Is still a great guitarist with many recent clips of his talent available on TH-cam. I believe he needed to take a break in his career due to injuries sustained in an accident which left him unable to play for a number of years but now back to his best
@@colemantrebor6574 Yes and he was using all four fingers on the frets when soloing and shredding. For him his pinky was just another equal finger. Something that is still extremely rare to see today.
@@skabuoy Ok. Like I said, I wish they had more success than that. If they had 13 double platinum albums, I'd wish they had more. Never said they weren't successful.
@@snakeinthegrass7443 I wasn't trying to be a critical smart ass, or snarky, or something. It's just depending on your definition of successful. Platinum albums is one option, still playing live and drawing crowds sizeable enough to make that worthwhile 50 years later is another. There is also something to be said for artists that only were around for a year or so, releasing one album that bombed, but years later had numerous hit making artists citing them as a major influence.
I never said they weren't successful. To hear that they're still playing shows proves they have been successful. I said "I WISH THEY HAD MORE SUCCESS THAN THEY DID". Did you get it? "than they did" I acknowledged their success. Ok?
@@snakeinthegrass7443 Yes. I get you. Yes. I did from the beginning, so there's no reason to shout. Because clearly you didn't get me, not even after I dumbed it down for you. So you know what? Enjoy the rest of your life. There's bound to be a brick wall somewhere that's more susceptible to an intelligent conversation. Or maybe it's just a side effect of all that dr**s you did in the seventies, in which case I apologize, I never kick people when they're down.
Pierre van der Linden's drum work is what I use to calibrate my metronomes. Jan Akkerman's guitar work is unbelievably underrated. Then there's Thijs van Leer... And still performing at age 76. Being a child of the 70's, I can vouch for this song pretty much summing up the entire decade. And still a thrill half a century later.
One of the best, maddest, fastest, bonkers songs/tunes ever made. And this is the best version of it. I read they had only a limited time to play the song so this version is on steroids!!
@@gertkozijn7969 he absolutely was. “In the 1990s he joined the free jazz group Advance Warning and played on four albums: Cut the Crap, Regroovable, Hot House, and HiFi Apartment.[7”
This song exploded onto the scene in the early '70s and took over the airwaves for a time. Everyone in this band is a virtuoso. Great reaction, Andrew!
SO glad you recognize this for the genius it is! Jan Akkerman is amazing, Thijs van Leer put on a performance that has gone down in the music history books. God I am glad this performance survived!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums a little more about Jan Akkerman. A video where he jams with Paco de Lucia and another video where he plays Lute. th-cam.com/video/Vakx58fh4bA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/AvyB2-jdb_E/w-d-xo.html
I think this is the best organised chaos ever made in music, ever. This started by jamming together after a rehearsal of the group. Guitarist Jan Akkerman started with the riff that is key to this song and yes, like it jazz, every member filled in their parts. Hearing this jam, the producer of the group said that this had to be made into a real song. The rest is history, the song became a hit, then this performance came on tv and Jan Akkerman was voted by the readers of Melodymaker, above Eric Clapton, as best guitarplayer in the world.
I remember those days, when the drummer was the metronome and everyone had a good sense of timing. What makes this version so impressive is they've been playing this song regularly at one tempo, but to change it up for one single performance is amazing. I commend them on keeping to the integrity of the song as a complete piece of music. Thanks Andrew.
Elizabeth has analyzed this. She did it as a Patreon Exclusive. So I won't link the whole video, but instead, this is just her 1 minute trailer which is public. And even that is pretty entertaining. Focus "Hocus Pocus" Patreon Exclusive Analysis for The Charismastic Voice. th-cam.com/video/uwPGrYypdCs/w-d-xo.html
I'm a huge Focus fan, even having the good fortune of spending time with Thijs on a cruise ship. He's loads of fun even in his 70's. Check out Eruption for an extended workout covering many genres. Sylvia is great to hear them get funky and melodic. La Cathedral de Strasburg is quiet and beautiful. Hamburger Concerto is restrained and heavy. Vocals are pretty sparse and usually weird, an artifact of Thijs' strong Dutch accent that he likes to hide on record. They can do it all.
I’m a huge Focus fan as well. Seen them live 10 times, soon to be 12 times. I’m friends with the band members as well. Can’t wait for their new album released in July.
You are going to like this as the drummer- Pierre Van der Linden is still one of the best jazz/rock fusion drummers around. I saw them in the early 70s and they still tour today with Pierre back with them. Those drums are tuned perfectly- many could learn from this. They are still respected in the US even when they tour today because of their performances. This song was their fist in the UK it as followed by Silvia. Their best album is Focus III- full of jazz/rock/classical fusion compositions.
Saw these guys a few years ago. Went in blind as some friends were supporting. The drummer was same guy as here... utter monster, even 40-odd years later. Prog band but all serious jazz guys.
I heard a story of the background to this performance - probably mentioned somwhere else in the comments, but I couldn't find it - the story being that they were given a time slot far shorter than would fit and were asked to make a shortened arrangement but they said "No, we'll just play it faster!". The studio version is somewhat more laid back, at about half of that tempo! Thijs Van Leer is crazy. Still performing as late as 2009!
The crazy part is this song is actually like 7 minutes long but right before they went to play, they were told they only had 4 and a half minutes of air time. They went out and played this fast on the spot.
Timeless. Met Pierre van der linden en Thijs van leer a few years ago in my favorite cafe in my hometown. The only original members of focus. They both signed my vinyl records from Focus. They still exist to this day. Even the new songs 50 years later they stand out. Great band
Focus in their haydays, a legendary Dutch band with no real leadsinging and not many hits, and yet very succesful, known all over the world for a few years. How can that be? Top shelf musicians with a very original oeuvre!
When I saw Deep Purple during their Perfect Strangers "reunion" tour, Someone on the crew played "House of the King" during the changeover from the opening band to Deep Purple which I thought was suprisingly cool. I believe I read something at the time that Ritchie Blackmore admired Jan Akkerman's playing. Jan also had a few Lute based albums back in the day.
