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Get Ready! "Third Impression", follow up to 3.2's debut, is here!
"Third Impression," the follow up to 3.2's debut album, "The Rules Have Changed," is a fine match for its predecessor. It mixes epic songs, such as album opener “Top Of The World” and closing song “Never”, the latter co-written by Robert with Emerson, with more melodic and AOR moments.
“Being left with “Never”, the final song that Keith and I worked on, weighed heavily on me,” Robert explains. “It was as if my friend was still here as we had this song unreleased to the world. It was a big and powerful piece of music, but was too long to fit on “The Rules Have Changed”. However, the more I listened to it, the more it brought me back to the many conversations Keith and I had about style and where 3's sound may have headed. I am so proud of these 3.2 albums and my time in 3. Playing with Keith was, and will remain, the best experience of my musical life.”
The choice of “A Fond Farewell” as the first single to be taken from “Third Impression” was swiftly agreed between Robert and Frontiers. “It can be difficult for an artist to pick out which song from an album should be the first to be released to the world,” Robert continues. “As on the previous 3.2 album “The Rules Have Changed”, Frontiers’ choice made complete sense. Not only because of the current state of the world, but also for reasons that true fans of 3.2 will understand, “A Fond Farewell” is the perfect launch for the final works started with the band 3.”
In October 2015, conversations about a new 3 album started between Robert Berry and Frontiers President Serafino Perugino as Robert had been speaking to Keith Emerson about recording a new album to follow 3’s “…To The Power Of Three” album which was released in 1988. From old cassette tapes, including some Emerson keyboard parts and demos, collaborating on musical ideas over the phone, to long discussions about musical direction, the framework of the album was set, but Emerson’s untimely death in March 2016 made the album an uncertainty initially. After several months of grieving and contemplation about what to do with these co-written songs and musical fragments from Emerson, Robert decided to resume work on the material and craft a record that would ultimately be a fitting tribute to Keith Emerson’s musical legacy and at the same time re-energize and update the musical style started with 3 some 30 years ago. The final result was 3.2, a reboot of the original 3 project. The 3.2 album, titled “The Rules Have Changed” and released in 2018, is a record that deserves to be heard by each and every fan of the great Keith Emerson and includes some exquisite musical parts, which every progressive music fan will be delighted to indulge in.
The working relationship between the legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson and singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry started in 1987. Iconic manager Brian Lane (Yes, Asia, A-Ha, etc.) and drummer Carl Palmer arranged a meeting between the two prolific musicians. The plan was to form a more melodic, song oriented band (compared to Emerson Lake & Palmer), which would allow Emerson, Berry and Palmer to follow in the footsteps of the success that Asia and GTR were enjoying in that period. And thus, 3 was born, resulting in a top 10 US single in “Talkin’ Bout” and an acclaimed North American tour.
“Third Impression” is out now.
"...a sheer delight from beginning to end"
Kev Rowland Review of 3.2's Third Impression
"No-one really expected another 3.2 album, but there was the small matter of "Never", the last song written together by Keith and Robert, so what to do with it? The answer was to write and record another 3.2 album using sounds and styles which would have been approved by Keith and familiar to fans of his work, and yet again the result is superb. Listening to "What Side You're On", one would be hard pressed not to think of Keith as the keyboard sounds are exactly what one would expect from him. Berry has always approached music from a more commercial AOR manner than the classically inspired prog of Emerson, but here has reined in the more overt stylings which one can hear with his work with The Alliance and has again produced an album which could well have been a follow-up to the 1988 classic. This is an album which any fan of the more commercial side of ELP, or 3, will surely love the first time of hearing. Also, Robert has now formed a touring band with keyboard player Andrew Colyer (Circuline), drummer/vocalist Jimmy Keegan from Spocks Beard, guitarist/vocalist Paul Keller, who toured with Keith, Robert, and Carl Palmer on the original 3 tour in 1988 with Robert providing bass and vocals. The live shows are bound to be epic, and perhaps a new album will follow, who knows? This is a sheer delight from beginning to end. ...."
Read from Prog Archives Here
From Yahoo Japan
""ロバート・ベリー／キース・エマーソンの魂に捧ぐ【前編】
山崎智之
音楽ライター
11/15(月) 19:02...."
ロバート・ベリーは1980年代から現在までプログレッシヴ・ロックの最前線で活躍してきたアーティストだ。マルチ・プレイヤーとしてリーダー・プロジェクトを率いるのに加え、彼は数々のトップ・ミュージシャン達と共演、また数々のトリビュート・アルバムに名曲のカヴァーを提供してきた。
そんなロバートのライフワークといえるのが、3（スリー）だ。キース・エマーソン、カール・パーマーという元エマーソン・レイク&パーマーの実力者とのコラボレーションであるこのバンドは1988年にアルバム『スリー・トゥ・ザ・パワー』をリリース。2016年キースは亡くなってしまったが、彼の生前の曲想・アイディアを基にしてロバートが後継バンド3.2（スリー・ポイント・トゥ）として創り上げた『ザ・ルールズ・ハヴ・チェンジド』(2018)、『Third Impression』(2021／日本未発売)が発表されている。
今回のインタビュー記事は前後編の2回に分けて、3〜3.2での活動、その豊潤なアーティストとしてのキャリア、そして盟友キース・エマーソンへの想いを語ってもらった。
まず前編では3と3.2について語ってもらおう。
●バンド“3”の成り立ちについて教えて下さい。
1986年頃、私はソロ・アーティストとして“ゲフィン・レコーズ”と関わっていた。エイジアに加入する話もあったけど、実現しなかったんだ。そのときカール・パーマーと意気投合して、新バンドを結成することになって、その準備でロンドンに1年間住んだ。一時期GTRに加入したけどすぐ辞めて、カールとまた一緒にやることにして、今度はキース・エマーソンが合流することになった。そうして3が始動したんだ。
●キースとカールがいたことで、3はエマーソン・レイク&パーマーと比較されましたが、あなたにとってそれはどんな経験でしたか？
北米ツアーのでかいステージで大観衆の前でプレイするのは快感だった。もちろん批判はあったよ。「あのロバート・ベリーという奴はグレッグ・レイクじゃない」とかね。でも当時、私は何者でもなかったし、グレッグと比較されるなんて光栄だった（笑）。「キースとカールが組んだ歴代のミュージシャンで最低」と言われたりもしたけど、「うん、それは正しいかも知れない。でも私はキース・エマーソンとカール・パーマーと一緒にステージに上がっているんだ。ざまあみろ」と答えてきたよ。2人とも「君らしくプレイして欲しい」と言ってくれた。3での経験は、私のキャリアに多大な影響を及ぼしたよ。自分らしくプレイするには、確固たるアイデンティティが必要なんだ。エマーソン・レイク&パーマーの曲をキースとカールと共演するなら、強い個性がないと、単なるグレッグのコピーになってしまう。自分のリアルな個性とは何だろう？と考えながら演奏したんだ。
Read the entire Yahoo Japan story at Here
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...1 By Danny Coleman
""When "The Rules Have Changed" came out a couple of years ago, Keith and I were working together and of course he died right in the middle of it and it took me about a year to get the strength up because it was an emotionally tough time to do that album and finish it," he explained. "It was put out and I hate to jinx anything but to rave reviews; it was really well received with open arms. I was worried that people would say; how dare you finish this after Keith is gone? That wasn't the fact, they said, thank you for doing this, it was his last work, we appreciate it, you did a great job; they were really excited about it and it sold a lot of copies and the videos did well. A year later the record company calls me and of course that was last year which I call a leap year because there was no 2020 (laughs) and they said, hey, we want you to do a follow-up. I said, I don't want to do a follow-up because Keith is not here to work with and I just don't think it would be right. They said, well, let us put it to you this way...."
Read Danny Coleman's entire story at New Jersey Stage Here
Prog censor (France) post 3.2 - Third Impression - AOR / progressive rock-56:54-Europe / EU ' 21
"3.2 is the sequel to the mythical band 3 composed of Emerson, Palmer and instrumentalist singer Robert Berry. She gives melodic tracks, AOR, Yes, Asia, more nervous ELPs; the last is exactly the last collaboration with the brutally gone unparalleled organist. Berry did almost everything on this album, except of course Keith's keyboards. Top of the World for the starter with acoustic guitar then synths, from Yes 80s, heavy rhythmic to Led Zeppelin and herdable vocals, a bit of Asia, dizzy synths where dexterity sweats with each note; final return more posed that leaves a great impression. What Side You're On - for a heavy short rock track, I find the fishing for GTR solos, fresh keyboards and the phrased verses of a Queen title but shhh, everything is fast, nervous and very good, interlude Peachy. Black of the Night symphonic, pompous, playful high in note with Irish and Celtic tracks, mid-term biniou sound; prog-AOR development pompous in rare synth tracks, spleen-tinted air, a bit of Toto by instant. Killer of Hope intimate intro and title to the swirls of Emerson crazy, enjoyable, Berry giving the drums an energetic quirky tempo. Missing Peace - acoustic guitar, synth, Yes is here, AOR for a rhythm bass, synth carpet, superb fat guitar solo, a little bit of the Porcaro, the voice imposes, the chorus catching, one of my shots heart.
A Bond of Union - delicate piano, crooner voice at the Springsteen, warm, the slow ballad that makes you thrill with his guitar on May, progressive with the crystal clear arpeggio of the piano; introspective title on the importance of family union. ′′ The Devil of Liverpool synths 80s, hackettian guitar on GTR, cluster synth touches! Solo tonitruant of the moog, a crescendo of notes that reminds Asia, ELP, enjoyable up to the hoof. Emotional Trigger - and his bluesy ballad at the Toto, a jazzy intimate piano accompanying this warm voice; the keyboards a little too high and lively for this track but we forget it at once. A Fond Farewell - for the headlight title on this company that is going really bad, synths 7/8 do you want it; Berry's voice well in place reminds me of Wetton at the moment, synths still turn around and give the dimension of what this organist could do. Never - and an ELP title genre Trilogy; tonitruant film intro, it starts on an endless sequel with the typed chorus, go some APP there, then the break and magic between keyboards and guitar on different well oiled drawers; back to voices to launch a final solo in Boston, well introduced enough to want to replay.
