Classical Composer Reacts to Hocus Pocus (Focus) | The Daily Doug (Episode 253)
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- Опубліковано 28 жов 2021
- #HocusPocus #Focus #HocusPocusReaction
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm having a great time commemorating Halloween weekend by listening to Hocus Pocus by Focus. The song was originally released 50 years ago on their second album. After listening to the studio recording, we check out covers by Helloween and Iron Maiden before concluding with the speedy live version from 1973. Come along for the ride!
Reference Video: • Focus - Hocus Pocus
Reference Video: • Helloween - Hocus Pocus
Reference Video: • Iron Maiden Hocus Pocus
Reference Video: • Focus - Hocus Pocus Li...
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Doug doing a bong rip to Focus is one the greatest things i've ever seen... if he had done this in the church.... *EXPLODE*
Oh . My . God .
New found Doug respect ✊
AMAZING!
Not seen: the two whole pizzas Doug ate after filming the video.
☺
Yayyy! Thijs is my dad and his band Focus is CURRENTLY touring in the UK.
Yes. Still rocking at 73!
Thank you Dough for this fantastic and highly entertaining review. I'll forward it to Thijs right away, sure he'll enjoy it!
Great to hear that your dad is still doing well! This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and my kids like it too!!
Hey, Bella! Seen your dad many times but gonna miss this tour (I'm in Spain for the winter). Here's hoping for another 50-odd years of Focus! (Unlikely, but you never know!) Still one of my top 5 bands and Thijs one of my favourite musicians ever. x
Wow, tell them there is still young folke loving this craziness. Hope he (and the others too) will be able to make music for many years to come. I really love the long version which was aired on danish tv in 75, where the whole band is introduced.
The National Anthem for the Oranje :)
Your dad is awesome! Please tell him I said so.
When this tune first came out, everyone was "WHAT THE HELL????"
And then "Play it again! That's cool as hell!"
Sums it up.
Same thing 40 years later. A friend played the live version to two of us while going out, he said nothing...
I generally just call this song 6 minutes of awesome. No other way to describe it.
Great to get everyone on their feet in the rock clubs.
I was 11 years old when I first heard this back in 1972, this, Hawkwind and Pink Floyd got me into prog rock at an early age. Loved this tune...it was so different!
This song was originally done as a warm up for their performances and the audience loved it so much the demand became huge for them to put it on their album, so they did.
this honestly makes so much sense in hindsight.
The guitarist, Jan Akkerman, is extremely underrated. He is also a classical guitarist who plays the lute..which is a notoriously hard instrument to play. He studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory when he was younger..
Yes the lute! His interpretation of John Dowland (e.g. 'Earl of Essex Galliard') on his solo album Tabernakel is the best I ever heard.
Back then he did win the reader's vote for "The Best Guitarist" in "The Melody Maker" magazine. The magazine was notable for being followed by musicians, many of them finding band through its advertisements set by other musicians and groups.
@@onsesejoo2605 I have been playing guitar for over 20 years and saw him always listed as one of the top 25 or 50 guitarists ever, but I only ever knew this song so I brushed it off. This song has nice guitar but I'd always compare it to the huge virtuosos. It wasn't until the last few years that I delved more into his music and Focus that I saw how incredible of a guitarist he is.
Even though he's been previously rated as the top or THE top guitarist in the world, I think he's kind of forgotten. But here's a guy who can pretty much play anything including classical lute. Rock, Jazz, Classical, etc...lead, rhythm, etc. The guy can play it all.
I think Doug should listen to the song Questions!Questions?Answers! from Focus next.
@@MR-ml2poAkkerman plays all genres with the heart, he isn't imitating it, he goes deeper he understands it. When you blind, without knowledge, listen to him you think there are different persons playing guitar. That's makes him very special. Only an experienced ear can recognise his typical touch.
