopher North is a master of the keyboards. Unfortunately Chris North is undergoing treatments for some illness, and Shem Von Shroeck filled in for him. Now this is not a lesser quality musician. In fact Shem has played fill in for every instrument in that band. Oh, and he sings also! You would think he would want to join the Ambrosia Band and commit to them, but the word on the street is that he won't commit. They played so unreal last Friday night at Golden Nugget, and I have seen them about ten times here in Vegas, at Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA. and at the Liberty Bowl in Ojai, CA. They are never better than when Shem is playing with them. He is a musician's musician as could be seen by the looks from Lead guitarist Doug Jackson towards Shem. I certainly miss Chris North, and the showmanship he brings. Kip Lennon on vocals was not there that night either. But Shem adds what the band needs more than those two individuals, and the sound (props to Mary Harris on keyboards) was unbelievable. They were the best I had ever seen them, and that is a very high bar to scale!! Regardless of the lineup, go to see Ambrosia whenever possible!