Berry resumed the work left on tapes to release this exquisite progressive music album, work started thanks to Brian Lane and Carl Palmer (Yes, Asia, A-Ha), with more vocals for easier listening, work done in the pandemic context; a ′′ sunset ′′ as a tribute to Keith and his silver hands; here we have a merge between ELP, Yes of 80s and Asia for a scotching album."
Brutus
3.2 - Third Impression by Kevin Wierzbicki
Released under the name 3.2 to honor the longstanding collaboration between Keith Emerson, Robert Berry and Carl Palmer, Third Impression is in fact a Robert Berry solo album as he performs all the vocals and plays all the instruments on the recording. Emerson, Berry and Palmer first worked together in the band 3 back in the late 1980s; 3.2 was born more than three decades later and the band released the album The Rules Have Changed in 2018. With Emerson having passed away, Third Impression brings the 3/3.2 story to a close. And the story ends in fantastic form as Berry presents a set of prog rock/Album Oriented Rock that will very much please fans of 3, Asia, GTR and indeed Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Opening cut 'Top of the World' begins with acoustic guitar that hints at a fondness for traditional folk music but soon Berry's vocals kick in and so do the synthesizer and electric guitar that carry the song on its nearly nine-minute journey, including with many Emerson-style keys parts that at times sound very ELP-ish. 'Black of the Night' has a marching beat, synths mimicking bagpipes and lyrics that combine to make the song very anthemic while 'Missing Piece' has a sound that ELP fans will recognize right away and words about a 'lonely man' that many will relate to; hopefully listeners who relate will eventually find their 'missing piece' as the man Berry portrays in song does. 'Emotional Trigger' begins with Berry playing bluesy piano, and while there is some restrained synth playing at song's end, this ......
Read the entire story at antiMusic Here
In Spanish! - Robert Berry sigue firme con el progresivo, presenta Third Impression
"Héctor Castro Aranda | Robert Berry, productor, escritor, multinstrumentista, cantante que cuenta con una carrera excepcional en la historia del rock y el progresivo, destacado por haber fundado 3, junto a Keith Emerson y Carl Palmer, de pertenecer al súper grupo progresivo GTR, también alinear con Ambrosia, y miembro activo de The Greg Kihn Band.
Robert Berry, recién presentó su nuevo material como parte de 3.2, titulado, Third Impression, en la que tuvo participación el ya fallecido Keith Emerson.
Robert Berry charló en entrevista con Revista 101.
—¿Escuchamos su nuevo material, totalmente progresivo pero adaptado al 2021, con toques hard rock, compártanos un poco de Third Impression .......?"
Read Héctor Castro Aranda's entire article at FYI 101 Here
Rediscover The Work of Keith Emerson With New Tribute Concert & Robert Berry's "Third Impression
"Producer, songwriter, vocalist and musician Robert Berry recently released his latest studio effort titled "Third Impression" under the moniker 3.2. Berry has worked alongside a number of artists, including Sammy Hagar, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and the late, great Keith Emerson, who is (co-writer) featured on the track "Never." Berry's new eleven-track album begins with the up-lifting sonic blast of energy of "Top Of The World," which starts the album off on a high note. The album gets more aggressive with the chugging rhythm of "What Side You're On" and the high-powered progressive rock appeal of "Killer Of Hope." Robert's songwriting shines on the build-up of the power ballads "Missing Piece" and "A Bond Of Union," before finishing the new 3.2 album with the Yes-sounding "Fond Farewell," along with the Berry/Emerson collaboration "Never." To find out ......."
Read the entire article at JP's Music Blog Here
Robert Berry : sortie en février de l’album « Third Impression », continuité du projet 3 initié avec le batteur Carl Palmer (ASIA) et le défunt claviériste Keith Emerson
"Robert Berry revient le 12 février 2021 avec un nouvel album 3.2, «Third Impression». Le groupe / projet est une continuation du projet 3, dans lequel Robert Berry faisait partie avec Carl Palmer (ASIA) et le regretté Keith Emerson (ELP), décédé en 2016.
La mort prématurée d’Emerson avait fait de l’album une incertitude. Robert Berry s’est retrouvé avec les dernières idées musicales de Keith Emerson pour le projet. Des vieilles cassettes, des parties de clavier écrites au téléphone, aux longues discussions sur le style, le cadre de l’album était défini et prêt à être produit.
Après plusieurs mois de deuil et de réflexion sur ce qu’il faut faire avec ces chansons co-écrites et ces fragments musicaux d’Emerson, Robert Berry a décidé de reprendre le travail sur le matériau qui a été créé et de réaliser un disque qui serait finalement un hommage approprié à l’héritage musical de Keith Emerson, et en même temps redynamiser et mettre à jour le......"
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Read the story, in French, at Prog Mania Here
From France's Music Waves: 3.2, GROUPE DE ROBERT BERRY ET KEITH EMERSON: NOUVEL ALBUM EN FÉVRIER.
"En octobre 2015, des conversations sur un nouvel album 3 ont commencé entre Robert Berry et le président de Frontiers, Serafino Perugino, alors que Robert s'était entretenu avec Keith Emerson au sujet de la sortie d'un nouvel album de 3, longtemps retardé. En plus du regain d'intérêt des fans pour le groupe, Berry avait suscité un regain d'enthousiasme de la part de Keith Emerson pour la poursuite du projet. L'échange d'idées musicales et les collaborations de chansons ont finalement préparé le......"
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Read the story, in French, at Music Waves Here
From France's Metal News: Robert Berry revient avec 3.2 et un second longue-durée.
"Si vous avez suivi l’affaire de près, vous savez qu’en 2015, Robert Berry et Serafino de Frontiers avaient décidé de continuer un partenariat lucratif en remettant 3 sur les rails, avec l’aval de Keith Emerson. Mais alors que le concept était déjà largement dessiné pour offrir au public une continuité digne de ce nom, la tragédie frappa de plein fouet Robert, qui perdit son comparse Emerson. Triste comme les pierres, mais peu décidé à tout laisser tomber, Berry décida de continuer l’aventure en doublette avec le souvenir de son partenaire, utilisant les idées glanées au téléphone et échangées de vive voix, pour mettre en route 3.2. Grand bien lui en prit, puisque The Rules Have Changed, et son titre assez réaliste fut une réussite grandiose, renouant avec le Pomp Rock des années 80 tout en restant au contact du Progressif moderne tel qu’il fut défini par les légendes SPOCK’S BEARD et PORCUPINE TREE. Et trois ans plus tard, en utilisant la même méthode, Robert Berry nous propose donc le troisième......"
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Read the entire piece, in French, at Metal New FR Here
The Review from Germany's Rock Garage
"Verdammt. Da plant man einen Einstieg in die Rezension mit einem grandiosen Flachwitz (Wo bestellt man sich geile Musik? Bei Emerson.) und erkennt dann, dass der Tod dieses einzigartigen Musikers knapp fünf Jahre zuvor komplett an einem vorbeigegangen ist. Und dann sitzt man vor mit dem letzten von Keith Emerson mitkomponierten Werk, denkt an sein erstes Rockkonzert zurück – eine starke ELP-Coverband, die “Pictures At An Exhibition” in Gänze aufgeführt hat – und muss sich für die Rezension einigermaßen zusammenreißen. Aber immerhin: Mein Bild von “Third Impression” wäre, soweit ich das beurteilen kann, auch ohne die persönliche Backstory nicht schlechter ausgefallen. Die Platte ist der Nachfolger des 80er-Albums “3” von Emerson, Robert Berry und Carl Palmer, das quasi eine......
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Read the whole story in German at Rock Garage Here
George Dionne Interviews Robert Berry for Metal Express Radio
"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."
"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?
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Read more and watch the entire Metal Express Radio program Here
ELP spin-off singer Robert Berry revives the ghost of Keith Emerson for 3.2’s “Third Impression” - by Andy Argyrakis
"Things have really changed! People are opening up. They’re liking all kinds of sounds and music. They’re realizing how incredible Keith was in 3 because he had more layers of sound and more stuff then he’d ever done before. He pulled it all off live, which is obvious on the live CD. That’s what led to Keith calling me and saying, “wow, listen to how good we were! I had no idea. The criticism made me not want to do it, but when I listen to it, we were on fire!” That was my opportunity to say “well, Keith, would you want to do a follow-up? This record company, Frontiers, has been asking me, but I wouldn’t ask you cause I knew you left it behind.” He goes “maybe” and I knew that meant, “what’s the budget gonna be?” I got a great budget, and artistic freedom, and he was ...”
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Read more of Andy Argyrakis's interview from Chicago Concert Reviews Here
David Gallant Reviews 3.2's - Third Impression
Well it’s 20 years ago this week that the 3 LP was released. Can you give us some insight on how you guys wrote and recorded together? MusikMan and Robert discuss the ELP Tribute project and other topics. 
I picked up 'Third Impression' from iTunes on Friday and have given it a couple of solid 'spins' with some active listening this weekend. Below are my initial thoughts, somewhat stream-of-consciousness, but I hope it is readable in this form. I'd say more, but I'll let this speak for itself. - Dave Gallant
Top of the World - by the 1:20 mark, we are off and away. At the 2:15 point, the endorphins are released. The keys/guitar back and forth from the halfway point onward makes one close their eyes and imagine Robert smiling across the studio from Keith. This nicely sets the stage for the classic ‘3’ feel, but also with something new. A new and welcome edge to the sound. But it is keeping with the origins of the band - I listened to ‘To The Power of Three’ earlier today to set the stage and this flows together nicely.
The keys on ‘What Side You’re On’ have that unmistakable Keith feel. This is a great driving song, but one must be sure to go light on the accelerator!
‘Black of the Night’ is a perfect example of why I love the 3.2 albums. Hints and flashes of the ‘3’ album, but with an injection of something new and modern. Not sure why but the drums early on remind of ‘On My Way Home’. Robert - your vocals are terrific. Deeper and richer than they were in 1988. More excellent keys around 2:20 - I picture Keith smiling away.
The opening to ‘Killer of Hope’ is like the kickstart on a motorcycle. The blending of a thundering bass, keys, drums and Robert’s voice is perfect. Is it just me or are the drums harder in places on this album than the previous two albums in the trilogy? I love the ending.
