I hope you enjoyed this one! This video was brought to you by my amazing patrons and supporters! Feel free to check out my Patreon from here: patreon.com/heline
If nobody has recommended the live version of Joe Walsh's _Turn To Stone_ and its epic flute solo, then I will. I think you'll like it. Joe Walsh is the weirdo in the fur hat playing guitar. I believe the flutist is the multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale, but I could be wrong. ua-cam.com/video/JfytsDhMJp8/v-deo.htmlsi=t7FUIEdnSJd07kpP
The 70's was definitely the decade for 'flute rock'. I remember the tune was also used as the theme for a popular uk tv science programme in the 70's. Sylvia was their best track imho.
I went to see Focus live on 5th Nov 2024. Thijs still plays his flute exceedingly well and there were longer improvisations in the set. I've been a fan since the mid to late 70s but this was the first time I've seen them live (they were in my home town). I hope they come again!
Thijs van Leer was most certainly classically trained on Flute. (Ian Anderson never was) Also of note - The original guitarist Jan Akkerman (Who appears in the video) is considered by many to be one of the best of the Progressive genre. Thijs can do the 'dirty rock flute' part as well as Anderson could at the time, but Thijs had that classical experience on flute which I think set him apart from other modern music flute players.
And Thijs had a few great vinyl records in the seventies (Introspection series) on which he played flute, including Bach and other classical composers work, with the orchestra directed by Rogier van Otterloo.
he learned piano at 3 by his mother myra and when he was 8 he componed his first music ,(which was moving waves).. when he was 12 he became a flute from his father ed ,who was a professional flutist.. in this musical family he was always motivated and they did a lot vocal improvisations ...later he was visiting the conservatorium and had a classical teacher (hengeveld) but get more and more interested by jazz and modern music ,although he bring out severals classical albums like introspection and others ..i know a little bit his mother and also his brothers which one of them maarten i sing already more then 40 years ..
Hi bonnie lass. So glad you reviewed Focus's "House of the King". This and "Anonymous" are two of my favourites. Saw them not long ago. Still brilliant. Recently bought one of Thijs Van Leer's solo albums "Introspection" which has more expansive classical pieces.
Jethro Tull was popular back then, so I would say they were emulating Tull. The flute playing seems similar to Ian Anderson. This band was primarily and instrumental group.
As others have said, Thijs van Leer was classically trained and also published albums under his own name (rather than “Focus”). I used to listen to them a lot back then as my mother enjoyed them too!
i'd love to see you react to Geoff Castellucci singing "I see fire" from the hobbit :), he has also done a cover of "over the misty mountains" which i know you've played on your channel. he has an amazing low voice i think you'd like, he's also in a group called VoicePlay who have also done some amazing covers.
So glad you got around to this one! Yes, it's a fairly straightforward song in it's construction, but this was the song which put Focus on the map before Hocus Pocus. To me, it stands out as a demonstration that a flute can carry the melody in a rock song. Sure, Jethro Tull has lots of great flute parts, but most of the time the flute only carries a portion of the song. This is basically a flute-centric song with a guitar bridge, which I consider an accomplishment (especially for that era -- which I remember very well). Thank you for reacting to this! -- Russ PS/If you want to hear the music a little clearer, try listening to the album track when you get a chance. It is available on YT last I checked.
Hello Heline. Thank you for such good content. Since it seems you enjoy syncopation orchestrated in prog rock rhythms perhaps you should react to the band Rush's song Xanadu. They are only a three man band from Canada, but I think you would appreciate their art.
Thijs van Leer did sometimes play more "normal" flute in Focus. Here's one where he does. I think it's, sort of, live, but obviously played at separate times, as the piano is still going when he picks up the flute...; ua-cam.com/video/N5ba6kuRd2s/v-deo.htmlsi=abAIkBt-sjgHk9EL ... and here's one that's more classical, without the band. It's not live but worth watching; ua-cam.com/video/-ZoPk_IDGp8/v-deo.htmlsi=tsIQouUeB_GxYkKJ
I genuinely don't understand. I thought at least you'd be able to recreate the technique. Honestly was expecting more of an in depth reaction than meh, it was OK
I hope you enjoyed this one!
This video was brought to you by my amazing patrons and supporters!
Feel free to check out my Patreon from here: patreon.com/heline
If nobody has recommended the live version of Joe Walsh's _Turn To Stone_ and its epic flute solo, then I will. I think you'll like it. Joe Walsh is the weirdo in the fur hat playing guitar. I believe the flutist is the multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale, but I could be wrong. ua-cam.com/video/JfytsDhMJp8/v-deo.htmlsi=t7FUIEdnSJd07kpP
The 70's was definitely the decade for 'flute rock'. I remember the tune was also used as the theme for a popular uk tv science programme in the 70's. Sylvia was their best track imho.
“Don’t Ask Me!” Was the show.
It's been used on 3 programmes that I know of: Don't Ask Me, Saxondale and the BBC Schools "Encounter" / "Rendez-Vous" / "Treffpunkt" language series.
I went to see Focus live on 5th Nov 2024. Thijs still plays his flute exceedingly well and there were longer improvisations in the set. I've been a fan since the mid to late 70s but this was the first time I've seen them live (they were in my home town). I hope they come again!