Pierre's solos th-cam.com/video/_lGH0xOA1iY/w-d-xo.html Sea of Delight 1969 BrainBox with drum solo comes in at 12:35 th-cam.com/video/tYiR-rXzLFs/w-d-xo.html My favorite, live 46 minute jam called Eruption, Great drumming through out, solo starts at 35:35 The dude could play that 4 piece kit! from 1971 th-cam.com/video/g8pUASiO0R0/w-d-xo.html
By the way, that ride tom is a 9" x 14" i believe only Premier made that size. His kit was Birch with Beechwood glue rings! I had the African Mahogany 3-ply with the thick beechwood glue rings from 1971
That’s wrong. They performed it first. The last song was «Focus 3» with «Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!», with the end-titles going over the screen during Answers? Questions!… That they performs «Hocus Pocus» fast because of the show is a false myth. They performed the song fast around that time. In 1973-1976, it was performed fast.
Thijs van Leer... correctly spoken as t-ice (so english "ice" with a "t" in front.... "th" in Dutch is pronounced as "t" in english...BTW by far best footage to check Focus: th-cam.com/video/4aFGDoV_mgU/w-d-xo.html (Focus - Live at the BBC (Old Grey Whistle Test) December 1972 (Full Session)
I always wondered if Terry Kath was the first shredder from his performance on 25 or 6 to 4, Tanglewood 1970, but you have me thinking it might have been this guy. Either way, both legends.
Its been said that this is the only standing ovation, ever, on that show, and rightfully so. I HIGHLY recommend watching Lolli Wren’s reaction to this on her channel @TheFairyVoiceMother. Absolute GOLD! Cracks me up every time! And yes, Elizabeth HAS done this song, and its a LOT of fun!
I used to love this song but I must admit Thijs van Leer's yodeling, scat and whistling always made me laugh out loud. When I saw this performance(and his facial expressions), I laughed even harder.
Try the version live on Don Kirshner's rock concert. Jan Akkerman having a ball. and it's probably faster. The drummer in that one is the guy from 'Stone the Crows' (maggie Bell. Les Harvey etc). Youll laugh harder still !
The real trick here is that the entire song is a solo. Guitarist is literally wailing the entire time, the drummer gets his chance each time around, and the "singer" gets his each time as well. The bass player is the only stay at home guy in the whole deal. There is another version of this from Don Kirshner's Rock Concert from around the same time where there are playing so fast that the guitar player actually sort of gives up on it. Yes, things were more pure back then.
Imagine these guys being your opener and looking at your bandmates..."how are we EFF are we supposed to follow that?!" Bewildered, befuddled, and blindsided. 😂🤘
That is as mad as a box of frogs, they are masters of their instruments, I love the way the guitar mirrors his amazing vocal and that drumming is tight, I think I once saw them on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Awesome!
My Wife is Dutch and Indonesian. The Van Halen family came to the US at about the same time. I’m pretty sure Focus and Golden Earring members were Dutch Indos as well. They contributed in a big way to many bands. Some time do Brooks Wakerman he’s married to my daughter in laws cousin. He’s great on drums.
The were given a limited time to perform this, but refused to shorten it. The only solution was to play it at supersonic speed. The original, on Moving Waves, is a lot slower. The weird thing about Focus is that nearly all of their music was instrumental, but they had the best vocalist in the world.
The studio version is the drummer’s version; I think you would like. This single!s B side is incorporated in this live version if I remember correctly. Enjoy your reactions. Thanks
Fast forward 52 years & I saw Focus live at the Stables in Milton Keynes last Sunday. Whilst I'm not a prog rock fan per-say I do appreciate a good musician & the current line up of Focus are great musicians. The founder of Focus Thijs van Leer is now in his late 70's & can still impress with his flute, vocal & keyboard skills. He can't quite hit the high notes or whistling he did in this midnight Special track but he can still cut a rug as they say. The current line up is great & particular Pierre van der Linden on drums, Menno Gootjes on lead guitar & Menno Gootjes on bass. It took me back to my mid teenage years when I heard them play Hocus Pocus & Silvia for the first time. Memories.
It is indeed a legendary performance of a legendary band that however never really made the big time internationally, even though indeed the band's musicianship is extraordinary. They were the main prog rock band at the time from the Netherlands together with the band Ekseption (also with a legendary keyboard player).
The guitar player Jan Akkerman lives in our town of Volendam. A real nice guy. Played with him a few times. And his daughter Laurie is an amazing singer.
It's a 7 minute song, they were given 4 minutes on the program, instead of abridging the song, they ramped up the tempo. The musicianship to all get on tempo in an instant is amazing IMO
I didn't get to see them in their heyday back in the 70's but I did get to see them on Cruise To The Edge several times. One of those Cruises featured a reformed original line up. They were amazing. They are still out there touring.
I remember when this song was a hit. Never saw this performance until a couple of years ago, as I was not permitted to stay up that late back in the day. I couldn't believe that they could play it that fast. I don't know if it's good or not, but it's always been a lot of fun to hear.
Thijs Van Leer has a background in classical music, he still performs classical music and Focus live. Drummer Pierre Van der Linden indeed left because Thijs and Jan wanted to be in the picture more than him. In 1976 Akkerman went solo and as a session musician. These days he mainly plays Jazz. Akkerman, Van Leer and Pierre Van der Linden were also members of Brainbug, another well-known band. Maybe you know Akkerman's name from that band.
I saw Focus live a couple of weeks ago, and am happy to say Pierre Van Der Linden still has it at 78, and although Thijs struggles with yodelling these days, he still rocks the keys and the flute. They were fabulous..!
If you like to hear Pierre doing a longer solo: check out Anonymous II, from their third album it’s a long track with great themes and every band member gets an extended solo in it. It sounds as if it’s recorded in one take.
@@AndrewRooneyDrums I particularly like the bass solo, which starts out slowly, low energy, almost carefully tasting some notes and then gradually gaining full energy. At the end of the solo Jan Akkerman takes over. Great piece!
I've been listening to this tune for decades, and it's always fun to see new people's reaction to this thing. Especially so when it's someone who can appreciate the musicianship beyond just the madness of it all.