‘Missing Peace’ has a nice melodic-rock opening. This is a departure from the earlier tracks. Nice guitar solo mid-song. Less emphasis on keys but it works for me. While I love the sound of the original ‘3’, this album so far is offering a lot more variety of sounds which appeals to me. Nice heavy finish to mix things up once more.
‘A Bond of Union’ - what can I say? I love it. So gentle ... the keys at 0:24 remind me of tears. I know it is about Robert’s mother which may be why it resonates with me. I lost my Mom eight years ago and I still feel the bond we shared. What a lovely piece of music. Thank you, Robert.
Never judge a book by its cover. I have to admit that I was skeptical about the title, ‘The Devil of Liverpool’. How wrong I was! It reaches out and grabs you by the throat from the first moments. Those marching drums, so emblematic of early ‘3’ hints at what is to come. When the keyboard ‘stabs’ kick in around 1:40, we know to expect something special. It does not disappoint. More classic Keith-isms that we all know and love. Around the 5:00 mark I get goosebumps when we dive into the keys. Ahh, to see this live! I’ll be throwing on some classic Keith/ELP after this listen.
‘Emotional Trigger’ is a distinct change of pace, yet it works. Many ELP classics utilized Keith’s keys sparingly, but he always popped up at the right moment as they do here around 3:10. Nice. Random observation - this track has me thinking of 'Man in the Long Black Coat' from 'In the Hot Seat'. Not sure why.
The opening of ‘A Fond Farewell’ reminds me a LOT of ‘Powerful Man’, and that’s a good thing - it is by far one of my favourite tracks from ‘The Rules Have Changed’. The opening of both is an adrenaline shot of the classic ‘3’ sound. The drums are POWERFUL. When I heard this as the lead promotional release this time around, I immediately exclaimed, “Yeah”. This is what ‘3’ means to me and it resonates so much. It has both the classic band sound and the new 'feel' that Robert has brought to the two newer albums.
‘Never’ is the emotional coda to the trilogy, isn’t it? The extended ‘3’ pieces are my favourites, whether ‘Desde la Vida’ or Robert’s ‘Last Ride Into The Sun’. This one is Keith right from the get-go. A loving tribute that brings his keys to the forefront again and again with an amazing variety of sounds. The keyboard flourish around 3:45 is riveting as is the back and forth with guitar shortly thereafter. Again and again, the keys steal the show, as they should. What an amazing tribute to an immensely talented man and such a gentle and humble soul.
Thank you, Robert. Well worth the wait and a fitting addition (and finale) to the ‘3’ saga. I hope that you take a proper amount of satisfaction for what you have accomplished for both yourself and Keith. I have no doubt that he is smiling down and approving of the end results of your labours.
David Gallant
Order "Third Impression" today and save HERE
"...Progressive rock with the accent on wonderful song writing with an edge but still instantly recognisable in its roots" - Terry Craven, Velvet Thunder
"...Berry carried on in tribute using the ideas and music already contributed by Emerson and a rather fine album, The Rules Have Changed, was released in 2018 with Berry playing and producing the album entirely. You may have your own thoughts on this but Berry had worked with Emerson, they had already released an album and were collaborating on the new work so, to me at least, this was a valid addition to the catalogue although Berry could maybe have changed the name to 3.1 but this would have been a nonsense call. It seems that there were still some ideas from Emerson still left over, namely the epic album closing Never, so Berry has gone back into the studio as he considered the project as unfinished... ”
Check out Terry Craven's entire Velvet Thunder review Here
From TrueMetal's Francesco Maraglino - Recensione: Third Impression
Vent’anni dopo, anche sull’onda della commozione per la morte di Emerson, Robert Berry ha rimesso mano alle registrazioni che avrebbe voluto pubblicare insieme al tastierista inglese se la vita di quest’ultimo non si fosse conclusa così prematuramente e tragicamente, sorprendendo e raccogliendo consensi con “The Rules Have Changed”, attribuito alla ammodernata sigla 3.2.
Adesso Robert Berry ha inteso chiudere questa ideale trilogia (ecco riapparire il numero tre…), dando alle stampe un nuovo album, dal titolo “Third Impression”.
Il nuovo lavoro non lesina, come il precedente, un mood malinconico che ben si adatta alla voce di Berry. In quest’ ambito risplendono canzoni .....
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Check out Francesco Maraglino entire Truemetal story in Italian Here
Order "Third Impression" today and save HERE
Melodic Rock IT - 3.2: il ritorno di Robert Berry con l’album Third Impression
Third Impression – follow-up dell’album di debutto dei 3.2, The Rules Have Changed – si adatta perfettamente al suo predecessore, mescolando canzoni epiche, come l’opening-track Top Of The World e la traccia di chiusura Never (co-scritta con il compianto Keith Emerson), con momenti più melodici e tipicamente AOR.
“Finire con Never – la canzone su cui Keith ed io abbiamo lavorato insieme – mi ha pesato molto”, spiega Robert. “Era come se il mio amico fosse ancora qui, perché avevamo questa traccia inedita al mondo. E’ un pezzo musicale grande e potente, ma era troppo lungo per entrare in The Rules Have Changed. Tuttavia, più lo ascoltavo, più mi riportava alle molte conversazioni che Keith ed io avevamo avuto sullo stile e verso dove il sound dei 3 avrebbe potuto dirigersi. Sono davvero orgoglioso di questi album dei 3.2 e del mio tempo nei 3. Suonare con Keith è stata .....
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Read the entire Melodic Rock It story in Italian Here
Robert Berry talks with the DPRP's Patrick McAfee about the new album, making videos, solo albums, a band I like to call Asia, plans to tour Europe, and more...
With Third Impression you have again done a tremendous job of continuing the legacy that began with the release of To the Power of 3 in 1988. Whereas the previous 3.2 album (The Rules Have Changed) was initiated by your renewed activity with Keith Emerson, what was the driving force to continue the 3.2 brand with this release?
[RB] I had been asked by Frontiers Records to do a follow-up to The Rules Have Changed. They told me it had done so well that they would love to have another record. At first I wasn't sure that this was something I could, or should, do. I only had one song left that Keith and I had worked on together and I felt that without the capability of working with him, it might not be a good idea.
I finally decided that if I could write an album's worth of songs that I felt represented the 3 sound and style, then I would finish up the final Emerson/Berry song and let it be released to the world. As with The Rules Have Changed, I felt like something was guiding me, because although at the beginning I didn't think I could .....
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Read the entire DPRP's Patrick McAfee interview with Robert Here
” I love this album. Upon my first complete listen, this feels like Robert’s richest collection of music yet..." Ben Stein
I pride myself on being truthful to others. So last night after work I took a deep breath and embarked on Robert’s latest music journey for the first time.
I needn’t have worried. Shortly into the album, I realized it’s impossible for me not to like Robert’s music. But this is more than merely a “like.” I love this album. Upon my first complete listen, this feels like Robert’s richest collection of music yet, and I know it’s going to be even more rewarding on repeat listens.
As we’ve come to know and expect, Robert poured his heart and soul into this project. It’s bursting at the seams with music, in the best Emersonian tradition. The album is truly a gift to the rest of us.
It’s a stunning multi-instrumental extravaganza. Everything sounds great: passionate singing, electrifying keyboards, tasteful guitar, killer bass lines, drums electronic and acoustic. Instruments old and new: from ELP-era timbres to 3-era D50 and modern sounds.
The individual tracks are gelling into memory and here are some of the words and phrases that came to mind while listening to start from finish: stunning, adventurous, gritty, exciting, gentle, diverse, so much life and energy.
Ben Stein, Via Facebook
”...this is some of Robert Berry’s finest work to date" - Prof Stuart Chambers
I thought it would be very difficult to beat the last 3.2 recording, but “Third Impression” makes a valiant attempt to do just that--progress to another level. It’s the variety of styles that will surely surprise Robert Berry’s fans. "Top of the World" starts off like a folk song, and then changes into a neo-prog colossus that is, at times, unpredictably haunting. "Black of the Night" has a nice Scottish lilt to it, whereas "Emotional Trigger" is a jazz piano number reminiscent of Emerson, Lake, and Powell's "Step Aside." A tasteful synth solo is added in the middle to great effect. “A Bond of Union” showcases Berry’s aptitude for classical piano as well as his lyrical sensibilities. The message concerning the depth of a mother’s influence on her son will touch many. "The Devil of Liverpool" possesses a lot of dramatic flair in 3/4 time, but the track that is classic 3 is "A Fond Farewell," a real majestic rocker. The closer "Never" (co-written with Keith Emerson) is a prog-rock extravaganza. Berry and Emerson shared a chemistry that was simply unique. The bookends on this album were also appropriate because they are clear examples of 3’s progressive roots. The more I listened to this recording, the more each track grew on me. Undoubtedly, this is some of Robert Berry’s finest work to date.
Stuart Chambers, PhD
Professor of Popular Culture
Department of Communication
University of Ottawa, Canada
A Review From Ross Muir's FabricationsHQ....
An even stronger Third instalment from Robert Berry makes a powerful Emerson influenced Final Impression
"As if to sonically reinforce Robert Berry’s 3.2 credentials as a follow-on to where a reborn 3 may have headed if musical fate and circumstance of Keith Emerson’s tragic passing in 2016 hadn’t decreed otherwise, Third Impression (nice sub-title touch) is bookended by a pair of absolute stand-out, long-form progressive pieces."
"Good things come by way of the Rule of Three. The original short-lived 3 that promised so much but delivered only one album and one North American tour.
A proposed thirty years on reinvention of 3 that sadly never happened but did lead to 3.2 and Robert Berry’s excellent The Rules Have Changed. And, now, an even stronger Third instalment from Robert Berry that does, indeed, make a powerful Emerson influenced Impression and leaves us with a fond farewell.
"
Read the entire FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music Review of the new 3.2 album Here
Order "Third Impression" today and save HERE
Alliance's Fire & Grace makes Goldmine's Fabulous Album and Fabulous Song of 2019
Alliance – Fire & Grace notches number 17 on Warren Kurtz’s Fabulous Albums of 2019 and coming in at an impressive Number 5 for Fabulous Songs of 2019, from the Fire & Grace’, is ‘Uncertain’.
Mr. Kurtz is a Contributing Editor at Goldmine, writing the In Memoriam and Fabulous Flip Sides series.
