Legend - Legend

Not quite legendary, but interesting

This is not the NWOBHM band of the same name, but instead the 1969 debut from maverick Mickey Jupp’s first recorded band. Despite the psychedelic sleeve shot, the album ploughs a folk-blues (and even country-ish) furrow in contrast to the prevailing progressive fashions of the time. As such, it’s a pleasant, rather than essential listen, with the Leadbelly-ish Come Back Baby sitting comfortably alongside the quirky, vaguely Lovin’ Spoonful-like Doncaster By-Pass.

Enjoyable though it is, it’s easy to see why the album (accurately summed up as “nice” by Jupp in the excellent sleevenote) didn’t set the world on fire in ’69. Despite the contemporaneous blues boom, Legend’s laidback, almost rustic sound seems more at home (especially in its more rock’n’roll moments) in the early 60s beat scene than in the revolutionary atmosphere of its time. That said, there is a lot to enjoy here. Jupp’s excellent piano playing and both his and Chris East’s fine singing enhance the songs’ bluesy charm, and both mono and stereo mixes of the album are included for contrast (the latter being slightly preferable). Five bonus tracks round off a worthy rerelease.

Repertoire | REP 5066

Reviewed by William Pinfold
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