The precursor band to Goblin, not released until after Goblin's career was well underway. There's a very dated feel to this record, dated even in 1974/75. It seems like the guys in Cherry Five were stuck in 1971, and hadn't yet found the right suit of clothes (the famous
Goblin sound). It's more overtly symphonic than Goblin, with a higher wank-factor and lacking the dark menace of their soundtrack work. But seeing as I love The Yes Album so much, I have a soft spot for this exuberant one-shot.
There is a hint -- just a slight threat -- of what madness Goblin would get up to on the tracks that close side one and open side two. But that's almost an aberration in the midst of this joyful neo-Yes/ELP-fest. As anyone who has seen keys wizard Simonetti perform
live can attest, the man rips it up on Hammond organ and the vintage analog synths, and his cohorts are no slouches either, all personnel delivering solidly.
This is not a stone-classic of symphonic prog, but it falls into the upper end of the "damn that's good" category that demands dragging out every once in a while. Quite different from Goblin, but just as tasty in its own way, with pretty decent vocals by the one band member who didn't go on to be in Goblin at some time or other. File under young, dumb, and in love with the idea of BritProg.
Personnel:
Claudio Simonetti: keyboards, synths
Massimo Morante: guitars
Fabio Pignatelli: bass
Carlo Bordini: drums, percussion
Tony Tartarini: vocals
All compositions by Simonetti/Morante.
Recorded in London in 1974 and 1975.
Track Listing
01. Country Graveyard (8:23)
02. The Picture of Dorian Gray (8:31)
03. The Swan is a murderer (pt 1) (3:56)
04. The Swan is a murderer (pt 2) (5:11)
05. Oliver (9:34)
06. My Little Cloud Land (7:46)
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