Robert Berry – Metal Express Radio

ROBERT BERRY (3.2, ALLIANCE, GREG KIHN BAND): “I Don’t Know If KEITH [EMERSON Was] Guiding Me… [The Songs] Just Came Out A Certain Way That I Still Don’t Quite Understand”

February 8, 2021 George Dionne

Full Circle 3.2 is a continuation of the band 3 that released their one and only album To The Power of 3 in 1988. Back then the group consisted of vocalist/guitarist Robert Berry, drummer Carl Palmer, and legendary keyboardist Keith Emerson. In 2015 Frontiers Music President Serafino Perugino urged Berry to reunite with Emerson to continue where the band left off. Emerson was ecstatic about making music again and got right to work with Berry crafting The Rules Have Changed under the new band name of 3.2 (Palmer passed on the opportunity). Sadly, before the project could be finished, Keith Emerson took his own life, leaving Berry to either abandon the project or try to salvage it. Robert decided to move forward and craft the album from old cassette tapes, musical fragments, and past phone conversations. In 2018 The Rules Have Changed was released to a very warm reception, that demanded more. But was there more of Emerson’s work left? I’m going to let Robert Berry answer that. Meanwhile, Berry will be releasing Third Impression on February 12, 2021 under the 3.2 name. Robert and I walk you through the beginning of the group to today. I had a great time speaking with Robert, and I know you will enjoy hearing it. Highlights include: How the band formed in 1988 What lead to the original band disbanding The formation of 3.2 with Keith Emerson Working with Keith toward the end of his life The songs that came out of those sessions that spawned two albums Having to put the music together after Emerson’s passing Why Carl Palmer didn’t return Discussion of the new and final 3.2 album Third Impression Will there be a vinyl release? His work with Alliance, All 41, and the December People … and much, much more!

Interview with Robert Berry (Hush, 3, Ambrosia)

August 4, 2006 Scott Jeslis

Robert Berry is well known in the Bay Area (United States) perhaps for his most famous accomplishment for his role in “3,” a band formed with ELP’s Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in the late 80s. That aside, Robert Berry is also an award-winning Producer along with composing, arranging, and performing with Progressive music artists. Earlier this year Robert released his Prime Cuts disc on the Magna Carta label. Metal Express Radio was fortunate enough to catch Robert’s attention between studio sessions to get him to answer a few questions. Magna Carta just released one of their Prime Cuts series in your name. This must feel like quite an honor. Did you have any input into track selection and arrangement? It is an honor to be included in the Prime Cuts series. I not only had a hand in picking the tracks for Prime Cuts, but all the songs were recorded for two reasons. The first being that my first professional band, Hush, started as a Progressive Rock cover band. We played Roundabout, Minstrel, Watchers of the Skies, etc. The second reason being that I wound up playing with a lot of these guys … GTR with Steve Howe, “3” with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, all of the guys from Ambrosia. I produced a tribute to Rush featuring many great performers and also a tribute to Jethro Tull that featured the original rhythm section. Ian Anderson got a kick out of that one. The only song I didn’t pick was “Brain Damage.” It was on the first tribute album I did for Magna Carta. They wanted it to be an exact copy of the original and that isn’t what I usually do. But, it fit in here so they put it on. All the arrangements were done combining my …READ MORE

ROBERT BERRY – Prime Cuts

April 4, 2006 Scott Jeslis

The Magna Carta label is back with another offering in their Prime Cuts series. The series spotlights the works of one of the label’s highly active musicians. This time out they are offering a selection of Robert Berry’s finest works on Robert Berry: Prime Cuts. Robert is well known in the Bay Area in the States perhaps for his most famous accomplishment being his role in “3,” a band formed with ELP’s Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in the late 80s. Berry isn’t one to crave the spotlight as some of his greatest achievements are “behind the scenes” as an award winning Producer along with composing, arranging, and performing with Progressive music artists. This release features ten tracks from Berry’s catalogue, with most being “tribute” cuts. A few of the cuts feature performances by some, perhaps, more well known musicians in Stu Hamm, Steve Howe, Mike Mangini, Vinnie Moore, Michael Mullen, Simon Phillips, Jordan Rudess, Lief Sorbye, and Mark Wood. These performances won’t be the deciding factor to purchase this release, though, as their performances are mostly in a supporting role and are perfectly blended with the cornucopia of musical sounds and landscapes orchestrated by Berry. So much so, that the average listener won’t even be aware of these ancillary musician’s involvement. This release should appeal mostly to Classic Rock and/or Classic Progressive Rock fans, as selected cuts pay tribute to such greats as Yes, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Genesis, ELP, and Rush (plus a few Berry originals, one {“Life Beyond LA”} is being released here for the first time for the avid fan). For a compilation CD, the Production is very even from start to finish. This just articulates what can best be described as Berry’s passion for being precise and artistic in the Production room. Berry handles vocals …READ MORE

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Subdivisions: A Tribute To Rush

March 15, 2005 Frode Leirvik

Let’s admit it: cover song tributes are not often very interesting. This is because of the following dilemma: if a cover song is close to the original, people say it lacks originality and if it’s far from the original, people say it lacks respect and tampers with the classics. Subdivisions honors the legendary Canadian trio Rush, who still — after 30 years — manage to mesmerize their audience. The list of bands and musicians influenced by gentlemen Lee, Peart, and Lifeson is, perhaps, endless, but among them are the all-star musicians involved with this album. The Music There are plenty of tasty surprises in this exquisite box of chocolates! Apart from all of the songs being amongst the best from Rush, the interpretations are all very convincing, revealing the major impact Rush has had on these fine musicians. In fact, the slightly more modern arrangements and production makes this album a scholar example of the transition from Progressive Rock to Progressive Metal. There is a sense, however, that certain vocal tracks lack some dynamics. “Tom Sawyer” and “Bastille Day” are perhaps the ones suffering the most. Furthermore, the bass is not always as present and defined as expected. Finally, the additional sequencer and synthesizer work (like in “Subdivisions” and “2112 Overture / The Temples Of Syrinx”) hardly adds anything to these classics. But apart from that, the music is served with spirit, drive, groove, honesty, and respectful precision, evoking an all-together genuine and good feeling. The clever details of the original Rush compositions and arrangements is preserved. The same goes for the seemingly effortless instrumental and vocal handling, which is perhaps Rush’s biggest technical asset. The Band The band is mainly made up of Vinnie Moore (rhythm guitars), Stu Hamm (bass), Mike Mangini (drums), and keyboardists Robert Berry, Jeff Feldman, …READ MORE