Buon Vecchio Charlie - "Buon Vecchio Charlie" (1972)

Buon Vecchio Charlie is one of those groups who first recently was discovered, and this is a very nice discovery indeed, cos this album holds very highly qualified progresive rock.

The opeing track has a lot of flute, its based on the norwegian composer Edward Griegs "In the hall of the mountain king". Contains a lot of good themes, played with a strong 70's rock feeling, largely due to good electric guitar leads. After some minutes vocals enter. A singer with plesant vocals indeed. Lenghty solos, including a keyboardsolo.
The third track has an acoustic intro, gutar and flute. A track that shifts between soft and very aggressive themes and tempos. Solos from guitar, organ and sax... A long track divided into 5 pieces. One moment it will remind you of Jethro Tull, the next of Osanna or PFM. It really has a winning charachter, this progrock is complex and dazzling, yet has a free tone and spirit in the sound. Contains everything, will please most people!

The bonustracks included, on this AKARMA-release, are of slightly weaker material. Especially the last track (5) which is mediocre and forgettable. But this album is indeed worth checking out because the original album with its long and sophisticated tracks has enough of very high class progrock for everybody into that. Certainly worth checking out!