Customer Reviews

Count Three & Pray

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have seen some silly comments about this album, like it is one of Berlin's best. Well, Berlin only released two albums and one EP.

This was an experimental CD, with Berlin trying a few different styles. There are some very good songs on the CD, but there are also some clunkers. The only hit is Take My Breath Away, which is a good song that has been overplayed. And if you ever take the Top Gun ride at Paramount's Great America, you have to listen to it over and over again while you wait an hour in line.

Berlin was started in 1980 by John Crawford, who found Teri Nunn through audtions. Berlin was one of the leaders of blending new wave and punk music with disco. They put out the incredible Pleaure Victim EP on a independent label. It was only 27 minutes long. They were discovered by Geffen records, who rereleased Pleasure Victim in 1982. It wasn't until 1984 when Berlin released a full length album called Love Life. It was a complete departure from Pleasure Victim, consisting of nondescript slow love songs set to a pop synth beat.

By the time Count Three and Pray was produced, the whole disco influence in music was fading and new wave wasn't far behind. Berlin tried to evolve out of that scene. They were successful to some part, but not totally. This album flopped, because it didn't please the Pleasure Victim fans or light pop fans who preferred Love Life.

After this, Berlin broke up. In the nineties, Teri Nunn got a back up band and has toured from time to time as Berlin. She released a live album last year. The title of this CD comes from a 1950's western starring Van Heflin.

Listening to Count Three & Pray, after it's original release almost 15 years ago, still reminds me why this album was not a major hit (except for the overplayed and exhausted single Take My Breath Away) ! The album was an excellent example of a pop-rock group still ahead of it's time; They dropped their synth-new wave style (which was reaching it's expiration date anyway) for a more rock flavor oriented/ alternative experimental sound. This was too much for Berlin's loyal fans to handle. Also, the departure of some of it's original band members did not sit too well with some fans. Terri Nunn's vocals were more throaty and mature sounding; She had a very sultry yet powerful voice. Electric guitars were aplenty. Their previous use of synthesizer technology had somewhat waned. The group even incorporated violins, and Japanese instruments (the koto and biwa) for a more larger and broader musical/moody global effect. The end result was that the public could not process or handle such a great feat or get past the #1 hit Take My Breath Away; Ironically, if you listen carefully the entire album has a pulsing "Top Gun" rock feel to it ! In all honesty, it is a shame Count Three & Pray did not reach a more successful status at the time of it's release in 1986; At least it has reached popular cult status like a fine Hollywood sleeper film !

This is the album that brought Berlin a lot of press attention, but this was due to the fact that the massive hit "Take My Breath Away" from "Top Gun" is featured on it. In the long run, this probably led to some disappointment in music buyers who had not encountered the group before, because this track is not typical of the rest of the CD, as it was written by Giorgio Moroder, and produced in a different style to the rest of Berlin's music. This is a pity, because the rest of the album contains some excellent tracks, among the groups best. The singles "Like Flames" and "You Don't Know" are moody, powerful synth-pop numbers, and the vein continues in other tracks, especially "Hearstrings" and "Will I ever Understand You" The album sags a little towards the end, but is redeemed by the powerful and macabre "Pink And Velvet", which seems to be about the squalid death of a junkie lover, closing the album with a scorching and emotional guitar solo. Berlin have only made three proper albums, and you would be wise to make this one a starter. Don't be surprised if you want to hear more.

By the time Berlin released Count Three And Pray, they were a trio consisting of Terri Nunn, Rob Brill, and John Crawford. The keyboard exercises of "No More Words" and "Masquerade" are no longer present, chunking most of the synth keyboards for some heavy guitars and pounding drums. And having someone who produced KISS's Destroyer helped.

The slow and moody "You Don't Know" features three Japanese instruments, the biwa (lute) shakuhachi (vertical bamboo flute), and koto (long zither).

The song that finally got me to get this album is "Like Flames," whose marching bass and roaring guitar signalling the hard rock sound producer Bob Ezrin used when he produced KISS. The struggle between the weak and the strong, the needers and commanders underline an overall gloomy feel: "We never learn but we know too well/Heaven's died and gone to Hell." One of their best songs.

There are four non-singles that really grabbed me due to their sound. The mid-paced "Heartstrings" of the whirlwind of emotions at the moment and morning after shines from tight instrumentation and a catchy chorus. I don't know who does guitar here, but it's impressive.

The immortal "Take My Breath Away" with that memorable throbbing bass keyboard, was their only #1 single and began life on the Top Gun soundtrack. This also turned up on their greatest hits collection.

With chugging and wailing heavy guitars set to a quasi-power pop/punk rhythm, "Trash" endorses those to live it up and have fun, and not to worry, as one can live with one's past.