I live in the UK, but went to see Focus in their native Netherlands just a couple of weeks ago (ECI Cultuurfabriek, Roermond). What a show! I love watching reactions to this particular performance - it's always a joy! Thijs (I think it's pronounced 'Teece') can barely walk across the stage these days, but he still has all the skills, talent, and vocal range, and oh that Hammond organ sound! Pierre was not an original member, but replaced Hans Cleuver early on, and as has been mentioned left and re-joined. Current guitarist Menno Gootjes and (six-string) bassist Bobby Jacobs are also fine musicians - they still all play jazz-style solos and 'trades' (thanks for giving me a name for that!)
I like you Andrew but it's a shame that you did not go into that blind without the notes because it's the surprise of the reactor at the yodeling and other parts that make this hilarious. I saw this Dutch Group in South East London in 1973:)
@Andrew Rooney Drums 🐙Elizabeth has done this one as a Patreon Exclusive. And yes, she was "floored" (without having Floor Jansen in the video) with lot's of giggles.
Focus still performed past years, with both Thijs van Leer (Thais van Lear as pronunciation) and Pierre van der Linden. I think in their best line-up Bert Ruiter played the bass, and Jan Akkerman is incredible, still performing with his band and an accomplished lute player. As flute player, Thijs van Leer also recorded more classical records with the Metropole Orchestra with director Rogier van Otterloo. Check it out, that orchestra has won Grammies, played Bacharach songs and even worked with Steve Vai 🙂
This version is sped up from the original recording. What amazes me the most is Thijs hitting 3,5 octaves in one part. I know the band from the early 70's and dig this video a lot. One on the best performances ever.
I saw Focus in 2019 and they were still amazing. At one point Thijs played one tune on the organ with one hand, played a different melody on the flute and SANG a third melody all at the same time!! and he is now in his 70s
The drummer and guitarist were in a band called BRAINBOX! You should listen to there jam called Sea of Delight from the 1969 album. Pierre Van Der Linden was ahead of his time! His drumming has always been top notch. He does a very musical drum solo on the cut. There is also a clip of his solos, and he is still playing now in his late 70's !! A remarkable drummer, as was the guitarist and keyboard player/Flute/vocals When Pierre left Focus in 1974 i quit following them. The solos... th-cam.com/video/_lGH0xOA1iY/w-d-xo.html
Went to see concert where FOCUS was the headliner. Guess who the intro band was? Chick Corea and Return to Forever. Crazy. Later went to a midnight show where the intro band for them was Gentle Giant. Middle of FOCUS performance people started chanting "Bring back the Giant."
Saw them November 13, 1973 at the Orpheum in Boston. They opened for Wishbone Ash - or maybe the other way around. Some of those nights are a little hard to remember.
Actually; It’s a few errors here. Firstly; There’s a myth going around for years, which is false. It is that the song was sped up because of the time slot they had on the TV show. That is actually false. Focus performed the song fast multiple times during the 70’s live shows. It has nothing to do with the TV show. They performed a long song during the same TV show, that was cut down, they played it full. Second; Yes, that’s Thijs van Leer (organ, flute, vocals) and Jan Akkerman (guitar), and yes, it is Pierre van der Linden on drums, and he left the band shortly after this performance. But he came back for a short tour almost two years later, so, he was active in Focus from 1971-1973 and 1975, and on a reunion show in 1990. He came back in 2004, and has played in Focus since then, and still is today, at age 78. Thijs van Leer also still plays in Focus. He was the founder. Jan Akkerman is not friends with Thijs anymore, he hates him, and plays in his own band now, called Jan Akkerman Band. It’s not Martijn Dresden on bass here, Martijn played bass in Focus in 1969-1970. In 1973, it was Bert Ruiter on bass. He was active in Focus in 1971-1978, 1990, 1997-1998, and he died in 2022. If you are wondering, the years Focus has been active is: 1969-1978, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2002-present. A brand new studio album, the first in six years, is set to be released July 5th 2024. This song came out on their second studio album “Moving Waves” in 1971, and it was recorded and released before Bert Ruiter joined on bass. Cyril Havermans plays bass on the album version. I’m a VERY HUGE fan of Focus. I have all albums, and countless bootlegs, and I’m constantly on the lookout for more. A new studio album comes soon, and I can’t wait. I have seen them live 10 times, and soon it will be 12.
Thanks for the clarification! I do try to find the proper lineups but bands like this, with a lot of changes, arent easy to nail down. Good to have an expert to ensure the facts are straight. Regarding the doing it faster, for the show, yes, they performed it even faster than this, on occasion. That doesnt mean the story is false, just that theyd likely have done it fast anyway, and since most of the fast performances are on tv shows, it makes me wonder if, perhaps, they worked it out at that speed, just for the purpose of those limited time slots on tv shows.
@@buzzbomb67No actually not, because they have performed shorter versions on tv shows before. They played it faster because they liked and wanted to play it faster at that time.
Thank you so much for that description of the backstory I never understood why the song was so sped up! I heard the original prior to this and I never quite understood why they did it.
Pronounced "Taysh fun Leer" (Dutch!) also "J" is pronounced "Y" in Dutch so Yan Akkerman - incredible shredding from him, considering it's 1973!Yes Elizabeth is good, but by the cringe, she pauses far too much! Good reaction, Andrew! Focus are definitely worth a listen to some of their albums - as you say, they are heavily jazz-influenced ( also Prog/metal)... My recommendations would be "Answer? Questions! - Questions? Answer!" and "Anonymous Two", both from their album Focus 3 (all on TH-cam!) Enjoy!
Back in the day in the USA, radio stations wanted songs to be an average of three minutes or so because it fit into their scheduled commercial, news and community announcements during broadcast. This song was, I believe, almost six minute long so when the show told them they had three minutes to play it ....they obliged. :D
The people there was asked to stay quiet as it was recorded. In 1973 they didn't had the technology to noise cancel the public. Besides the public being loud, would only have spoiled their focus (prun intended). As it is a technical difficult song to perform live at that speed. If you look at the live performance of for example deep purple same thing public not making a beep. Nowadays production crew can ask the public to stay still and it just wouldn't work different time...
Thanks, Andrew, best reaction so far I've seen. Acknowledging the musicianship of these guys to pull this song off LIVE. They could have easily shortend it, but chose to speed it up. Not an easy thing to do. Jan Akkerman was voted by the readers of Melody Maker (british music magazine) best guitar player in the world in 1973.
