Customer Reviews

I Give My Heart

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This CD is well titled as John sings great love songs (and some of his own) with a sultry delivery. Only John Berry can take someone else's hit and make you forget the original artist. This is definitely a "dim the lights and pour the wine" kind of CD to spend the evening slow dancing and feeling the love John Berry so elequently conveys. Absolute perfection!

John Berry has played the music industry game, listening to the "experts" at various record companies. But not this time around with his love song collection, "I Give My Heart." Berry is, as he says, president and janitor of his own label, Clear Sky Records, and you can certainly tell that he enjoys the freedom of not being contained to one style or genre.

The standout track is an update of Al Green's "Let Stay Together." Berry's voice oozes with soul, gliding effortlessly between stratospheres. Just don't try singing along. "Time in Bottle" moves at a slower pace, but sounds just as melancholy and reflective as the original. "Lady" may be a few octaves higher than the Kenny Rogers version, but Berry makes it his own. "I Just Wanna Stop" as a song may not be as classic as some of the others, but Berry faithfully brings it to life.

"Faithfully" is one of several new renditions of Berry's own songs (this gem originally appeared on 1996's Faces CD.) It will be ten years ago in April that "Your Love Amazes Me" topped the country charts (on the very day Berry had brain surgery.) This version proves that some things really do get better with time.

Perhaps the most romantic of the bunch are the two new songs Berry wrote himself. "Since the Day That I Met You" is obviously biographical, and straight from his heart. And "Will You Marry Me?" is already being used in marriage proposals, just a few weeks after its release.

This CD appeals to a very wide range of people: country fans, pop fans, soul fans, romantics, and anyone who appreciates fine music performed by a world-class vocalist.

Prime Cuts: Faithfully, Will You Marry Me, Since the Day I Met You

John Berry's in the league of his own. While country music boasts a generous dollop of Haggards, Jones and Straits, vocally Berry could never be convicted of cloning. With a distinctive, almost operatic voice, Berry belongs more in the class of crooner Michael Buble or even Michael Bolton than any of today's Stetsons wearing country wannabes. Other than Gary Morris and to a lesser extent Ronnie Milsap, in country music, Berry is without peer. Musically, to say Berry is gallous is an understatement. During his tenure with Capitol Records, Berry has blasted the country charts with his own signature full-bodied power ballads such as "Change My Mind," "You and Only You," "Your Love Amazes Me" amongst many others.

"I Give You My Heart" is Berry's first independent studio album since 2001's All the Way to There." Without the reins of a major label, Berry is at liberty to let his true colors as a balladeer shine. This collection of love songs certainly leans more in the adult contemporary direction than rustic earthy country. With that said, the songs here fall into three categories: there are a couple of new songs, some evergreen standards and the re-recordings of some of Berry's formerly released songs.

To my ears, the cream of the crop is the new material, so let us start from there. "Will You Marry Me," the current single, is not the Alabama and Jan Arden hit of the same title. Though similar in theme and tempo, "Will You Marry Me" is a brand new romantic ballad from the pens of co-producer John Hall, Berry himself and fellow artist David Lee Murphy. Frankly I was astounded to see Murphy credited as one of the co-writers. Repudiated for his rowdy brand of country a la "Party Crowd," it is a pleasant surprise to see an outlaw like Murphy being so emotionally articulate. Equally superior is Berry's own "Since the Day I Met You," a pensive love song that is poignant and sweet. "Since the Day I Met You" is postcard perfect for being the follow-up single not only to country radio, but, with the right promotion, it could also be an adult contemporary hit.

Amongst the standards, my favorite has to be the seminal Jim Croce's 70s ballad "Time in A Bottle." With a melody that is beautifully constructed and lyrics poetically pieced together, such love songs rarely exist today. Backed by a complementary plaintive string arrangement, Berry has never sounded more sincere. The tempo picks up a little, though not much, with the R&B infused Al Green standard "Let's Stay Together." With his robust vocals, Berry grooves along nicely putting a little soul in this masterpiece. However, not everything works here. I was not enthused with Berry's straightforward rendition of Lionel Richie's "Lady." I felt that with Berry's vocal caliber, he should have given this over-familiar paean a face lift. The same goes with the Bread's or David Gates' "If." They are by no means bad, just a tad too close to the originals to re-generate excitement.

