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Via Nocturna (Portugal) Good Review of “Alive at ProgStock”
Thank you so much, Pedro Carvalho and Via Nocturna (Portugal), for this lovely review of Alive at Progstock !!
Here is the entire review, translated and reprinted in full below:
“The story tells us how the 3 project came about : Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer invited Robert Berry to play with them, replacing Greg Lake . Later, with changes in members and the death of Keith Emerson , the project was reformulated, renaming itself 3.2 . And when it was time to take the spectacular album The Rules Have Changed on the road, Berry recruited Paul Keller , from the original band 3 , Jimmy Keegan (from Spock’s Beard ) and Andrew Colyer (from Circuline ). In this format, they toured North America for 29 dates, which included a show at the ProgStock Festival . This show is now presented in this work with a double CD and DVD and where it is possible to go through Robert Berry ‘s entire 30-year career in prog rock , which includes Steve Howe ( Yes ), Geoff Downes ( GTR ), the Magna Carta Tribute series of albums , among others. The themes are introduced by snippets of the history that was at the origin and development of the projects 3 and 3.2 . More than the quality of the music – which, naturally, is prog rock of the best kind – what counts here is the historical and documentary aspect of this album.” [86%]
Review link: https://vianocturna2000.blogspot.com/2022/07/reviews-trio-alcatifa-ex-norwegian-red.html
86/100
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Pedro and Via Nocturna – Thank you so much for these kind words.
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Baby Blaue-Seiten (Germany) Reviews “Alive at ProgStock”
Thank you so much, Nick Brueckner and Baby Blaue-Seiten (Germany) for this thoughtful review of Robert Berry’s 3.2 band Alive at ProgStock CD/DVD!
Here is the entire review (translated from German), and the link to the original article is below:
It was a huge surprise when in 2018, shortly after Keith Emerson’s suicide, another Three/3 album with new music by Emerson was released: “3.2 – The Rules Have Changed”. ELP had long since sold off, Emerson’s duo project with Greg Lake had been nothing more than a tepid rehash, but together with Robert Berry Emerson managed to produce another really good album.
…that you have to see in context. 3, this 1987/1988 collaboration between Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer and Robert Berry, was never meant to be a prog band but was misunderstood as such and accordingly dismissed as disappointing. A question of perspective. 3 was a song-oriented melodic rock band that would combine Emerson’s virtuoso symphonic keyboard playing with Berry’s Top 40 prowess, much like Asia’s and GTR’s – and was never meant to be anything else. The band released the album “…To The Power Of Three” in 1988 and with some success: The first single “Talkin ’bout” reached number 9 on the Billboard charts and the band toured the USA quite successfully. After this success, however, Emerson ended the project. fans had talked him into
Too bad! Because as controversial as 3 may have been at the time, the disc was definitely better than the ELP albums “Black Moon” and “In the hot Seat” that followed.
By this point, some new songs had already been written that should have ended up on a 3 second album. They were later released on Robert Berry’s solo album Pilgrimage to a Point (1992): You’ve Changed, along with probably Shelter, The Other Side, and Last Ride into the Sun.
More than thirty years later, in October 2015, Robert Berry and Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records, entered talks about a new 3 album. Berry contacted Emerson, who surprisingly expressed interest, and the two began exchanging musical ideas. The project initially came to a standstill due to Emerson’s suicide in 2016, but Berry had enough material to continue work after a few months and complete the album – as a homage to Keith Emerson, to make his music audible, and of course also to to continue and complete the story of 3. And so, in 2018, 3.2’s “The Rules Have Changed” was released.
It’s just a pity that the two couldn’t go on tour with the new songs. But even if Emerson were still with us, a 3.2 tour would have been in doubt because of his chronic illness. However, the album had been too successful to simply pass up the opportunity to tour. And should Robert Berry put together a band on his own, and set off on a 29-date tour. Featuring: guitarist Paul Keller, who had been touring since the 80’s when he was 3, Andrew Colyer from Circuline on keyboards and Jimmy Keegan from Spock’s Beard on drums. The concert presented here was filmed at the ProgStock festival in 2019.
