I saw them in Notts and Sheffield and chatted afterwards - musically accomplished and innovotive - and real gentlemen - cannot praise them enough!!! Long may they continue ...
I saw, and met, Focus last night at Southend. There aren't enough words in the English language to express how fantastic they were. I've been a fan since 1972, this was my first show and it was the best night of my life. They were beyond all expectations and are the loveliest guys I've ever met. Lindo is the greatest drummer ever, Niels equals Jan Akkerman (yes!) Bobby is the greatest bassist and Thijs Van Leer is simply GOD! I would give these guys my last breath. My life is complete.
Niels had some pretty big shoes to fill, after Jan - but I think he does amazingly well. The more I see this video, the more I love it - thanks for sharing, ekseptionaltribute! Their music is like being in Heaven every time I hear them, and for me has been like that since 1971. Dutch masters.
This is "Focus III" followed by "Focus II". Wow! Great version of the second number. I always thought no other drummer quite got the changes in this tune as gracefully as Pierre van der Linden. A seminal song written by Thijs van Leer. This is what pushed my rating to five stars. Now if only they'd get an additional pianist and a mellotron player onstage whilst these four gents play, and we'd have the equivalent of the majestic studio cut on the 1972 "Moving Waves" LP.
That was absolutely fantastic. I'm going to see the boys in a few weeks, and I was a bit concerned that the magic might have faded a bit, but that has restored my faith 100%. Lindo always was, and remains, the greatest ever drummer, and TvL is God! Sublime.
@tumshfibrox58 Thank you. Yes, I did go a bit over the top in my praise, but seeing the guys after being a fan for so long, I was on Cloud 9 the next day and for weeks afterwards! I still stand by my words though, they were/are the greatest band ever created. Also I notice that I said I have been a fan since 1971, then 1972 with the very next post - I must have still been in a daze! (It was definitely 71).
I played Focus 1, 2 and 3 with my band in the seventies. I can assure you, this is a hard days work! Amazing what they did! Sadly that the bassplayer can't cope with the one who played the original (Bert Ruiter, I think). I played the bassguitar at that time and can remember everytime we played these beautiful numbers.
AMajor discovery for all of mankind.Thanks to a simple teaching aid that guarantees instant access to your mind-focusing techniques, that prevent young people from achieving the success they want and deserve.You can this simple method and make up your own mind @ mental training & improving life skills.
By the standards of UA-cam users against other clips - and some of them are downright obnoxious - you are a gentleman! Seems that most of us have confusing IDs! Cheers!
The difference with Jan is that soon, very soon he starts making changes in the ritm of the melody. He can't stop making variations. And that makes it great....
@cabk12sg. Yeah I thought that to. I knew I herad something like it, but hey it's still top drawv music from this brilliant and outstanding band don't you agree?
Why don't you realise the drummer doesn't have to fill any shoes... he is the ORIGINAL drummer! Read the description: it says Pierre van der Linden - drums. The only drummer before Pierre was Hans Cleuver who only happened to play on the first album. Think before you write and listen before you judge. No offense, but.
It is ok, when old bands return on stage, but why do I always feel so sceptical comparing them with their original work (what I certainly prefer..) That counts for A L L reunion bands, I saw within the last 10 years
Great version of "Focus 3" from all involved! "Focus 2" needs to be played with great understatement, sensitivity, and minimal improvisation from the guitarist (Niels) to really come across as stately and majestic. Akkerman's new band misses the mark on "Focus 2" as well: his drummer really clobbers the skins with no sense of dynamics whatsoever on this number. Pierre van der Linden, on the other hand, drums superbly with the new Focus. Remember this song is supposed to be HAUNTING, gents!
van Leer is clearly the only master here..when it comes to filling shoes the others are running a couple inches shy....it's good but not nearly as good as it could be.
