Customer Reviews

Somewhere I've Never Travelled

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beginning with "And", the album takes the listener on a journey that is a wonderful experience of different musical influences. From the very English influenced, Beatlesque, SGT. PEPPER "Somewhere I've Never Travelled"; to the Aaron Copeland influenced, American mid-western, FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN "Cowboy Star". On these two songs, Ambrosia embraces us with their virtuosity and their masterful use of the progressive/classical rock medium. Further on in the album, Ambrosia takes us to Africa with the wild safari tune, "The Blunt" and then to --God who knows where-- (France maybe?) with their wild and wacky "Danse with Me George". On these two tunes, Ambrosia shows us their humorous and creative use of the art-rock form. I loved this album when it first came out on vinyl during the 70's with its pyramid foldout album cover. And, over the years the music has proven its worth by still sounding "progressive" to this day...the only songs that sound dated were the obvious "disco-like" attempts to have a hit single (probably by pressure of the record label). I still give this album "5 stars" primarily for the above mentioned songs but the entire album is very listenable and pallatible overall. I highly recommend their first self-titled album too! It is probably a much more cohesive album from a progressive-rock viewpoint but "Somewhere.." still belongs in any progressive-rock fan's CD collection. Unlike "Hugh" below, I believe that most progressive or art-rock isn't "crap" so I am a bit biased towards that end of the rock spectrum. :)

Ambrosia with Alan Parsons production have created a truly remarkable recording. The music touches all forms and styles with some of the greatest orchestral parts ever recorded. This is an Art Rock album for the ages. Christopher North destroys his steinway on Danse With Me George. Somewhere I've Never Travelled is an audiophile's dream cd.

So much of what was known in the 1970s as "Art Rock" is pretentious crap, but on their second album Ambrosia showed the difference between "pretentious" and "ambitious." With the help of producer Alan Parsons, the group realized their ambition, to make a great sounding record of pop songs that stretched the boundaries of what was considered commercial music. This is a must-have for those who believe that pop music doesn't have to be "dumbed down" to be fun. Ambrosia never got the recognition they deserved but their superior singing and playing chops are on display here, along with terrific, intelligent pop tunes. Buy it.

If ever there was a band that EVERYONE can appreciate-then it would EASILY have been AMBROSIA!! They covered TONS of musical territory with ease,all in the guise of 'popular music'!!They possessed such musical dexterity(does modern music even know what the word MEANS??!!),including VOCAL prowess and INCREDIBLE song-writing ability,that I daresay that they were arguably AS good as the BEATLES for all-around capability!!For me,this and their debut album are MASTERWORKS.I never was a big fan of their later 'pop' hits-just because I'm a rocker at heart.But how could anyone NOT like the SINGING of DAVID PACK or JOE PUERTA-two fabulous voices in ONE band!!Do yourself a big favor and (Re)discover this highly over-looked album and band known mostly for their a.m.radio hits!ENJOY!!

This album was out of print for many years, and now that it's been reissued on CD, you'd better buy it before it's gone again. I've owned this on vinyl since the 70's. The original LP had a cool jacket which could be folded (without damage) to form a pyramid. This was not duplicated on the CD version, but it couldn't be done with a standard jewel case, and after all, it is a budget-priced CD, so I won't complain too much. What's important is the music inside! After this album the band degenerated into baically a bland, syrupy pop group (probably under pressure from their new label), and unfortunately that's how they're remembered by a lot of people. But their first two albums were great, and this one is their masterpiece. I really don't think it sold too well when it was originally released-- probably because it was over a lot of people's heads musically. Think a mixture of Queen and The Moody Blues, seasoned with a touch of Frank Zappa. Having been produced by Alan Parsons (which may help to explain the pyramid connection), the sound is outstanding. It's a bit challenging to listen to-- but the most "difficult" songs, notably "Cowboy Star" and "Danse With Me George" will probably become your favorite cuts in the long run. And the closing cut, "We Need You Too" is absolutely gorgeous. There are also a couple of great rockers on the album, and both of them received some radio play. But it's what lies between that really shines. It's become fasionable to put down "prog rock" as overindulgant and often collapsing under its own weight-- and that was often the case. But this is a truly brilliant album by a talented and underrated band, and if you dismiss it out of hand then you do yourself a great disservice. Check it out.

Somewhere I've Never Travelled is my favorite Ambrosia album. It is gloriously produced and engineered by Alan Parsons. Danse With Me George is one of the most brilliant songs ever recorded. This is a must have CD for fans of creative genius.

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Ambrosia? AMBROSIA?

Take it from someone who's taste runs to the Residents and Kraftwerk and Aphex Twin and Orbital and Beastie Boys and Gorecki and bluegrass....this is a record you should have.

The song "Dance with me George" is a hoot and a holler and one of the strangest marriages of "rock" and "classical" ever committed to vinyl. And then you have the spare, simple beauty of "Harvey."

This is one for the ages. Get it, and smile.

A fellow reviewer reminded me of the album of this great collection with it's foldout pyramid and interesting design. David Pack, the founder and lead singer of Ambrosia, has demonstrated through the years, his virtuosity, talent, vocal finesse and creative imagination. It is evidenced here with Alan Parsons'help in one of the more interesting albums from the mid-seventies. "Cowboy Star", with its Rodgers and Hammerstein-like instrumental break, is absolutely awesome. It doesn't get much better than this from a so-called "rock" group. "Danse With Me George" likewise transcends the boundaries of contemporary rock, and remains a witty, distinctive song. "Somewhere I've Never Traveled" is a lost gem from the seventies, given a glorious remix in CD form. If you're an Ambrosia fan, rejoice; if not, give them a try!

Since it's release in 1976, I have savored this album as one of the most creative releases of Art Rock ... and it's been a long wait to finally hear it on a CD. Alan Parsons produces a wonderful array of songs, incorporating every musical instrument imaginable. Listeners will feel that they have travelled the four corners of the globe. And what a glorious sound (goodbye, worn out LP). Go for a ride!

Sometimes it's too bad that music gets placed into a category like ROCK as it's really such a meaningless term. I suppose this is rock in some way but if so I'd love for someone to explain to me how this is an album that belongs in the same category as Van Halen, Aerosmith, Dr. Hook or Slade... doesn't make no sense at all.

This is a great album that beautifully and artistically marries up symphonics with insightful and poetic lyrics, youthful angst that doesn't come across as juvenile, some very hot musicianship and top notch production.

Another reviewer referred to this as an audiophile's dream and he was dead on. This is a title that absolutely needs to be heard on a really fine sounding system that has some balls in order to really appreciate it. That and a couple of grams of black Nepalese hash... the next day you'll either want this CD or a new stereo!