Jan Akkerman is OTHERWORLDLY on this version! As a fun note, there's a version of this kicking about with Nicko McBrain providing "vocals". It's needless to say rather amusing.
My absolute favourite band since I first heard them half a century ago. Check out the second side of their early albums - jazz / prog / rock at its finest. A band that might replace them as my favourite is Snarky Puppy.
One of my favourite bands from the early 70’s!!! I adore this song! One of their songs is particularly melodic and beautiful, especially if you want to hear their diversity. It’s called ‘Sylvia’. The guitarist who quit the band after this stated that he was the greatest guitarist in the world! Having said that, l can’t say enough about this brilliant band. Another Dutch band, called ‘ Exception’ is also one of my favourites! They will blow your mind. In one song in particular, they play a massive organ in a church that is astounding! I truly hope you will check my suggestions out. Thank you .
I was born 1960. We used to dance to that on many parties. (To the studio version, of course ;-) The name of the album is: Moving Waves. Thies is still active and lately collaborated with Arjen Lucassen. Very popular at partys was also Gamma Ray by german "Krautrock-Band" Birthcontrol. Or even Solar Music by Grobschnitt. On a biker party in the early 9ties, they even played the whole Brainticket album by Brainticket. (Not sure, if this album is still on the index in the US. It was.) 1 1/2 LP-sides describe the passing away of a girl who got hit by a car. Another popular song: Silly Sally by Sweet Smoke (Album: just a poke). (Amazing drum solo!!! Stereo was just invented!) And let's not forget "The Mexican" by Babe Ruth from the Netherlands. It's from their very popular album First Base. I've even been dancing to Eumir Deodato's "Also sprach Zarathustra". Just my 2 cents... You've not been living under a rock, Andrew: you've just been born too late. LOL
A local DJ in my home town loved "Elspeth of Nottingham" by Focus, so I went out to find the album it was on. The song was probably their only radio friendly track, and I was not sure about the music on the rest of the album. But it grew on me and introduced me to the jazz-prog fusion and led me to look up both prog rock (Yes, Rush) and jazz (Chic Corea, Moe Koffmann).
Andrew you do know this its been used for a number of adds - esp Nike and also Top Gear and a lot of other shows - Dutch Bands are seriously dangerously underrated these guys and Golden Earring
I had a recording studio back then (yes, old as dirt) and I had the privilige to work with these extraordinary musicians. I can assure you that when Focus was in concert, the roof always came off.Smoking!!!!❤🇳🇱
Jan Akkerman was voted "World's Best Guitarist" by Music Maker in 1973.
Imagine the competition in those days.
Is still a great guitarist with many recent clips of his talent available on TH-cam. I believe he needed to take a break in his career due to injuries sustained in an accident which left him unable to play for a number of years but now back to his best
Oh yeah..that he was...👍
Imagine the competition these days.
He would still fare well in my book.
He was using techniques and playing style in this song that only became popular in the 80s, such as sweep picking. Revolutionary
@@colemantrebor6574 Yes and he was using all four fingers on the frets when soloing and shredding. For him his pinky was just another equal finger. Something that is still extremely rare to see today.
The only standing ovation ever, on this program
Guess you haven't seen the KISS performance from 75. And there are many more.
No, but the first.
The speed which these guys played this for this show is insane!!! Extremely talented. I wish they had more success than they did.
Focus is still performing well attended gigs, so it all depends on your definition of 'success'.
@@skabuoy Ok. Like I said, I wish they had more success than that. If they had 13 double platinum albums, I'd wish they had more. Never said they weren't successful.
@@snakeinthegrass7443 I wasn't trying to be a critical smart ass, or snarky, or something. It's just depending on your definition of successful. Platinum albums is one option, still playing live and drawing crowds sizeable enough to make that worthwhile 50 years later is another.
There is also something to be said for artists that only were around for a year or so, releasing one album that bombed, but years later had numerous hit making artists citing them as a major influence.
I never said they weren't successful. To hear that they're still playing shows proves they have been successful. I said "I WISH THEY HAD MORE SUCCESS THAN THEY DID". Did you get it? "than they did" I acknowledged their success. Ok?
@@snakeinthegrass7443
Yes. I get you. Yes. I did from the beginning, so there's no reason to shout. Because clearly you didn't get me, not even after I dumbed it down for you. So you know what? Enjoy the rest of your life. There's bound to be a brick wall somewhere that's more susceptible to an intelligent conversation.
Or maybe it's just a side effect of all that dr**s you did in the seventies, in which case I apologize, I never kick people when they're down.
Pierre van der Linden's drum work is what I use to calibrate my metronomes. Jan Akkerman's guitar work is unbelievably underrated. Then there's Thijs van Leer... And still performing at age 76. Being a child of the 70's, I can vouch for this song pretty much summing up the entire decade. And still a thrill half a century later.
One of the best, maddest, fastest, bonkers songs/tunes ever made. And this is the best version of it.
I read they had only a limited time to play the song so this version is on steroids!!
If you haven't seen the Wallace & Grommit Hocus Pocus edit, I'd recommend that, it's top tier too.
@@NativeNewMexican lol nice! GOT to go see that now :)
The drummer was actually part of a free Jazz group called Advance Warning.
Nice info.
That's a serious drummer!
And went back to play with Focus. I saw them in a small 150 people club about 5-6 years ago. Still in world class.
Thank you!
Pierre never was in a jazz group. He played with Jan Akkerman in a beatgroup The Hunters . Google Russian spy and I.
@@gertkozijn7969 he absolutely was.
“In the 1990s he joined the free jazz group Advance Warning and played on four albums: Cut the Crap, Regroovable, Hot House, and HiFi Apartment.[7”
Love that you can see them glancing at each other and having little chuckles about how ridiculous it is.
The Fairy Voice Mother gives the definitive reaction to this...unlike the others she demonstrates the techniques.
Yes she is great !!
Elizabeth?
Thanks for the info pal I'll watch that 1 next
Yes, she is greit! And hilarious too😂
Pierre Van der Linden rejoined them several times and is their current drummer.