@@Contextcatcher Agree. Once I got beyond thinking that the one song they're widely known for is silly...yep, he is criminally underrated these days and easily one of the greatest and best guitarists of all time.
“I didn’t even know this existed”.
Not only does it exist, but it was a fairly major hit on the radio in the early ‘70’s. It was definitely a different time back then.
It was also a staple on classic rock radio in the 90s and beyond. I've heard it _so_ many times.
Hit #9 on the US Top 100 Charts in its day...very different daze.
Songs like Hocus Pocus and Frankenstein by Edgar Winter would never get airplay in today's pop markets...
@@prickyX "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band...IIRC, hit as high as #4. 2+ minutes of it is a Bob Babbitt bass solo. :-)
IIRC it was a hit at the same time as 'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk. That made an impression on me.
Apparently, legend has it that, for the live version, the band were only given a limited time slot which wasn't enough enough to do the whole song at the original tempo. So, being unwilling to play a shortened version, they just played it as fast as they could to fit it onto the time available.
And it was incredible. I've watched that video so many times I've lost count.
And thus, Heavy Metal was born!
@@rawli987 ua-cam.com/video/RFDW9b_ejfI/v-deo.html Guess this is the version you are referring too. Great tune, and on this version, fantastic delivery too.
Great yarn
The studio version feels like slow motion after watching the live version.
The three guitar runs are the cleanest, most imaginative and technically perfect in the history of music. Jan was voted "Greatest Living Guitarist" by Melody Maker Magazine in 1972
I had heard that he was given this well deserved accolade . Great take on what you heard nice to see inside a good ear .
I've never had heard any guitar playing even close to this before or after this song came out on the radio back then. Didn't know anything about that award, glad to hear it, the man sure earned and desevered it.
No Rory Gallagher in 1972. Think it was 73.
"I can't believe this exists"... The perfect reaction. They are an incredible band and this track brings back so many memories. You can't hear this and not smile.
So... within the first minute or so we got an explosive minor-key RnR, a drum solo, a yodelling section and A5 soprano singing.... wtf this is amazing!
A classical composer who says y’all and rips the bong to a banger, fucking subbed!
The live version is the most amazing rendition I've ever heard. Love it.
The funny story is that the show only gave them 4 and a half minutes to play, and they didn't want to edit it, so the just played it faster
I recently learned that this is not the case. They always performed this song that fast in concert.
Being Dutch, I have to fly the flag for this one. Brian May (Queen) rates Jan Akkerman as one of the best guitarists ,definitely of that era.
The reason for the fast live version is time restraints in the 70's. Songs were 3 and a little bit long and they had to try and fit 7 minutes into that.
They literally did a time warp
Flying one more flag for Jan Akkerman: Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore have admitted to have visited Focus concerts to check out the phenomenon that JA was.
I guess it was not for technical reasons but for commercial reasons.
@@juanar4305 time slot reasons: the segments in the show were prob max 3.5 minutes
Are we going to ignore the EXCEPTIONALLY good recording for that day and age?
Yup, I thank God for allowing this to be preserved so well for us. Just like Heart's "Live at KWSU TV studio" gig which was recorded by college students no less!
Frontdesk99 - This is from the 70s, I mean 1970s, not 1870s! Never played vinyl records from that period?
@@pit2ryan3 It's from 1971. And yes I have, I AM from that period. Recording studios were mostly crap back then, numerous examples come to mind. This recording (the Focus one, not the rip off cover) is - considering the technical possibilities, the equipment available and the know-how of studio technicians in that era, is exceptionally good.
I don't think you know what they had to use back then. I do.
@@Frontdesk99 - Thanks for your kind reply... Though I'm nearly sure that the sound has been remastered here, it's not like it used to be and a bit out of sync too... Regards!
The highlights in my mind:
"My pants aren't tight enough to hit that note"
"Pretty weird so far" oh. Just wait my friend.
