by patrick rossi: Robert Berry – "BETWEEN TAKES" – SoundTek Studios March 2006

Q.) What can people plan on hearing on your new release? I have spent a lot of years behind the scenes at Magna Carta records producing and performing on many of their releases. Some of what I consider my best works are on that label. But scattered on 15 or more different releases. So when label president Peter Morticelli called me and talked to me about putting out a greatest hits of this material I was thrilled. The album called "Robert Berry, Prime Cuts" Is a compilation of 10 of my best recordings and includes a video interview about my career. But of course you know about that interview because you were good enough to come and interview me on camera for it ole' boy. LOL And I can't thank you enough for that interview. You really got to the essence of who I am and why I do what I do. Q.) I was fortunate to hear a demo cut from the recording and as usual was astounded. What was the drive to take some classic tunes and put the Berry touch to them? The one song you have heard that is kind of special to me is the remake of Life Beyond L.A. One of the songs the band Ambrosia had a hit with. I was a member of that band for a few years and toured extensively with them. This is just a little thank you for a great time. The other songs are songs by some of the biggest progressive bands of our time. Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd. Magna Carta put out a tribute series that I produced acts for and also contributed a few songs myself. One of these songs, Different Strings by Rush, was actually nominated for a Grammy for the best vocal catagory. Didn't make it to the final round but I was just honored to be in the running. Q.) Is the release going to be a limited to one disc or will this possibly be a double disc release? Single disk release. I have lots of original material that I am planning to release an acoustic album on very soon. So I will have two releases in 2006. That album will consist of the notable songs from my career. From 3, Alliance, The Robert Berry Band and probably a Sammy Hagar era tune and a Ambrosia era tune. Some of these songs were never released on an album. Others like Talkin' Bout' from the 3 album reached # 9 on the Billboard charts. I want it to be a look at me as a singer/ songwriter. Q.) How do you take a song that so many have heard and in your head hear it differently and decide what nuances you want to add? All the songs I picked for my tribute series contributions were songs that Hush use to play. So I just took a song I knew, took the experiences I had working with some of those famous artist while living in England or touring in the States and applied them to what I would do if i was in that band at the time that song we originally released. It usually meant adding a kickin' beat and guitar riffs for a start. Then taking the chord structure off in a little bit different direction. That all would lead to what eventually was the finished track. In other words I couldn't always just plan out all I was going to do. It just develops as the process unfolds. It's really an amazing process from beginning to end. I always say it's like birthing a child. Well, kind of. Ouch!

Q.) Has there been a release date scheduled from Magna Carta yet?

Yes april 3rd.

Q.) Are you going to add a few of your own tunes in it also?

Not on this one. I'm saving those for the acoustic album. There is a new Alliance album in the works also that is half finished. If I could just find the time in my busy studio schedule to get the vocals done it would be finished.

Q.) Is there a chance of any live dates to support the release?

It would be such a big undertaking to do any of these live. You'll just have to give it all a listen and I think you'll agree. Not saying it could't be done though. It would just be very expensive to take on the road.

Q.)Besides spending 24/7 working on your own release, have you been busy in the studio with any other artists?

I am always busy producing artist. At this moment I have finished a pop artist album. Her name is Sheida and she is really terrific. I have finished producing an album for a Russian singer in the style of Celine Dion. Her name is Gelena. Very talented singer/songwriter. I am currently finishing up the new album by Trent Gardener and Magellan. In the middle of the new Jack Foster III/Jazz Raptor production. Should I go on? LOL Life is good at Soundtek Studios.

Q.) How did you pick which songs would make the cut?

I didn't. Peter Morticelli did. He has a very good sense of what the audience for Magna Carta want to hear. I am really pleased with his choices.

Q.) Is there going to be any DVDs for the songs .... or possibly a behind the scenes look into your dealings at "SoundTek"?

I think you know the answer to this one. As I mentioned above, your help was vital to the success of the video portion. But I realize now that I never told you that the record company was actually going to include the work you did. But as record companies tend to do you probably won't get the credit you deserve for it. LOL Doesn't that just figure. That is the story of my life.

 

Q.) Fronting a well built band seems to be your specialty...any chances of you doing just that in the near future?

It is still a dream of mine. The difference that time makes is that I want the perfect situation so I can really make it happen. I was thinking Ambrosia was going to be that situation but they had their goals all set up and they were different from where I was hoping to go with it. But I do hope to find something that is a better fit for me. Music is all I can do. I love every minute of it. And being on stage is part of that.

Q,) How do you rate this release to your others in your catalog?

This album is an honor for me to have released. This is the greatest hits compilation of some of my best engineered, performed and arranged work. It is really a showcase of what I am capable of. Do I deserve such an honor? I don't know. But it is so important to me to leave something behind of this caliber that I am really excited about it. I think it rates right up there with Pilgrimage to a Point. Which is the album alot of fans judge my career by.

Q.) Anything you would like to say to anyone reading this?

There are a few things in my career that are personal acheivements that mean alot to me. My time with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, Pilgrimage, the lead off songs on both Alliance albums. Robert Berry Prime Cuts is one of those special musical events for me. I hope that your readers will pick up a copy and let me know what they think.

As soon as we wrapped this up Robert was back in a session doing what he does best... getting viable music ready for the world to hear. I would like to thank Robert for taking time from his schedule to update everyone. Keep checking back and also visit Roberts site http://www.robertberry.com/ for the latest news on his release and what else he has in store for the future.

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