LEGEND Revisited
One of the Most Sought After Albums in Collector Rock History
Legend: From the Fjords
Revisited From a New Perspective:
A Christian Message for Our Age
*For the most part, I am leaving this page as I originally posted it, adding updates*
We live in perilous times. Every aspect of civilization is on a fence. Multitudes are in the valley of decision. It is going to get more acute and concise as time moves forward.
I have decided to use the vehicle of music, music I was once an integral part of, reframed and repositioned for a greater impact upon listeners than the original recording could have ever obtained.
The music remains. The message; radically changed. I wrote new lyrics for the Legend catalog, as I remembered it, many years ago. I shared the idea with friends and they all said, "Go for it." The timing and talents were not there. Today, I am asking the Lord to open and close His doors of opportunity as He sees fit, to redo things to His honor and glory. No mean task. We walk by faith, not by sight.
Back in the day, we went ahead and did the album ourselves. I've always been a real DIYer. We found a small studio to work with. Then Kevin and I mixed and mastered the original tapes for vinyl production. We chose an artist to do the packaging artwork. We sent it all off to New York and had our first 500 copies of an album people may pay upwards of a few thousand dollars to obtain, if they can find one. Lots of bootlegs over the decades and in 2019, Sonic Age Records, in Athens, Greece and I worked together to reissue an official version of the recording. They did a great job.
Now, in 2023, I am pursuing a new goal and Sonic Age is interested, again.
I am looking for:
*All Found and busy*
I realize it is highly unlikely I will find these personages here in Texas, locally. On the other hand, God's hand, doors of opportunity may open in ways I cannot imagine. That said, the ability to personally record your own files and share them for full projects is now common. Distance is irrelevant.
I have no idea if this would lead to live performances, and that's way down the road. Right now, I seek the basics above.
I wrote more about the project on the Thoughts/OpEd Page 8, the post for January 5, 2023, #714. As well, as subsequent posts, in RED
If you are interested or know someone you believe would be a good fit, please get in touch with me via the Contact Page on this website for more information.
If you are not familiar with the album, the Reissue can be purchased from Sonic Age, at this site:
www.sonicagerecords.com/_shop/index.php?route=product/product&search=Legend+From+the+Fjords&product_id=60849&search=Legend+From+the+Fjords
There are many posts on YouTube of the album, as well. Just bear in mind the melodies and arrangements will remain. The overall sound is up for some reinvigoration on an empty canvas.
Looking forward to hearing from you ~ Ray
**Based on being contacted and some conversing, I should add this post script.
While it isn't my intention to corral any players with a note for note performance, per se', I will probably play most of what I played on the album and there certainly are some things that are carved into time by both Kevin and Fred. I really haven't thought that through fully. More of that would be discussed by the musicians I end up doing the project with, God willing. Staying true to the melody and rhythm and arrangement of each song is a must. Some things should and will stay the same. In other areas some room for personal projection may work better. To be discussed...
And another post script -
A couple of things. One, a great deal of what Kevin played was on his 12 string. He used a 6/12 Ibanez, as well as a Gibson SG, iirc. That 12 was a crucial element of our sound on a number of songs. I realize double necks are not as popular as they once were, especially back in the 70's. In the unlikely event you own one, I understand electronic devices are used these days to recreate realistic 12-string sound. Access to one or the other would be necessary.
The other thing is the nature of a 40 year difference in recording environments and equipment, etc. Back when the invitation to play the "Keep It True" festival, in Germany, was planned, before Covid hit, I remember Fred saying, "You know, it isn't going to sound the same." That's a reality that's understood. Someone brought it up on a discussion forum, as well.
For me, the thin line between the real deal and being more like a tribute band, regardless of final sound, is something of a bridge that will have to be crossed to see if what we'll have can fly. I am not the same player I was 40 years ago. New musicians enter established bands all the time. Many of the legacy bands of my era have lost players and replaced them, and things can sound fantastic, still. It's just something to seek for and see what develops. An overall band personality may change but, the music can remain solid and still be highly proficient and enjoyable. That's what we're aiming for.
I realize isolation recording, doing things piecemeal, can be sketchy business. For Legend, we did it all in the same room, at the same time, and flew. Kevin did his solos later, as well as vocals we did, and percussion elements. I have not participated in isolation recording before, other than just playing for a half hour and sending files to Tom to listen to and see what he can match to it. This will be the first time I've attempted the collective process. I will benefit from other's experience, if they have it. More things to discuss.