This song exploded onto the scene in the early '70s and took over the airwaves for a time. Everyone in this band is a virtuoso. Great reaction, Andrew!
SO glad you recognize this for the genius it is! Jan Akkerman is amazing, Thijs van Leer put on a performance that has gone down in the music history books. God I am glad this performance survived!
Oh this is brilliant
@@AndrewRooneyDrums a little more about Jan Akkerman. A video where he jams with Paco de Lucia and another video where he plays Lute. th-cam.com/video/Vakx58fh4bA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/AvyB2-jdb_E/w-d-xo.html
I think this is the best organised chaos ever made in music, ever. This started by jamming together after a rehearsal of the group. Guitarist Jan Akkerman started with the riff that is key to this song and yes, like it jazz, every member filled in their parts. Hearing this jam, the producer of the group said that this had to be made into a real song. The rest is history, the song became a hit, then this performance came on tv and Jan Akkerman was voted by the readers of Melodymaker, above Eric Clapton, as best guitarplayer in the world.
These Guys were WAY ahead of their time.
The Audiences were told not to clap or cheer during the performances, this was one of few standing ovations.
Hocus Pocus and Sylvia were their two hits. Excellent band!
Don't sleep on 'House Of The King'.
"I need a Bathroom" 😁
These guys were all stellar musicians. Every one of them was a virtuoso.
Me , born & raised in Belgium , I just love this song , great Dutch band 🙂
Another (RIP) Dutch band I really appreciate , Ekseption 🙂
Kayak
@@arjankremer8229, and around 1977 and later on , Herman Brood , and also early-mid 70's Earth & Fire ♥️ 🎶
And Spin
@@turtle8581, holy manure , thank you , I had never even heard them before !!!! 😲
Holy da da da da .... mn , I freaky love it 🎼🎶🎵🎸🎹🎺🎷🙂👌
I remember those days, when the drummer was the metronome and everyone had a good sense of timing. What makes this version so impressive is they've been playing this song regularly at one tempo, but to change it up for one single performance is amazing. I commend them on keeping to the integrity of the song as a complete piece of music. Thanks Andrew.
Television studio audiences had to not interrupt performances while the band plays live for the best produced show.
Elizabeth has analyzed this. She did it as a Patreon Exclusive. So I won't link the whole video, but instead, this is just her 1 minute trailer which is public. And even that is pretty entertaining.
Focus "Hocus Pocus" Patreon Exclusive Analysis for The Charismastic Voice.
th-cam.com/video/uwPGrYypdCs/w-d-xo.html
Rumor is that their time allotment was cut so rather than trim the song...they just played it fast enough to fit it in.
Thijs is originally a classically trained flutist and organ player.
Have to be trained with those chops
He's also very very friendly, guy just doesn't shut up 😁
My fellow Dutch guys invented speedmetalpolka on the spot!
".... you know that new sound you're looking for? Well listen to this!"
LOL 🙂😁🙂
Speedmetalpolka lmao
I'm a huge Focus fan, even having the good fortune of spending time with Thijs on a cruise ship. He's loads of fun even in his 70's. Check out Eruption for an extended workout covering many genres. Sylvia is great to hear them get funky and melodic. La Cathedral de Strasburg is quiet and beautiful. Hamburger Concerto is restrained and heavy. Vocals are pretty sparse and usually weird, an artifact of Thijs' strong Dutch accent that he likes to hide on record. They can do it all.
I’m a huge Focus fan as well. Seen them live 10 times, soon to be 12 times. I’m friends with the band members as well. Can’t wait for their new album released in July.
I think this song fits into the mind blowing category. Thanks for enjoying it with us
💯🤯
You are going to like this as the drummer- Pierre Van der Linden is still one of the best jazz/rock fusion drummers around. I saw them in the early 70s and they still tour today with Pierre back with them. Those drums are tuned perfectly- many could learn from this. They are still respected in the US even when they tour today because of their performances. This song was their fist in the UK it as followed by Silvia. Their best album is Focus III- full of jazz/rock/classical fusion compositions.
Saw these guys a few years ago. Went in blind as some friends were supporting. The drummer was same guy as here... utter monster, even 40-odd years later.
Prog band but all serious jazz guys.
I heard a story of the background to this performance - probably mentioned somwhere else in the comments, but I couldn't find it - the story being that they were given a time slot far shorter than would fit and were asked to make a shortened arrangement but they said "No, we'll just play it faster!". The studio version is somewhat more laid back, at about half of that tempo! Thijs Van Leer is crazy. Still performing as late as 2009!
The crazy part is this song is actually like 7 minutes long but right before they went to play, they were told they only had 4 and a half minutes of air time. They went out and played this fast on the spot.
The chase scene in the movie Baby Driver to this song is amazing.
Timeless. Met Pierre van der linden en Thijs van leer a few years ago in my favorite cafe in my hometown. The only original members of focus. They both signed my vinyl records from Focus. They still exist to this day. Even the new songs 50 years later they stand out. Great band
Wow that's fantastic!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums thnks u. Advantage of living in the same country.
This was their 'show off' song. I love it.
Very skillful players
Focus in their haydays, a legendary Dutch band with no real leadsinging and not many hits, and yet very succesful, known all over the world for a few years. How can that be? Top shelf musicians with a very original oeuvre!
Not commercial enough
When I saw Deep Purple during their Perfect Strangers "reunion" tour, Someone on the crew played "House of the King" during the changeover from the opening band to Deep Purple which I thought was suprisingly cool. I believe I read something at the time that Ritchie Blackmore admired Jan Akkerman's playing. Jan also had a few Lute based albums back in the day.
@@worblyhead996 Akkermans collegae's admired and praised his skills and tone highly.
They couldn't sing in English.
@@WayneKitching Thijs certainly could but he didn't.
You're correct. You do need to listen to the studio version in order to appreciate what they did live. You won't be disappointed.