“Warren’s Fabulous Flip Sides” can be heard most Saturday mornings, in the 9 a.m. hour, Eastern time, as part of “Moments to Remember” at wvcr.com or iHeart Radio – search WVCR.
...
Read more at Goldmine - The Music Collector's Magazine story Here
Derbyshire Life UK - Robert Berry - 3.2 The Rules Have Changed: A Remarkable Memorial To Keith Emerson
When American singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry was introduced to the legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson by Carl Palmer in 1987 they came together to form the band 3. The aim was for a more melodic, song orientated sound than the extravagant prog-rock of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, hoping to emulate the success of another of Palmer’s bands, Asia.
The result was the album ...To The Power Of Three, released in 1988 to mixed reaction from the critics and fans who were perhaps looking for something more akin to Keith Emerson’s previous output. Record label Geffen urged the band to go back into the studio to begin work on a second album but Emerson felt uncomfortable with Geffen’s momentum-stifling and inconsistent strategy that had ultimately cut the first album’s success short. With several new songs already written, the band decided to call it a day.
Remarkably, two years after Emerson’s untimely death, Robert Berry is now about to release a follow-up album: 3.2 – The Rules Have Changed which should set the record straight about what a force 3 could, and should, have been.
Remarkably, two years after...
Geoff Ford
Read more of the Geoff Ford - Derbyshire Life UK story Here
Metal Temple Review - Alliance - Fire and Grace
This trio has members that worked on famous names as GTR, 3, BOSTON, and Sammy Hagar, between others, so these guys know the way to create a very good set of songs. And “Fire and Grace” is filled with excellent accessible melodies, amazing instrumental and vocal parts, with everything working as it must. The technical level is not exaggerated, using sobriety as a strong basis. And their music is that old and good form of Melodic Hard Rock/AOR that can conquer the listeners easily. Yes, the same old formula, but using a personal insight.
The songs of “Fire and Grace” are all with a very good audio quality. Everything can be heard and understood without problems, but in some parts, the musical weight becomes evident (as can be heard on “I’ll Have Some of That”), so everything went well on the studio. Their secret resides on the organic set of tunes used for each musical instrument.
All the songs of the album are great, but “Don’t Stop the Wheel Turning” with its charming melodies (and guitars), the accessible energy with its Pop Rock appeal (especially during the chorus) of “Good Life”, the nasty silky touch of “I’ll Have Some of That” and of “Fire and Grace”, the charming Pop keyboards and guitars arrangements of “Time”, the catchy ambiance of “Reason to Walk Away” (if you stay stopped during it, you’re not alive), the sad bluesy touch on “Change of Heart”, and the mix between some aggressive subjective touch with very good harmonies of “You Are the Heroes” (very good work from bass guitar and drums) are the arrows that will pierce into the listeners’ hearts.
"Metal Mark" Garcia
Read Metal Mark's entire Metal Temple story Here
Let It Rock's Interview with Robert Berry
Neither that creative union nor the previous attempt to work alongside Steve Howe in GTR turned Berry into a star he could have been if he pursued a solo path; nothing could derail it either. In the following three decades, the veteran has released a string of high-quality, melodically rich records – under his own name, with hard rock unit ALLIANCE, and with the Yuletide-themed DECEMBER PEOPLE, – taken part in various projects, and produced other people’s work. Still, his latest offering, which brought Robert to public attention, somehow eclipsed it all – for all the wrong reasons, perhaps, as this attention focused on the fact that it was Emerson’s last-ever work, even though Keith’s parts had been withdrawn and Berry played all the instruments on the album, proving once again his versatility and talent. The resulting acclaim might be a cause for a bittersweet pride, but the American is too humble to press for his rightful status – and yet it’s time for him to step forward.
It’s also time for us, who’ve known each other for nigh on twenty years, to finally sit and talk.
– Robert, as far as I know many people associate “The Rules Have Changed” with Keith Emerson rather than you. How do you feel about it?
One of the reasons for this is that I was involved in the very last thing that Keith ever worked on and it made it… I hate to say it but – it made it special. It’s also because of how good it turned out – and it really turned out to be a splendid album representing his last efforts. People ask me about Keith, and I’m happy to talk about him. Whatever they want to talk about, I let my mouth go.
– As tragic as this album’s creation was, it feels like you’re finally emerging from the shadow of giants to become famous in your own right.
It’s interesting because I always felt like a good team player. As a guy from San Jose, California – which is Silicon Valley: my studio is half a mile from Netflix, half a mile from eBay, two miles from the new Apple headquarters, I’m right here in the middle of it – I was just fortunate to get to work with such incredible musicians. I was fine being part of .......
Read the entire Let It Rock story Here
ProgStock 2019 story: 3.2 featuring Robert Berry
It’s hard to keep a secret these days. Things just got a lot more interesting for Progressive Music Fans and for those that value authentic classic bands with great players. Word has spread quickly that 3.2 featuring Robert Berry will indeed perform at this year’s ProgStock Festival, the annual 3-day event this October in Rahway, New Jersey. ProgStock is the gem of the Prog music festivals as it continues to feature more prestigious acts every year and has proven to be one of music’s premiere interactive events, where the artists and fans mingle and bond over more than just music. This is an event everyone will want to attend.
Robert Berry, riding high with his latest release, “3.2-The Rules Have Changed”, co-written with keyboardist Keith Emerson has just revealed the members in his stellar four-piece touring band. They’re set to begin performing soon.
Those who appreciate the artistry of YES, ELP, Keith Emerson, Genesis, Jethro Tull, and the like are in for a real treat. Berry is renowned for his bass and vocal work, as a multi-instrumentalist, and for writing and touring with Emerson, Carl Palmer, Steve Howe (Yes), GTR, and Ambrosia, to name but a few. Rounding out the new touring group are drummer Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard), guitarist Paul Keller (Emerson/Palmer), and keyboardist Andrew Colyer (Circuline, Cell15). In addition to the instrumental heavy lifting, all four band members sing – a rarity in the world of .......
Read the entire ProgStock 2019 story Here
Darkstars' Chris Strieder's review of Alliance - Fire and Grace
[Translated from German] Another first-class AOR / melodic hardrock disc reaches us these days from the Escape Music label. Titled "Fire and Grace", this album brings us back to US hard-rock band ALLIANCE. The three musicians of ALLIANCE are all old hands in the business and have worked in the band of Sammy Hagar, among others. Robert Berry (vocals, bass and keyboards), Gary Pihl (guitars, formerly Sammy Hagar) and David Lauser on drums (Sammy Hagar and The Waboritas) know exactly how to create snappy Hardrock songs.
The album produced by the band offers 13 first-class AOR songs with the best sound. Even though much sounds familiar and the influences of giants such as FOREIGNER or JOURNEY are unmistakable, "Fire and Grace" offers great gifts for all fans of the melodic rock. Songs like "The Wheel Turning", "Fire & Grace "or" The Real Thing "are very well done, with great hooks and melodies....
Chris Strieder awards 7.5 out of 10 points
Read the story at Darkstars Here
Headbangers Lifestyle's Michel van de Moosdijk reviews ALLIANCE-Fire And Grace
"Hearing is believing people! It has been too long since we heard something from Alliance but with ‘Fire And Grace’ the group makes an overwhelming return to the melodic hard rock business with a faultless effort. The album title could not be more precise as ‘Fire And Grace’ go hand in hand on this record. Must hear album for melodic rock fans!
‘Fire And Grace’ is a crafted melodic hard rock album where the three veterans show the younger generation how it is done..."
Read the entire Michel van de Moosdijk story Here
Melodicrock.com Review: Alliance - Fire And Grace
"Alliance have delivered one of the best AOR albums of the year so far, with track after track of engaging, intelligent songwriting here. No Alliance album has ever been a one-play and understand affair. They require a little effort and a little time, with the listening richly rewarded with layers upon layers of musical melody and brilliance...."
Melodicrock's Rating: 93% Recommended To All
Read the entire Melodicrock.com story Here
From 2nd Floor Sound Factory - The Magazine, King Can's Story of 3.2 and Robert Berry
"I highly recommend this album for these reasons. One, being the history of the album and one’s ability to plow through a tragedy to keep the spirit of a dear friend close to heart on record. Two would be, that it’s the type of album that can take you away to another place whether you’re having a great day, a bad day, whether you’re completely present or helplessly lost. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Robert. A man with the talent of many put together in one person and the personality to go with it. A soul as soft as clouds combined with an explosive musical thunder. You can’t do much better than Robert Berry. Congrats on 3.2 The Rules Have Changed Robert. You’ve out done yourself ... "
Read the entire 2nd Floor Sound - the Magazine story ............Here!
Empire Extreme:
Interview with Robert Berry
They both wanted to start something new and build from the ground up, that was great for me, we were playing 1,000 seat places and most people haven’t seen those 2 up close like that before. It was always sold out and rushing to get in. To see Keith and Carl get close to the Audience and shaking hands, going back to their roots and they treated me very well. They empowered me to just be myself and do what I love to do. The only problem was they wanted to play these smaller places but didn’t bring the smaller equipment. They had the huge amps and huge drum sets, and I was Squeezed in between them. We even had a grand piano on stage. We also played places like Madison ....
Read the entire Empire Extreme interview with Robert Berry Here
KIOT classic rock radio in Albuquerque:
Audio Interview with Robert Berry
The working relationship between Emerson and Berry began in 1987. Former
Yes manager Brian Lane and Carl Palmer arranged a meeting between the
two prolific musicians. The plan was to form a more melodic, song oriented
band (compared to the complex symphonic rock compositions for which ELP
was known), which would allow Emerson, Berry and Palmer to...
Listen to the entire KIOT Radio interview with Robert Berry Here
Background Magazine:
3.2 Garners choice Picks on Important 2018 Top Ten Lists
Background Magazine's critics David Carswell, Aad Bannink and Erik Gibbels all gave 3.2 - The Rules Have Changed spots on their 2018 Top Ten lists.
See these and the other Background Magazine 2018 Top Ten lists Here
Radio Station "Eagle 96.9" Audio Interview:
Grammy nominated recording artist, song writer, producer and performing musician Robert Berry
This [audio] interview is a treat for Emerson, Lake & Palmer fans! Robert Berry worked with both Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer (along with many other artists) . He considers his finest achievement to be “The Rules Have Changed” , the last musical project that Keith Emerson was involved in prior to his untimely passing in 2016.
