Focus1973-01-17 (previously thought to be from 1972-12-12)
BBC In Concert, Paris Theatre, London, UK
PRRP-027 - The Sky Will Fall Over London Tonight
Soundboard recording (Remastered), excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions
Continuing with European progressive rock bands, Focus was a band from The Netherlands, formed in 1969 when guitarist Jan Akkerman joined keyboardist-flautist-vocalist Thijs van Leer's rock trio. They were the pit band for the Dutch production of the Musical Hair, and then released their first album, In and Out of Focus (1970), which received little attention. However, the band hit it big with their 2nd album, Moving Waves (1971), which contained what became the worldwide smash hit single, the surprisingly popular novelty rocker (rock yodeling?), 'Hocus Pocus'. Their unique sound and style, combining driving rock with jazz fusion and bits of classical music, captivated audiences and injected some fresh riffs and enthusiasm into the rock scene at the time. Their success continued with their subsequent albums, Focus 3 (1972) and Hamburger Concerto (1974), but their popularity faded after that, leading to the break-up of the band in 1978. Short-lived reunions featuring both Akkerman and van Leer occurred in 1985 and 1990, with a final performance with them both together in 1993. Van Leer also created several new versions of Focus, with other musicians and without Akkerman over many subsequent years, particularly from 2002 on, releasing several new albums as Focus. But their heyday was definitely in the early-mid-seventies, with Akkerman and van Leer together. Here is a show in great quality from those days when they were first becoming known and popular outside the Netherlands. This a remastered soundboard recording (part of the PRRP (Progressive Rock Remasters Project) from a BBC broadcast show in London (the exact date is unknown, but seems to be from sometime in January 1973 - although the show has been widely distributed as being from 1972-12-12 and the Old Grey Whistle Test show, that has now been shown to be incorrect, and the correct date is sometime after that, probably January 17, 1973). Anyway, check it out.
Tracklist:
01. Bob Harris Introduction 00:41
02. Anonymous Two 21:42
03. Band Introductions 01:19
04. Focus 1 03:58
05. Focus 3 03:23
06. Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! 12:09
07. Focus 2 04:46
08. Bob Harris Once More 00:18
09. Hocus Pocus 07:22
Pierre Van Der Linden - Drums
Thijs Van Leer - Keyboards, Flute & Vocals
Jan Akkerman - Guitar
Bert Ruiter - Bass Guitar
FLAC - Focus_1973-01_BBC_London_FLAC.rar
Mp3 - Focus_1973-01_BBC_London_mp3.rar
Links updated 08/25/21