Pierre's solos th-cam.com/video/_lGH0xOA1iY/w-d-xo.html Sea of Delight 1969 BrainBox with drum solo comes in at 12:35 th-cam.com/video/tYiR-rXzLFs/w-d-xo.html My favorite, live 46 minute jam called Eruption, Great drumming through out, solo starts at 35:35 The dude could play that 4 piece kit! from 1971 th-cam.com/video/g8pUASiO0R0/w-d-xo.html
By the way, that ride tom is a 9" x 14" i believe only Premier made that size. His kit was Birch with Beechwood glue rings! I had the African Mahogany 3-ply with the thick beechwood glue rings from 1971
NICE!
i love the how and why combo in your facial expression, i'll answer both:
how: cause they're incredibly talented
why: cause they can
Thanks for the answers!
It was the last song of the TV-show and the band played the tune at almost double speed to get it done before the end-titles.
That’s wrong. They performed it first. The last song was «Focus 3» with «Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!», with the end-titles going over the screen during Answers? Questions!… That they performs «Hocus Pocus» fast because of the show is a false myth. They performed the song fast around that time. In 1973-1976, it was performed fast.
Thijs van Leer... correctly spoken as t-ice (so english "ice" with a "t" in front.... "th" in Dutch is pronounced as "t" in english...BTW by far best footage to check Focus: th-cam.com/video/4aFGDoV_mgU/w-d-xo.html (Focus - Live at the BBC (Old Grey Whistle Test) December 1972 (Full Session)
Their album Moving Waves is awesome, bought it when I was in school!!!
me too i still have it
I wore out my copy of Focus 3 and was able to find a replacement in a used record store. Their albums were very hard to find here in Canada.
The guitar player may be the first shred-er ever!
I concur! Superb player!
Possibly the first example of sweep picking.
@@markkent294 At least in a mainstream rock group, yeah. Les Paul and Chet Akins were sweep picking back in the 50's.
I always wondered if Terry Kath was the first shredder from his performance on 25 or 6 to 4, Tanglewood 1970, but you have me thinking it might have been this guy. Either way, both legends.
Its been said that this is the only standing ovation, ever, on that show, and rightfully so.
I HIGHLY recommend watching Lolli Wren’s reaction to this on her channel @TheFairyVoiceMother. Absolute GOLD! Cracks me up every time!
And yes, Elizabeth HAS done this song, and its a LOT of fun!
@richardharrold9736 Right?! Great stuff :)
I used to love this song but I must admit Thijs van Leer's yodeling, scat and whistling always made me laugh out loud. When I saw this performance(and his facial expressions), I laughed even harder.
I think you HAVE to be animated to do this!
Try the version live on Don Kirshner's rock concert. Jan Akkerman having a ball. and it's probably faster. The drummer in that one is the guy from 'Stone the Crows' (maggie Bell. Les Harvey etc). Youll laugh harder still !
The real trick here is that the entire song is a solo. Guitarist is literally wailing the entire time, the drummer gets his chance each time around, and the "singer" gets his each time as well. The bass player is the only stay at home guy in the whole deal. There is another version of this from Don Kirshner's Rock Concert from around the same time where there are playing so fast that the guitar player actually sort of gives up on it. Yes, things were more pure back then.
Yeah unusual song for sure. Love it
I agree! I am from the Netherlands and know that they are scooled performers of a high level, love them.❤🎉
Imagine these guys being your opener and looking at your bandmates..."how are we EFF are we supposed to follow that?!" Bewildered, befuddled, and blindsided. 😂🤘
That is as mad as a box of frogs, they are masters of their instruments, I love the way the guitar mirrors his amazing vocal and that drumming is tight, I think I once saw them on The Old Grey Whistle Test.
Awesome!
And then there is the bass, masterfully played by Bert Ruyter
Holy cow! I've seen this lots of times, but only just noticed the hocket when van Leer plays the flute and Akkerman joins in at the end.
My Wife is Dutch and Indonesian. The Van Halen family came to the US at about the same time. I’m pretty sure Focus and Golden Earring members were Dutch Indos as well. They contributed in a big way to many bands.
Some time do Brooks Wakerman he’s married to my daughter in laws cousin. He’s great on drums.
we loved them in the 70:s...really really great band,
The were given a limited time to perform this, but refused to shorten it. The only solution was to play it at supersonic speed. The original, on Moving Waves, is a lot slower. The weird thing about Focus is that nearly all of their music was instrumental, but they had the best vocalist in the world.
The studio version is the drummer’s version; I think you would like. This single!s B side is incorporated in this live version if I remember correctly. Enjoy your reactions. Thanks
I'll check it out! Thank YOU!
Fast forward 52 years & I saw Focus live at the Stables in Milton Keynes last Sunday. Whilst I'm not a prog rock fan per-say I do appreciate a good musician & the current line up of Focus are great musicians. The founder of Focus Thijs van Leer is now in his late 70's & can still impress with his flute, vocal & keyboard skills. He can't quite hit the high notes or whistling he did in this midnight Special track but he can still cut a rug as they say. The current line up is great & particular Pierre van der Linden on drums, Menno Gootjes on lead guitar & Menno Gootjes on bass. It took me back to my mid teenage years when I heard them play Hocus Pocus & Silvia for the first time. Memories.
Nice post, Colin, but I think you meant "Udo Pannekeet on bass". Menno only has two arms after all.😋
@@andrevandervlies5700 Ha Ha. Cut & paste error there I suspect. Thanks for the correction👍
It is indeed a legendary performance of a legendary band that however never really made the big time internationally, even though indeed the band's musicianship is extraordinary. They were the main prog rock band at the time from the Netherlands together with the band Ekseption (also with a legendary keyboard player).
The guitar player Jan Akkerman lives in our town of Volendam. A real nice guy. Played with him a few times. And his daughter Laurie is an amazing singer.
Oh is jan geen amsterdammer dat hoor je niet vaak een amsterdammer die in volendam gaat wonen
It's a 7 minute song, they were given 4 minutes on the program, instead of abridging the song, they ramped up the tempo. The musicianship to all get on tempo in an instant is amazing IMO
I didn't get to see them in their heyday back in the 70's but I did get to see them on Cruise To The Edge several times. One of those Cruises featured a reformed original line up. They were amazing. They are still out there touring.
Incredible they're still going
And a new album is coming on July 5th
I remember when this song was a hit. Never saw this performance until a couple of years ago, as I was not permitted to stay up that late back in the day. I couldn't believe that they could play it that fast. I don't know if it's good or not, but it's always been a lot of fun to hear.
