For over 10 years, Paul James Berry has been roaming Europe with his acoustic guitar and songs. His interesting story has always contained the same sense of energy and hope that is common with some of the great artists of this world, who suffer and live for their art? His musical story starts in the backstreets of Leeds, England where in the early eighties he formed ?as the guitarist' a band which enjoyed cult success, called The Rose of Avalanche. After a few years he became fed up with the direction that the band was taking, and frustrated by petty band-related problems.
His musical story starts in the backstreets of Leeds, England where in the early eighties he formed ?as the guitarist' a band which enjoyed cult success, called The Rose of Avalanche. After a few years he became fed up with the direction that the band was taking, and frustrated by petty band-related problems.
From then on he decided to call the band a day and hit the road alone. He wrote and sang his songs and started to tour as a kind of music ghost, turning up spontaneously at venues and convincing audiences of his music and lyrics.
His passion, drive and talent was soon picked up on, and Paul began playing concerts and complete tours supporting the likes of Belly, Frank Black, Calexiceo, Vic Chesnutt, Kevin Coyen, The Cranberries, Drugstore, Giant Sand, Nikki Sudden, Swell, McLusky , Townes Van Zandt, before going on to play several European tours in his own right?.
In 2000, Paul James Berry recorded his first official studio album ?Ginnel' which was a masterpiece of singer/songwriting dream material, filled with history, emotion, depth and power. In 2004 Berry returned, slim, mean and moody, but always with a wry ironic smile, with the release of his second masterpiece, titled ?Nations', in Europe and beyond, to much critical acclaim.
Compared with ?Ginnel', the new album sounds decisively more natural, since PJB practically did away with the support of electronic instruments. However, some things remained the same ? Berry's intensity and distinctive forceful voice. His ability to tell a story in a song and lay open to the world the realities of life. ?Nations' is, once more, a masterpiece of an indie songwriter album.
Both outstanding and most characteristic from the new album are undoubtedly the tracks ?The Ballad of Serge Gainsbarre? (a song about the French singer the eccentric Serge Gainsbourg and his legendary TV talk show appearances), the phenomenal ?Fever Van Rose? (reflecting the wild days with his former band ?The Rose of Avalanche'), the exotic ?Mexican Girl & the English Rose?, the wonderful love songs ?The Kite? or ?Cable Ride?, ?Supermodel? (and the fickle stupidity of the fashion business), and finally the poignant dynamic ?Whiplash?, (which was inspired by all too many tramps found in many a metropolis).
Paul now lives in Hove, Sussex England where he continues to play live on a regular basis. In 2006, ?Nations' will be released in the Canada, and Paul James Berry will be taking part in a Canadian solo acoustic tour to support the release.