CHERRY FIVE

The sole Cherry Five album sets itself apart from the rest of the Italian scene with the wide spread of UK prog influences it displays - indeed, vocalist Tony Tartarini sings in English, an oddity for all but the most internationally successful Italian bands at the time. At points some of the quirky instrumental passages remind me of Gentle Giant, whilst The Picture of Dorian Gray is nothing less than a loving tribute to Yes. (Seriously, put Jon Anderson on vocals and it sounds like something from The Yes Album.) Overall, not as original or groundbreaking as the strange waters that some of this crew would sail under the Goblin flag, but still an interesting entry to the annals of the less well-known Italian prog bands. Look it up if you are interested in the roots of Goblin.