So heej...ga maar als gitarist even in de grote schoenen van Jan staan. Maar zal ik je eens wat zeggen? Ik luister en kijk eerlijk gezegd liever naar deze gitarist dan naar Jan. Meer gedisciplineerd (Jan speelde vaak erg slordig en onverschillig), respectvoller naar, en trouwer aan de compositie en.... gelukkig zonder die arrogante "schijt aan alles en iedereen"-houding.....
The ugliest performance I ever heard despite the presence of 'original member' and drummer Pierre van der Linden. The lazy organist " mister Focus' Thijs van Leer is a hollow cask and a disgrace for a band that was once so glorious. I can imagine that the real Focusleader Jan Akkerman had to vomit on this crap and never wants to do anything this poor legacy of Focus. Listen to the magisterial albums "In en out of Focus" (1971) and "Moving Waves" (1971).
Akelig ventje ben jij. Niks mis met deze uitvoering, in tegendeel zelf. Altijd gedacht dat voetbalsupporters zo praatten over "de vijand", maar nee ook "'muziekliefhebbers". Beiden geweldige musici, Akkerman en Van Leer, ze konden alleen niet door één deur. Accepteer dat, kleuter.
I saw them in Notts and Sheffield and chatted afterwards - musically accomplished and innovotive - and real gentlemen - cannot praise them enough!!!
Long may they continue ...
I saw, and met, Focus last night at Southend. There aren't enough words in the English language to express how fantastic they were. I've been a fan since 1972, this was my first show and it was the best night of my life. They were beyond all expectations and are the loveliest guys I've ever met. Lindo is the greatest drummer ever, Niels equals Jan Akkerman (yes!) Bobby is the greatest bassist and Thijs Van Leer is simply GOD! I would give these guys my last breath. My life is complete.
Unbelievable. I thought they'd never sound that good again without Jan. Good to see van der Linden back on drums.
IKONS
This music will live on forever......
Niels had some pretty big shoes to fill, after Jan - but I think he does amazingly well. The more I see this video, the more I love it - thanks for sharing, ekseptionaltribute! Their music is like being in Heaven every time I hear them, and for me has been like that since 1971. Dutch masters.
I saw this exact lineup recently in my local town. I've waited a long time to see TvL and I also got PvdL too! Superb.
Magnificent.
This is "Focus III" followed by "Focus II". Wow! Great version of the second number. I always thought no other drummer quite got the changes in this tune as gracefully as Pierre van der Linden. A seminal song written by Thijs van Leer. This is what pushed my rating to five stars. Now if only they'd get an additional pianist and a mellotron player onstage whilst these four gents play, and we'd have the equivalent of the majestic studio cut on the 1972 "Moving Waves" LP.
That was absolutely fantastic. I'm going to see the boys in a few weeks, and I was a bit concerned that the magic might have faded a bit, but that has restored my faith 100%. Lindo always was, and remains, the greatest ever drummer, and TvL is God! Sublime.
that wonderful, blessed be the good music and sound sublime.
Este tema crea un clima impresionante!!!! No tiene época ni lugar, es eterno!!!!
Beautifully played.
They play better today than in the past and still having 3 original members!
Uma época em que podia apreciar a essencia da musica e de seus artistas em toda plenitude criativa... Parabens Focus!
@cwn7 saw Focus on Roskilde about 35 (?) years ago. Still to this day I remember it like it was yesterday.
@tumshfibrox58 Thank you. Yes, I did go a bit over the top in my praise, but seeing the guys after being a fan for so long, I was on Cloud 9 the next day and for weeks afterwards! I still stand by my words though, they were/are the greatest band ever created. Also I notice that I said I have been a fan since 1971, then 1972 with the very next post - I must have still been in a daze! (It was definitely 71).
Great track and a fine rendition!
Memories of 1974 driving through the mountains
I've seen many top bands proform live in my time, although this current Focus line up has to be at the top of the list!
great post!
Focus comes very close to their 70s level.Very close!!! Amazing achievement.
