October 8-14, 2003

Title: Legacy creates a symphonic work of art
Article from: ESP Magazine
Author: Ogi Overman

Now that the era of pared-down, three-chord, no-frills rock seems to be running its course, the cycle appears poised to revert to a more sophisticated, complex style of pop music. If that proves to be the case, look for a group called Legacy to be on the cutting edge of the trend.

To call Legacy local is almost a slight, even though its four members each reside in the Triad, from Kernersville to Winston-Salem to Lexington. For the term local infers average, and this ensemble is anything but. One listen to their just-released CD, Where We Go..., confirms the fact that Legacy belongs on a national playing field.

This effort from four veteran, seasoned musicians did not simply come together by serendipity -- it is obvious from the outset that it was arranged and produced with a concept in mind. From start to finish it flows as if some cosmic consciousness were gently guiding the progression. There is a surreal, orchestral quality throughout that rises above the ordinary into the stratosphere.

Legacy makes no pretense about their progressive leanings, and their influences are evident. Without being derivative, one can clearly hear snatches of Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Marillion, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. This is an album of pure, symphonic, keyboard-driven rock, and rest assured, fans of any of the above bands need to hear this CD.

The foursome is Frank Hartis on lead vocals; Rick Chaffin on guitars; Dale Black on bass, bass synthesizer and vocals; and Mitch Hensdale on keyboards, drums, percussion, guitar and vocals. Hensdale would be considered the ramrod of the project, in that he and Hartis wrote and arranged all the music and he produced it at his studio, New Horizon Studio, in Kernersville. Just as the band could hold its own nationally, so could Hensdale's production values. There may be bigger, more state-of-the-art studios around, but none puts out a better finished product than Hensdale's.

Hensdale, who was formally trained in orchestral arranging at the N.C. School of the Arts, also enlisted the help of several studio musicians and backup singers for Where We Go... Among them are saxophonist Kevin Best and vocalists Kristen Hensdale (his wife), Karen Steelman, Jennifer Lingle and Tammy Craven. He also gives assistant engineer Tim Correll much of the credit for the plush layering and subtle nuances that make the album such a treat to the ear.

If progressive symphonic rock is your music of choice, order Where We Go... at once, in time for Christmas. It can be purchased online at www.legacyprogmusic.com, by calling (336) 996-2633 or by fax at (336) 993-1984.