Close your eyes and listen to Eagle 96.9's interesting 24 minute interview Here
Russell Trunk's Exclusive Magazine:"exquisite musical parts, which every progressive music fan will be delighted to indulge in"
The plan was to form a more melodic, song oriented band (compared to EL&P), which would allow Emerson, Berry and Palmer to follow in the footsteps of the success that Asia and GTR were enjoying in that period.
The result of that collaboration between Emerson, Berry and Palmer was the band 3, and the album ... To The Power of Three released worldwide by Geffen Records in 1988.
With the success of the first release, Geffen urged the band to go back into the studio to begin work on a second album, but Emerson felt uncomfortable with Geffen's momentum stifling, inconsistent strategy that ultimately cut the first album's success short; consequently...
Find the entire Exclusive Magazine story Here
Via Nocturna Review: The Rules Have Changed (3.2)
Robert Berry e Keith Emerson trabalharam juntos no projeto 3 (com Carl Palmer) e a ligação entre os dois continuou. O multi-instrumentista e compositor Berry entretanto criou mais uma obra, intitulada The Rules Have Changed e, naturalmente, como as regras mudaram, também o nome do projeto mudou para 3.2. Este seria, aliás, o ultimo envolvimento musical de Keith Emerson antes do seu falecimento em 2016. E passaram-se meses até Robert Berry decidir o que fazer com as canções coescritas por ambos. Assim nasceu The Rules Have Changed que é mais que um simples disco de rock progressivo. É a última palavra em termos de composição de um dos maiores nomes do género a nível mundial – Keith Emerson.
E é também uma forma de homenagem e tributo ao mestre. Musicalmente, The Rules Have Changed roça a perfeição. Existe musicalidade, existem texturas absolutamente assombrosas, existem linhas de piano de uma beleza e técnica extraordinárias. Este é um registo, claro, de prog, mas que se reveste de uma capa cinematográfica e sinfónica de excelência, criando como que a banda sonora de um filme que tanto tem de belo como de sinistro.
Find the entire Via Nocturna story Here
"An excellent recording from beginning to end..." The Final On Vinyl
If you remember the album The Power of 3 (1988) then you will find familiarity with 3.2 (Robert Berry) The Rules Have Changed. This is the limited-edition LP of 300 signed by Berry.
Robert and Keith Emerson were discussing reforming 3 and ideas were formulating. The unfortunate passing of Emerson put everything into a different perspective for Robert, as one would suspect. Indeed, The Rules Have Changed. After Emerson’s death in 2016, he was left with the keyboard legends final musical ideas for the project. Everything from old cassette tapes, keyboard parts written over the phone and long discussions between the two friends about style, the framework of the album were set and ready to be produced.
I thought providing some of the back stories would be interesting. I also listened to an interview with Robert discussing everything and what I found was more than a multi-talented musician, but an honest and caring man that lost a dear friend. He was speechless when he .....
Find the rest of Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck's review of The Rules Have Changed at The Final On Vinyl
★★★★★ (out of 5) From MusicSpeaksLouder
From MusicSpeaksLouder.com's Senior Editor Michael Oshust:
A great album!
Keith Emerson and Robert Berry began to create new music for a reboot of their previous 3.0 supergroup project that featured Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer, and guitarist-composer Robert Berry, now to be known as 3.2 without Carl Palmer. Emerson jumped on board with some new song collaborations but tragically died in 2016 before the project got wheels.
Thankfully Robert Berry, after a long period of contemplation and grieving continued to work on The Rules Have Changed where Emerson's compositions have come to life. Berry's impeccable talents are at the core of this effort. He mastered all the instruments, vocals and production on the album. The end result is an album that honors Keith Emerson’s life and music.
The compositions are keyboard oriented progressive rock and highlights of the album include the jazzy solo on "Your Mark On The World" and “What You’re Dreamin’ Now” which features plenty of progressive groove. The album opens with "One by One" which has jazz piano sounds mid-way through the track. Another highlight is the father-son anthemic "Powerful Man" which is about father-son relationships.
Listening to the album I heard sounds that reminded me of Jon Lord of Deep Purple, Rick Wakeman of Yes, and Geoff Downes of Asia.
Overall this is a solid album that deserves to be heard by every fan of progressive rock.
★★★★★ (out of 5)
Find more of Michael Oshust writings at MusicSpeaksLouder
3.2's The Rules Have Changed A Hit at #5
From Prog
The latest issue of PROG Magazine has the Critics Choice Awards. 'Thank you! PROG writer Nick Shilton for including 3.2, at #5 on the list.
Find more of Nick Shilton's writings at Prog
Robert Berry finalises live line-up for 3.2 shows
From Prog - By Jerry Ewing - Former Spock's Beard and Circuline members line up for US shows...
Former Spock's Beard drummer Jimmy Keegan and current Circuline keyboard player Andrew Colyer feature in the new live band put together by former 3 singer Robert Berry.
Berry, who featured in ELP offshoot 3 with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in 1988, revisited the project last year for 3.2, in which he completed musical ideas he'd previously been working on with Emerson before his untimely death in 2016, releasing The Rules Have Changed.
Now with live US dates being arranged, Berry has finalised the live line-up, with singer and guitarist Paul Keller making up the quartet.
Find more of Jerry Ewing 's writing at Prog
3.2's The Rules Have Changed Receives 'Top 10 New Music of The Year' Honors
From Progarch.com - Kruekutt’s 2018 Favorites: New Albums
Here are the albums of new music from 2018 that grabbed me on first or second listen, then compelled repeated plays. I’m not gonna rank them except for those that achieved Top Favorite status, which I’ll save for the very end. The others are listed alphabetically by artist. (Old school style, that is — last names first where necessary!) Links to the ones I’ve previously reviewed are embedded in the album titles. But first .....
Read the entire Rick Krueger's entire story at Progarchy.com here
Robert Berry's 3.2 hit on Best of 2018 Top Ten List
My top ten albums of 2018 (in no particular order):
Residuos Mentales – It All Becomes Clear (from the album Introspection)
Perfect Beings – Guedra, pt 1 – A New Pyramid (from the album Vier, InsideOut Music)
Pineapple Thief – All That You’ve Got (from the album Dissolution, KScope Records)
Spyn Reset – Rhetorical Motion (from the album Dots, 23 Sounds Records)
Roine Stolt – Six Thirty Wake-Up (from the album Manifesto Of An Alchemist, InsideOut Music)
Weend’o – Time of Awakening, Part 3 (from the album Time Of Awakening, Sonicbond)
3.2 – Somebody’s Watching (from the album The Rules Have Changed, Frontiers Records)
Riverside – Acid Rain (from the album Wasteland, InsideOut Music)
Subsignal – Every Able Hand (from the album La Muerta, Gentle Art of Music)
The Tangent – Supper’s Off (from the album Proxy, InsideOut Music)
Listen to KHIM FM's entire Pat's Picks program here
ROBERT BERRY FEATURED IN BIG BANG ISSUE #104 NOVEMBRE 2018
Find more at Big Bang Magazine here
ROBERT BERRY TALKS KEITH EMERSON, 3.2 + MORE'
CR -It is great you have done so much and you still have the drive to do more. You have had a lot of great musical encounters in your career which blossomed into projects including Alliance, with Sammy Hagar, as well as 3, with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer. What do you take away from these vastly enriching experiences?
RB –I’ve had a great career, with a lot of great people, and I’ve had a lot of success at it, but I don’t feel successful. I feel like I am still striving for my best work. I am very pleased with the people I’ve been able to work with, and I don’t know how that even happened. I call myself the luckiest guy you’ve never heard of. How do you wind up working with Sammy Hagar? I mean, Keith Emerson crossed the whole United States and an ocean to work with me. It’s just luck and perseverance. I think it’s about .....
Read the entire Cryptic Rock interview here
Audio Interview: Robert checks in with The After Show with Fran Holinda and Lisa A'
Robert spent some time chatting with Fran Holinda and Lisa A on the Episode 66 - The After Show segment of the popular @Make Shift Happen Show. Enjoy the conversation.
Listen to the interview with Fran Holinda and Lisa A here
Interview: Prog star Robert Berry talks about the late Keith Emerson and their new 3.2 album 'The Rules Have Changed'
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Robert Berry is one of those artists that you almost need a scorecard to keep track of. The much-in-demand artist was a member of GTR with Steve Howe of Yes, worked with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer) in the group 3 and was for a time the lead singer for Ambrosia. Berry co-wrote all but one of the songs on Rekihndled, the latest Greg Kihn Band album, is a member of the band Alliance, and until they called it quits recently, was a member of the holiday-oriented group December People.
It takes a man of such great experience to tackle a project like the one Berry just completed. A longtime friend of Emerson, Berry was working on an album with the legendary star at the time of Emerson’s death. At first, Berry thought the song ideas and arrangements that he was working on with Keith would go to waste. But after a time Emerson’s family encouraged Berry to finish the project and the fruit of that collaboration, The Rules Have Changed, has now been released under the group name .......
Read Kevin Wierzbicki's entire interview here
From Toronto, Canada, Rudy Blair's interview with Robert Berry
Toronto, Canada, Thursday November 8th, 2018 - Rudy's is a distinguished reporter with over 25 years speaking with some of the biggest celebrities around the world, reporting on red carpets and hosting many events around Toronto.
A new album celebrating the music, life and legacy of Rocks greatest keyboardist, the late Keith Emerson has been released called 3.2 the Rules Have Changed . In this 1st of a 2 part interview Rudy Blair Entertainment Media rudyblairmedia.com chats with guitar legend Robert Berry about his friendship with Keith, why Keith was considered music’s greatest keyboardist, what his life was like before his passing and the music behind this new album 3.2 the Rules Have Changed...
Listen to the Rudy's Review interview here
BURN Magazine Japan - 3.2's The Rules Have Changed reaches #24
3.2's The Rules Have Changed reaches #24.