"I can't believe this exists" and "how did I not know about it" - my reaction back when I happened upon it 😂
I was just a kid when this came out and was getting lots of air time on the radio… it’s still the soundtrack in my head when I have a crap ton of stuff to get done and a short time to do it in.
It's just fun watching super skilled musicians rock out while clearly having fun themselves.
I already got trivia on this piece! Back in the early 70s; when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, every wanna be rock guitarist had to play this opening riff at every audition for every garage band. The opening chords are difficult to play and they change fast. If you could play them like the record it was impressive and you usually got the gig. True to life knowledge from real life and not theoretical from a book.
This is indeed true! I WAS that dinosaur!
I was that bass player laughing along
Watch the movie Caveman with Ringo Starr. It shows how music was invented.
I can remember going to heavy rock clubs and biker pubs in the 70's and hearing this song every single time. I wish I had a pound for every time I have danced to it!! I still love it though and it brings back great memories. Yes I obviously pre-date the dinoosaurs.
Well, not really, but whatever. And everybody but everybody played the chords to the first half of the opening riff wrong. Everybody always played the second half chords twice cause they apparently couldn't figure out how to play a major seventh chord in a rock context. Which, admittedly, is a bit unusual.
Jan Akkerman is one of THE most underrated guitarists ever.
Agree
An innovative guitarist, one of my favorites!
Love his solo album where the cover shows an acoustic guitar scratching his back. Have it on vinyl and cd. Perfect for playing in the car on a first date. It's serene and romantic.
Give the album 'Eli' a try, Jan Akkerman and Kaz Lux.
He did sweep picking, alternate picking etc. the metal way long time before anyone else even knew they existed. He was way ahead of his time. I don't think there were many people who could, again, THINK of pulling these off let alone actually play it.
When you said "I didn't know this existed", my heart was very sad. It means that millions of people have missed out on this incredible song (from my youth). The studio version had huge airplay in the 70s. We head-banged & danced like maniacs! The vocals were a language of their own, no translation needed. Many decades later, I saw Bobby McFerrin in concert, he also used vocal percussion, etc. Thanks for the bong hits, and for saying "y'all"...excellent review.
I believe there is a version of this song that may make your brain explode. A television show they went on only allowed a short time for them and rather than cut it they sped it up perfectly. Mind blowing craziness!
The reason the live version was so fast was that Midnight Special only allowed just over 4 minutes for the performance and asked the bank to cut the track to fit, but the band decided to speed the whole performance up and see how much of the song they could fit into the time allowed, hence the manic nature of the performance, I think that if used in conjunction with the studio version it is a great bit of fun, but some purists don't like the TV version
Nah they always play it that fast and the performance is (badly) edited too. Just listen to end.
@@ljw5768 you got that right. The version that Doug heard was the radio version, which was the “slow” cut. They had the “fast” version on their Dutch Masters greatest hits LP. Peace from Toronto
It sounds like they switched it from 4/4 to cut time.
It's about the same speed as the Live At The Rainbow version :-)
I remember a different TV appearance, where they got a full 25 minutes. Aside from this, their signature radio hit, they played lots of other stuff, but at the time, I was not at all familiar with it (yet). It came off as a wall of impenetrable sound. It wasn't instantly catchy like Yes or Genesis. Add to that the pretty low-quality video of a garishly lit stage, and the crappy TV and antenna I watched it on, and it was a rather dense experience.
Hope it’s live version, from ‘73, as the manic pace and facial expressions of lead singer add to my enjoyment of the song. But studio version is solid as well 🙂
sadly no but i linked it so here's hoping 🎸
I hope it isn’t.
@@EvilSean62 what do you mean, it is on the video
@@bigstam1234567890 the link i was referring to is actually on the main vid ... my mistake , multiple and profuse apologies
forgive me ... i offer you the blood of my unborn child as sacrifice please dont thumb me down ... or ..do
either way sorry for the misunderstanding
The Midnight special live version is great.
WOW...I have heard this song a couple of hundred times in my life.
