1     She's Taken A Shine 2     What's In It For Me 3     Salvation 4     Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye 5     I Give My Heart 6     Kiss Me In The Car 7     Your Love Amazes Me 8     Sanctuary 9     How Much Do You Love Me 10     Forty Again

Rambles
John Berry is a fine country singer and a skilled storyteller. This two-disc acoustic album showcases his talent on both counts. There are 18 great songs interspersed with anecdotes that show just how much John's fans enjoy his company. A Southern gentleman, his sense of fun is infectious and his love for his music (and for the music of others) is obvious.

The album was recorded from a long road tour which ranged from Wisconsin to California. It's an intimate experience. Harmonies are supplied by John's wife Robin, and piano-player John Hall joins in from time to time but, apart from the appreciative applause of his audience, this is basically just John Berry and his guitar, and that's all right by me. Favourites such as "She's Taken a Shine," "Kiss Me in the Car" and "If I Had Any Pride Left at All" are included and there are also tributes to John Denver, Neil Young and Hank Snow, as well as a tongue-in-cheek nod to Bob Dylan along the way.

This album has taken up permanent residence in my car. It's good company, and I enjoy listening to John's speaking voice as much as I enjoy his powerful tenor. The story that accompanies "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye" will raise a smile from anyone who's ever written. Anyone who's ever found themselves unexpectedly tongue-tied in the face of a hero or been gifted a surprise that was actually surprising will enjoy the intro to "Annie's Song." And if you've ever missed your father you will appreciate the story that leads into "Forty Again."

If you respected the work of John Denver, I think you'll be impressed by the work of John Berry. I've definitely taken a shine to him.

written by Jean Lewis
published 6 December 2003

Country Interviews Online
John Berry’s latest installment is his best yet. Songs & Stories comes from his heart and the real world of John Berry’s music. This two disk set is a live acoustic concert that shows what the music is all about. While getting close and personal with the crowd, John shines from beginning to end. This CD consists of many of John’s hits such as “Kiss Me in the Car”, “She’s Taken a Shine”, “What’s In It for Me” and “Your Love Amazes Me”. Along with his songs, John has stories throughout this entire two disk set that make you feel like you are getting to know John Berry the person rather then John Berry the performer.

--By Tracy Stefans

Country Standard Time
Whether you're one who has "taken a shine" to John Berry's music or not, you have to at least give the singer/songwriter credit for making a live album the right way. Berry's studio albums sometimes get bogged down underneath the performer's over-the-top sentimentalism, but with a satchel full of funny stories, plus live audiences to keep him on track, this collection presents the man as a likable entertainer.
Recorded at various tour stops between Bakersfield and Kalamazoo, this album leaves plenty of room for the hits (such as "Kiss Me In The Car" and "Your Love Amazes Me"), as well as slots for quite a few suitable covers. Disc two begins with Hank Snow's "90 Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)," along with a funny story about being asked to sing at Snow's memorial. It's followed by Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold" and John Denver's "Annie's Song." Before performing the Denver song, Berry tells his audience about being totally flabbergasted when he first met that Seventies superstar. And the influence of that pop-country icon has clearly left a deep impression upon Berry because his stories and songs reveal a man who is unashamedly rocky mountain high on life.
- Dan MacIntosh


Angry Country
With some of the most loyal fans I have ever seen John has made a career out of touring and self-producing albums (his most recent one selling over 10,000 copies at shows and on his website (http://www.johnberry.net)

What keeps his fans coming out is his amazing voice that is just as clear and strong live as it is in the studio. Very few artists actually sound as good on stage as they do once the editing process is done on a CD, but John does just that.

That powerful voice is the subject of Songs and Stories an acoustic collection of John's  hits and fan favorite songs recorded live from cities and towns around the country. Capturing the feel of his shows with the "Stories" John talks about the music before he plays it, often giving insight into the industry that isn't always fair. And the "Songs" speak for themselves, with hits such as She's Taken a Shine, What's In it For Me and You and Only You.   

     This two CD set includes all the biggest hits of John's impressive career and could easily have been released simply as a greatest hits album, but John went much further with this project, truly capturing the live-show experience as he interacts with intimate crowds and pokes fun at the music and himself.

     Songs and Stories also gives you the rare chance to hear John sing with his wife Robin on songs such as Kiss Me in the Car, as Robin relates embarrassing but true stories. In addition to that you also get to hear acoustic takes on his music featuring more rocking piano and guitar licks than you've ever heard from a Nashville studio band!

     I highly recommend this album to anyone who has ever been a fan of John Berry, and anyone who has never had the pleasure of seeing John Berry live in concert. With one listen, you'll be ready to see him in person, I guarantee it.

     John can currently be seen on the Paintin' the Town tour with David Lee Murphy and Lee Roy Parnell. For more information on John Berry and to purchase Your Autographed copy of Songs and Stories, Visit John's Official Web site: http://www.johnberry.net/

--By Michael Allison

Access.FM
One of Nashville’s most powerful tenors, John Berry, brings the intimacy of his shows to a CD audience in his double disc collection called Songs & Stories. Berry’s acoustic set allows the singer’s moving talent to shine through as he breathes new life into old favorites like "Your Love Amazes Me" and "I Think About It All the Time" while opening dialogue with the audience.

-- By Rick Cohoon

Country Weekly
John's greatest strengths are his pure, soulful tenor and the gentle personality that leaps out through that voice. So it makes perfect sense that this live double-disc set strips John's music down to those two elements, as he delivers acoustic versions of 18 hits and favorites punctuated with funny, informal, sometimes poignant anecdotes.

--By Chris Neal

Rikk's Country Reviews
For all who have been lucky enough to see John Berry's acoustic show live, then this is just what you remember. All the hits are here, as well as John's unique outlook on life and it's journey's through his stories. He does it all here with a simple ease, and his trademark vocals that made John Berry just who he is today. A great 2 disk set featuring the hits like "She's Taken a Shine" to a lovely rendition of John Denver's "Annie's Song".

--By Rikk Matheson