I played Focus 1, 2 and 3 with my band in the seventies. I can assure you, this is a hard days work! Amazing what they did! Sadly that the bassplayer can't cope with the one who played the original (Bert Ruiter, I think). I played the bassguitar at that time and can remember everytime we played these beautiful numbers.
AMajor discovery for all of mankind.Thanks to a simple teaching aid that guarantees instant access to your mind-focusing techniques, that prevent young people from achieving the success they want and deserve.You can this simple method and make up your own mind @ mental training & improving life skills.
By the standards of UA-cam users against other clips - and some of them are downright obnoxious - you are a gentleman! Seems that most of us have confusing IDs!
Cheers!
Isn't this Focus 3, then Focus II?
The difference with Jan is that soon, very soon he starts making changes in the ritm of the melody. He can't stop making variations. And that makes it great....
@cabk12sg. Yeah I thought that to. I knew I herad something like it, but hey it's still top drawv music from this brilliant and outstanding band don't you agree?
Great
Is there a medley of tracks called Focus [NUMBER]?
Bom como sempre
Ik was hier, goed!
I can understand the bitterness but Jan
was focus but this guy is gr
eat
Correction: 1971 "Moving Waves" LP. Oops.
Why don't you realise the drummer doesn't have to fill any shoes... he is the ORIGINAL drummer! Read the description: it says Pierre van der Linden - drums. The only drummer before Pierre was Hans Cleuver who only happened to play on the first album. Think before you write and listen before you judge. No offense, but.
Outkast
Great stuff, but I couldn't help noticing that a couple of the guitar phrases were similar to Don't Sleep In The Subway!!!!
@arypma And that's one of the best things about them. If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much! (And I'm English!)
add to title Focus 2 !
スゴく！イイね👍
I don't see Focus as a reunion band, for me Focus is more like a cat with ten lives.
It is ok, when old bands return on stage, but why do I always feel so sceptical comparing them with their original work (what I certainly prefer..)
That counts for A L L reunion bands, I saw within the last 10 years
@mi1964amigo and they're dutch! viva hollandia.
Great version of "Focus 3" from all involved! "Focus 2" needs to be played with great understatement, sensitivity, and minimal improvisation from the guitarist (Niels) to really come across as stately and majestic. Akkerman's new band misses the mark on "Focus 2" as well: his drummer really clobbers the skins with no sense of dynamics whatsoever on this number. Pierre van der Linden, on the other hand, drums superbly with the new Focus. Remember this song is supposed to be HAUNTING, gents!
@mi1964amigo I think there made only for passing tho.
I kept noticing the same. Great music, eh?
van Leer is clearly the only master here..when it comes to filling shoes the others are running a couple inches shy....it's good but not nearly as good as it could be.
Sorry, this is like the Jimi Hendrix experience without Jimi Hendrix !! Close, but no cigar ...
So heej...ga maar als gitarist even in de grote schoenen van Jan staan. Maar zal ik je eens wat zeggen? Ik luister en kijk eerlijk gezegd liever naar deze gitarist dan naar Jan. Meer gedisciplineerd (Jan speelde vaak erg slordig en onverschillig), respectvoller naar, en trouwer aan de compositie en.... gelukkig zonder die arrogante "schijt aan alles en iedereen"-houding.....
The ugliest performance I ever heard despite the presence of 'original member' and drummer Pierre van der Linden. The lazy organist " mister Focus' Thijs van Leer is a hollow cask and a disgrace for a band that was once so glorious. I can imagine that the real Focusleader Jan Akkerman had to vomit on this crap and never wants to do anything this poor legacy of Focus. Listen to the magisterial albums "In en out of Focus" (1971) and "Moving Waves" (1971).
Akelig ventje ben jij. Niks mis met deze uitvoering, in tegendeel zelf. Altijd gedacht dat voetbalsupporters zo praatten over "de vijand", maar nee ook "'muziekliefhebbers". Beiden geweldige musici, Akkerman en Van Leer, ze konden alleen niet door één deur. Accepteer dat, kleuter.