Search - John Berry :: All the Way to There

Too country for country radio

Richard Magee | Abingdon, Maryland USA | 08/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While "country" radio bludgeons us with the tripe put out by Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Tim McGRaw, and Toby Keith, artists like John Berry and Hal Ketchum continue to put out quality music designed to touch the heart, not fit the narrow standards for radio playlists. This album finds John in fine form, producing music free of the overwrought drama and bravado of the aforementioned "artists." My gripe with country radio is not that they play so much pop fluff, but that they do so to the exclusion of music such as John performs on this release. The song "Sanctuary" is worth the price alone- and there are many other gems on this cd."

Wow!!

Mike from Upstate | New York | 03/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow!! That's just all that will come out. Wow!! I have been a fan of John's for some time but had not been able to get the new CD. I had been reading the reveiws and had mixed emotions about John's new music before I got a chance to hear it. There where those typical glowing John Berry fan reviews but there were also some very critical ones as well. I got the CD last week and wanted to listen to it over the week-end while my girlfriend was out of town and I could really listen for a couple of days with it turned up and not be interupted. I tried to listen with an open mind but the previous reveiws that said this CD was shallow and meaningless distracting my listening. Song after song I would say to myself, "what CD were these people listening to?" I have heard John sing live with a band and solo, his songs and others, and I can hear him singing from his heart on this CD like on no other. The fact that he co-wrote so many of the songs makes it that much sweeter. The man is not afraid to bare his soul and he truly does that on this recording and it makes me proud to be called a JOHN BERRY FAN!! As for those who wrote the bad reveiws, it's a shame that you are going to miss out on the musical tresure that I have found in this CD. Mike from Upstate"

Weak writers/Weak production, Great Voice = mediocre project

Matt Wagner | Lawton, Ok United States | 11/15/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Another sad casualty of the video age of country killing the genuinely talented 'out-dated' artists (Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Suzy Bogguss, Lee Roy Parnell, etc, etc). Ask anyone in Nashville or country radio and they'll tell you John Berry flat out has one of the most distinguishable, passionate, powerful voices on radio. Unfortunately, John Berry is not a 20 something year bodacious hunk that turns on 15 year old girls. Sad. Very sad. This project totally exposes that.In the very competetive business in Nashville, if you don't write it's even tougher. Without a strong record label like Capitol or Lyric Street finding great songs for you or arranging for a top of the line producer to bring out your sound it is extremely difficult for the average musician to make a dent on the charts or make a meaningful record. This project produced, and predominantly written by Mark Spiro lacks the power ballads, feel good relatable songs, and songs you'll want to imagine you can actually sing along with.To say this project is disappointing, is only from the standpoint that John Berry makes meaningless, predictable, bland songs come to life, but even his great vocals aren't enough."How Much Do You Love Me" is a good example. Reminds the reader of Reba's 'What Do You Say' without the dramatics. Here's a song written by well-respected song-writers Skip Ewing and Kent Blazy. A potential emotional and musical explosion that is completely dry. John carries a good tune at the end of the song - but this is almost conversational - keeps him way too restrained. Where's Chuck Howard when you need him?On "You Make Me Believe" - whats the deal with those ridiculous 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds sounding'chiming pipes? "Today" seems to be the only tune that really captures a passionately charged John Berry, but that's because he's stetching a very generic, forgettably bland song.Overall - weakly produced vague songs that say "I love my woman" basically ten different ways. Nothing different. No variety on topics. John is held back from really exploding.Die hard John Berry fans will continue to be in awe of his incredible voice, but will leave wishing someone could have given him better tunes to work with."