Can this be pulled off? I see no reason why not.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
*UPDATE - January 23, 2023*
I am excited to announce that guitarist extraordinaire, Martin J. Andersen, of Denmark, will be handling the guitar position for the project. Martin is a lovely guy, a serious professional and I'm delighted he's on board. You will remember Martin was going to join me at the Keep It True festival, in Germany, via the invitation for Legend to play, back in 2020. The Covid situation ended that event at the time. I'm really looking forward to hearing what Martin will contribute to this revisiting of the album, including a new song to be premiered.
*UPDATE - February 11, 2023
It was a difficult decision but, I am also excited to announce the bassist for this project will be the very talented Janne Stark, of Sweden. Janne was suggested to me back in 2019 for the guitarist slot for the Legend reunion concert. I contacted him but, he was very busy with various projects at the time. He submitted some great audition tracks and the gig was his. He also works with Sonic Age Records so both Manos and Kostas know him and his work well. A tough decision, and it was not based purely on talent, for all the players are worthy in their own right. A decision like this comes down to vibe, a sense of fit, and Janne had some personal touches that jumped right out of the mix.
So, here we go.
LEGEND Revisited - From the LORD
*UPDATE* - It flies. It soars. It's like hearing it for the first time. Horripilation City. Martin and Janne have consistently hit it out of the park, every song, including the new song chosen for the recording.
Some things stay the same. Some things modified. Some things new, in the spirit of the original.
I have decided to use the vehicle of music, music I was once an integral part of, reframed and repositioned for a greater impact upon listeners than the original recording could have ever obtained.
The music remains. The message; radically changed. I wrote new lyrics for the Legend catalog, as I remembered it, many years ago. I shared the idea with friends and they all said, "Go for it." The timing and talents were not there. Today, I am asking the Lord to open and close His doors of opportunity as He sees fit, to redo things to His honor and glory. No mean task. We walk by faith, not by sight.
Back in the day, we went ahead and did the album ourselves. I've always been a real DIYer. We found a small studio to work with. Then Kevin and I mixed and mastered the original tapes for vinyl production. We chose an artist to do the packaging artwork. We sent it all off to New York and had our first 500 copies of an album people may pay upwards of a few thousand dollars to obtain, if they can find one. Lots of bootlegs over the decades and in 2019, Sonic Age Records, in Athens, Greece and I worked together to reissue an official version of the recording. They did a great job.
Now, in 2023, I am pursuing a new goal and Sonic Age is interested, again.
I am looking for:
*All Found and busy*
I realize it is highly unlikely I will find these personages here in Texas, locally. On the other hand, God's hand, doors of opportunity may open in ways I cannot imagine. That said, the ability to personally record your own files and share them for full projects is now common. Distance is irrelevant.
I have no idea if this would lead to live performances, and that's way down the road. Right now, I seek the basics above.
I wrote more about the project on the Thoughts/OpEd Page 8, the post for January 5, 2023, #714. As well, as subsequent posts, in RED
If you are interested or know someone you believe would be a good fit, please get in touch with me via the Contact Page on this website for more information.
If you are not familiar with the album, the Reissue can be purchased from Sonic Age, at this site:
www.sonicagerecords.com/_shop/index.php?route=product/product&search=Legend+From+the+Fjords&product_id=60849&search=Legend+From+the+Fjords
There are many posts on YouTube of the album, as well. Just bear in mind the melodies and arrangements will remain. The overall sound is up for some reinvigoration on an empty canvas.
Looking forward to hearing from you ~ Ray
**Based on being contacted and some conversing, I should add this post script.
While it isn't my intention to corral any players with a note for note performance, per se', I will probably play most of what I played on the album and there certainly are some things that are carved into time by both Kevin and Fred. I really haven't thought that through fully. More of that would be discussed by the musicians I end up doing the project with, God willing. Staying true to the melody and rhythm and arrangement of each song is a must. Some things should and will stay the same. In other areas some room for personal projection may work better. To be discussed...
And another post script -
A couple of things. One, a great deal of what Kevin played was on his 12 string. He used a 6/12 Ibanez, as well as a Gibson SG, iirc. That 12 was a crucial element of our sound on a number of songs. I realize double necks are not as popular as they once were, especially back in the 70's. In the unlikely event you own one, I understand electronic devices are used these days to recreate realistic 12-string sound. Access to one or the other would be necessary.
The other thing is the nature of a 40 year difference in recording environments and equipment, etc. Back when the invitation to play the "Keep It True" festival, in Germany, was planned, before Covid hit, I remember Fred saying, "You know, it isn't going to sound the same." That's a reality that's understood. Someone brought it up on a discussion forum, as well.
For me, the thin line between the real deal and being more like a tribute band, regardless of final sound, is something of a bridge that will have to be crossed to see if what we'll have can fly. I am not the same player I was 40 years ago. New musicians enter established bands all the time. Many of the legacy bands of my era have lost players and replaced them, and things can sound fantastic, still. It's just something to seek for and see what develops. An overall band personality may change but, the music can remain solid and still be highly proficient and enjoyable. That's what we're aiming for.
