I saw Jan Akkerman play in 1973 and was blown away. I highly recommend a song off Focus III album called "Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!" It's a crazy title for a beautiful fusion song.
Akkerman is incredible, most know him from Focus but love the boxed set of his solo albums too. If you ever get back to Focus, check out the songs Eruption and Hamburger Concerto, two incredible longer form pieces.
Check out the live version of this from the album 10,000 Clowns on a Rainy Day. Or Hamburger Concerto by Focus. Or Eruption by Focus. Or Answers Questions Questions Answers by Focus. Jan is impeccable.
Eruption by Focus off the Moving Waves album is a side long song but is a tremendous instrumental by the whole band especially Jan's guitar. Highly recommend.
Need to get back to Akkerman again. Used to listen to him and Focus in the early 70s. The Netherlands had some some great musicians in the early 70s and I`m thinking about the band Ekseption also. If you haven`t heard them, it`s worth a listen.
When first released my Brother dropped it off at my place to give a listen. Took about a week before it hit my turntable. Just amazing and so different than what was around then .
Bass - Cees van der Laarse Conductor [Strings] - Roger Webb Drums - Bruno Castelucci Guitar, Arranged By, Composed By - Jan Akkerman Keyboards - Joachim Kühn
From what I’ve heard Jan had endorsements with companies that obligated him to record albums using their gear, like drum computers and such. But he wasn’t always happy with it and sometimes he would just use simple beats to ‘noodle’ over it. I’m not sure if the song Piétons was one of those tracks, but I do remember when I was young (mid eighties) I always went to the old cellars underneath a discotheque (the uppers using dancers were upstairs and the downers taking bunch were smoking weed downstairs) and this song, Piétons, was one of the songs they would ALWAYS play. The groove was so simple, yet so effective and the guitar playing was so unbelievably cool. Very subdued, but cool! Those days are far behind me now, but music like this brings me back immediately. I love it! 🧡🧡🧡
Fantastic player, best known for his work with Focus (including, of course, Hocus Pocus). Like many of his prog contemporaries, he became interested in early music, and plays the lute here and there.
Thanks, Scott! I've loved Jan Akkerman for over fifty years from his Focus work ("Moving Waves" being among my all time favorite albums) but I never picked up on this solo LP. Simply fantastic!
That was a lightning fast turnaround. So happy you liked the selection Jan has a huge catalogue to explore more to come as soon as I can do it. This is a great album and takes me back to a younger me in 1977. I always listen to the entire marathons but I sadly agree and understand why some people miss out on a great thing. I did not see the follow up bass video. I’ll keep looking. Great reaction thanks Nick.
Nick please play the song Sylvia by Focus ( a famous Dutch band) have u ever heard guitars like that?.. ps it was really 1972. Akkerman was voted best guitar player in 1973. Please play it and listen to it
Los arreglos orquestales son conducidos por el genio británico Roger Webb, quien también compuso la música que utilizaban en las películas de los hermanos Almada, Valentín Trujillo y Pedrito Fernández de finales de los 70s.
Welcome to my favourite guitarist - a sublime blend of technique and feel. Unmistakable. From Focus' second album 'Moving Waves' to his recent recordings such as 'Minor Details'. Don't be mislead that he is just a fusion player - his blues playing is exceptional as is his baroque/early music influences. This version of 'Streetwalker' was from his early days when he had just left Focus and was extending his horizons. For a comparison see th-cam.com/video/UBGxYfQ7Gy0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ggOgkA2B2DZObXIo from 2008.
Glad you got some fusion going again Scott. Loved the pick and glad you picked up the bass again. Fantastic melody and tone on this cut. Very funky. Great reaction Nick and merry Christmas to all. P.S. E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES👍🎶❤
@@scottanderson8420 If we can get the pass game going look out. Otherwise it might be tough. Nice cut. Added to my Sot!fy playlist. I've almost got 5000 cuts now. My project since 2021 and that"great time". Just radomize it and have my ôwn little radio station. Not much video entertainment anymore. "Living In The Past" as Tull would put it. 👍
Al DiMeola, Paco DeLuca, John McLaughlin. Also something you'll really like. UZEB . Canadian jazz fusion been around for years. Fantastic musicians. Alain Caron on bass🔥🔥🔥🔥👍👍 older live stuff.
One thing about the best guitar players from this era is that most of them could play acoustic guitars as good as electric, and they even had some training on Spanish guitar. That shows immediately when you hear them play, even on electric. It happens with people like Jan Akkerman and Mike Oldfield and Steve Howe, and even Zappa himself. It shows on their approach of the instrument.
The tone of his guitar on this song made me think of Zappa. Living in Amsterdam, Jan must have had advantageous freedoms, not open to all people. Similar to California, where most of our best music is made. If y'all haven't been to Amsterdam...go. I could easily live there. Play more Jan!
I saw Jan Akkerman play in 1973 and was blown away. I highly recommend a song off Focus III album called "Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!" It's a crazy title for a beautiful fusion song.
Akkerman is incredible, most know him from Focus but love the boxed set of his solo albums too. If you ever get back to Focus, check out the songs Eruption and Hamburger Concerto, two incredible longer form pieces.
Check out the live version of this from the album 10,000 Clowns on a Rainy Day. Or Hamburger Concerto by Focus. Or Eruption by Focus. Or Answers Questions Questions Answers by Focus. Jan is impeccable.
Oh Yes! Jan Akkerman is so awesome! This is such a great tune! Love it!
Eruption by Focus off the Moving Waves album is a side long song but is a tremendous instrumental by the whole band especially Jan's guitar. Highly recommend.
This song was played over and over in our great Rockpoint Club at the beginning of the 80s in a little town in Germany, near Dortmund.
Jan was having a conversation with the music, with his guitar and with the band. He plays like a painter paints.
