Disco de Clannad: “Legend”

You have to be familiar with the 'Robin Of Sherwood' TV series to fully appreciate Clannad's 'Legend', but the music stands well alone. A mixture of Celtic and Olde English folk styles, only the final track could be considered a 'song' in the recognised sense, the remainder of the album is more a series of conveyed moods.

Incidentally, both the previous comments are incorrect. 'Legend' accompanied the Goldcrest Films/HTV production of 'Robin Of Sherwood', originally broadcast by the ITV network in the U.K.

Among my very favorite CD's in a considerable collection. I actually became a big Clannad fan years before they were heard of "across the pond" in the U.S. As a stand-alone effort, it is noteworthy; as the accompanying theme to the BBC "Robin Hood" series, it is an absolutely perfect melding of the mediums. A relaxing interlude that is simple yet extraordinarily memorable. Pop this into the player after a hard day at the office, or use it for background "mood" music when your gaming compatriots come over for dice-rolling and beer (you know who you are!)

Clannad/Enya/whatever truly inspired me in my youth as they showed just how much could be achieved with next to nothing. And their influence in delivering mainstream acceptance of the `whispering breathless' style of `Celtic' singing cannot be overestimated. Though quite why this style of singing is so beloved of folkies and why it's become entwined with the image of early Irish/British culture is a mystery to me. But that's not to deny the inroads that Clannad achieved on the mainstream with albums like Legend which, as has been noted, was used in part as the soundtrack to an 80's Robin Hood franchise.

And the music here - well what music is here - truly does evoke images of ancient bards and druids etc in quiet contemplation in some secluded Welsh glade. Magic stuff if your from a Western European background I suppose, it just resonates and feels like small ripples of music washing over you. The lyrical concerns aren't really concerns, just phrases put together to add a human touch. I mean, often the title of the song is the main body of the lyrics, just repeated at appropriate intervals. Or in the case of track two `Now Is Here' we get the truly illuminating lyrical couplet of "Now is here, here is now". Profound stuff indeed.

But really this is not music with a message unless the message is to relax, biding a while in Clannads musical ambience until reality comes along to intrude upon your repose. And as such it delivers it's message very well indeed as the soporific strains of a variety of instruments intertwine quite pleasantly to produce a gentle listen and an experience that does open up with repeated listens, the small and rather dainty melodies beguiling in their fragility.

If your a Clannad fan, you probably want this in your collection if you haven't already acquired it. Just remember to swing by the negative vote button before you put this in your cart in order to assuage your righteous indignation at me daring to lay bare a few inconvenient truths in this review. If your not a Clannad fan, well, neither am I but this has graced my stereo innumerable times over the decades and if your after some ambient tunes to chill out to then picking this up cheap may just open up a new world to you.

Crazed fans (like myself) of the luscious and heavenly Celtic-Pop group Clannad have an insatiable appetite for all of their music, and Legend is a worthwhile addition to their collection. As several reviewers have mentioned, Legend includes selections from the soundtrack for the 26-episode TV drama `Robin of Sherwood.' All the compositions are suitable musical backdrops for a tale about a hero who lived secretively and appeared from nowhere to rob the rich and give to the poor - Clannad's music floats gently in the air like a beautiful multi-colored cloud. Although not among Clannad's most impressive work, Legend has its share of poignant moments. The voice of Maire Brennan is one of the most beautiful in popular music - simply gorgeous. `Darkmere' is an excellent example of the Clannad family's enchanting vocal harmonies. The instrumental, `Lady Marian,' is stately, majestic and seductive. I'm particularly taken with the lyrical simplicity of `Robin (The Hooded Man)': a mesmerizing song built around just four words. On a negative note, the CD is a terribly short thirty-four minutes.

A must have for all RoS fans