And the band is fantastic! Berry plays a reliable bass and is still in the form of his early years as a vocalist. Paul Keller provides great guitar contributions, and even channels his colleague Steve Howe of, well, GTR on the song “No One Else to Blame” that Berry wrote in 1986 or ’87 for a second, never-released GTR album. And yes. Andrew Colyer can play everything from AOR to weird Emersonian stunts, and Jimmy Keegan is a powerhouse behind the drums. If you missed Carl Palmer on “The Rules Have Changed” (one of the wrong decisions of his career), you don’t miss him for a second here. Keegan was the perfect drummer for these shows.
Which brings us to the songs. And this is where my criticism begins. The band, this tour went under the name 3.2. In fact, the four of “The Rules Have Changed” only played two songs. That’s for a band going 3.2. called, too little. Counting the four tracks of “…To The Power Of Three” we only have six 3 songs on these two CDs. If you’re generous, add “Last Ride into the Sun” from Berry’s solo album Pilgrimage To A Point, which was written for a 3-album back in the 80’s. So instead of doing a 3.2 or 3 tour with this band, Berry took the chance and made it a retrospective of his entire career. Here you can hear songs from Ambrosia, from cover albums (Yes, Jethro Tull and Genesis), as well as from Berry’s solo albums.
Do not get me wrong. The choice of songs is okay insofar as the listeners get to hear an energetic, varied concert with well-known and lesser-known songs. It’s just not a 3.2 or 3 concert. Now, Berry is a great songwriter and a musical all-rounder, and really deserves a retrospective like this one – but we also have our 3.2 or 3 concert – and we only get half of that here.
But what we get is great. Played class, filmed competently, and provided with a powerful, if consistently slightly dark sound. As an unbridled Berry fan, I’m certainly thrilled, and anyone who follows his career shouldn’t feel any different. Those who like 3 fall a little short, but that’s even more true for fans of Ambrosia, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Genesis. So “Alive at Progstock” is primarily aimed at fans of Robert Berry and 3. Have fun with it!
http://www.babyblaue-seiten.de/album_20405.html#oben
Also – the Reviewer has a FANTASTIC bio page!
Check it out: http://www.babyblaue-seiten.de/index.php?content=reviewer&left=reviewer&top=reviews&reviewercont=39
Skylight Magazine (Greece) Reviews “Alive at ProgStock”
Thank you so much, Billy Yfantis and Skylight Magazine, for this review of Robert Berry’s 3.2 band new CD/DVD “Alive at ProgStock”!
Here is the review, plus the link to the original article is below:
Robert Berry (best known for his work with 3 with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer) recruited Paul Keller from the original “3” touring band on guitar/vocals, Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard) on drums/vocals, and Andrew Colyer (Circuline) to handle keyboards/vocals. This line-up recorded a double live CD/DVD album capturing the band at the 2019 International ProgStock Festival. The tracklist covers the whole career of Robert Berry and some of Prog’s best tracks, including Roundabout, Watcher of the Skies, Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, Part 1), etc.
I have always been a fan of Robert Berry due to the dynamic performances of his touring band and the fresh sound that he delivers to the Prog scene. This album is a historic living (or “live”) proof of my sayings, since it manages to boost your inner mechanism of happiness with the catchy vocal lines, the impressive synth-stories and the crystal clear audio production. The music style is uptempo, melodic Prog in the style of Asia (John Payne era) and Emerson Lake Palmer (Black Moon album era) without being boring at all, on the contrary, it might attract fans of AOR who will enjoy the positive vibes as well. Of course, if you take a closer listen to the album, you will “feel” the musicianship in every member because the cool audio mix fosters the talent of each band member.
Both audio and DVD video discs are well produced, and the combination of audio/visual quality is simply astonishing. In other words, this CD/DVD package is great value for money for the fans of melodic rock/ Prog scene. By supporting a Prog band nowadays it is very important for the vitality of a genre that is losing its fallen heroes, although its legacy still inspires artists such as Robert Berry to continue the tradition of the musical evolution.