Thijs Van Leer has a background in classical music, he still performs classical music and Focus live. Drummer Pierre Van der Linden indeed left because Thijs and Jan wanted to be in the picture more than him. In 1976 Akkerman went solo and as a session musician. These days he mainly plays Jazz. Akkerman, Van Leer and Pierre Van der Linden were also members of Brainbug, another well-known band. Maybe you know Akkerman's name from that band.
Thoroughly bonkers, and totally marvelous!
Had the good fortune to see Focus in 1972. Awesome musicianship and just about spoilt me for live music for decades until I found jazz properly.
I saw Focus live a couple of weeks ago, and am happy to say Pierre Van Der Linden still has it at 78, and although Thijs struggles with yodelling these days, he still rocks the keys and the flute. They were fabulous..!
Went yo see thems last year in Maastricht Holland and 5 years a go in Verviers Belgium
What amazing group
My favourite its Answer Question!
If you like to hear Pierre doing a longer solo: check out Anonymous II, from their third album it’s a long track with great themes and every band member gets an extended solo in it. It sounds as if it’s recorded in one take.
I will!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums I particularly like the bass solo, which starts out slowly, low energy, almost carefully tasting some notes and then gradually gaining full energy. At the end of the solo Jan Akkerman takes over. Great piece!
I've been listening to this tune for decades, and it's always fun to see new people's reaction to this thing.
Especially so when it's someone who can appreciate the musicianship beyond just the madness of it all.
I live in the UK, but went to see Focus in their native Netherlands just a couple of weeks ago (ECI Cultuurfabriek, Roermond). What a show!
I love watching reactions to this particular performance - it's always a joy!
Thijs (I think it's pronounced 'Teece') can barely walk across the stage these days, but he still has all the skills, talent, and vocal range, and oh that Hammond organ sound! Pierre was not an original member, but replaced Hans Cleuver early on, and as has been mentioned left and re-joined. Current guitarist Menno Gootjes and (six-string) bassist Bobby Jacobs are also fine musicians - they still all play jazz-style solos and 'trades' (thanks for giving me a name for that!)
I like you Andrew but it's a shame that you did not go into that blind without the notes because it's the surprise of the reactor at the yodeling and other parts that make this hilarious.
I saw this Dutch Group in South East London in 1973:)
@Andrew Rooney Drums 🐙Elizabeth has done this one as a Patreon Exclusive. And yes, she was "floored" (without having Floor Jansen in the video) with lot's of giggles.
Focus still performed past years, with both Thijs van Leer (Thais van Lear as pronunciation) and Pierre van der Linden. I think in their best line-up Bert Ruiter played the bass, and Jan Akkerman is incredible, still performing with his band and an accomplished lute player. As flute player, Thijs van Leer also recorded more classical records with the Metropole Orchestra with director Rogier van Otterloo. Check it out, that orchestra has won Grammies, played Bacharach songs and even worked with Steve Vai 🙂
Focus was the best Dutch band in the early seventies. It’s still amazing after 50 years,
The unedited studio version is so much better. Love this song!
But that's too slow, didn't they always play it this fast from then on, because it's just so much better uptempo?!
as one who can only manage a sort of hiss i admire his whistling. wow.
This version is sped up from the original recording. What amazes me the most is Thijs hitting 3,5 octaves in one part. I know the band from the early 70's and dig this video a lot. One on the best performances ever.
I saw Focus in 2019 and they were still amazing. At one point Thijs played one tune on the organ with one hand, played a different melody on the flute and SANG a third melody all at the same time!! and he is now in his 70s
The Midnight Special: "We need you to go to 11."
Hocus Pocus: "Hold our beer..."
Exactly!
The drummer and guitarist were in a band called BRAINBOX! You should listen to there jam called Sea of Delight from the 1969 album. Pierre Van Der Linden was ahead of his time! His drumming has always been top notch. He does a very musical drum solo on the cut. There is also a clip of his solos, and he is still playing now in his late 70's !! A remarkable drummer, as was the guitarist and keyboard player/Flute/vocals When Pierre left Focus in 1974 i quit following them. The solos... th-cam.com/video/_lGH0xOA1iY/w-d-xo.html
Yeah I'd love to hear more of his drum solos
Went to see concert where FOCUS was the headliner. Guess who the intro band was? Chick Corea and Return to Forever. Crazy. Later went to a midnight show where the intro band for them was Gentle Giant. Middle of FOCUS performance people started chanting "Bring back the Giant."
I saw them at the Whisky in Hollywood in the seventies. The lead guitarist had like a 10 fret span. Unbelievable.
They were THE hard rock group of the time. Another big hit: "Sylvia", be sure to have a listen
Yes, l suggested Sylvia……shows their diversity!
@@wendycrawford1792 absolutely.
Still got my original single of this and the album In and Out of Focus. I always thought they should have got together with Jethro Tull :P
A lot of the old TV recordings specifically told the crowd to stay silent during the performance. Not sure if the case here but I know it was common
Saw them November 13, 1973 at the Orpheum in Boston. They opened for Wishbone Ash - or maybe the other way around. Some of those nights are a little hard to remember.
I bet... LOL
Actually; It’s a few errors here. Firstly; There’s a myth going around for years, which is false. It is that the song was sped up because of the time slot they had on the TV show. That is actually false. Focus performed the song fast multiple times during the 70’s live shows. It has nothing to do with the TV show. They performed a long song during the same TV show, that was cut down, they played it full. Second; Yes, that’s Thijs van Leer (organ, flute, vocals) and Jan Akkerman (guitar), and yes, it is Pierre van der Linden on drums, and he left the band shortly after this performance. But he came back for a short tour almost two years later, so, he was active in Focus from 1971-1973 and 1975, and on a reunion show in 1990. He came back in 2004, and has played in Focus since then, and still is today, at age 78. Thijs van Leer also still plays in Focus. He was the founder. Jan Akkerman is not friends with Thijs anymore, he hates him, and plays in his own band now, called Jan Akkerman Band. It’s not Martijn Dresden on bass here, Martijn played bass in Focus in 1969-1970. In 1973, it was Bert Ruiter on bass. He was active in Focus in 1971-1978, 1990, 1997-1998, and he died in 2022.