I have NEVER heard this live version. As a hard rock and metal head I absolutely love this live version.
Great job Focus!!!
I prefer the live version of this tune on The Midnight Special; it's significantly faster and more maniacal, but every bit as tight. Plus, I'm old enough to remember seeing that episode of The Midnight Special on it's first airing date, and it was my first exposure to Focus ever. Later that December, The Midnight Special also gave me my first time hearing/seeing Genesis; one of the tunes they did was "Watcher Of The Skies", and I was a Genesis fan from then on. You should sometime do one of your videos on "Watcher of the Skies"...a great progressive rock tune.
By the way, the unique vocalizing at about 6 minutes on your Focus "Hocus Pocus" video is an example of "eefing"...yep, it's an actual vocalization technique, that dates back to rural Tennessee about 100 years ago.
All the best to you!
That show was so great
Fun fact the show wanted the band to cut the song short for time. They refused and instead decided to speed it up to fit the time slot.
I love that one
They were even better on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert, and they played complete Hamburger Concerto and couple of other tracks from the album. That was in '75
My kids got me the Midnight Special DVD set, it is so cool to go back and remember those performances I watched late at night in my youth.
After a particularly rough start to the 5th chemo round, this brought me genuine joy. Doug, you RULE!
I wish you well and pray for the best for you.
Wish you well, may all the strength and love in the world be with you!
@@gregorp8406 thank you!
Hang in there!💪
We're just strangers on the net, but I wish you the best in your battle. You've got this!
For those of us who grew up with this music, it is fun to watch Doug react to this music 40 - 50 years later. This particular clip is priceless! Bravo.
I love it. Taking a bong hit on this song is needed to fully engage. And honestly this song is exactly what music is all about. Self expression and having fun.
Doug, I've been watching your channel for a little while now and the fact you are jamming to this song, and doing bong rips, makes me an even bigger fan. What a good time this was watching this video.
Moving Waves is a masterpiece, timeless, everlasting, the root of progressive rock. Listen to this albun everytime you can, it's good for your creativity and health as well.
Yep, it's an awesome album.
Heh, yeah man, im pretty stoned myeslf
I like your words, it's a important truth!!
I fell in love with Prog Rock, and this will continues for all my life...
In my opinion the root of progressive rock has to be the Beatles Revolver or Sgt. Peppers
I bought the album not too long ago because of this song. The rest of it is pretty out there but I'm going to give it another listen and see how it goes.
Focus is one the best underrated prog bands. Doug listen to the whole album and then check out Hamburger Concerto. Great stuff.
Too right on all counts! I LOVE Hamburger Concerto!
I agree. I'm sure Doug would love Focus.
Absolutely. Moving Waves, Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto are all classics.
#He really, really needs to do this one
...I will check it out Suzycreamchez...I think I heard this on "King Biscuit Flower Hour"
Doug, thank you a thousand times over for featuring this band. They very rarely get the credit they so richly deserve. I think if you listen to all of the album Moving Waves, you'll here moments of grand creativity. Very beautiful.
I've been going down the rabbit hole on this channel, and I really needed this laugh today. Thanks Doug!
Happy you are here!
This was a massive hit back in the day. Sylvia was another big hit, with brilliant guitar work by Jan, House of the King the B side. Both worth a listen.
That looked like a massive hit at the beginning of the video 😂
Sylvia is awesome. One of my favorite songs.
Jan was quite the shredder for early 70’s. The live video of this on UA-cam is pretty insane!
House of the King seconded. Love that tune.
sylvia is a masterpiece martin
Thijs van Leer once said in an interview that "Hocus Pocus" emerged from unplanned jamming. Actually Jan Akkerman had setup his gear, while the other were still busy. He just played something and came up with this rif. Then the other members joined in and so the song came into existence... It became a huge hit back then.