Robert Berry’s 3.2 – Alive at ProgStock (2nd Street Records)
Prog Archives 5-Star Review of “Alive at ProgStock”
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Kev Rowland, for this FIVE-STAR REVIEW of Robert Berry’s 3.2 Band “Alive at ProgStock” CD/DVD concert package! Here is the full review below:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – 5 STARS – There is no doubt that one of the most interesting “new” artists to come out in the progressive scene in the last few years has been 3, who in 1988 released an incredible debut album. At the time it was Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer and Robert Berry, and as well as releasing the album they toured, with Paul Keller providing guitar at the live shows. It was many years later that Keith and Robert talked about producing a new 3 album and started writing together before Keith’s untimely death. However, multi-instrumentalist Berry completed the album and ‘The Rules Have Changed’ was released as being by 3.2 in 2018, just 30 years after the debut, and was a resounding success. There was still one song left from the sessions, so Berry then set to and recorded ‘Third Impression’, creating a complete album in the way he thought Emerson would approve of.
Having undertaken all this work, the question started being made about whether it was also time to create a band to go out on the road and play progressive music from throughout Robert’s career. On this album, as well as Robert (bass, acoustic guitar. lead vocals) there is Paul Keller from 3 on lead guitar and vocals, Andrew Colyer (Circuline) on keyboards and vocals with Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard), drums, vocals. Instead of playing music just from the 3/3.2 releases, we get “No One Else To Blame” which was written for GTR, and then appeared on Robert’s excellent 1993 release ‘Pilgrimage To A Point’, as well as some of the heavily rearranged covers which Robert was involved with in the 90’s tribute albums which were very popular at the time. There is also some ELP material, which Robert and Paul originally played live in 3 back in the day alongside Emerson and Palmer.
What makes this such a fascinating album is that while the music and musicianship is exemplary, as would be expected from all those involved, is that Robert often provides context before each song so that those in the audience unaware of the history is able to understand and become involved. I have followed Robert’s career since the debut 3 album all those years ago, and I was learning new things as well. As for those involved in this project, everyone on that stage is an absolute master, which means they can not only cope with the extremely complex and complicated scores but take them to new levels. With both Emerson and Lake no longer with us, this is the closest anyone can get to the original band, and we should all have sympathy with Colyer for having to take on the role of one of the most influential keyboard players of all time.
They have also taken the music and had fun with it, with some of the arrangements being close to the originals and others taken in totally different directions, which certainly makes it interesting to listen to. A great example of this is their version of “Deck The Halls”, played in the manner of Rush, with Keegan on lead vocals. Undoubtedly this is now my new favourite Christmas song, as it is totally irreverent, tongue in cheek, and a load of fun. Of course, they then follow it up with “Watcher of the Skies”, which takes us on a whole new tangent. The night of 15 wonderful songs ends with “Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, Part 1)”, who could wish for more?
For those who feel the two compact discs containing the concert are not enough will be pleased to know that it is also available with a DVD, so one can watch this incredible band blast through some absolute classics. Now I wonder when the next studio album is coming out?
Here’s the direct link to the Prog Archives Review: http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=2771443
“Fantastic” Review of 3.2 band’s “Alive at ProgStock”
A score of 8.7 out of 10! Thank you so much, Phillipe Andre, for this “Fantastic” Review of the 3.2 band CD/DVD package Alive at ProgStock! Here is the complete review below, plus the link to the original article.
[Translated from French] 1987, Keith EMERSON and Carl PALMER recruit a young unknown American Robert BERRY to replace Greg LAKE for the album “To the Power of Three” by naming the group “3”. 2015, Keith and Robert reunite again to resume their unfinished business. When Keith died in 2016, Robert decided with the help of Emerson Estate and Frontiers Records to finish writing in order to release their collaboration with “The Rules Have Changed”.
Pandemic obliges, in 2019 Robert BERRY hits the road again for a 29-date North American tour with Paul KELLER (Guitars, backing vocals), Jimmy KEEGAN (SPOCK’S BEARD, Drums, backing vocals) and Andrew COLYER (CIRCULINE, Keyboards, backing vocals) ) and the result is simply fantastic. I’m not particularly a fan of albums in public but this one will be one of my exceptions (at most a dozen in my CD library).
