| Greatest Hits 2007 |
Countrystarsonline.com
By: Jolene Downs, CSO Contributing Journalist
You know that if you are listening to a John Berry hits collection that you will absolutely hear "Your Love Amazes Me." That is one of my favorite songs of all time and always makes me appreciate the love of my life even more. And with as many terrific songs as Berry has recorded over the years, I'm sure it wasn't easy narrowing down the material for this album. The twelve tracks that were chosen as the final project are arguably some of the best he has ever recorded and now they are all in one spot. As I listened to this CD I was thinking how hard it is to review a Greatest Hits collection because what can you say that hasn't already been said. However, my uppermost thought all through the album was what an incredible voice and range Berry has. His powerful tenor just reaches out and soars through the songs. "Kiss Me in the Car" is an upbeat song that talks about how things used to be and how they should go back to the days of just going for a drive and kissing in the car. "You and Only You" is tear jerker love ballad about forgiveness and complete and total love. A few other songs that you'll find on this album are "Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye," "She's Taken A Shine," "When A Man Loves A Woman" and "I Will, If You Will." This is definitely a CD that will not disappoint. It is made for popping in the player and just escaping in your mind to a sandy beach with a gorgeous sunset and a drink in your hand while you stroll along with your love.
MY KIND OF COUNTRY REVIEW John Berry needs no introduction to country music fans... or does he? His first #1 hit in 1994 was "Your Love Amazes Me". That was the beginning of a long run of top ten hits for John and ample fruit to feed his Berry-crazed fans for years to come. During his career, John has recorded on 3 major labels (that I know of), been honored by the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) as well as the Grammy Association. He has proven himself as a songwriter but moreover, one of the top male tenors of all time. John had a great run as a top country star for years and then there was a lull in time when the major radio stations only carried the "new" and more "pop" sounding country artists, which unfortunately, found many great stars suddenly without a major record label. Now, I don't honestly know if that was the case for John but either way, that turmoil in the industry didn't hinder John. In 2004 he created his own record label, "Clear Sky Records" through which he produced and recorded his music quite successfully. He continued to tour and be heard by his fans in shows and online. During that time, he made several albums and one sold so many copies it had to be re-cut to feed the frenzy of his hungry fans. While this was great for his already established fans, there is a whole new generation of country fans that may not know his work so this review, for me, is two-fold... to reintroduce John Berry to the fans of yesterday and most ardently introduce him to the new fans he'll surely capture today. It's with that in mind that I find the re-release of his Hits CD a very wise move. As I pondered on how I was going to write this review, I tried to decide on my favorite John Berry song. I failed miserably. Naturally, as a ballad lover, those take precedence but choosing just one is incomprehensible.... at least for me. When I listen to his love songs, I find myself falling in love.... and there's no one here but me. His voice has a Svengali-like power to make one feel the essence of love so strongly that you forget about everything else... all you feel is the love... or the heartbreak of love (depending on the song). That, my friends is more than talent... it's a gift from God. A gift of a voice that is a finely tuned instrument of a Stratavarious standard and cannot be aptly described by mere words. John's original Greatest Hits CD was first released through Capitol Records but he has re-released his "Hits" CD on Clear Sky Records with an added bonus.... one that most fans would not have thought of... the old Percy Sledge hit, "When A Man Loves A Woman". For many artists this would be a very bad move or at the very least, a very bold endeavor but John Berry isn't just any artist. His rendition of Percy's Soul/Motown hit is indeed bold and John boldly nails it! What will serve this "review" best are not the inept ravings of how I feel as a fan but the song clips that I've created for your enjoyment... all 12 tracks! (told ya... I just can't chose). This is a re-introduction to John Berry... the voice that pours as smoothly as a fine wine yet sharp enough to cut the glass it fills.
© Marlene Slater (Marli)
Kiss Me In The Car Chris Waters/J.Berry
Remember that 65 Mustang |