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Find Burn! Magazine in Japan or where ever you find magazines that are difficult to find
DPRP ALBUM REVIEW - 3.2's The Rules Have Changed
3 broke up not long after their tour, in large part due to Emerson's dissatisfaction with the project. It is somehow fitting though that it was an old live recording of the band, released almost 30 years later, that rekindled Keith's interest. It reminded him of how good they were, and led to he and Berry working on ideas for a new album. Sadly, this was not to be, due to Emerson's passing in March of 2016. After a long period of reflection, Robert decided to continue work on the musical ideas that he and Keith had collaborated on. The results are contained in this extremely entertaining release.
Though Keith Emerson does not play a note on the final version of The Rules Have Changed, his imprint is all over the album. In fact, it stands as a rousing tribute and a testament to his distinctly vast talents. Berry does a fantastic job of utilizing Keith's ideas to recreate the sound that Keith would have brought to this recording. Though there is an unavoidable sadness contained within these songs, the end result is triumphant. It sounds like a natural and improved upon sequel to the original 3 album...
....
Read Patrick McAfee's entire article in Dutch Progressive Rock Page Here ,
Find Patrick McAfee's interview with Robert Berry at this Interview Link ,
Patrick McAfee
Dutch Progressive Rock Page ALBUM REVIEW - 3.2's The Rules Have Changed
Keyboard Magazine On Line : September 2018, When 3 released its one and only album in 1988, the Emerson, Lake and Palmer offshoot proved a curious artifact. It reunited Keith Emerson with former partner Carl Palmer in the wake of the former having united with another ELP figure, Greg Lake, for 1985’s short-lived Emerson, Lake and Powell (with ex-Jeff Beck and Rainbow skinsman Cozy taking up the drummer’s throne and the P in ELP). That venture had been met with chart success. A single, “Touch and Go” became a minor hit and for a moment it seemed like there was some zest and a bright future for the merger. That was not to be.
The next step was a new endeavor. Palmer returned, Powell took off for other parts of the rock ‘n’ roll globe, and gifted composer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry stepped in for the absent Lake. Though the first endeavor (To The Power of Three) met with critical derision, the trio reached radio via “Talkin’ Bout.” Alliances being what they are among British progressive rock giants, the outfit was probably....
Look for Jedd Beaudoin's entire article in Keyboard Maqazine On Line Here ,
Jedd Beaudoin
Goldmine Magazine 5 Stars From Goldmine
Goldmine : November 2018, This could have gone so wrong. It’s one thing when an artist decides to play all of the instruments on their album. It’s another when, in doing so, that artist sets out to perform in the style of a legendary and totally unique musician, in eff ect “replacing” them with their own playing.
But that was the daunting task that faced Robert Berry when he
decided to complete what was intended to be a collaboration with ELP keyboardist Keith Emerson on his own following Emerson’s death.
In the hands of a lesser player, the keyboard side of this album may have been a complete letdown; aft er all, could anyone channel the idiosyncratic sounds and feel of the man who was described as “Jimi Hendrix of the keyboards”?. But Berry had the chops, and, perhaps more importantly, had the passion to see this project through. And thank goodness for that, because,....
Look for Howard Whitman's entire article in Goldmine Maqazine Here ,
Howard Whitman
Goldmine Magazine The Rules Have Changed: An interview with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry
Music N Other Drugs : October 2018, Multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry spoke fondly of that humility during our recent conversation regarding the release of “The Rules Have Changed,” a nine-song epic featuring Keith’s final contributions to the musical universe. What began as a legal tug-of-war blossomed into an elegiac tribute to a friend on which Berry challenged himself to capture exactly what it felt like to collaborate with Keith Emerson on a project. He wrote the lyrics, played every instrument, and dedicated a year of his life to putting the brilliant finishing touches on an album he considers to be the most important thing he’s ever done.
His resumé speaks for itself, but transforming his own sorrow into remembrance by giving the public one more experience with Keith Emerson allowed Berry to grieve while crafting one of the best albums of the year in the process.....
Read the entire article at Music N Other Drugs Here ,
Music N Other Drugs Robert Berry - interview with Mamoru Moriyama
Muse On Muse : Back in 80s, You, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer formed a band 3 then released an album “To The Power Of Three” in 1988. Could you tell us detail of how the band 3 was born and made an album?
Robert Berry : First of all I am so pleased to meet you here for this interview. Japan has been very supportive of my career and of course Keith considered you his biggest fans. He did love Japan.
Back in 1986 Carl Palmer called me at my studio in California. John Kalodner of Geffen Records had given him a cassette tape of my first solo album Back to Back. Carl liked the songs and my voice and gave me a call. I was shocked. Here I am in a very good local band but as far as the world is concerned I am not even on the map. Over the next year Carl and I tried to start a band with a few different people. The great singer Joe Lynn Turner, the fantastic keyboard players Alan Greenwood (foreigner) and Don Ayries. They were really good but we were looking for something different. Carl wanted a rock edge and I wanted to get back to my progressive roots a bit and do music that had some depth. We weren’t especially looking for a straight ahead, rockin’ format. But then again, we weren’t sure. We both felt we would know when we found it.
Steve Hackett had left GTR and my manager Brian Lane thought I would be a good fit with Steve Howe. He was so right. Steve and I started out writing a bunch of great songs together. I thought I had found that perfect combination like Asia was. The balance of good songs, guitar/keyboards mix, and accessibility. After we demo’d the new songs the record company Arista approved them and gave us the budget to do the next GTR album. I was so proud of my work with Steve Howe. Even though Carl and I didn’t find our match I had my first break. The songs were fantastic, the players, epic, the possibilities endless.
Read Mamoru Moriyama's entire interview in English Here , or in Japanese Here
Mamoru Moriyama
Translation by Hiroshi Takakura
Muse On Muse - Japan And then there was one
"Robert Berry and Keith Emerson were working on a follow-up to the album their band 3 made in the 80s when Emerson committed suicide. Berry tells Prog why he decided to forge ahead with the material on his own." Read the complete article at Prog's website.
Find the entire story at Prog
Story by Nick Shilton
Louder - Prog Channeling a Legend
With 3.2 Robert Berry stokes a neglected aspect of the Emo legacy - Those murky final days preceding keyboard maestro Keith Emerson’s suicide two years ago remain subject to endless speculation over what prompted the tragedy and what musical gems he possibgly left behind.
Singer/multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry, who recorded/toured with Emerson and drummer Carl Palmer in 1988-’89 under group name 3, sheds some light on the latter. His forthcoming album for Italy’s Frontiers label carries artist name 3.2 in homage to what might have been had his legendary mate lived on.
Find the entire story in Progression Issue 74 Summer 2018
Story by John Collinge
Progression From VintageRock.com - An interview with Robert Berry
"On March 11, 2016, Berry’s dream to make music with one of the greatest rock keyboardists in history was derailed when Keith Emerson took his own life. As he carried on, Berry decided to complete the album on his own, adding his vocals, bass and guitar parts to keyboards he played in the style of Keith Emerson. Without a trace of deceit or pretentiousness, Berry’s 3.2 album, The Rules Have Changed, is a thoughtful, commanding and heartfelt tribute to Keith Emerson.
Emerson’s influence is all over the record. Yet Berry’s stamp is equally significant as he keeps the arrangements tight, the vocals powerful and on pitch, and his own mastery of production and musicality at the highest level possible. Thirty years after 3, Robert Berry’s hard work and diligence is finally paying off. The dream lives on. In the following interview, he tells me how it all came together......."
Read Shawn Perry's entire interview Here .
Shawn Perry
Vintage Rock.com Robert Berry culmina y edita un Segundo disco de 3, compuesto junto a Keith Emerson
En octubre de 2015 empezaron las conversaciones sobre un nuevo álbum de "3" (grupo formado por Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer y Robert Berry en 1988), entre Berry y el presidente de Frontiers, Serafino Perugino, mientras Robert hablaba con Keith sobre la publicación del álbum que continue con 3. Junto con el renovado interés de los fanáticos en la banda y esas conversaciones, Berry había despertado el entusiasmo de Keith Emerson por retomar el proyecto. El intercambio de ideas musicales y colaboraciones de canciones finalmente allanó el terreno para que esta nueva versión se llamara 3.2. Todo estaba listo....
Read the entire story, in Spanish Here .
Robert Berry - Rewriting the rules by Anil Prasad
Robert Berry’s musical path is a case study in tenacity and positivity. Across his 40-year career, the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer has touched the lives of hundreds of musicians. As the owner of Soundtek Studios in San Jose, California, he’s worked on thousands of songs for artists across the broadest spectrum of experience imaginable, from amateurs to the world-famous.
Berry is also a San Francisco Bay Area legend. He helmed two major regional groups, Hush and The Robert Berry Band, between 1978 and 1985. Both bridged progressive and AOR leanings, and cultivated significant followings. His work with The Robert Berry Band was particularly impactful given it caught the ears of music business luminaries including Geffen A&R man John Kalodner and Journey’s manager Herbie Herbert. Both chose to take Berry under their wings in the ‘80s. Their involvement resulted in Berry working with Steve Howe’s group GTR, Sammy Hagar, Don Airey, and Joe Lynn Turner, just to name a few.
While those relationships proved fleeting, Berry’s Geffen association led him to become involved in 3, a prog-meets-pop band with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer. The trio released a single 1988 studio album titled To the Power of Three. The recording combined Emerson’s intricate, virtuoso keyboard work, Palmer’s kinetic drumming and Berry’s soaring vocals, bass playing and modern songwriting into an adventurous, yet accessible whole. The album was successful, with the single “Talkin’ Bout” hitting no. 9 on the Billboard rock charts.
Read Anil Prasad's entire article Here
Anil Prasad
Innerviews Robert Berry's Remarkable Memorial To Keith Emerson
When American singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry was introduced to the legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson by Carl Palmer in 1987 they came together to form the band 3. The aim was for a more melodic, song orientated sound than the extravagant prog-rock of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, hoping to emulate the success of another of Palmer’s bands, Asia.
The result was the album ...To The Power Of Three, released in 1988 to mixed reaction from the critics and fans who were perhaps looking for something more akin to Keith Emerson’s previous output. Record label Geffen urged the band to go back into the studio to begin work on a second album but Emerson felt uncomfortable with Geffen’s momentum-stifling and inconsistent strategy that had ultimately cut the first album’s success short. With several new songs already written, the band decided to call it a day.......