If you are wondering, the years Focus has been active is: 1969-1978, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2002-present. A brand new studio album, the first in six years, is set to be released July 5th 2024.
This song came out on their second studio album “Moving Waves” in 1971, and it was recorded and released before Bert Ruiter joined on bass. Cyril Havermans plays bass on the album version.
I’m a VERY HUGE fan of Focus. I have all albums, and countless bootlegs, and I’m constantly on the lookout for more. A new studio album comes soon, and I can’t wait. I have seen them live 10 times, and soon it will be 12.
Thanks for the clarification! I do try to find the proper lineups but bands like this, with a lot of changes, arent easy to nail down. Good to have an expert to ensure the facts are straight.
Regarding the doing it faster, for the show, yes, they performed it even faster than this, on occasion. That doesnt mean the story is false, just that theyd likely have done it fast anyway, and since most of the fast performances are on tv shows, it makes me wonder if, perhaps, they worked it out at that speed, just for the purpose of those limited time slots on tv shows.
I always love Bert's bass solo on Anonymous II (on Focus III)
@@buzzbomb67No actually not, because they have performed shorter versions on tv shows before. They played it faster because they liked and wanted to play it faster at that time.
It's actually Jan playing electric bass on the studio version of Hocus Pocus.
Thank you so much for that description of the backstory I never understood why the song was so sped up! I heard the original prior to this and I never quite understood why they did it.
That’s a myth that is not true. They played it fast through the 70’s, because they wanted to.
Pronounced "Taysh fun Leer" (Dutch!) also "J" is pronounced "Y" in Dutch so Yan Akkerman - incredible shredding from him, considering it's 1973!Yes Elizabeth is good, but by the cringe, she pauses far too much! Good reaction, Andrew!
Focus are definitely worth a listen to some of their albums - as you say, they are heavily jazz-influenced ( also Prog/metal)...
My recommendations would be "Answer? Questions! - Questions? Answer!" and "Anonymous Two", both from their album Focus 3 (all on TH-cam!) Enjoy!
The best recommendations! I concur wholeheartedly while I also would like to add the song Eruption, it's from the same album as Hocus Pocus.
Back in the day in the USA, radio stations wanted songs to be an average of three minutes or so because it fit into their scheduled commercial, news and community announcements during broadcast. This song was, I believe, almost six minute long so when the show told them they had three minutes to play it ....they obliged. :D
The people there was asked to stay quiet as it was recorded. In 1973 they didn't had the technology to noise cancel the public. Besides the public being loud, would only have spoiled their focus (prun intended). As it is a technical difficult song to perform live at that speed. If you look at the live performance of for example deep purple same thing public not making a beep. Nowadays production crew can ask the public to stay still and it just wouldn't work different time...
Super reaction to a favorite from my past. Only performance to receive a standing ovation in history of midnight special tv show! Peace from Michigan.
Oh really!?
Great info. Thanks!!!
Thanks, Andrew, best reaction so far I've seen.
Acknowledging the musicianship of these guys to pull this song off LIVE.
They could have easily shortend it, but chose to speed it up. Not an easy thing to do.
Jan Akkerman was voted by the readers of Melody Maker (british music magazine) best guitar player in the world in 1973.
Jan Akkerman is OTHERWORLDLY on this version!
As a fun note, there's a version of this kicking about with Nicko McBrain providing "vocals". It's needless to say rather amusing.
Another Nicko vocal! Sounds good LOL
My absolute favourite band since I first heard them half a century ago. Check out the second side of their early albums - jazz / prog / rock at its finest. A band that might replace them as my favourite is Snarky Puppy.
One of my favourite bands from the early 70’s!!! I adore this song! One of their songs is particularly melodic and beautiful, especially if you want to hear their diversity. It’s called ‘Sylvia’. The guitarist who quit the band after this stated that he was the greatest guitarist in the world! Having said that, l can’t say enough about this brilliant band. Another Dutch band, called ‘ Exception’ is also one of my favourites! They will blow your mind. In one song in particular, they play a massive organ in a church that is astounding! I truly hope you will check my suggestions out. Thank you .
This is one of the songs from my childhood that inspired me to become a drummer in the first place. Wipeout is another.
I was born 1960. We used to dance to that on many parties. (To the studio version, of course ;-) The name of the album is: Moving Waves.
Thies is still active and lately collaborated with Arjen Lucassen.
Very popular at partys was also Gamma Ray by german "Krautrock-Band" Birthcontrol. Or even Solar Music by Grobschnitt.
On a biker party in the early 9ties, they even played the whole Brainticket album by Brainticket. (Not sure, if this album is still on the index in the US. It was.)
1 1/2 LP-sides describe the passing away of a girl who got hit by a car.
Another popular song: Silly Sally by Sweet Smoke (Album: just a poke). (Amazing drum solo!!! Stereo was just invented!)
And let's not forget "The Mexican" by Babe Ruth from the Netherlands. It's from their very popular album First Base.
I've even been dancing to Eumir Deodato's "Also sprach Zarathustra". Just my 2 cents...
You've not been living under a rock, Andrew: you've just been born too late. LOL
one cannot overstate how good the guitar playing is on that. Ridiculous.
A local DJ in my home town loved "Elspeth of Nottingham" by Focus, so I went out to find the album it was on. The song was probably their only radio friendly track, and I was not sure about the music on the rest of the album. But it grew on me and introduced me to the jazz-prog fusion and led me to look up both prog rock (Yes, Rush) and jazz (Chic Corea, Moe Koffmann).
Perhaps my favorite band ever. Tremendous performance. Thanks for this.
Andrew you do know this its been used for a number of adds - esp Nike and also Top Gear and a lot of other shows - Dutch Bands are seriously dangerously underrated these guys and Golden Earring
Elizabeth aka the Charismatic Voice did analyze it indeed, but only for the patreon followers.
I believe its available for general viewing now
I had a recording studio back then (yes, old as dirt) and I had the privilige to work with these extraordinary musicians. I can assure you that when Focus was in concert, the roof always came off.Smoking!!!!❤🇳🇱