LEGEND (OST)

The massive hit "Theme from Harry's Game" from CLANNAD's 1983 UK Gold album "Magica; Ring", proved to be a multi-edged sword. On the one hand, it virtually assured the band of the long career that they have enjoyed. On the other hand, it formed the basis for ENYA's career as a sort of new age banshee, and, in response to her massive success, for CLANNAD's dozens of failed attempts at duplicating the original magic. It seems only ENYA is able to conjure such alchemy, at least commercially speaking. Finally, it launched Clannad's moonlighting gig as atmospheric soundtrack gurus. the first fruit of which adorned the BBC "Robin of Sherwood" series and was entitled "Legend".

Unlike many soundtracks, this one has vocals, although in quite a few tracks the lyrics consist of the title repeated many times over. The predominating instruments are rather dated synthesizers that simply have nowhere to hide, and they mar the otherwise promising opening cut and "Scarlet Inside", while working somewhat better on the sinister "Herne'. They also play a more floating role which naturally stands up better to the rigors of time.

The themes are often simply enchanting. but even when they are, apparently they would have violated an unwritten primer of soundtrack production ABCs if they had been allowed to develop at all. So "Together We" keeps hinting at a supreme getaway in between sublime whistle bursts, but never quite graduates.

The highlights are the tracks that are most like Clannad songs, those being "Stranger in a Strange Land", with exquisite harmonies and a sweet less simplistic melody; the harp fronted instrumental "Lady Marian", and the more rocking "Ancient Forest" that is reminiscent of 1970s prog like HORSLIPS, STRAWBS, or RENAISSANCE, or some Celtified combination thereof.

As soundtracks go, this one is above average just because about half the tracks stand on their own, and most of the rest manufacture enough atmosphere to be of some interest from a minimalist perspective. Its big flaw is its very 1980s sound, but that's hardly surprising. Apart from its subject matter, "Legend" is not an album that lives up to its lofty name, but it's still worth a listen if you are a fan of ambient folk soundscapes or CLANNAD, especially both at once.

Robin of Sherwood was a TV series which brought together some really good ideas and a decent cast, but which I felt never lived up to its full potential. I kind of feel the same way about the soundtrack - it's pleasant and all, but it never quite catches fire. This brief album brings together most of the material that Clannad recorded for the show and reveals the main problem with the show's soundtrack: despite being rather gorgeous, it's also kind of repetitive (particularly on songs like Together We or Ancient Forest). This was more of a problem on the TV show than the album (they only had one snippet of fight music - Battles - which they used constantly so by the end of the series it got really tiresome), but even so it stops the album being a full-on classic.

People all over the world were starting to discover Clannad after the popularity of the track "Theme from Harry's Game". That popularity had moved through the UK and other countries, but it hadn't quite made it to North America quite yet. However, the popularity of the band in the UK did get them a job doing the music for the 23-episode series "Robin of Sherwood". After Enya left to go out on her solo career and a few other personnel changes, the band was now a quintet and was ready to go out into the world.

Some of the music from the TV series was culled together in an album called "Legend" and released in 1984. The band's popularity continued to grow in the UK, but the album still didn't push its way over seas quite yet. The album did, however, end up winning the BAFTA award for best original television music in 1985, and this was the first time an Irish band won the award, and that only helped pique the interest of the public. This would end up setting up the band for recognition in the US so that by the time the next album "Macalla" was released, their popularity was assured, especially after the recognition they got when U2 started playing "Theme from Harry's Game" as introductory music in their concerts.

So, how does the soundtrack music work out as an album for Clannad? Fortunately, the band pretty much kept a lot of the same direction they had previously; the increased use of synthesizer, but not so much as to cheapen their music, but also keeping the traditional Irish flavor to their music. This album acts as a bridge, and a rather good one, that helps span the gulf between Clannad's previous Irish-folk music to the more popular sound that they would increasingly turn to in their upcoming albums. "Legend" has a great mix of both styles and the first track "Robin (The Hooded Man)" deftly incorporates both styles quite well. This track introduces the main theme and also utilizes a great mix of Irish sound and pop music, but manages to do so with minimal vocals, a good amount of synth and more traditional instruments providing a nice backdrop. You also hear Marie's beautiful vocals on the verses and the signature, lush and dreamy choral sound of the band singing against heavy reverb on the choruses. This is the sound that would win the world over.

The album continues to incorporate heavy synth use on other songs like "Together We", the instrumental "Darkmere", "Scarlet Inside' and "Ancient Forest", these tracks fulfilling the more pop side of the band, while other songs like "Herne", "Now is Here", the beautiful instrumental "Lady Marian" (my favorite track on the album) and others use the more traditional style that remind one of the band's earlier albums. Excellent use of harp, flutes, acoustic guitars and such are definitely not ignored and there is a great mix of both styles on the album that will probably keep fans of both sides of the band happy.

Many will be happy that this album does not sound much like a soundtrack album, and to me, that works both for and against the album. It does make it more accessible, even when the band uses some progressive elements in "Scarlet Inside" and "Ancient Forest", but it also introduces listeners to the more ambient side of the band. Really, the only tracks on here that might remind you of soundtrack music is the woefully short, yet dramatic "Battles" and the dark, atmospheric "Darkmere". I would have liked to have heard these tracks a bit more developed, and for me, it makes the album suffer a little bit. Granted, the band was rather new at making this kind of music and finding the right way to reach new audiences, so I think they did a rather good job of creating an enjoyable album, though the progressiveness is a bit on the light side, it is one that I still love to listen too in the evening when the lights are dimming. This album is also the first album the band put out where all of the songs were original, written by the band. No traditional music was used on this album except for the obvious inspiration that comes across through the album.

Overall, even if I do enjoy the album, I have to give it 3.5 stars and round it down from there because of the light use of progressive style and the fact that it disappoints a bit since I expect to hear a soundtrack album. I do understand why it was decided to use these particular songs to build an album especially when they were trying to find an international audience. This would end up working for the band at first, but would also eventually bring on their later downfall. I must say however, that this album should not be ignored like some of the band's later material should be. It is a lovely album and has some very serene and calming moments that allow the album to fit quite well in their earlier discography. The mix of traditional and popular styles is done quite well if this album wasn't considered a soundtrack, so it is better to listen to it not as a soundtrack, but as a proper album. 3 stars, but don't pass it by.