line up 1 (1968-69)

- Nigel Dunbar -- drums, percussion

- Mickey Jupp -- vocals, guitar
- Chris East --  guitar, harmonica, backing vocals
- Steve Geere --- bass, backing vocals

  line up 2 (1969-70)

NEW - John Bobin -- bass, backing vocals

NEW - Bill Filfield (aka Bill Legend) -- drums, percussion

- Mickey Jupp -- vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards

NEW- Mo Witham -- lead guitar, backing vocals

NEW

   line up 3 (1970-72)

- John Bobin -- bass, backing vocals

- Bob Clouter -- drums, percussion (replaced Bill Filfield

- Mickey Jupp -- vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards

- Mo Witham -- lead guitar, backing vocals

   line up 4 (1972)

- John Bobin -- bass, backing vocals

NEW - Barney James -- drums, percussion (replaced Bob Clouter)

- Mickey Jupp -- vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards

- Mo Witham -- lead guitar, backing vocals

- Legend

- The Orioles  (Bob Clouter, Mickey Jupp and Mo Wuitham)

- T.Rex (Bill Legend)

- The Mo Witham Band

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Mickey Jupp's Legend

Company: Stiff

Catalog: GET 2
Year: 1979

Country/State: Worthing, Sussex, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: UK pressing

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1057

Price: $25.00

By the mid-'70s singer/guitarist Mickey Jupp was attracting some attention as a singer/songwriter.  A recording deal on Stiff  coupled with a number of band's recording Jupp material (Dr. Feelgood 'Down At the Doctors', Nick Lowe "Switchboard Susan'), upped his media profile.

More than willing to raid Jupp's popularity, in 1979 Stiff Records released 1979's "Mickey Jupp's Legend".  A compilation pulling fifteen tracks from Jupp's recording catalog fronting the band Legend.   A limited edition release (1,500 copies were reportedly pressed), the compilation pulled together two songs from 1969's "Legend",  seven tracks from "Red Boot", and three numbers off of 1972's "Moonshine".  The set was rounded out by the singles 'Georgia George, Part 1', 'Don't You Never', and 'Nature's Radio'.

Musically these tracks were quite different from Jupp's mid-'70s blend of pub rock sensibilities and more rock oriented efforts.   The two tracks off of 1969's "Legend" were acoustic, country and folk-tinged material, while the rest of the compilation featured a diverse, but more commercial mixture of blues-rock, pop, with an occasional stab at rockabilly.  At his best Jupp had a nice, slightly acidic voice that tore through the material ('Shine On My Shoes').  Elsewhere guitarist Mo Witham was probably the band's secret sauce - an immensely gifted instrumentalist capable of playing in a number of styles.  Musically diverse and probably a touch erratic for anyone who wasn't a big fan, but given a chance it has more than it's share of charms.

"Mickey Jupp's Legend" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Shine On My Shoes   (Mickey Jupp - Bill Filfield - Mo Witham - John Bobin) - 

For a guy who's largely associated with pub-rock moves, this 1972 track was likely to come as a big surprise to folks.  Kicked along by a mesmerizing Mo Witham lead guitar, this was simply a first-rate slice of Free-styled blues rock.  Hard to believe it wasn't tapped as a single.   rating: **** stars

2.) My Typewriter   (Mickey Jupp) - 

Imagine Bobby Boris Pickett hanging out with an English pub rock outfit that had way too much money to spend on sound effects.   Goofy beyond description, which isn't to say it was good.  That didn't stop Stuff from tagging it as a single   rating: ** stars

3.) Hole in My Pocket  (Mickey Jupp) - 

Standard blues number that sounded a bit like an English take on George Thorogood & the Delaware Destroyers.  To be honest, it really didn't have a great deal to offer and seemed to go on and on and on ...   YouTube has a clip of an early-'80 Jupp playing the tune on the German Rockpalast television show.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJXBdrJP4tY   rating: *** stars

4.) Another Guy  (Mickey Jupp) - 

While Jupp didn't have the most impressive voice you've ever heard, 'Another Guy' was a surprisingly impressive ballad ...   Maybe because it was arranged by Procol Harum's Matthew Fisher, the song actually had kind of a Procol-ish flavor.  Dour, but surprisingly commercial; particularly when the chorus kicked in.  One of the album's most interesting performances.  rating: **** stars

5.) Heather On the Hill  (Mickey Jupp) - 

One of two songs included from Legend's debut album," Heather On the Hill' showcased the group's original acoustic sound.   Pretty folk-tinged song with nice backing vocals - who knew Jupp started out with a folk sound ?   rating: *** stars

6.) Georgia George (Part 1)  (Mickey Jupp) - 

A 1969 single, 'Georgia George, Part 1' was almost more interesting for the line-up than the music.  Produced by Robin Trower, the tune featured Jupp and Witham with backing from Procol Harum's Matthew Fisher and B.J. Wilson, this was an out-and-out Chuck Berry tinged rocker.   rating: **** stars

7.) Don't You Never  (Mickey Jupp) - 

Released as a 1972 single, 'Don't You Never' was one of the album's most commercial tunes.   Always liked Jupp's ragged vocal on this one - it gave the tune a slightly ominous flavor.   rating: *** stars

8.) Captain Cool/Ausfahrt   (Mickey Jupp - Bill Filfield - Mo Witham - John Bobin) - 

'Captain Cool' was a nice slice of sardonic pub rock with a lyric that should make most folks snicker.  'Ausfahrt (German for exit) was a brief instrumental segment.   rating: *** stars

(side 2)
1.) Cheque Book  (Mickey Jupp) - 

The band at their pub rock best.   rating: **** stars

2.) City  (Mickey Jupp) - 

The second track off the band's debut, powered by  Steve Geere's acoustic bass,  'City' was a surprisingly catchy acoustic mid-tempo number.   rating: *** stars

3.) Cross Country  (Mickey Jupp) - 

Other than a nice Witham guitar solo, 'Cross Country' was a bland and forgettable slice of country.  rating: ** stars

4.) Lorrane (Part One)  (Mickey Jupp) - 

Nice blues tune with Jupp employing his best Gary Brooker voice.  Bet this one would have been a killer live track.   rating: **** stars

5.) Anything You Do  (Mickey Jupp) - 

Another pub rocker that showcased Jupp's knack for clever word play.  One of the album's hidden gems.  rating: **** stars

6.) Five Years  (Mickey Jupp) - 

And you didn't think these guy's had a sensitive side ...   Pretty oldies-tinged ballad that got better every time you spun it.  rating: *** stars

7.) Nature's Radio  (Mickey Jupp) - 

The lone non-Legend effort, 'Nature's Radio' was actually Jupp's solo debt;.  Released in 1977, musically it was quite different from the Legend material, reflecting a distinctively more commercial sound.   Not as instantly appealing as some of his other tunes., but I'll  admit the heavy rhythm pattern quickly grew on you.   rating: **** stars

As mentioned, Stiff tapped the album for a promo UK single:

- 1979's 'My Typewriter' b/w 'Nature's Radio'  (Stiff catalog number UP-1)

For anyone curious, Jupp has a web presence at: http://www.mickeyjupp.se/index.htm