I gotta say - this is the best Daily Doug by far! Even though I'm not a musician I always love the professional commentary on scales, what notes, etc. I like how you appreciate all forms of music as do I. Here's to many more Daily Dougs!
5:15 to 5:35 greatest 20 seconds of youtube I've ever seen
Been listening to this for 50 years and it still knocks me out every time I hear it.
Eruption + Hamburger Concerto + Answers Questions are all Focus tracks that I’d be happy to see you look at any of… a band that doesn’t get enough attention
ABSOLUTELY! 🙌 Their three best epic pieces IMHO. 👌 I think I like the live version of Questions Answers Answers Question on the Live At The Rainbow album better than the studio version on Focus 3, but it's been a while since I've listened to either.
Definitely their best epics!
The rest of the Hamburger Concerto is also some of their best work especially Birth
@@martinparker1270 Agreed, not a bad song on the whole album!
Absolutely! These are among my favourites too. One of the best live “rock” experiences ... ever 😀
Being American, we will forgive you not to know this amazing band from the early 70´s. The guitar player is actually one of the best from these times, as well as the flute player. But I enjoy your surprises to the crazy stuff that is going on in this song. Welcome to Focus.
Focus Live at the Rainbow is one of the greatest live albums ever.
Jan is a superb guitarist
Jan is a BEAST!
Agreed, can't recall many videos of the early 70's when someone is shredding that much. Should be better known than he is.
He was considered best in the world for rock guitarist for a time there in the 70s and I can see why.
Doug I have been waiting for you to hopefully react to the song one day, knew you would have to eventually !!
Thijs Is pretty amazing to.
The best I’ve ever seen live.
Doug, they are still playing live. I saw them in a small music venue in Leeds October 2019. Brilliant. They did a 15 minute version of Hocus Pocus with extended drum and guitar solos. The yodelling is still great although understandably the high notes are left to lead guitar!!
They're still releasing albums, too. I think they've got pieces up to "Focus 11" at this point.
Still playing but in different musician configuration
Gonna see them live in December (hopefully). Very excited!
At The Brudenell! We were there too.
I love your reactions to this classic Doug. When you took a hit from the bong I nearly fell over, I think that's exactly what I did 35 years ago when I first heard this!
this just became my absolute favorite episode, the fact that you ripped the bong again RIGHT before he went goblin mode was too perfect
Focus is so much more than this novelty hit. Listen to Eruption from Moving Waves. It is steeped in classical references and the musicianship is astonishing.
Van Leer didn't really consider his band to be progressive rock; he said in an interview that they only used traditional tonality.
Agreed, Eruption is one of the great epics from the 1970's!
LJW: One of the most ignored prog masterpieces is "Eruption".
These guys proved they could play with "Hocus Pocus", but with "Eruption" they took their skills and climbed a musical MT. EVEREST.
Eruption - such a good track.
Eruption has my vote too.
“I think he’s upset with the person who sold him his shirt.” PRICELESS!
Hey, it was 1973!
Much of the music you're hearing for the first time, Mr. H., is what I grew up with. Completely delightful to hear your reactions and analysis.
Well done you reacted to the live version. That were crazy stuff. Amazing performance and amazing reaction doug. Im your fan from brazil
Jan was shredding long before the term had been invented. Truly an amazing guitarist in every way. Goes from performing classical lute concertos to blues,rock or jazz.
If you watch the live version he yodels, plays the flute, whistles, chokes, stutters, stammers and encourages hamsters to sing along.
Indeed! He's awesome xD
Yep, it's insane...
The live version is covered in the last part of the video!
don't forget long yodeling and musical band introduction
I am SO glad you got to experience this song!! It's definitely from before my time, but I fell in love with it from the first time I heard it.
I still remember finding this on UA-cam when I was like 17. I was teaching myself guitar and I had to learn it immediately. The riff was so cool, and Akkerman's solo is still one of my all time favourites.
