3.2 – Third Impression
Back in 1988, the band 3, released …To the Power of Three, and it was one of my favorite albums of that year. The band was made up of singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry, keyboardist extraordinaire, Keith Emerson; and ELP’s famous drummer Carl Palmer. It was a powerful team of musicians, that made a stand-out album. My favorite song was the epic, “Desde La Vida”; although their cover of the Birds’ classic, “Eight Miles High” was also exceptional.
“The working relationship between the legendary keyboard player Keith Emerson and singer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry started in 1987. Iconic manager Brian Lane, (Yes, Asia, A-Ha, etc.), and drummer Carl Palmer arranged a meeting between the two prolific musicians. The plan was to form a more melodic, song-oriented band, (compared to Emerson Lake & Palmer), which would allow Emerson, Berry and Palmer to follow in the footsteps of the success that Asia and GTR were enjoying in that period. And thus, 3 was born, resulting in a top 10 US single in “Talkin’ Bout” and an acclaimed North American tour”.
Fast forward to 2008, and the band released, The Rules Have Changed, after Keith Emerson’s death in 2016. It was a tribute to the work Berry, Palmer and Emerson had put into the new album.
3.2 will release its third, in the trilogy of albums, Third Impression, to wrap up the group’s music production on February 12th, 2021.
“Being left with “Never”, the final song that Keith and I worked on, weighed heavily on me”, Robert Berry explains. “It was as if my friend was still here as we had this song unreleased to the world. It was a big and powerful piece of music, but was too long to fit on, The Rules Have Changed. However, the more I listened to it, the more it brought me back to the many conversations Keith and I had about style and where 3’s sound may have headed. I am so proud of these 3.2 albums and my time in 3. Playing with Keith was, and will remain, the best experience of my musical life”.
This is a powerful closer to the band 3’s trilogy of music. Every song is both captivating and an emotional celebration of one of rock music’s greatest keyboardists. Robert Berry’s organization and playing, along with Carl Palmer’s drumming are an example of what, one of the late 1980’s best bands could have been. It really is a shame that none us this was released in its expected timeframe. But as I always sat, “It’s not when, it’s that, world class music is finally heard”.
Every song is full of the powerful keyboards that Keith left us. But the primary musician here is Robert Berry. It is he who I will give the most credit. His writing, organizing and playing on this project should pull him off the bench and put him back in the songwriting and music making realm again. At least, I hope so.
“Top of the World”, is an inspirational lifter, full of lyrics of hope. It is the successor to the band’s top hit, “Talk ‘Bout”. Wonderful acoustic guitar and piano, opens this masterpiece. Berry sings, “You empower me to be whole”. Love and devotion. What a powerful way to start.
“What Side Are You On”, comes at you like one of my favorite Don Henley songs, “Workin’ It”; with a similar cadence, as well. Only this song is set to Palmer’s powerful drums and Emerson’s keyboards. It captures the powerful split in the USA right now, and how we can all rise above it, if we choose. Berry sings, “Got the line we walk down, the middle of the road. Some say yes, and some say no. It’s a complex power mix. Same ole’ song. Yah gotta figure out which side you’re on”. Powerful drums and angelic keys guide you through that difficult decision.
“Black of Night”, is another inspirational song, urging us to carry on, despite the darkness that surrounds us. Keep pushing on, with “every trick you know to survive”. Full of Emerson’s wonderful keyboard inspirations. Berry sings, “We follow this road. And who really knows. What drives us there? What soothes our soul? We push our way passed the walls. That block our path. That holds us back. One simple word can change your fate. In that time and place where truth is found. Where hearts get filled with what you choose and leave alone”. Some of the most powerful lyrics on the album. I’m sure these reflective words have a lot to do with Robert Berry, but you can’t help wondering if it also has something to do with Keith Emerson’s choices as well. Robert Berry concludes, “But tomorrow brings a new day. Just look inside of you”.
“Killer of Hope”, opens with birdsong and sounds of someone walking. Maybe Keith Emerson? Who knows? The song borrows a lot of guitar sounds I remember from 3’s version of the Bird’s “Eight Miles High”. This one is very strong and comes at you fast. The keyboards and drums are absolutely memorable. Emerson’s influence is solidified across every keystroke, and Palmer’s powerful drum sounds will astonish. This one ends way too fast, with perfect lyrics as well.
