PRIME CUTS

Pointless pilgrimage

In addition to having his own musical career - which, among other things, included a brief stint with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in 3 in the 1980's - Robert Berry was also heavily involved in a series of tribute albums to major, classic Prog groups released by the Magna Carta label. Prime Cuts is a compilation album that mainly features Berry's contributions to these various tributes with only a few tracks representing his own music! Exceptions include two good selections - the title track and Winespring Reel - from his Folk-tinged concept album Soundtrack To The Wheel Of Time, and (the only previously unreleased track featured here) Life Beyond L.A. The latter is a half-decent, but ultimately forgettable Rock song.

The collection opens with Berry's interpretation of Yes' Roundabout, taken from the tribute album Tales From Yesterday. Steve Howe himself (whom Berry first met in the 80's when he was asked to join new version of GTR that never came to fruition) contributes some extra guitar to this one. Next up is a version of Minstrel In The Gallery by Jethro Tull from the tribute album To Cry You A Song. Brain Damage is the Pink Floyd song, taken from The Moon Revisited which is a tribute to that band's Dark Side Of The Moon. Also Genesis and ELP are covered with Watcher Of The Skies (taken from the tribute Supper's Ready) and Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression (taken from Encores Legends & Paradox) respectively.

The last of the covers included is Berry's version of Rush's Different Strings, actually a very nice interpretation of the song. Indeed, all of these covers are of high quality and Berry is a strong performer, but one wonders what the point was of reproducing them in this way. And obviously, they tell us nothing about Berry's own music. And this is the main drawback of this unnecessary compilation. Finally, Carol Of The Bells is a Christmas song (appropriately since today is Christmas Eve) recorded by a group called The December People.

With the exception of the aforementioned selections from Soundtrack To The Wheel Of Time there is nothing here from Berry's solo albums, probably because they were not released by Magna Carta. I haven't heard all of his solo albums, but both Soundtrack To The Wheel Of Time and Pilgrimage To A Point are worth hearing. Start there and don't bother with this lame repackaging of (almost exclusively) previously released material.

As far as compilation/greatest hits releases go, this one is absolutely a thrill to listen to, so much fun, so much talent. Robert Berry, multi instrumentalist, producer, touring musician; really showcases his solo career here. From his Magna Carta tribute releases, solo works, as a musician with Ambrosia and working with Keith Emerson, it's a great historical look at this mans fine career out of the limelight. Karn Evil 9 is worth purchasing this release alone, his arrangement with Jordan Rudess and Simon Phillips is BRILLIANT! It's not the original, but it is magic. Life Beyond LA, Roundabout, Minstrel in the Gallery, all highly praised arrangements. His solo works also have that hook and feel that keeps you coming back to them, plus the YES inspired Carol of the Bells from his December People project has become a Christmas staple in this household. Missing from the release, perhaps due to contractual reasons with Geffen, is Robert's work with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in the 1988 Prog/AOR band "3." A solid 5 stars if it would have included Desde La Vida from "3."