Four of Berry's previous recordings are re-recorded here, though with little variations. Most noteworthy is "I Give My Heart"-listening to how Berry hits and holds those high notes is itself a treat. "Faithfully," which was formerly available only on a European compilation album is Berry in classic proportions. A tribute to endearing love, Berry's heartfelt performance certainly silences critics who thought that romance was nothing but a fleeting moment. In the light of these two momentous performances, Berry's reprise of his big hit "Your Love Amazes Me" and his lesser known title cut "I Give My Heart" become perhaps an exercise of tedium.

Overall, if you are into love songs sung by a classy singer without being fussy over musical genres, this is a must. My other quibble, though minor, is with the album cover-it just doesn't match up with the superior song quality. Granted this is self-financed album, the pictures and type set appear amateurish and perhaps even shoddy. But, as I said this is just minor, don't let the cover deter you from this otherwise excellent CD.

Just in time for Valentines Day is a new CD by John Berry- I Give My Heart. A few orignials, but mostly covers of other peoples hits: If- Bread, Time In A Bottle- Jim Croce, I Just Wanna Stop- Gino Vannelli, Love Look What You've Done To Me- Boz Scags, Let's Stay Together- Al Green, Tina Turner and more. John does a great job on all these tracks! Treat yourself and get this CD or give it as a gift to a loved one :-)

I'm so happy that I downloaded his album. I have played this so many times that I needed to copy this onto a CD a couple of times. This is one of my favorite CD's of all times. Please, John Berry, give us more like this.....

John Berry has a very distinctive voice, and he uses it on this album to showcase songs that are part of our recent musical heritage. He is especially moving on "If", "lady", and "Your Love Amazes Me". This album has wonderful songs, and a beautiful sound. John Berry is an underappreciated singer. If you like soft rock love songs, sung by a great singer, you will like this CD.

Even though many of these songs were already big hits by other artists, John Berry's versions are absolutely beautiful. As I listen, I am thinking that each song is better than the original because John is the one singing it. He has an amazing voice, and you won't be disappointed with this cd!

John Berry + Ballads = HEAVEN ON EARTH!

This collection of Love Songs is, without a doubt, his most magnificent collaboration to date. "Love Look What You've Done To Me" (originally done by Boz Scaggs) is an excellent example of just how WELL John 'covers' a song....it is BETTER than the original. His 2 new original songs are exquisite! Add the talents of John Hall on keyboards and JB's wife Robin on vocals and John has truly scored a *10*!!!

This CD crosses all genres of music and John does a superb demonstration of that with his blue-eyed soul versions of "I just Wanna Stop" and "Let's Stay Together"...I believe this CD will win a well-deserved Grammy next year!

I think at long last, John has finally found his niche, the kind of music to be played for all to hear....this will be the album to give him the recognition he so rightly deserves. "IF" (David Gates of Bread)is done like it was written for John Berry.The soulful,sensual way he sings, "Let's Stay Together", gives me chill bumps!EVERYBODY, PLEASE GIVE HIM A TRY, HE'S GREAT....

John has revived his old label that he started at the beginning of his career and boy, did he pick some great material! This cd features John covering 6 classic songs...If, Time In A Bottle, I Just Wanna Stop, Love Look What You've Done To Me, Let's Stay Together, and Lady...... re-releasing I Give My Heart, Your Love Amazes Me and the song Faithfully (before only found on the cd Faithfully that was released in England) and releasing 2 new songs...Will You Marry Me (written by John, John Hall and the talented David Lee Murphy) and Since The Day That I Met You (also written by John). In my opinion, the two new songs and the cover of Lady (originally by Lionel Richie and then Kenny Rogers) are the highlights of this CD. With John's voice soaring on each song and being accompanied by his keyboard player, John Hall, ...this cd is just so smooth. Put this on and grab your special someone....it's that kind of cd. If you are a John Berry fan already, this is a must. If you're new to John, he'll impress you with this one! His voice is too big to be defined by the Country label. He takes a song, doesn't matter if it is country, soul or rock, and makes it his own. If you ever get the chance, see him in concert also. You won't regret it.