I enjoyed this very much, although it's a pity in the "Focus live"-part you talked through almost every Jan Akkerman solo because you reacted to every Thijs van Leer intervention. So you missed a lot of brilliant stuff Jan played there.
"Eruption" from this album is a masterpiece!
Eruption is one of my most favorite music pieces by any band or composer in any genre! 🥰
@@JohnLRice There is an Argentinian musician (Gustavo Cerati one of the greatest in this country) that used a sampled from that track in the song Bocanada from the 1999 album with the same title. It's amazing, listen ua-cam.com/video/TEidXw-tAQY/v-deo.html
oh thank you for doing this album version. everyone does the live version, i have loved this album version since I was only a lad... it always makes me happy to hear it rock the spot. loved your reaction to it! new fan here. ill be back!
This review was delightful! Seeing your reaction to this really made me giggle! Thank you!
It's fitting that you're smoking up during this. A good way to experience it for the first time. Your facial expressions say it all. I never tire of people seeing/hearing this for the first time.
Jan’s lead guitar playing just blew me away when I started playing guitar. Saw this on TV and watched Jan play guitar. His hands moved up and down the neck like a spider. Never have I seen a guitar played like that. Never get tired of this song.
when I saw their performance, then in the last part, I immediately fell in love with what creativity and talent this eccentric is.
Hi Doug, relistening to this after a year. Thijs van Leer would be great to interview on your channel, you being a classical composer. He was taught piano by his mother from age three, later his father encouraged him to study the flute. As a kid of 8 years he wrote a song that was later recorded with Focus (Moving Waves), he recorded flute albums with his own music and Bach music with the classical orchestra led by Rogier van Otterloo in the seventies (Introspection), and performed a few years ago in one of the Ayreon live shows. Focus (with Thijs van Leer and drummer Pierre van der Linden) still gives concerts.
This was such a wonderul era of musical creativity. I'm always finding hidden gems of songs and artists that the early 70s has squirrelled away.
So here's my Focus story. Saw them live at a local college gymnasium around 1971-72 (hardwood floors, omg). One thing that can't be appreciated from the album was the IMMENSE VOLUME that they played at. Jan Akkerman with a gorgeous black Les Paul Fretless Wonder running through 2 Marshall stacks cranked to 11. I think Hocus Pocus was the encore and it was played at ear-splitting levels. What fun!!!
I get so much satisfaction from observing people listen to this for the first time!❤❤❤
Very nice to see you enjoy one of my all time favorite bands :) BTW: in 1973, Jan Akkerman was announced the best guitarist in the world bij de music magazine Melody Maker.
On April 7, 1973 I saw Focus at Winterland in S. F., as the 2nd of two opening bands for Yes's 'Close To The Edge" tour...the opening band was Poco. Looking back, it now seems like an unbelievable lineup. But at the time it was one of many great concert lineups at Winterland arranged/produced by Bill Graham. Needless to say most everyone in the audience had been "timing" their hallucinogens to be peaking when Yes arrived on stage...And just as Focus was coming on, so were we. Nothing quite prepares one for the joyful and mind blowing experience we had that evening! I'll never forget it. BTW - These concerts, in the early '70s, happened during my "experimental" college years, well before I met my lovely wife Sandy.
Peace and Love to all!
Things I never thought I'd see on youtube:
A Doctor of music hit a bong while listening to Hocus Locus by Focus
Hey Doug! Thanx for playing on of my faves from my misspent youth! I have had the great pleasure of seeing and meeting Focus several times on Cruise To The Edge.They always put on a great show and Thijs was always playing something with or for someone. Lots of fun!
This is probably the best review I have ever seen or heard from Doug - my hats off to you!
Can you imagine that such a song was a hit? things were so much wider, possibilities.
Focus 2 aka "Moving waves", and "focus 3" are amazing good albums.
Jan Akkerman was just on a different level with his playing, he is unbelievable
This is awesome! Love the reactions, and didn't know the other versions existed! Huge Maiden fan here, and that definitely sounds like Nicko in the first "yodel" part. Totally his humor and voice! So cool!