"There's no happy ending when love goes to war" goes a bit of "When Love Goes To War." This call to talk things out instead of ending it with finality has some Cold War stylings: "give me the time I'll show you I'm not your enemy/let's end the cold war." The pounding drums and throbbing rhythm guitar harken to early KISS.

"Hideaway" is just as heart-tugging a ballad as "Take My Breath Away" calling for a sad and lonely one to free oneself from trapping of fashion (the mask) and unmask oneself to freedom and a needed friend. One of my favourite songs.

"I'll wear pink and velvet for you" sings Nunn in the final ballad ending this album, "Pink And Velvet" a song avowing mutual love and support in lieu of drugs: "The needle was our life, our hope, our trust turning into dust." The airy keyboards are a plus here. Also benefits from Missing Persons' Patrick O'Hearn's fretless bass and Dave Gilmour's unmistakable guitar.

There are many guitarists who help out here, such as Ted Nugent, Elliott Easton, and Dave Gilmour. The majority of this album was produced by Bob Ezrin, best known for producing KISS's Destroyer and Music From The Elder. Notable is how the songwriting is separate instead of collective, the exception being "Heartstrings."

The reference "Mo says play it loud" found in the album cover comes from Mo of the Pep Boys, the car commercials, as I learned from Nunn in an MTV interview promoting the album. With the exception of two not too mentionable songs, the rest of the album rocks out or sings out to the heart. So why Count Three And Pray? Well, maybe it's a reference to the fact that they were a trio, or maybe that it's their third album. Whatever the case, a strong album but one that led to dissolution and Terri Nunn's solo album years later.

Count Three And Pray is a awesome rock album filled with driving guitars and drums..not to mention Terri Nunn's powerful and sultry vocals. The band..Terri Nunn, drummer Rob Brill and Bassist John Crawford are backed by various guitarists which adds to the very diverse sound of the album.

Ace producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss, Peter Gabriel) really created a new sound for them. The songs are bold, mysterious, sexy, and creates a lush atmosphere. You Don't Know, Heartstrings, Hideaway and Pink & Velvet are amongst the best.

legendary Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour guests on Pink and Velvet and delivers a sultry and smoking performance that easily ranks amongst his best.

The classic ballad Take My Breath Away recorded for the Top Gun soundtrack is featured here as is a rousing and high spirited rocker Like Flames.

Terri Nunn, a wonderful singer with the right amount sex appeal never sounded so good and yet little has been heard from her in the following years. This album should have been a huge hit! Why it wasn't I just don't know. Most certainly a lost classic from the 80's.

I can remember playing my Love Life casette so many times it finally melted. That album was everything synth-pop the 80's had been. And yet, at the same it was lyrically provacative and thought provoking.

Some things change.

With the release of Count Three, Berlin have totally jumped from one boat to another. Gone are any synth-pop hooks, replaced by wailing guitars and drums. It's not a bad album, just so different. It blends well with Terri Nunn's angry vocals. Fortunately, the thought provoking lyrics are still here. Like Flames should have been a classic, so to, Pink and Velvet.

Unfortunately, in order to sell this album, they had to include Take My Breath Away, the hit from Top Gun. It's so stylistically out of place; it's like a tree over the train tracks.

The last Berlin album of the 80s shines strong and proud with several great songs including "Will I Ever Understand You", "sex Me Talk Me" "When Love Goes to War", with even the hit song "Take My Breath Away". Although the style of Berlin changed, I think it's all for the better. Terri Nunn's strong and assertive vocals still shine bright, and in some songs such as the ballad "Pink and Velvet" you'll think, "Wow, this is fantastic". Highly Recommended

The last song- Pink & Velvet-with guitar by David Gilmore of Pink Floyd--is haunting and beautiful. Totally worth having the album just for that song alone.

The other reviewers have said most of what needs to be said about this album, but not all. The important two points:

This one is less New Wave and more Rock than their previous work.

"Take My Breath Away", from the Top Gun soundtrack, was later stuck on this album, probably at the record company's insistance. It does not belong on this album, and stands out like a sore thumb.

Now, the bonus! The song "Pink and Velvet" includes a guitar lead by David Gilmour, from Pink Floyd. It's in a similar vein to his lead on the Floyd classic "Comfortably Numb", with one surprising exception. It's better. No kidding. The "Pink and Velvet" lead is perhaps the best one Gilmour has ever played, and most Floyd fans have never even heard it.

So there you have it. A great album of 80's rock with pop undertones that I still enjoy listening to as much today as I did when it came out.

Cheers!

One of the most underated releases around. Hard driving & melodic with excellent performances. Terri, "what presentation, riveting!" Quite a departure from the first discs, but top notch all the way,no time to be bored with this bunch.

By the way, it's great to have them back!