Jerry Goldsmith and fantasy: can this combination work? It sure can and LEGEND is musical proof. For those who don't know the astounding history behind the brilliant score, let me inform you. The music that appears on this disc is, in fact, the rejected score from the 1985 Tom Cruise film. After listening to the more contemporary, and, in my opinion, infinitely lower quality, replacement score by Tangerine Dream, I expostulate an exaggerated WHY?! The 20th Century Fox executives' rationalization of this was that a more new age approach to the score would be a more cost effective marketing move. Obviously they were totally correct because the movie completely bombed, and one of the few redeeming factors of the entire production, Goldsmith's score, was thrown out. Despite his anger about his music, seeing the film go down in flames at theaters had to have brought him some joy. I know it did me.

Perhaps, in an ironic fashion, the rejection was a blessing in disguise. I justify this in the fact that its popularity has grown over the years due to the controversy. That is precisely the reason why LEGEND is in my collection. I digress. All controversy aside, the music is what really matters.

Seeing as how, in the 1980s, Goldsmith began experimenting and interpolating the synthesizer into a great deal of his scores, LEGEND doesn't break this trend. In fact, swirlingly apprehensive synth sounds start the first track and the effect is immediate. There is the instant feeling that you are being taken to a new and different, yet strangely familiar, place. Though a complete and full orchestra is used for the majority of the score, the synthesizer is always lurking around beneath the surface. The entire goblin theme, first heard in "Main Title/The Goblins," is a wholly synthesized motif. Oddly enough, it truly does convey the creatures' slimy and conniving manner. Be warned, this musical approach took a while to grow on me so be patient with it.

Conversely, Goldsmith fully utilizes the National Philharmonic Orchestra in highlighting goodness and joy. In another somewhat risky move, Goldsmith composed a vocal song for the film called "My True Love's Eyes." I'm happy to say it is a delicate gem and fits ideally into the score. During times of romance, in resurfaces here and there in both orchestral and vocal form. One absolutely stellar track is "The Unicorns." Goldsmith's chorus is given some beautiful material to perform here. Its impending climax is nearly a supernatural experience in and of itself. This is something almost unheard of in an 80s movie score.

One of this scores greatest achievements is how effortlessly Goldsmith can flirt with either good or evil, or both simultaneously. Moving along, "Faerie Dance" appears with a fervent, playful energy that is infectious. It moves along at a perpetual clip until it resolves with a startling conclusion. Clearly, Mr. Goldsmith pulled out all of the stops for LEGEND. In another dance piece, "The Dress Waltz" is an elegant addition. Repressed for the most part earlier, the darkness becomes much more prominent in the second half of the score. Deep, moaning strings highlight tracks such as "Oona/The Jewels" and "The Armour." This is where the goblin theme solidifies itself with and increasingly orchestral sound. I really enjoy that particular touch by Goldsmith.

As "Darkness Fails" concludes, the listener becomes free of the broodingly dark music. I was a little upset because it is some of his most complex and enjoyable music. Other than Danny Elfman, Goldsmith is one of the few composers who can make this type of music truly great. "Re-united" is the perfect end to a nearly perfect score. Surprisingly, this release isn't as rare as one might think. Its aforementioned history has only aided its standing in the soundtrack community. LEGEND is a genuine Goldsmith masterpiece. Its astounding choral approach, fantastic personality, and staggering complexity make this "rejected" composition one of the best.

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Running Time: approx. 71 min.

1. Main Title*/The Goblins

2. My True Love's Eyes#/The Cottage

3. The Unicorns

4. Living River*#/Bumps & Hollow#/The Freeze

5. The Faeries*/The Riddle

6. Sing the Wee#

7. Forgive Me

8. Faerie Dance*

9. The Armour*

10. Oona*/The Jewels*

11. The Dress Waltz

12. Darkness Fails*

13. The Ring

14. Re-United#

*Previously unreleased - #Lyrics by JOHN BETTIS