CHERRY FIVE

If you're in to GOBLIN, then you should check in to CHERRY FIVE. The band consisted of vocalist Tony Tartarini and drummer Carlo Bordini, with three GOBLIN members (including Claudio Simonetti). I know little of Tony Tartarini, although I do have their self-entitled 1973 album from "L'Uovo di Colombo", and it states a certain "T. Tartarini" had written some of the material for that album, which I presume is Tony (although he wasn't a member of that band). Carlo Bordini had been previously with Paolo Rustichelli, and released an excellent album in 1973 on RCA called "Opera Prima" (which is worth checking in to, although the vocals aren't all that great, the keyboard work is amazing!).

CHERRY FIVE sounds little like GOBLIN, and is more in the YES/ELP vein. All the vocals are in English, and Tony Tartarini definately has a better voice than Carlo Bordini's old bandmate, Paolo Rustichelli, to say the least. Tartarini reminds me more of ACQUA FRAGILE's Bernardo Lanzetti. The album has six tracks, all of same quality, so it's hard picking out a standout. The album is stuffed with lots of great organ and Mellotron (electric piano and Moog are also used). If the wind sounds and music box that you hear between "The Swan is a Murderer Part 1" and "Part 2" sounds familiar, well, it was also used on GOBLIN's "Profondo Rosso".

Of course CHERRY FIVE's one and only album has often been accused and derided as being "derivative". Certainly originality is not on their side, but it's the inspired compositions that matter in my book, and the album has no problem in that department. Great album for those who like keyboard-led prog rock.