Thijs van Leer was most certainly classically trained on Flute. (Ian Anderson never was) Also of note - The original guitarist Jan Akkerman (Who appears in the video) is considered by many to be one of the best of the Progressive genre. Thijs can do the 'dirty rock flute' part as well as Anderson could at the time, but Thijs had that classical experience on flute which I think set him apart from other modern music flute players.
And Thijs had a few great vinyl records in the seventies (Introspection series) on which he played flute, including Bach and other classical composers work, with the orchestra directed by Rogier van Otterloo.
he learned piano at 3 by his mother myra and when he was 8 he componed his first music ,(which was moving waves).. when he was 12 he became a flute from his father ed ,who was a professional flutist.. in this musical family he was always motivated and they did a lot vocal improvisations ...later he was visiting the conservatorium and had a classical teacher (hengeveld) but get more and more interested by jazz and modern music ,although he bring out severals classical albums like introspection and others ..i know a little bit his mother and also his brothers which one of them maarten i sing already more then 40 years ..
I used to torture my parents with this tune😊 are they Incredible or what? Beyond cool reaction! Your smile is always contagious Heline!
I am so glad you reacted to this!
Thank you Heline for a amazing reaction video❤❤
Glad you enjoyed it
Fun song and video
Van Leer and the rest of the band just fooling around but, still amazing…!!! Focus were such a fantastic band…! 👍
Focus and Jethro Tull were the two best rock bands with flute ever, in my opinion.
They are still going strong. Saw them in Cardiff a couple of years ago and they were brilliant. They are back again next month.
March ‘73 Focus/ Edgar Winter Live ! Hocus Pocus/Frankenstein. Epic Show.
Hi bonnie lass. So glad you reviewed Focus's "House of the King". This and "Anonymous" are two of my favourites. Saw them not long ago. Still brilliant. Recently bought one of Thijs Van Leer's solo albums "Introspection" which has more expansive classical pieces.
You can also see the flutist Thijs van Leer on the live performance video "Ayreon - Amazing Flight (Electric Castle Live And Other Tales)"
Jethro Tull was popular back then, so I would say they were emulating Tull. The flute playing seems similar to Ian Anderson. This band was primarily and instrumental group.
As others have said, Thijs van Leer was classically trained and also published albums under his own name (rather than “Focus”). I used to listen to them a lot back then as my mother enjoyed them too!
1973 you were very young than 😊
my mom was a kid then so, yeah :D
Good to see youngsters reviewing the old music.@@HelineFay
i'd love to see you react to Geoff Castellucci singing "I see fire" from the hobbit :), he has also done a cover of "over the misty mountains" which i know you've played on your channel.
he has an amazing low voice i think you'd like, he's also in a group called VoicePlay who have also done some amazing covers.
Yes, classically trained. Amsterdam conservatoire.
So glad you got around to this one! Yes, it's a fairly straightforward song in it's construction, but this was the song which put Focus on the map before Hocus Pocus. To me, it stands out as a demonstration that a flute can carry the melody in a rock song. Sure, Jethro Tull has lots of great flute parts, but most of the time the flute only carries a portion of the song. This is basically a flute-centric song with a guitar bridge, which I consider an accomplishment (especially for that era -- which I remember very well). Thank you for reacting to this! -- Russ PS/If you want to hear the music a little clearer, try listening to the album track when you get a chance. It is available on YT last I checked.
Hey Russ. :)
I'm an old fan but this one sounds like Jethro.
Great pick Heline!! I've always liked this track. i do prefer the studio version. It's a bit slowed down and a few parts are different...
awesome!!
I know this is hard to believe but there is actually biographies of the members of Focus on the WWW that one can research.
Excellent analysis. I recommend to analysis as a soloist. I want to you analyze Rabel’ s bolero. Thank you. God bless you.
Hello Heline. Thank you for such good content. Since it seems you enjoy syncopation orchestrated in prog rock rhythms perhaps you should react to the band Rush's song Xanadu. They are only a three man band from Canada, but I think you would appreciate their art.
i think every song of focus is instrumental, even the ones where Thijs use his voice, the songs doesnt have lyrics XD
I love this song. Personally prefer the album version, but...I like the flute "flourish" added to the end of this live version.
Thijs van Leer did sometimes play more "normal" flute in Focus. Here's one where he does. I think it's, sort of, live, but obviously played at separate times, as the piano is still going when he picks up the flute...;
ua-cam.com/video/N5ba6kuRd2s/v-deo.htmlsi=abAIkBt-sjgHk9EL
... and here's one that's more classical, without the band. It's not live but worth watching;
ua-cam.com/video/-ZoPk_IDGp8/v-deo.htmlsi=tsIQouUeB_GxYkKJ
This is a very fast version. The original one on the album is much more mellow. Focus is one of the best rock groups from the netherlands.
good version but i prefer the studio version- it always sounded like it could have been a blue peter/magpie type thing theme tune
Hello Heline would you please react to Rainmaker by Traffic?
Can you comment Bourrée by Jethro Tull?
I genuinely don't understand. I thought at least you'd be able to recreate the technique. Honestly was expecting more of an in depth reaction than meh, it was OK
She doesn’t know the technique?!?
And doesn’t want to admit it.
This one is up tempo too.
For this recording he sounds kind of cloddish on the flute, like he was tring to punch the keys. I like the album version much more.
Impressive missing the influence of European traditional folk music om the song.
This version is far too fast. Not good.