I grew up in the 70s and this was such a part of my life. Your dad is an amazing man and one of my hero’s
Never get tired of seeing reactions to what I call the "drunk and high yodeling leprechaun rock opera"..... especially when it's a reaction by someone as musically knowledgeable as Doug. Glad you enjoyed. Glad you watched the live version of Focus playing the song so you can see the facial expressions of the singer.... priceless.
Nicko's first Maiden lead vocal :) Hope he gets suitably paid :) Check out " House of the King " by Focus. It was used as a TV theme in the UK, fits perfectly :)
"Don't Ask Me" with Myriam Stoppard & Dr Magnus Pyke. When I discovered Focus I was surprised to recognise the TV theme.
@@stevegreen5552 Steve Coogan used it in Saxondale as well. Magnus and david Bellamy were legends :)
The best version of "Hocus Pocus" is from the "Live at the Rainbow" album. It's BREATHTAKING! (LITERALLY so, as at one point Thijs van Leer yodels for almost A FULL MINUTE, and don't ask me how he breathed!) But seriously, that's not the best of Focus. The very best is "Hamburger Concerto" (it's about actual hamburger patties, with "movements" titled "Rare" and "Well Done", and the cover is the name of the record in the form of a diner neon sign). AMAZING musicianship! No yodelling, but Thijs does redefine the meaning of "vocalese" in several sections, and Jan Akkerman is at his best (and that's saying a lot when it comes to a guitar legend like him!). You should also check their solo albums, especially Jan Akkerman's ever-changing moods over the years. Thijs is also a renowned classical flutist and I suggest you have a listen to "Introspection 3", for example.
Please don't say hocus pocus, it's a slur against Jesus. In Latin, " This is my Body" translates " Hoc es Corpus Meum" and back in the day God's enemies made up the word Hocus Pocus to make fun on His Last Supper.
@@auniversalwoman, and how do you suggest I refer to Focus' song instead, if it has always had this title?
@@goytabr HP ?
@@auniversalwoman, nah, this song deserves to be treated by a magical name fitting its magical sound. Besides, I'm not superstitious.
@@goytabr yeah I guess if you honor a sing more than Jesus Christ, you would. But we all will answer for our choices in the end.
He goes even higher with the vocals in the live version 😳😳😳👍
Glad for you, Doug, that you finally heard this song. It was HUGE in the early '70s.
When this would come on the radio when I was a kid, which was quite frequent, I would jump around like crazy and play air guitar to this and of course sing the yodel. This was on the radio many times a day during the early to mid-70s. ☺ still love it
Me too!
I just found your channel, Doug. I liked what I saw and heard, and subscribed. This is one of the first few of your videos I've watched so far. This song came out during my school-age years, and was popular throughout the 70s. I actually already have it on my playlist of "One Hit Wonders of the 70s". Thanks for you insightful, learned and fun analyses of popular music, sir!
I wasn't expecting that rip......and honestly, it was perhaps the most epic I've seen - perfectly timed. Worth noting that Jan was a phenomenal player - sweeps and blistering scale fragments in the very early 70s!
Plenty more Focus from the 1970s to go at, Doug! Including some absolute epics, and some you may recognise. And of course "Sylvia". But this was one of "the" albums you HAD to own in the early 1970s, as a young male here in the UK. Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman... unique! Great band!
This was played constantly on the radio and was a huge hit back in the day. I miss the Midnight Special. I fondly remember staying up late on Friday nights waiting to see my favourite bands play. Have you heard Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London? It's a great Halloween song. I loved your reaction!
I've seen a few of your videos but haven't been compelled to comment yet - this song was a staple of my youth, with my parents insisting on an all-classic-rock diet basically lol.. I'm thrilled you love Hocus Pocus by Focus, and I love how much about music I learn by watching. Thanks for making these and sharing your insight and good vibes!