I realize isolation recording, doing things piecemeal, can be sketchy business. For Legend, we did it all in the same room, at the same time, and flew. Kevin did his solos later, as well as vocals we did, and percussion elements. I have not participated in isolation recording before, other than just playing for a half hour and sending files to Tom to listen to and see what he can match to it. This will be the first time I've attempted the collective process. I will benefit from other's experience, if they have it. More things to discuss.
Can this be pulled off? I see no reason why not.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
*UPDATE - January 23, 2023*
I am excited to announce that guitarist extraordinaire, Martin J. Andersen, of Denmark, will be handling the guitar position for the project. Martin is a lovely guy, a serious professional and I'm delighted he's on board. You will remember Martin was going to join me at the Keep It True festival, in Germany, via the invitation for Legend to play, back in 2020. The Covid situation ended that event at the time. I'm really looking forward to hearing what Martin will contribute to this revisiting of the album, including a new song to be premiered.
*UPDATE - February 11, 2023
It was a difficult decision but, I am also excited to announce the bassist for this project will be the very talented Janne Stark, of Sweden. Janne was suggested to me back in 2019 for the guitarist slot for the Legend reunion concert. I contacted him but, he was very busy with various projects at the time. He submitted some great audition tracks and the gig was his. He also works with Sonic Age Records so both Manos and Kostas know him and his work well. A tough decision, and it was not based purely on talent, for all the players are worthy in their own right. A decision like this comes down to vibe, a sense of fit, and Janne had some personal touches that jumped right out of the mix.
So, here we go.
LEGEND Revisited - From the LORD
*UPDATE* - It flies. It soars. It's like hearing it for the first time. Horripilation City. Martin and Janne have consistently hit it out of the park, every song, including the new song chosen for the recording.
Some things stay the same. Some things modified. Some things new, in the spirit of the original.
I just wrote a post this past week on the Recording Blog (May 19, 2023), about engineers being just as much a member of the band as the musicians. When Martin and Janne heard Tom's first mixes, they were pretty impressed. I'm used to it. What he does is nothing short of phenomenal. He is turning these raw files into a sonic treat that hits the Richter scale for soundstage. And he's just getting started. :-) He's a busy, busy man. I used to marvel at his work area. Just enough room for a chair to sit and watch him do his thing. I am so happy he is involved in this project.
**About Artwork
Back in the late 70's, while visiting the University of New Haven and one of its DJ's, Pete Sotere, who became a great fan of the band, and stays in touch to this day, we met Ioannis Vasilopoulos, a young artist from Greece who came to the USA with his family in the late 60's. I think he was around 18 at the time. In the hallway we walked down were an example or two of his work, as I recall, and the band ended up asking him to do the artwork for the Legend album. We offered him a couple hundred dollars, within the budget we had to work with. Little did we know. We went through a couple tries and settled on the cover known today. I have seen Ioannis mention it was a 'where it all began' for him. The album cover can be seen today on his website. Ioannis is Greek for John, and that's what I called him back then. He's gone on to become an internationally known cover art creator.
Today, for this new revisited and reformed release of the music, I have in mind the same kind of situation as 40 years ago. Finding and using the work of a young artist who might gain wide exposure through a collaboration. I think that would be pretty cool and today, the exposure would be far greater than took place four decades ago.
If you are a young artist, in school or at home, with an understanding of the Christian faith, that would like to be involved in creating an album cover for this project, or know of someone, contact me. I know what I want. I can "see" it. I just need that talent to put it in that special, physical image and would love to see someone gain a place they desire in the world of art. All media considered, too. While I know computer generated art is the most popular with bands and album covers today, honestly, another special B&W cover would have a sentimental place for me. That said, all the colors in God's creation are certainly welcomed.
I also realize there can be many artists who are not antagonistic to the Christian faith, fully capable of appreciating the intent behind Christian art, and would work with me to come up with that realization of what I see in my mind for the cover art.
*UPDATE* - While he is not as young as Ioannis was when we first met him, Boris Bashirov is one incredible artist. His style is pen and ink in the old, woodcut/etching style. I am always drawn to that style because of the details involved. After looking at the listings of thousands of artists at various job sites, I chose four, and everybody picked their favorite, of which Boris was #1 or 2, and I chose Boris. All four artists had different styles, though two were the pen and ink style. Boris has completed the front cover and is now working on the back cover. He hails from Kazakhstan. He's new to Fiverr, the last site I looked at, and I am so pleased he took on this assignment because the final piece is nothing short of fantastic. It wasn't just his artistic talent. He lent a couple suggestions by virtue of drawing them that were just terrific for the concept I came up with. It's like looking at some ancient book, something you might see as a depiction of a scene in a centuries old Bible. Everybody loves it. Boris is the man.
