LIGHT IN EXTENSION

Legend is a typical British neo prog band of the early nineties with a strong accent on medieval lyrics. Debbie Chapman's vocals have an interesting contribution on this aspect because her sort of voice is very well suited to create a medieval atmosphere to the music.

The songs are not really complex and progressive at least not on this debut album. The opening title track is a good example of this and most striking here is Debbie's voice sounding clear and very nice. Still this song is one of the longer on the album clocking nearly seven minutes. It's accessible with a few instrumental passages amongst which some fast guitar. Nice song worthy of 3,5 stars to me.

But it has to be said it's one of the better compositions and one of the most striking songs of the album. Next two short songs Hold the Flame and Nightshade sound a bit flat and uninspiring compared to the title track and diminish the quality impression of this debut. Both score at least a full star less to me (2,5*). The next Windsong is quite a bit better again, the longest song on the album and a track with much more substance and more captivating moments again with a shining Debbie here (3,25*). Next two (Pipes of Pan and the Chase) are shorter once again but sound better than the other pair of short songs (both 3*). The albums ends with two longer songs (Lament and Evidence of Autumn), two nice songs without getting anywhere near excellent like all the others (3,25*).

This all can lead to one final rating which is three stars to me. Nice debut but nothing to get blown away by. Unless you're a big fan of a combination of neo prog and prog folk like for instance Red Jasper.

Pipes of Legend

Light In Extension was Legend's debut album and even though it was released in 1991, the band had been around since a while back into the 80's. They did, as far as I know, find some success in mainland Europe and particularly in Japan, but sadly not so much in their British homeland. They even planned to tour Japan in the wake of this album (if I'm correctly informed), but the tour never materialized. Instead they recorded a live video to please their Japanese fans (this live video is rumored to be re-released on DVD this year as well as a live CD of the same recording!).

Legend are here listed as Neo-Prog which is probably the best place to put them, but one should not be led to think that they sound like those typical British Neo-Prog bands of the 80's. They may look somewhat like a Metal band, but their music tells a different story. Legend combines a folky and symphonic approach with a somewhat (light) Metal-ish sound. Bands like Rainbow (the Dio-era) might come to mind. The exceptional female vocals make you think of Renaissance and perhaps even Steeleye Span. But Legend's music is much harder edged and darker than that of those bands. Legend's music is primarily based on metallic guitars, bass and modern keyboards with a powerful Rock rhythm section and operatic female vocals. Debbie Chapman has an impressive voice that appeals to me more than most female singers!

The songs are strongly melodic and catchy. But they do not make the mistake so common to melodic Rock, namely to put too much emphasis on the choruses and have too "obvious" choruses in the songs. The verses and the instrumental breaks and solos are at least equally important and powerful. While there are no instruments over and above the "standard" keyboard-guitar-vocal-bass-drums- line up, they use this limited palette very well to express different moods and atmospheres. The music has an intriguing folky and slightly Celtic feel. The music of Legend is by no means "groundbreaking", but I think that they indeed have a sound of their own.

The mostly modern keyboards are well played by Steve Paine who apparently is the founder and leader of the band. However, the keyboard sounds used are not incredibly varied and consist of modern synthesisers, some piano and organ. The guitars are also very well played and there are many instrumental passages with great guitar and keyboard work on display. The guitar sound is clean and razor.

Some Prog fans might not be wholly satisfied with the "progressiveness" of the music on Light In Extension, but some songs are obviously progressive. This applies more than not to the longer songs with the exception of the title track. But that song has other qualities, primarily that it sounds classic (not in the sense that it sounds old, but in the sense that it sounds timeless) and remains enjoyable after many repeated listens. Indeed, the whole album lends itself well to repeated listens; I have heard it on repeat for most of the day and it grows on me rather than tires me. The longest, and perhaps most progressive, song is Windsong, which is also the song with the strongest Folk influences.

Light In Extension might not be as good as the other two albums by Legend, but it has many of the same qualities. I may be in a minority (?), but I think that this band is very underrated. This album was not easy to find and it was very expensive, but worth every penny!

All three Legend albums are consistently enjoyable and highly recommended!

UK act Legend came from Runcorn, Cheshire, starting their career in 1988 under the force of keyboardist Steve Paine.Initially the band performed as a six-piece outfit with Kerry Parker and Debbie Chapman on vocals, Steve Paine on keyboards, Paul Thomson on guitars, Shaun Gallagher on bass and Chris Haskayne on drums.Struggling to find their way on the local music scene, Legend had also to battle with the departure of Parker and later of Gallagher.Moving on as a five-piece and eventually finding the bass player in the face of Ian Lees, Legend recorded their debut ''Light in Extension'' in 1991 for Pagan Records.

Fronted by a trully gifted female vocalist and characterized by their explosive and fiery style, Legend played somekind of Celtic Rock with MIKE OLDFIELF-like references, apparently bringing to mind most well-known bands like IONA, KARNATAKA or MOSTLY AUTUMN.Their sound was largely based on manic, powerful grooves with a dual collaboration between strong guitar drives and flashy synthesizers, supported by a huge and steady rhythm section, managing to produced a dramatic, epic but also trully enjoyable atmosphere.The reason for their Celtic-sounding themes comes through Debbie Chapman's crystalline and dreamy voice, the use of atmospheric synthesizers and the folkish tunes on the choruses.Legend produced highly memorable tunes with some catchy but always artistic musicianship overall with no desire for complex themes but a lust for playing music from the heart.The longer cuts contain though some nice instrumental parts with light PINK FLOYD inspirations on the guitar solos and a couple of good organ jams.

Satisfying, dynamic Celtic-influenced Art Rock by Legend on this first album, easily recommended for fans of the style.Yet I can see even metal fans praising this release.If you are into this kind of contemporary rock music, ''Light in Extension'' can only offer moments of delight to your ears.Warmly recommended.