Apart from containing the best compositions of the first two albums of “3”, some more rock songs composed by BERRY, the covers present are remarkable, a “Minstrel in the Gallery” different from the original, a “Roundabout” ditto without the Rickenbacker by CHRIS SQUIRE therefore more flowing (the first two minutes are so different that it is not easy to recognize), and then, and then…..the best rereading ever heard of “Watcher of the Skies” = extraordinary ! of unparalleled rock n rollesque power. The concert ends with a “Karn Evil 9 First Impression” not to sting beetles, Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends ……. Fantastic I told you.
https://www.profilprog.com/quick-reviews-2/Robert-Berry’s-3.2
Robert Berry’s 3.2 Band on Tour in California
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Here’s a video clip of the band on tour at Club Fox in Redwood City, California! March 31st, 2022. This is the opening to Robert Berry’s version of the YES classic song, “Roundabout”. You’ll also see Jimmy Keegan (drums/vocals) and Paul Keller (gtr) in this clip!
Velvet Thunder Gives Rave Review for Awaken’s “Out of the Shadows”
Thank you so much, Terry Craven and Velvet Thunder, for this awesome review of Awaken’s epic double album, Out of the Shadows! Here are a few of the nice things that Terry had to say about Andrew with the band.
“The guitar and keyboards share centre stage and Andrew Colyer is wonderful whether adding texture to the sound or leading with epic banks of keyboards and his use of solo piano is devastating.”
For the full review, please check out the link below:
https://www.velvetthunder.co.uk/awaken-out-of-the-shadows-pure-steel-records/
OR here is a PDF of the review:
Awaken – Out Of The Shadows (Pure Steel Records) – VELVET THUNDER
Awaken is a New York based progressive metal band that was formed in 2009 by the vocalist Glenn DaGrossa (ex-Lazarus) with the self-titled debut coming out in 2012. One of the very many excellent benefits of the internet is that the world is now much smaller which makes it easier for unknown bands to make a global impact or at least ensure that their music is available to a wider market.
Out Of The Shadows was originally released in 2019 but it seems that the band has recently signed to Pure Steel records and they have gone ahead with this re-issue which is really aimed at introducing this quite splendid prog metal delight to a much wider audience. I wasn’t previously aware of the debut album but a quick listen has confirmed much of what I had learned from Out Of The Shadows which is that this is a band brimming with quality, talent and amazing songs and is one hell of a progressive metal rock band. I’m not sure what has happened between 2012 and 2019 other than there appears to have been a radical change within the band with the solitary remaining member being the singer Glenn DaGrossa. He has now joined forces with Eric Wirsing on guitar, Eddie Jucius on bass, Andrew Colyer on keyboards and Mike Marrone on drums and have now produced 90 minutes of pure and exhilarating progressive metal spread over 2 discs.
This next statement may not necessarily be true and apologies if it isn’t but it does appear that guitarist Wirsing joined the band after completion of the album and Eric Gillette was the guest guitarist for the album, it’s a little difficult to be exact when you do not have an album cover to check but only a few bare facts accompanying the album. This is very much an American prog album and, curiously, the CD is being advertised as an album independent of the genre and so comparisons with Fates Warning, Dream Theater and Symphony X are forbidden but it is simply impossible to mention prog metal from the United States without mentioning those three bands or Queensryche for that matter. In truth, there are some comparisons with early Dream Theater and even early Rush but Fates Warning is the closest comparison to this band that I can make and if you’re mentioned as being close to these great bands then you must be doing something right! The band also incorporates elements of symphonic rock into the sound and is very adept at lush, gorgeous orchestrations. The lyrics are of a story telling variety covering a range of interesting and diverse topics; this is not a band that writes songs about riding motorbikes down the American highways! The guitar and keyboards share centre stage and Andrew Colyer is wonderful whether adding texture to the sound or leading with epic banks of keyboards and his use of solo piano is devastating. Whether the guitar is from Gillette or Wirsing is really immaterial as it is simply stunning and whether it is crashing riffs or thrilling solos you will be blown away by the sheer dexterity. DaGrossa has a clear, emotional and direct voice with a great sustain and this is his band and he is in control but he is a true leader and will surely lead the band to greatness. I’m not sure who writes the lyrics but I am guessing that they are by DaGrossa and each tells a different story be it historical or fictional.