Remarkably, two years after Emerson’s untimely death, Robert Berry is now about to release a follow-up album: 3.2 – The Rules Have Changed which should set the record straight about what a force 3 could, and should, have been.
Read Geoff Fords's entire story Here
Geoff Ford
Yorkshire Life
U.K. "NEW DISC REVIEW + INTERVIEW 3.2 ....."
"Robert Berry は数奇なる運命と共に音楽カルチャーを漂流した有能なるバガボンドなのかもしれません。シンガーソングライターにして、マルチ奏者、そしてプロデューサー。
サンジョゼに居を構える Soundtek Studios のオーナーとして Robert は、数多のアーティストとイマジネーションを共有し、同時にミュージシャンとしてもベイエリアのレジェンドとしてプログ&AORの脈流に深くその存在を刻み続けています。
Geffen の A&R John Kalodner、JOURNEY のマネージャー Herbie Herbert との出会いが Robert の翼を80年代の空へさらに羽ばたかせるきっかけとなりました。Steve Howe & Steve Hackett のコンビで成功を収めた GTR への参加、Sammy Hagger, Joe Lynn Turner との仕事など、2人の口利きは Robert の世界を広げてマルチな才能の飛翔を可能にしたのです。
キャリアのハイライトは1988年だったのかも知れませんね。Geffen とのコネクションは、彼を Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer 2人のプログレジェンドと引き合わせ、新プロジェクト 3 の結成へと導きました。ELP リユニオンの頓挫、商業的成功への渇望。舞台の裏側には確かに様々な “大人の事情” が絡んでいたのかも知れません。しかし、リリースされたバンド唯一の作品 “To The Power of Three” には現在まで語り継がれるプログポップの萌芽が確かに息づいていたのです.....
Read and maybe translate Sin Marunouchi's entire review Here
Sin Marunouchi
Marunouchi Muzik Magazine
Japan "After 697 listens of the 3.2 CD - I still don't know what to say..."
"You picked up the challenge and added a special ingredient to it. And that is simply, Robert Berry. This album is a masterpeice. Demanding, touching, entertaining".
Frank Moltrecht
Germany, Via Facebook
Robert Berry & Keith Emerson – 3.2 – The Rules Have Changed
Jez Denton The first thing to say is that this is a ‘proper’ album. It isn’t scratchy recordings or half formed demo’s put out to ‘cash in’ on an artists demise; it isn’t the hackneyed old cliche ‘great career move’, it is a proper album of eight great songs put out with Keith Emerson’s artistic aura breathing through every chord, bar and note. Robert Berry has crafted an album that reads like a love letter to the unique talent that was Keith Emerson. .
"Robert Berry should be both applauded for and proud of bringing this work to fruition" - Jez Denton.
Read Jez Denton's entire review Here Robert Berry - an Interview
Kev Rowland The working relationship between legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson and singer and multi- instrumentalist Robert Berry started in 1987. The plan was to form a more melodic, song oriented band (compared to ELP), which would allow Emerson, Berry and Palmer to follow in the footsteps of the success that Asia and GTR were enjoying in that period. The result of the collaboration was 3 and the album “... To The Power of Three”, which was released in 1988. The first single, “Talkin' 'Bout” reached #9 on the Billboard Magazine charts and the band toured the US to support the album.
Fast forward many years, and Robert began speaking to Keith about finally releasing a follow-up, and there was an exchange of musical ideas and song collaborations. After Keith passed away, Robert was left with Keith Emerson’s final musical ideas, and from old cassette tapes, keyboard parts written over the phone, to long discussions about style, the framework of the album was set and ready to be produced. After several months of grieving and contemplation about what to do with these co-written songs and musical fragments from Emerson, Robert decided to.....
Read Kev Rowland's entire interview Here Robert Berry – ‘3.2 The Rules Have Changed’: A Remarkable Memorial To Keith Emerson
Geoff Ford
Keith Emerson and Robert Berry were planning a follow-up to their 1988 3 recording at the time of Emerson’s death. Berry is now about to release the new album, a remarkable memorial to Emerson.
When American singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry was introduced to the legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson by Carl Palmer in 1987 they came together to form the band 3. The aim was for a more melodic, song orientated sound than the extravagant prog-rock of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, hoping to emulate the success of another of Palmer’s bands, Asia.
The result was the album …To The Power Of Three, released in 1988 to mixed reaction from the critics and fans who were perhaps looking for something more akin to Keith Emerson’s previous output. Record label Geffen urged the band to go back into the studio to begin work on a second album but Emerson felt uncomfortable with Geffen’s momentum-stifling and inconsistent strategy that had ultimately .....
Read more Here 3.2 – The Rules Have Changed
“Fantastic piece of work; hope it gets the wider-field attention it musically deserves “ - Ross Muir
2018 Album Reviews
The latest project from American musician, vocalist and producer Robert Berry (solo artist, Alliance, Greg Kihn Band) is a one man endeavour as regards performance and recording (Berry played all instrumentation and produced and mixed the album) but in terms of songwriting, arranging, sound and direction The Rules Have Changed is very much a two-man, melodically and progressively themed collaboration.
And a fairly significant and quite poignant one at that....
Read more at FabricationsHQ 3.2 – The Rules Have Changed
"Berry’s keyboard skills prove exemplary – it’s hard to imagine this sounding any different had Keith lived to see its recording."
July 26, 2018
Shortly after the demise of the short-lived Emerson Lake & Powell, keyboard maestro Keith Emerson and drummer Carl Palmer teamed up with ex-Hush multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry to form the melodic rock outfit 3. Their sole album, 1988’s ‘To The Power of Three’ presented a great selection of melodic tunes with occasional progressive flourishes, but despite yielding a US hit single, the album itself wasn’t a commercial success on either side of the Atlantic.
By the early nineties, Keith and Carl had reunited with their old bandmate Greg Lake, whilst Berry embarked on what was to be a very prolific decade of recording. He recorded albums with AOR band Alliance, contributed to several progressive rock tribute albums and even re-booted his solo career. His 1992 release ‘Pilgrimage To A Point’ is a melodic rock/accessible prog classic and in ‘Last Ride Into The Sun’ (an unreleased leftover from the 3 days) even gave prog rock fans something infinitely more .........
Read more at Real Gone Rocks 3 to the Power of One
ROBERT BERRY RESURRECTS ELP OFFSHOOT WITH KEITH EMERSON’S FINAL MUSIC 
BY HOWARD WHITMAN
The prospect of a reunion of 3, the band that united Emerson, Lake and Palmer veterans Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer with vocalist/bassist/guitarist Robert Berry, became an impossibility upon Emerson’s death in 2016.
The band, which released its lone album, To the Power of Three, in 1988, merged ELP’s complex progressive rock with Berry’s more straightforward melodic rock approach. Nothing had been heard from 3 since its breakup in 1989.
So when it was announced in June 2018 that a new album from the band, The Rules Have Changed, to be released under the moniker 3.2, was due in August from Frontiers Records, fans of the first 3 album raised their hands in a collective ........
Read more at Goldmine Magazine An indepth Interview with Robert Berry
By Kev Rowland. An in-depth Interview with Robert Berry, how he got into the business, his relationship with Keith Emerson and the band 3
The working relationship between legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson and singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry started in 1987. The plan was to form a more melodic, song-oriented band (compared to ELP), which would allow Emerson, Berry, and Palmer to follow in the footsteps of the success that Asia and GTR were enjoying in that period. The result of the collaboration 3, and the album “… To The Power of Three”, which was released in 1988. The first single, “Talkin’ ‘Bout” reached #9 on the Billboard Magazine charts and the band toured the US to support the album.
Fast forward many years, and Robert began speaking to Keith about finally releasing a follow-up, and there was an exchange of musical ideas and song collaborations. After Keith passed away, Robert was left with Keith Emerson’s final musical ideas, and from old cassette tapes, keyboard parts written over the phone, to long discussions about style, the framework of the album was set and ready to be produced. After several months of grieving and contemplation about what to do with these co-written songs and musical fragments from Emerson, Robert decided to resume work on the material that was created and craft a record that would ultimately be a fitting tribute to Keith Emerson’s musical legacy and at the same time re-energize and update the musical style started with ‘3’ some 30 years ago. The result is the forthcoming release by 3.2, ‘The Rules Have Changed’, due out mid-August.
I purchased the original album as soon as it was released, 30 years ago, and had always enjoyed it. After the demise of the band I came across Robert’s work here and there, and when I heard that there was a new album coming out I jumped at the opportunity of catching up with him for a chat......
Read the full interview here
Final Musical Project By Keith Emerson For Release
By Paul Sexton. The band name 3.2 refers back to 3, the short-lived band featuring Emerson, Carl Palmer and Robert Berry. The final project undertaken by Keith Emerson before his death in 2016 will emerge asThe Rules Have Changed, a new album by his colleague Robert Berry under the name 3.2, on 10 August. It will be released by Frontiers Music and the group title refers back to 3, the short-lived group in which Berry, Emerson and latter’s former ELP bandmate Carl Palmer collaborated in the late 1980s.
After 3 signed to Geffen, their album To The Power Of Three was released in 1988 and reached No. 97 during a ten-week run on the Billboard 200. It produced the top ten rock radio hit ‘Talkin’ ‘Bout,’ but they split up soon afterwards, after recording several tracks for an intended second album. Nevertheless, American singer-writer Berry maintained the musical connection with Emerson.
In 2015, after plans were floated to release that uncompleted album, Berry and Emerson started to discuss the idea of a new 3 record. “Keith and I developed together a vision of what the new album would be like,,” he says. “There were many times over the past 30 years since 3 had come out that Keith either played on .....
Read the full story here
Frontiers Announces New Album - 3.2 - 'The Rules Have Changed'
In October 2015, conversations about a new 3 album started between Robert Berry and Frontiers' President Serafino Perugino as Robert had been speaking to Emerson about releasing the band's long delayed follow-up album. Berry relayed those conversations to Emerson and in turn sparked revived enthusiasm from him for pursuing the project. The exchange of musical ideas ultimately paved the groundwork for "The Rules Have Changed."
After Emerson's death in 2016, Berry was left with Emerson's final musical ideas for the project. From old cassette tapes, keyboard parts written over the phone and long discussions between the two friends about style, the framework of the album was set and ready to be brought to life.