Today, for this new revisited and reformed release of the music, I have in mind the same kind of situation as 40 years ago. Finding and using the work of a young artist who might gain wide exposure through a collaboration. I think that would be pretty cool and today, the exposure would be far greater than took place four decades ago.
If you are a young artist, in school or at home, with an understanding of the Christian faith, that would like to be involved in creating an album cover for this project, or know of someone, contact me. I know what I want. I can "see" it. I just need that talent to put it in that special, physical image and would love to see someone gain a place they desire in the world of art. All media considered, too. While I know computer generated art is the most popular with bands and album covers today, honestly, another special B&W cover would have a sentimental place for me. That said, all the colors in God's creation are certainly welcomed.
I also realize there can be many artists who are not antagonistic to the Christian faith, fully capable of appreciating the intent behind Christian art, and would work with me to come up with that realization of what I see in my mind for the cover art.
*UPDATE* - While he is not as young as Ioannis was when we first met him, Boris Bashirov is one incredible artist. His style is pen and ink in the old, woodcut/etching style. I am always drawn to that style because of the details involved. After looking at the listings of thousands of artists at various job sites, I chose four, and everybody picked their favorite, of which Boris was #1 or 2, and I chose Boris. All four artists had different styles, though two were the pen and ink style. Boris has completed the front cover and is now working on the back cover. He hails from Kazakhstan. He's new to Fiverr, the last site I looked at, and I am so pleased he took on this assignment because the final piece is nothing short of fantastic. It wasn't just his artistic talent. He lent a couple suggestions by virtue of drawing them that were just terrific for the concept I came up with. It's like looking at some ancient book, something you might see as a depiction of a scene in a centuries old Bible. Everybody loves it. Boris is the man.
*A Word to Those Who Are Not Believers*
Some will look at the seeking of Christian musicians or, musicians who are committed Christians, as a kind of prejudice.
Consider the simple option of me being asked to play for a project where the message was atheism. Could I do that? I could not. If I cannot support the message, supporting the music becomes a non-starter.
I have no problem with a mix of people from any and all kinds of backgrounds performing music together, with a secular message. People can choose what they want to be involved with. I have done that myself. In Miledge Muzic, Tom does not share the religious faith I do. He's a wonderful guy, though, and we get along fine. Sometimes we discuss religion, most times we don't. It's instrumental music, no lyrical message. If there was a message of some kind, that went against my core convictions in some way, I'd have to decline from being involved. Others would not decline. To each his own.
The lyrical content of this project is not a God loves me, God loves you, God loves us all message. While true, that is not the intent of the lyrical content here. Much of the lyrical content revolves around Bible prophecy and last-day events; the second coming of Christ. It is logical that those who are involved believe these things, because each individual becomes a representative of the message. It's not just a musician's job. It's ministry of the Word of God. Big difference.
Talent exists in all faiths and those of no faith in any proclaimed deity. In this case, those who believe the Word of God will understand the aspect of ambassadorship involved:
2Cor. 5:20 Then we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as God exhorting through us, we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
That said, if someone was to be very interested in being involved, having no animosity to the message and a cursory interest in understanding it more, I'm open.
Consider the simple option of me being asked to play for a project where the message was atheism. Could I do that? I could not. If I cannot support the message, supporting the music becomes a non-starter.
I have no problem with a mix of people from any and all kinds of backgrounds performing music together, with a secular message. People can choose what they want to be involved with. I have done that myself. In Miledge Muzic, Tom does not share the religious faith I do. He's a wonderful guy, though, and we get along fine. Sometimes we discuss religion, most times we don't. It's instrumental music, no lyrical message. If there was a message of some kind, that went against my core convictions in some way, I'd have to decline from being involved. Others would not decline. To each his own.
The lyrical content of this project is not a God loves me, God loves you, God loves us all message. While true, that is not the intent of the lyrical content here. Much of the lyrical content revolves around Bible prophecy and last-day events; the second coming of Christ. It is logical that those who are involved believe these things, because each individual becomes a representative of the message. It's not just a musician's job. It's ministry of the Word of God. Big difference.
Talent exists in all faiths and those of no faith in any proclaimed deity. In this case, those who believe the Word of God will understand the aspect of ambassadorship involved:
2Cor. 5:20 Then we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as God exhorting through us, we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
That said, if someone was to be very interested in being involved, having no animosity to the message and a cursory interest in understanding it more, I'm open.