Rich Berry's "Headin South on a delta breeze" feels just like that. It takes you back to a simpler time, when a single artist sat on a porch, or in a juke joint, or in a house full of appreciative fans and filled the air with the magic of good old Delta Blues.

With a couple of guitars and harp in hand, it will feel like Rich is right there in the room with you, and that he is personally playing the Blues especially for you.

Honest and straight forward in his craft, Rich delivers his style of the Delta Blues, in a manner that can only leave you with a sense of wow and an appreciative smile on your face.

John Vermilyea Blues Underground Network

Other Reviews and Info

Rich Berry is known primarily as a regional blues musician in the Kansas City area. Rich, if you were to meet him personally, is much more than that. Not only is he a super nice guy but his music is very personal and accessible. Mixing blues with a down home back porch folk style, his music sets in a comfortable groove that’s perfect for a warm summer day outside with a cold beverage and some barbeque. 

This is the second set I’ve had the opportunity to listen to from Rich and I must say it is hands down his best effort. Mixing his superb and crisp harp lines over his well-educated acoustic work (he mixes both resonator styled slide and standard acoustic) with his croony vibrato; this set sits deep in the delta breeze it suggests and lingers there for everyone’s enjoyment. Sticking to the Son House ideal of the real blues being between a man and woman, most of these tracks are about love’s labor’s lost and found. He gives some brash epithets on tunes like “No Alibi,” “The Devil Takes Care of His Own,” and “You Promise Things.” He also makes a lonesome howl on “Woman, Oh Woman.” The back porch feel of this CD goes with much of how it was recorded. Berry has found a perfect formula for capturing a live feel on this disc. Turn it up and listen and he’ll sound like he’s right next to you as you sip your beer or soda or what have you.

Berry has seen two trips down to Memphis for the solo/duo challenge. His mixture of folk styled blues is set apart from many other aspiring acoustic acts I’ve heard these days. He’s unpretentious and doesn’t try to cop any other style but his own. He pulls from his obvious folk roots with lyrics and then blends in his heavily delta-flavored and blues-informed guitar style. He’s simply a great man with great music who’s along for the journey of where his music will take him. For this Juke Joint Soul, I’d love to hear him take off to everyone’s festival around the country because he’s much more deserving than being confined to regional stardom. Berry is truly a stand out performer and person, check him out and you’ll see what I mean.

Juke Joint Soul http://jukejointsoul.blogspot.com/

Tracklist

1. What's Goin' On With You
2. No Alibi
3. Headin' South On A Delta Breeze
4. The devil Takes Care Of His Own
5. You Promise Things
6. Woman, Oh Woman
7. Loosin' Sleep Over You
8. Make A Fuss
9. Walkin'
10. I Lost You Somehow
11. Blow It All Away

About Rich Berry

Rich Berry has been playing music out of the Midwest for over 40 years. His current incarnation has been around about 8 years. Rich is heavily influenced by the music of the masters of the Delta and Chicago blues. His writing reflects these influences. Rich and his music has seen a rise in the last 5 - 8 years as he has become a regional act, playing not only clubs but also festivals and concerts throughout the region. Rich's voice reflects the years of music he has experienced, as does his guitar and harmonica playing. He has developed his style to include not only smooth guitar work, but also some innovative slide work on one of his great National guitars. Add to this the harp around his neck, and the great low end thump of his foot box, and you have a full sound. It is a sound some have said must be three guys! 

There are currently three cds available from Rich, reflecting his growth as an artist and songwriter. Rich has appeared in the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival ( formerly King Biscuit Blues Festival) for 2005 and 2006. He also went to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. Add to this the numerous festivals and concerts including opening the 2006 Pinetop Perkins Homecoming in Clarksdale, Ms, and you have a musician on the rise. 

To contact Rich for bookings please call 816-436-9251.

Rich Berry - "Headin' South (on a Delta Breeze)"

A Drury University Production - Rich Berry from Kansas City performs "Headin' South (on a Delta Breeze)" on DU Uncut in Spring 2009

http://www.myspace.com/richberryblues

http://www.richberryblues.com