PILGRIMAGE TO A POINT

A veteran of the Pomp/AOR US and worldwide scene, Robert Berry begun his career in mid-70's with the AOR group Hush, before following a solo career in 1985 with his debut solo album ''Back to back''.The turning point of his career comes in 1986, when he receives a call by Carl Palmer and travels to England, where he meets also with Steve Howe and is being suggested as a replacement of Steve Hackett in the GTR supergroup.After months of sessions GTR eventually disbanded and Berry went on to join Palmer and Keith Emerson in the newly established trio of 3.They released their only album ''...To the power of three'' in 1988, which was never responded by the continuous support of Geffen Records and this trio folded as well.Berry returned to the States and continued writing songs, which finally led to his second solo album ''Pilgrimage to a point'' in 1993, joined by Marcus Miller on bass, Preston Thrall on drums, Mike Wible on keyboards and ex-Hush bandmate Paul Keller on guitars.

About half of the songs date back from the days of Berry with GTR and 3, featuring the composing talents of Howe, Emerson and Palmer, and actually Berry himself dedicated this work to his unforgotten days in the UK with the aforementioned musicians.Musically this a blend of melodic AOR/Pomp Rock with some Prog aesthetics around, based on Berry's sensitive vocal lines, the melodic guitar work, the atmospheric synthesisers and the progressive tendencies in the vein of 3.Some complex and certainly bombastic keyboard parts are always present, albeit a bit cheesy and typical of the sound of the time, reminding the early works of CAIRO and MAGELLAN.Most of the pieces follow the secure lines of straightforward Melodic Rock with grandiose keyboard deliveries, highlighted by Berry's pretty great songwriting, eventually offering memorable themes and catchy choruses, without ever being nowhere near the heart-felt sound of similar sounding bands.His most progressive tracks actually remind a bit of KANSAS' more easy-going material, balancing between a radio-friendly style with powerful grooves and instant melodic lines and semi-symphonic passages with a monster synth sound, efficient guitar moves and extended instrumental textures, like in the long and dramatic ''Last ride into the sun''.

Berry's career remained fairly connected with the easier side of Rock music, both via his solo releases and after the formation of his more steady band over the years, Alliance.He has been also a member of the Christmas-inspired Art Rock group The December People.

''Pilgrimage to a point'' is not only Berry's most progressive album.It is a sum of his memorable stint with GTR and 3 next to some of the most significant Prog figures of all times.Recommended, especially for fans of melodic Prog/Art Rock, who are not afraid of a more pompous approach.