“Missing Piece”, is the second-best song on the album, and my new, third favorite song of the year. It is all about finding your pain, and what keeps you from normal. It is a brilliant song with the best lyrics I have heard in a great while. It opens with windswept soft acoustic guitar. Then keyboards that took me back to early Genesis, or ELP. Berry’s singing, is some of the best on the album, or any of the trilogy of albums for 3 or 3.2. He bares his, or maybe Keith Emerson’s soul on this album. Not sure if he is talking about himself or Keith Emerson, but either way he is diving deep. Many of us have been in similar periods during our lives. What Berry says is important. We have the choice to decide which actions to take.
Berry sings, “I was a lonely man. Hard and destructive. Shy and reclusive. Burying something I didn’t understand. Self-destructive. Highly delusional. Empty and hurting. I was a lonely man. I was a tender touch. Looking for a fallen angel. Run away from changes. Watch my arrangements fall, from the highest mountains to a valley so deep. Love was emotion, that I couldn’t be”. Berry continues, “Then you set me free. The silence. That once sheltered me. And blackened my eyes. I totally denied. The mystery, in my tragedy. I’m wiser now. That missing piece”. Then a spectacular electric guitar solo from Berry. A perfect song in every way. Telling an important story with drama and excellent musicianship.
How do you follow that? With something even more powerful. My new, second favorite song of the year. Beautiful piano opens “A Bond of Union”, as almost a salute. Berry sings, “There’s many lessons in this world we live. But time’s so short. And wasted minutes never will come back. But those lessons that stay within our hearts. Those seeds of wisdom that were planted long ago before we could know. There were those times. And they wove the thread. A bond of union in the life they held, and warmed inside their hands. And in this world. I felt so safe from the other side I see it now. The sacrifice made. I feel my destiny. I hear it calling me. And I will never lose the faith. In the strength of every minute of every day. It helps me to stay strong. And as I search along the way. Through the valleys through the mountains. I may climb. You’re right there by my side”. Yes, another of the most powerful songs of this amazing trilogy. Definitely will be in my ‘songs of the year’ list.
“The Devil of Liverpool”, is a cool rocker, full of impactful keyboards, drums, deep bass and inciteful lyrics. Seems like an homage to life in the music industry. Mostly instrumental and full of passion. Flashy and full of life. Just like Keith Emerson would have liked it. You can hear his imprint everywhere on this one.
“Emotional Trigger”, opens with deep piano keys. A jazzy song with soft drums and bass. Like a perfect break, that we fans can remember from every ELP record. ELP was one of the many bands capable of incorporating blues, jazz, and progressive rock into the same album. Robert Berry succeeds in keeping that element in this new album. I and many others miss Greg Lake as well. This harkens back to his influence in ELP.
“A Fond Farewell”, is another brilliant song on the album. This song harkens back to the sound of the group’s first album. The video, (below), is about the last man left on Earth as the Space Station everyone has escaped to, explodes. It is full of excellent keys, powerful drums, solid bass and electric guitar. A fantastic single.
“Never”, opens with tragic piano, and they are followed by deep, pipe organ and sounds of epic keyboard proportions. A song about the state of America. The music overwhelms the lyrical content. But Robert has already said enough. The music is some of the best on this album’s closer. A wonderland of keyboard experimentation, a guy like Emerson would have loved to play, live. An epic closer. But what else were you expecting!
We all need Robert Berry’s powerful voice and music back in progressive rock. If he can organize and bring us this wonderful music from the past, just imagine what he can do for the future. I surely hope this is only a beginning for Robert Berry. Hopefully his collaboration with Carl Palmer will continue. Berry’s interpretations of Emerson’s work are so authentic, I am sure the band, if it continues in its current form, could push on well into the future. However, there are an amazing amount of Emerson prodigies in prog that would enhance continued production in the future. Whether or not there is a future for 3.2, Robert Berry has accomplished his goal of bringing this wonderful, uncompleted work to our ears, and for that I, and we should all thank him. The work he has put into this release deserves to be heard.
My second favorite album of 2021, so far.
Track List:
1. Top of the World – 8:59
2. What Side You’re On – 2:51
3. Black of Night – 6:15
4. Killer of Hope – 3:15
5. Missing Piece – 5:54
6. A Bond of Union – 5:19
7. The Devil of Liverpool – 6:09
8. Emotional Trigger – 4:53
9. A Fond Farewell – 4:27
10. Never – 8:58
Weblinks:
https://www.facebook.com/Robertberrymusic