Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The multi-talented American producer, instrumentalist and vocalist worked with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer on the Lake-less album 'To The Power of Three' in 1988. 30 years on, following the death of the master keyboard player in 2016, Berry has completed the follow-up album 'The rules have changed'. Released by Frontiers Records on 10th August 2018, under the name '3.2', it's a dynamic and expansive progressive rock album, imbued with the spirit of Keith's contributions to the project before his sad demise.
Andy Rawll met Robert, during his recent visit to London to find out more about the background to the new album.
It's a great album that should appeal to progressive rock fans of all eras, with its combination of dynamic compositions, rich arrangements and astonishing performances on all instruments by Robert Berry himself. There's definite continuity from 1988's 'Power of Three' album, particularly the more Emerson-influenced songs like 'Desde la vida'. Thirty years on, Berry impeccably reproduces Emerson's keyboard lines and sound and there's a fine contemporary mix with the guitar more to the fore than before. Despite the passing of time, Robert's voice remains in fine shape and delivers the often bittersweet lyrics with power, range and soul.
Please forgive the wayward auto-focus on my camera in a few parts of the video. Hope it doesn't detract from your enjoyment.
Somebody's watching: youtube.com/watch?v=ESyXLOtWV90
Powerful man: youtube.com/watch?v=cmc87bd-xy4
Desde la vida (1988 live excerpt): youtube.com/watch?v=nLRQY6YdAOk
Desde la vida (album version): youtube.com/watch?v=gy6rJI9-fRk
robertberry.com
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Reconnecting with Keith
05:25 - Planning the project
06:55 - Developing ideas
09:47 - Writing the songs
12:27 - Revisiting the material after Keith's death
18:50 - Playing every part on the album
21:37 - The response to the finished album
23:55 - Recommended tracks from the album ('One by one', 'Powerful Man')
25:15 - What is the song 'Powerful man' about ?
26:56 - Summary of album release and possible future tour plans
29:32 - Encore: quickfire questions
- First record you bought ?
- What music do you listen to now ?
- Anyone you would like to collaborate with ?
- Biggest influence on your career ?
EXPANDED Q&A
Q: What was the impetus behind the new music and Keith's involvement ?
A: Originally, Keith had no desire to revisit '3'. Yet, after he heard the recently released 'Live Boston 88' CD from the tour that we did with Carl after the first album and I told him that Frontiers Records were really interested in a sequel, he was onboard.
Q: How did the material come together ?
A: There were some unused song ideas on cassette from the time of the first album. Mostly, it was from long phone sessions when we discussed compositions, reviewed demos and played parts live.
Q: When Keith died, did you considering shelving the project ?
A: After that, I wasn't going to do it. Then I set about writing a song called 'Our bond' in response to the outpouring of love on Facebook and how he touched people as he was such as sweet, friendly guy and a one-of-kind musician like Jimi Hendrix.
Q: How did you end-up playing every instrument on the album ?
A: It was inspired by Keith, who originally wanted to call the album '1' and after he died I decided that I would be one that did it. 20-30% of what you hear on the album is based directly on his playing, that I've recreated as closely as possible
Q: What was the first record you bought ?
A: My Dad owned a music store, so I never had to go out and buy one.
Q: What type of music do you listen to when you're not working in the studio on tour ?
A: I'm bombarded with music every day, it's how I make my living, but when I'm driving or at home, I normally don't listen to anything.
Q: If the mood does take you, which artists are responsible for your favourite albums ?
A: Jeff Beck, particularly going back to 'Blow by blow'; Steely Dan, both sonically and musically; and I'm a huge Yes fan.
Q: Anyone you'd collaborate with ?
A: I think that Trevor Rabin is amazing and I'd love to work with Paul McCartney.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences ?
A: Looking across the different instruments: Bass: Paul McCartney or Chris Squire; Guitar: Steve Howe or Jeff Beck; Drums: Ringo Star or Simon Philips (with an honorable mention to Carl Palmer); Keyboards: Geoff Downes or Keith Emerson.
