Focus

[donnie]

One of the most underappreciated progressive bands of the '70's (at least in the US) was the Dutch group Focus, headed by the brilliant Thijs van Leer. The guitarist, Jan Akkerman, did some of the finest guitar work around. They had some very unique material. I've not heard all of their albums, but of what I have heard, my favorite is Focus III. Everything on that album is a gem.

[MissChromeNun]

I've never heard of them before - thanks for sharing. I'm loving what I'm hearing so far.

[mrbluesky]

Famous here in the UK for having two hit singles in the UK charts at the same time! 'Hocus Pocus' and 'Slyvia', then nothing more. Seen them live a few years ago and well worth seeing live. They tour the UK & Europe all the time, not so sure about the US?

[Fritz]

'Hocus Pocus' used to get some radio play on the local rock stations back in the day, but I haven't heard it in years. Most radio stations are so strictly formatted now, they almost never play cool lesser-known nuggets like that anymore.

[50s60sgroovymusic]

Actually Focus are seemingly popular here in Japan as well, and they toured in Japan this year! I didn’t go to their concert but I was curious whether they sang Hocus Pocus there or not lol.

[donnie]

Oct 8, 2019 1:33:38 GMT -6 mrbluesky said:

Famous here in the UK for having two hit singles in the UK charts at the same time! 'Hocus Pocus' and 'Slyvia', then nothing more. Seen them live a few years ago and well worth seeing live. They tour the UK & Europe all the time, not so sure about the US?

Glad to know they are still going strong! Hocus Pocus was actually never a top favorite of mine (found it a little monotonous)—Sylvia, on the other hand...I dig that most heavily...some of the best guitar work ever. 

[MissChromeNun]

What a shame they never made it big in the US  I listened to Focus 3 last night and wow these guys are amazing. Loved every bit of what I heard. Most of the songs on that album have an urgent, almost disjointed feel to them. But then some tracks are very much the opposite - peaceful and relaxed. Really interesting.

[50s60sgroovymusic]

Oct 8, 2019 16:18:39 GMT -6 MissChromeNun said:

What a shame they never made it big in the US  I listened to Focus 3 last night and wow these guys are amazing. Loved every bit of what I heard. Most of the songs on that album have an urgent, almost disjointed feel to them. But then some tracks are very much the opposite - peaceful and relaxed. Really interesting.


Whoa, I didn't know this one, but I like it!

I remember "Hocus Pocus" joined the Billboard Top 10 then (I tried to memorize Billboard Year End charts when I was 13, that was when I learned about them I'm weird , right? lol), and they performed on American TV program. 

And god, it is so good! Everytime I watch it, I can't really help thinking that they were possessed by spirit lol (no offense)

[donnie]

Oct 8, 2019 16:18:39 GMT -6 MissChromeNun said:

What a shame they never made it big in the US  I listened to Focus 3 last night and wow these guys are amazing. Loved every bit of what I heard. Most of the songs on that album have an urgent, almost disjointed feel to them. But then some tracks are very much the opposite - peaceful and relaxed. Really interesting.


Yes, good description. I'm glad you liked it!!   Anonymous Two is another good one from that album

By the way, the Latin words in Round Goes the Gossip are a passage from The Aeneid of Virgil:

Extemplo libyae magnas it fama per urbes
Fama, malum qua non aliud velocius ullum
Mobilitate viget virisque adquirit eundo
Parva metu primo, mox sese attollit in auras
Ingrediturque solo et caput inter nubila condit

Translation :
Forthwith rumour runs through Libya's great cities-
Rumour of all evils the most swift.
Speed lends her strength, and she wins vigour as she goes;
Small at first through fear, soon she mounts up to heaven,
And walks the ground with head hidden in the clouds.

Cool, huh? 

[MissChromeNun]

Oct 10, 2019 19:49:46 GMT -6 donnie said:

Yes, good description. I'm glad you liked it!!   Anonymous Two is another good one from that album

By the way, the Latin words in Round Goes the Gossip are a passage from The Aeneid of Virgil:

Extemplo libyae magnas it fama per urbes
Fama, malum qua non aliud velocius ullum
Mobilitate viget virisque adquirit eundo
Parva metu primo, mox sese attollit in auras
Ingrediturque solo et caput inter nubila condit

Translation :
Forthwith rumour runs through Libya's great cities-
Rumour of all evils the most swift.
Speed lends her strength, and she wins vigour as she goes;
Small at first through fear, soon she mounts up to heaven,
And walks the ground with head hidden in the clouds.

Cool, huh? 

Very cool
I have the Aeneid on my shelf, when I read it I'll definitely be thinking of that song.