Hey Doug ! This is your best reaction to a musical piece that i ve seen. I laughed my head off LOL. Great stuff !
Focus is one of my most favorite bands ever! I got hooked by Hocus Pocus as it was a hit song played on the AM radio, but it's just a tip of the iceberg of their great music! Definitely listen to these essential Focus albums in order: Moving Waves, Focus 3, Live At The Rainbow, and Hamburger Concerto!
PS - You should have included Frankenstein by the Edgar Winter Group for your Halloween show! It and Hocus Pocus were such a treat when they came on the radio in the early 70's, both kickass instrumentals!
Can't believe a guy with a grey beard has never heard of this amazing band!
Your expressions were absolutely awesome. Thanks for checking out Focus!!!
Hi Doug. Today I attended a Focus concert in The Netherlands, where the band was founded. After fifty (!) years still touring the globe. Vocalist Thijs van Leer (75 years old) and drummer Pierre van der Linden (76 years old) of the original line-up, performed just as powerful as they did in the seventies, including the astonishing jodeling parts! Former Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman was in 1973 voted 'best guitar player of the word' by the british music magazine Melody Maker. Todays line-up: Thijs van Leer: organ/flute/vocals, Pierre van der Linden: Drums, Menno Gootjes: guitar, Udo Pannekeet: Bass.
I remember listening to this when it came out. It grows on you the more you hear it. Just rifs, solos and yodeling. 😂
It was all wonderful, listening to the drummer play every fill in a different style was epic.
Pierre van der Linden is one of my most favorite drummers ever!
Hi Doug, I have been enjoying your videos for a while. You caught my attention with your analysis of ELP tracks. In fact I was present at the last performance of ELP at the High Voltage Festival in London 2010. At the same festival I've seen Focus live ... with only Thijs van Leer as the original member. I grew up listening these and other progressive rock bands. Thanks for the memories and reactions. Please continue doing this.
Thank you for sharing, Ricardo!
This band was one of the best in the Progressive era. Nothing else like it at the time, and some real musicianship (which was also lacking at that time).
Saw them in 1973. Crazy wild show. They did the whole album, we wanted more after the encode so they repeated the first two songs from the album over again. Spencer Davis Group opened.
The band and the audience where in outer space that night.
Saw them on that tour too. Real music, great virtuoso improvisations one of the best live bands ... ever😀 I would have paid to listen to their drummer on his own, he’s that good.
Focus were such a crazy band and we loved them in the 1970's just brilliant and bonkers, loved it!
Since hearing this song a few weeks ago, I can't stop listening to it. Love that you pulled up the cover versions. I had no idea Maiden covered it. Bong on my friend!
Have seen 99% of all the reactions Hocus Pocus but this was the best from all of them..Thx for this upload
I knew the fast version would blow you away as it even speeds up after the flute solo. The musicianship is astounding. My brother introduced this to me when I was 11 & I'm still entertained by it.
Nice fact: readers of Melody Maker in 1973 chose Jan Akkerman as the best guitarist in the world.
Still is.....
Jan’s solo work is amazing 26 cd’s total in collection
Jan is fantastic. No doubt. However, I'd challenge him to play King Crimson's Fracture. Robert Fripp himself says it's impossible to play. He also said that he spends 80% of his rehearsal time practicing that song. There was a guitarist, I don't recall his name, who spent 20 years learning Fracture. His final rendition is excellent, but not perfect.
David: Jan has a more bluesy/jazzy style with feel. Robert Fripp is almost the opposite and probably couldn't do what Jan does. Two completely different musicians who accidentally play the same instrument. And if you want a third: think Paco de Lucia.
@@akaFrits1 - Good point.
I remeber hearing this on the Dutch and Belgian radio stations back when I was a kid in the early '70s... boy, does that bring back memories!
Baked Doug and Focus is now my favourite combination of things. I've always loved watching people's reaction to this track.This made me smile so much.