Interview by: Andy Rawll
The multi-talented American producer, instrumentalist and vocalist worked with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer on the Lake-less album 'To The Power of Three' in 1988. 30 years on, following the death of the master keyboard player in 2016, Berry has completed the follow-up album 'The rules have changed'. Released by Frontiers Records on 10th August 2018, under the name '3.2', it's a dynamic and expansive progressive rock album, imbued with the spirit of Keith's contributions to the project before his sad demise.
Andy Rawll met Robert, during his recent visit to London to find out more about the background to the new album.
It's a great album that should appeal to progressive rock fans of all eras, with its combination of dynamic compositions, rich arrangements and astonishing performances on all instruments by Robert Berry himself. There's definite continuity from 1988's 'Power of Three' album, particularly the more Emerson-influenced songs like 'Desde la vida'. Thirty years on, Berry impeccably reproduces Emerson's keyboard lines and sound and there's a fine contemporary mix with the guitar more to the fore than before. Despite the passing of time, Robert's voice remains in fine shape and delivers the often bittersweet lyrics with power, range and soul.
Please forgive the wayward auto-focus on my camera in a few parts of the video. Hope it doesn't detract from your enjoyment.
Somebody's watching: youtube.com/watch?v=ESyXLOtWV90
Powerful man: youtube.com/watch?v=cmc87bd-xy4
Desde la vida (1988 live excerpt): youtube.com/watch?v=nLRQY6YdAOk
Desde la vida (album version): youtube.com/watch?v=gy6rJI9-fRk
robertberry.com
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Reconnecting with Keith
05:25 - Planning the project
06:55 - Developing ideas
09:47 - Writing the songs
12:27 - Revisiting the material after Keith's death
18:50 - Playing every part on the album
21:37 - The response to the finished album
23:55 - Recommended tracks from the album ('One by one', 'Powerful Man')
25:15 - What is the song 'Powerful man' about ?
26:56 - Summary of album release and possible future tour plans
29:32 - Encore: quickfire questions
- First record you bought ?
- What music do you listen to now ?
- Anyone you would like to collaborate with ?
- Biggest influence on your career ?
EXPANDED Q&A
Q: What was the impetus behind the new music and Keith's involvement ?
A: Originally, Keith had no desire to revisit '3'. Yet, after he heard the recently released 'Live Boston 88' CD from the tour that we did with Carl after the first album and I told him that Frontiers Records were really interested in a sequel, he was onboard.
Q: How did the material come together ?
A: There were some unused song ideas on cassette from the time of the first album. Mostly, it was from long phone sessions when we discussed compositions, reviewed demos and played parts live.
Q: When Keith died, did you considering shelving the project ?
A: After that, I wasn't going to do it. Then I set about writing a song called 'Our bond' in response to the outpouring of love on Facebook and how he touched people as he was such as sweet, friendly guy and a one-of-kind musician like Jimi Hendrix.
Q: How did you end-up playing every instrument on the album ?
A: It was inspired by Keith, who originally wanted to call the album '1' and after he died I decided that I would be one that did it. 20-30% of what you hear on the album is based directly on his playing, that I've recreated as closely as possible
Q: What was the first record you bought ?
A: My Dad owned a music store, so I never had to go out and buy one.
Q: What type of music do you listen to when you're not working in the studio on tour ?
A: I'm bombarded with music every day, it's how I make my living, but when I'm driving or at home, I normally don't listen to anything.
Q: If the mood does take you, which artists are responsible for your favourite albums ?
A: Jeff Beck, particularly going back to 'Blow by blow'; Steely Dan, both sonically and musically; and I'm a huge Yes fan.
Q: Anyone you'd collaborate with ?
A: I think that Trevor Rabin is amazing and I'd love to work with Paul McCartney.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences ?
A: Looking across the different instruments: Bass: Paul McCartney or Chris Squire; Guitar: Steve Howe or Jeff Beck; Drums: Ringo Star or Simon Philips (with an honorable mention to Carl Palmer); Keyboards: Geoff Downes or Keith Emerson.
Interview by: Andy Rawll