The tracks are long and engrossing and there are a couple of extended songs that show the strength of the material that the band has written and the epic and wondrous 20 minute long three part Nine Circles closes the album magnificently and shows this is a band that has the potential to be as big as the groups they have asked not to be compared with. There is just one cover on the album and it is most surprising being Ride Like The Wind, the Chris Cross power ballad, but it is given the Awaken treatment and sits comfortably alongside the rest of the material and the heavier mix shows a totally new and exciting side to the song.
If you like progressive or symphonic metal then you are going to love Awaken as Out Of The Shadows is another in an ever growing list of must have albums. Put it on your Christmas list and Santa may be kind to you or he may even keep it himself, it’s that good!
AUTHOR: TERRY CRAVEN
A former reviewer and member of the Classic Rock Society having been involved since its early days. .Enjoys virtually all forms of music but first real love is Progressive Rock. Top three band, in no particular order, are Pink Floyd, Rush and the mighty Judas Priest.
One World Music Radio features Andrew Colyer on Christmas 2021 Playlist #1
Thank you so much, One World Music, for including my track “Christmas Time is Here (Part 1)” on this beautiful Christmas Playlist! Join Steve Sheppard on One World Music Radio as he brings you an hour of Christmas Music sponsored by Craigology.
[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/OWM/christmas-2021-playlist-1-sponsored-by-craigology/ width=100% height=120 hide_cover=1 light=1]
Robert Berry’s 3.2 Band Announced for RoSfest 2022
https://www.loudersound.com/news/robert-berry-announced-for-rosfest
Keith Emerson collaborator Robert Berry join Kings X, Lobate Scarp and Ten Jinn at the 17th International Rites of Spring festival in 2022
Former member of 3 and Keith Emerson collaborator Robert Berry has been added to next year’s RoSFest bill. You can view the new Robert Berry video trailer above.
He joins the previously announced King’s X, Lobate Scarp and Ten Jinn, with the festival organisers stating: “the new Board of Directors is definitely out to make quite an impression in its mission to steer the Rites Of Spring Festival forward into the future.”
Guitarist, vocalist and record producer, Robert Berry, released the album The Rules Have Changed under the name of 3.2 in 2018. Initially a project embarked upon with Keith Emerson as a follow-up to the 1988 album To The Power Of Three by 3, Berry was, alas, left to complete the album on his own following Emerson’s death in 2016.
The recent 2021 release, Third Impression, albeit considered more of a solo album, ends quite fittingly, with the superb track, Never, the last song Berry wrote with Keith Emerson, a touching tribute to one of the world’s finest keyboard players. The 3.2 live line-up features Robert Berry on bass and lead vocals, Paul Keller on guitars, Andrew Colyer on keyboards and Jimmy Keegan on drums.
RoSFest XVII will take place at the Sarasota Opera House, Florida between April 15-17 2022.
Andrew Colyer Onstage with Tom Foolry – Summer 1992
From 1990 to 1994, I worked as a D.J. for @completeweddingstl and played in two cover bands, “Dr. Drive” and “Tom Foolry”. Tom Foolry was the biggest band in southern Ontario (how I joined them is a story for another time). We wrote and recorded an original single that got airplay on FM radio, and the largest gig we played was in a hockey arena in Ridgetown Ontario, about halfway between Detroit and London, near Chatham-Kent. I had played in front of thousands of people before, in classical and church competition settings, but this was my first time on stage with a rock band in front of over 1,000 people. I can tell that this picture is from the 2nd Set, because we had ditched our jackets and jeans in favor of shorts and t-shirts. So much fun, and to this day I have to thank my old buddy Stephen W.J. Orr (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) for inviting me to join! Thank you so much also to the other band members Ian (bass), John (lead guitar), Dan (lead vocals, percussion), Michael (drums), and in particular Mark Lampman (the other keyboard player) for being so cool to allow me to join the band and share the duties with him. Mark was really great at synthesizer programming, and could get every sound “just like the record”, while I handled the tricky technical playing parts. It was ton of work, and a ton of fun! 😀
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