Need to get back to Akkerman again. Used to listen to him and Focus in the early 70s. The Netherlands had some some great musicians in the early 70s and I`m thinking about the band Ekseption also. If you haven`t heard them, it`s worth a listen.
Last heard him in London in 1976. Looking forward to his tour in the new year. Great guitarist,.
Scott A - I loved Focus and I really like this guy's licks!
Thank you Scott, I really liked the song, Thank you Nick, great reaction and great conversation.
When first released my Brother dropped it off at my place to give a listen. Took about a week before it hit my turntable. Just amazing and so different than what was around then .
Bass - Cees van der Laarse
Conductor [Strings] - Roger Webb
Drums - Bruno Castelucci
Guitar, Arranged By, Composed By - Jan Akkerman
Keyboards - Joachim Kühn
From what I’ve heard Jan had endorsements with companies that obligated him to record albums using their gear, like drum computers and such. But he wasn’t always happy with it and sometimes he would just use simple beats to ‘noodle’ over it.
I’m not sure if the song Piétons was one of those tracks, but I do remember when I was young (mid eighties) I always went to the old cellars underneath a discotheque (the uppers using dancers were upstairs and the downers taking bunch were smoking weed downstairs) and this song, Piétons, was one of the songs they would ALWAYS play. The groove was so simple, yet so effective and the guitar playing was so unbelievably cool. Very subdued, but cool! Those days are far behind me now, but music like this brings me back immediately. I love it! 🧡🧡🧡
Fantastic player, best known for his work with Focus (including, of course, Hocus Pocus). Like many of his prog contemporaries, he became interested in early music, and plays the lute here and there.
Thanks, Scott! I've loved Jan Akkerman for over fifty years from his Focus work ("Moving Waves" being among my all time favorite albums) but I never picked up on this solo LP. Simply fantastic!
That was a lightning fast turnaround. So happy you liked the selection Jan has a huge catalogue to explore more to come as soon as I can do it. This is a great album and takes me back to a younger me in 1977. I always listen to the entire marathons but I sadly agree and understand why some people miss out on a great thing. I did not see the follow up bass video. I’ll keep looking. Great reaction thanks Nick.
R U on Talk Bass?
I just signed up maybe we can chat. 👍👍
Hola! Muy interesante! Muchísimas gracias! Saludos desde Temperley, BsAs.
Nick please play the song Sylvia by Focus ( a famous Dutch band) have u ever heard guitars like that?.. ps it was really 1972. Akkerman was voted best guitar player in 1973. Please play it and listen to it
Los arreglos orquestales son conducidos por el genio británico Roger Webb, quien también compuso la música que utilizaban en las películas de los hermanos Almada, Valentín Trujillo y Pedrito Fernández de finales de los 70s.
Welcome to my favourite guitarist - a sublime blend of technique and feel. Unmistakable. From Focus' second album 'Moving Waves' to his recent recordings such as 'Minor Details'. Don't be mislead that he is just a fusion player - his blues playing is exceptional as is his baroque/early music influences. This version of 'Streetwalker' was from his early days when he had just left Focus and was extending his horizons. For a comparison see th-cam.com/video/UBGxYfQ7Gy0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ggOgkA2B2DZObXIo from 2008.
Glad you got some fusion going again Scott. Loved the pick and glad you picked up the bass again. Fantastic melody and tone on this cut. Very funky. Great reaction Nick and merry Christmas to all. P.S. E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES👍🎶❤
I'm an Eagles fan too, I live in Southeastern Pa. in Chester County, BIG EAGLES fan here...
Eagles notorious blockers
Hey Eagle glad you liked the song. It looks like the Detroit Lions are your competition this year. Good luck
@@scottanderson8420 If we can get the pass game going look out. Otherwise it might be tough. Nice cut. Added to my Sot!fy playlist. I've almost got 5000 cuts now. My project since 2021 and that"great time". Just radomize it and have my ôwn little radio station. Not much video entertainment anymore. "Living In The Past" as Tull would put it. 👍
This whole album is great! Hidden gem.
Al DiMeola, Paco DeLuca, John McLaughlin. Also something you'll really like. UZEB . Canadian jazz fusion been around for years. Fantastic musicians. Alain Caron on bass🔥🔥🔥🔥👍👍 older live stuff.
This is a fantastic album, well worth checking out!
One thing about the best guitar players from this era is that most of them could play acoustic guitars as good as electric, and they even had some training on Spanish guitar. That shows immediately when you hear them play, even on electric. It happens with people like Jan Akkerman and Mike Oldfield and Steve Howe, and even Zappa himself. It shows on their approach of the instrument.
Really nice, Id like to hear more of his music
The tone of his guitar on this song made me think of Zappa. Living in Amsterdam, Jan must have had advantageous freedoms, not open to all people. Similar to California, where most of our best music is made. If y'all haven't been to Amsterdam...go. I could easily live there. Play more Jan!
Have you done any Brand X from the 70’s?
Janne Schaeffer guitarrist for Abba has some great fusion albums...
I'm waiting for that next video with baited breath!!!!!!!!!😁
its already available. Its at the end of the video. You have to click on it!
Oh you mean the one we are doing together Alexia and I?
@@NicknLex didn't see it pop up up?
@@NicknLex That too!
There is a video of him jamming with Paco de Lucia.
OMG, at last!
For whatever it's worth, I still think the best all around track I've ever heard is "Naked Actress" on his Eli collaboration with Kaz Lux.
Rhubarb with custard!
Holiday house decorations tour? ❤
Is this from that Love Boat episode where Larry Carelton meets a sexy mermaid? 😂
I still have the first Focus album. Still love it! It is so much more than Hocus Pocus, now one of my least fave songs on the album! 😀