Customer Reviews

All the Way to There

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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!! 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

I disagree with some of the reviews posted previously. I think "All The Way To There" shows the more intimate side of John. Makes him more human and complete as an artist, more within reach of his peers. There is nothing stale in this album. For those who truly know John I'm sure they will agree.

John's lack of sales can be blamed on the record industry, radio, etc. Not on John or his music. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does. It's radio who won't play his music because he isn't in the top 40. How can a person be in top 40 unless radio plays him? It's the music business in general who set the rules that radio goes by. If radio would go back to the old way of doing things and play what's being requested then maybe things would be different.

I give John the 5 stars he so richly deserves. Not only for his music, but for all the time and effort he puts into every new album and every concert out here on the road. Thanks John!

Mary B. in MI

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.

I adore John Berry. His beautiful, incredible voice can evoke such deep emotion. This album, like the "Wildest Dreams" albums possesses absolutely none of that beauty and purity. While country music has taken a decidedly and most welcome acoustic tone, this album drowns in overkill. I long for a John Berry like the one heard in "Standing on the Edge" "Things are not the Same" "Faces" and the most incredible album he's EVER done, "Saddle the Wind."
Where is that clear, powerful voice accompanied by beautiful, simple acoustic guitar??? Lost forever? I'm still hoping and waiting. In the meantime, I'll listen to his earlier, excellent music where his voice really, really shines.

I adore John Berry. His beautiful, incredible voice can evoke such deep emotion. This album, like the "Wildest Dreams" albums possesses absolutely none of that beauty and purity. While country music has taken a decidedly and most welcome acoustic tone, this album drowns in overkill. I long for a John Berry like the one heard in "Standing on the Edge" "Things are not the Same" "Faces" and the most incredible album he's EVER done, "Saddle the Wind."
Where is that clear, powerful voice accompanied by beautiful, simple acoustic guitar??? Lost forever? I'm still hoping and waiting. In the meantime, I'll listen to his earlier, excellent music where his voice really, really shines.

I just recently heard John Berry for the first time and was very moved by his way of singing. I am definitly a new and devoted fan.

Lovely album. Great feel good tunes. Any John Berry fan will tell you, John has developed into a gentle soundsmith, not unlike James Taylor. As we listen to his songs, we not only enjoy the music, we enjoy our day. "How Much Do You Love Me?" is a wonderful valentine for any parent to send to their child. Other special songs are "Everybody Knows" and "Sanctuary". Pop this cd into your player and it will sing you sweetly through your day.

Obviously, these other reviewers don't know John or his Music or they wouldn't say such mean things about his music or his style. This album, especially, "Can't Get Enough of You Girl" is John at his most comfortable setting. True, Stylistics fan, that he is couldn't get much more groovin'! Makes you want to really move your booty. Heart breaking ballad of "He Makes Me Want Her", is every single mom's dream. True JB fans, like me, will love this album every bit as much as ALL his others.

A pitiful attempt. A shadow of what he really is. John needs to decide whether he wants to continue producing boring, spiritless albums like this one and Wildest Dreams, or continue in the manner of Faces and his other fine, previous albums. There's not a song on the album with any of the fire and passion that John possesses. He has one of the most awesome and beautiful voices in the music industry. He needs a new record label and manager. Desperately.