After several months of grieving and contemplation about what to do with these co-written songs and musical fragments from Emerson, Robert decided to resume work on the material that was created and craft a record that would ultimately be a fitting tribute to Keith Emerson's musical legacy and .....
Read the full story here
ROBERT BERRY aka 3.2 To Release The Rules Have Changed Album
Singer/multi-instrumentalist/producer Robert Berry's new album, The Rules Have Changed, will be released under the name 3.2 on August 10th. The full-length album will feature musical contributions by the late Keith Emerson, whom Berry was a bandmate with in the band 3. This is the last musical project in which Emerson was involved prior to his untimely passing in 2016.
A preview of the album, the track "Somebody's Watching", is available for streaming below. The track is available on all streaming services as well as an instant download with digital pre-orders. Pre-order the album here.
The working relationship between Emerson and Berry began in 1987 when former YES manager Brian Lane and YES member Carl Palmer arranged a meeting between the two prolific musicians. The plan was to form a more melodic, song oriented band, compared to the complex symphonic rock compositions for which ELP was known, which would allow Emerson, Berry and Palmer to follow ......
Read the full story here
Robert Berry Reboots “3” – With Keith Emerson’s Contributions
It’s been three decades since the only album by 3 – a band comprised of Robert Berry, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer – saw the light of day. Negative critics’ reaction notwithstanding, “…To the Power Of Three” remains a connoisseur delight and is a favorite with many a fan. The trio toured and planned a second record, yet it didn’t happen, and what had been written for it ended up on......
Read the full story here
Robert Berry: in arrivo l’album The Rules Have Changed sotto il nome di 3.2
By: Massimiliano MaxAor Carli - Il nuovo album del cantante/polistrumentista/produttore Robert Berry, The Rules Have Changed, uscirà con il nome 3.2 su Frontiers Music Srl il 10 Agosto 2018. La release sarà caratterizzata da contributi musicali del compianto Keith Emerson (compagno di band di Berry nei 3), nell’ultimo progetto in cui è stato coinvolto prima della sua prematura scomparsa nel 2016.
Il rapporto di lavoro tra Emerson e Berry iniziò nel 1987, quando l’ex manager ufficiale degli Yes, Brian Lane, e Carl Palmer organizzarono un incontro tra i due prolifici musicisti. Il piano era di formare una band più melodica, orientata alla canzone, rispetto alle complesse composizioni Symphonic Rock per le quali gli Emerson Lake & Palmer erano noti; il che avrebbe permesso ad Emerson Berry e Palmer di seguire le orme del successo degli Asia e dei GTR, sulle cresta dell’onda proprio in quel periodo.
Il risultato di quella collaborazione furono proprio i 3 e l’album …To The Power Of Three, distribuito in tutto il mondo da Geffen Records nel 1988. Il primo singolo, Talkin’ ‘Bout, raggiunse la posizione #9 nelle classifiche di Billboard e il gruppo andò in Tour per tutti gli Stati Uniti per promuovere il lavoro.
Dopo il successo del debutto, la Geffen esortò la band a tornare presto in studio per iniziare a lavorare su un secondo album, ma Emerson si sentì troppo pressato dalla label, preferendo alla fine chiudere lì il progetto. Al momento dello scioglimento, diverse canzoni erano già state scritte per la seconda uscita e alcune di queste vennero successivamente rilasciate nell’album solista di Berry, Pilgrimage To A Point.
Nell’Ottobre 2015, iniziarono le conversazioni su un nuovo album dei 3 tra Robert Berry e il Presidente di Frontiers, Serafino Perugino, con Robert che aveva già parlato ad Emerson della possibilità, suscitando nel leggendario tastierista un rinnovato entusiasmo. Lo scambio di idee musicali tra i due alla fine gettò le basi per The Rules Have Changed.
Dopo la morte di Emerson nel 2016, Berry rimase con le idee musicali finali dello stesso Emerson per il progetto. Da vecchi nastri di cassetta ....
Read the full story here
Keith Emerson Contributions To Appear On New Robert Berry Album By Jerry Ewing
Berry to resurrect the 3 project. The 80s band he formed with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer...
The last musical project that Keith Emerson was involved with prior to his death in 2016 is to see the light of day.
Robert Berry, the US singer/multi-instrumentalist will release a new album, The Rules Have Changed, under the band name 3.2. This is a direct reference to the band 3 that he was in alongside Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in 1988. Like Emerson, Lake & Powell, 3 was supposed to carry on in the general style of ELP in the absence of one of the original members. The resultant album, 1988's To The Power Of Three, and after some live dates in America, the group disbanded a year later.
It now transpires that Berry and Emerson had been in conversation about working on a new 3 project following interest from Italian label Frontiers.....
Read the full story here
20 Year Anniversary of the 3 LP
Robert Berry reminisces with official ELP band archivist Tony Ortiz, about creating music with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, and the story behind 3.
Well Tony it was an incredible experience. When Keith, Carl and I started the band it was called Smoking Guns. And we had a female singer/songwriter involved named, Sue Shiffrin. She had some great songs, but they were written for someone more like.......... Read the complete interview here.
Barry McMinn interview with Robert Berry
Robert Berry is a name that needs little introduction. With experience in bands
such as Hush, 3 (with Keith Emersion and Carl Palmer), Ambrosia, GTR (with
Steve Howe of Yes) and Alliance plus 5 solo releases, Robert is a singer/producer/
multi-instrumentalist whose mane stands as a guarantee of good music, both in the Progressive and in the Melodic rock fields...........
Robert, your new album, “the Dividing Line” is more a melodic rock album than what we’re perhaps used to: was this your intent from the off?
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Read More!Howard Whitman Music Review: Robert Berry: The Dividing Line (Frontiers, CD)
Robert Berry is one of those super-talented guys who's been operating on the periphery of music fame for too long. He's best known for sort-of-replacing Greg Lake in the ELP spinoff, 3, with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, A strong vocalist, guitarist and bassist, he later replaced David Pack for a stint fronting Ambrosia. Berry has also contributed to a number of high-profile tribute albums and has an impressive track record in the studio. Now, with this new solo CD, perhaps his profile will rise—deservedly so. A solo project in every sense of that word, "The Dividing Line" features Berry playing every instrument here, except for guitar and drums on one track. One-man-band productions typically work like this: You can hear the musician's specialty instrument shine through, but he or she may be deficient in other areas such as drumming. Not so here. Berry plays drums like a first-rate drummer; ditto piano and so on. And he lends his considerable talents to a really first-rate collection of songs here. The opening title track gets things off to a good start with a strong melody and winning chorus. Berry is operating firmly in the melodic rock vein here, but the style suits him well. Or check out “Wait” (also on the CD as a well-done Quicktime video), which is haunting, heartfelt and musically complex, changing keys seemingly every few measures. And he tips his hat to his progressive background as well—check out "Can't Let Go", which is strongly evocative of Genesis classic "Turn It On Again" while offering a compelling original melody. Beautifully engineered and masterfully composed, arranged and performed, this album rewards repeat listening and lots of interesting musical bits in the mix, and it would be a true tragedy if its didn't find its audience. All Access - Patrick Rossi's interview with Robert Berry
Robert's career speaks for itself. As I sit here and try to find the right words to use to give you an insight into it, I myself am taken back and impressed. This is not an easy thing to achieve with me. You see I have been friends and grown up with Robert since...well lets just say longer than either one of us would probably care to admit to. But as I write a list of the musicians he has worked with I am still amazed how a guy from my home town has traveled so far.
Robert has been involved, played and toured with some of the biggest names in the recording industry. Steve Howe of Yes, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer of ELP, Sammy Hagar, Gary Pihl of Boston, Geoff Downes of Asia, Alan Fitzgerald of Night Ranger......the list goes on.
One of my fondest memories that still stand out in my mind is getting a call at home one day from Robert inviting me to come to his recording studio to meet Keith Emerson. Now, how many times will that happen in someone’s lifetime?
Not only am I fortunate to have Robert as a friend but now he has joined forces with another group of friends that I consider an extended part of my family "AMBROSIA"....
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Read More!Music Dish eJournal - MusiKMan Interview
A lot of people ask me what albums I bought or currently want to buy. The truth is I never did buy albums. So many of the musicians in the bands I was in
bought albums that I never had to. I also very rarely had time to listen to a whole album. I would mostly listen to the songs I had heard about from other people
and study those. I have never owned an ELP album, but my friend and Hush band mate Paul Keller bought them all. We learned Lucky Man because I had one of the first
Moog Synths in my neck of the woods. The audience was quite taken back by our sound. The first time you hear the Moog is quite impressive. I know the first time I
hear it, was on a Beatles album trying to sound like a horn, or something like that. Then Bang! There came Keith with this huge swooping sound. That left quite an
impression on me. I don't know how many people know it, but I started as a keyboard player in . . . . .
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Read More!Get Ready to Rock - Jason Ritchie Interview
Robert discusses the past, present and future with Jason Ritchie
Vocalist Robert Berry released the classic Three album with ex-ELP members Carl Plamer & Keith Emerson, is a member of AOR supergroup Alliance
(with friends from Hagar, Night Ranger and Boston) and in his spare time sings back- up vocals and appears on other high profile projects
. . . . .
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Read More!Jeff Perkins reviews Robert Berry's Dividing Line
After a year that has seen some exceptional melodic rock albums here are reviews for five of the very best.. . . . .
Robert Berry – The Dividing Line
From the Bay Area, San Francisco, Robert Berry made his name with Hush, fronting the short lived supergroup ‘3’ alongside Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer,
and GTR with Steve Howe of Yes fame. His solo career includes his excellent album Pilgrimage To A Point.
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Read More! Allen Huotari's Interview with Robert Berry
ALL ABOUT JAZZ: You would seem to be in a uniquely paradoxical position. As one of a mere handful of musicians to record and perform with both Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, you are
simultaneously a peer to these so-called living legends, but, by being younger, are also a peer to thousands of progressive rock fans who literally grew up listening to ELP. With
regard to this project, which proves to be the greater emotional trial and why: Meeting the demanding standards of ELP? Or living up to the (frequently and excessively merciless)
expectations of the legion of 'pushing 40 and over' prog rock fans?
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