Meat's journey from raw to well done has never sounded so brilliant!! Clearly I'm in love with these musician's talent after just 20 minutes... Thanks for watching! 🍔
Jan Akkerman was declared best guitar player of the world 1973. Let that sink in! Thijs van Leer is both a brilliant flutist and keyboard player. He sings well too, but songs with lyrics are rare for Focus. Love this pick. The entire album is fabulous. As are the ones preceding it. I know this is for a niche audience. But thank you!!
Oh Brandon, what a pleasant surprise this morning, opening youtube!! I discovered Focus 2 years before the publication of that album, and it blew me away... fond memories of that, while watching you! I've followed them right from the beginning, and there are 11 studio albums between 1970 and 2018 to get through and enjoy! Beginning and ending of it is inspired by 'Variations on a theme, by Haydn' by Johannes Brahms in 1873. I think you broke down that master piece beautifully, and it doesn't really matter to me, when exactly which part began and ended. I think the whole 'Hamburger' concept was anyway more of a joke. Focus did that regularly during their career - don't forget to have fun as well - very 'Dutch' to me! 😄 As for recommendations of where to go next, mine are: 1) 'Eruption' of the 1971 album 'Moving Waves' (22.35 minutes of magic) 2) the other 4 pieces of 'Hamburger Concerto' - each of them shows a different side of the band - that whole album has no weak moment at all! 🌈
Hello! Wow, a long time fan, that's awesome! I have much greatness to discover. Thanks for the wonderful compliment. Tried my best here, so much to take in! It's cool that they add bits of fun but then have the true musical chops to deliver excellence as well. I added your votes for those 5 songs. Thanks so much for watching 😀
Thank you it wasn't "Hocus Pocus" or "Sylvia." Just as the band "Argent" is often (absolutely wrongly) reduced to the two songs "Hold Your Head Up" and "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", "Focus" is often reduced to these two songs. Both bands have so much more to offer (as we just heard).
I bet I'll find HP and S to be good songs too, but thanks for shedding light on how this band is viewed by many. That's why there are lots of reactions to HP on RUclips. I want to explore many of their best deep cuts of course. Thanks so much for tuning in!
I don't know how you choose your songs, Brandon, but whenever you introduce a new band to your channel, you often zoom right onto their best track. Many will mention “Hocus Pocus” and I can understand why (let's face it, a band that can make yodeling sound cool is no ordinary band 😂). But in my books, “Hamburger Concerto” is their best track. Good choice!
Hi! Viewer suggestions/direction often play a huge part (as in this case), which always helps greatly, or I just do my own research. Can't imagine Focus getting much better, but I'm certain they have others at or around this level..Another exciting rabbit hole. Thanks!
Thanks Brandon, I've been asking other first-listeners to check this LP track out. Saw them do this live back in Australia '74 and would it believe it was actually better (!) than the studio version. Focus 'Live at the Rainbow' LP is also a knockout intro to this talented Dutch band who are still going to this day with founder member keyboard vocalist Thijs van Leer at the helm. 🎹 🎸
You're very welcome. I loved every second. Wow, so lucky that you got to see them and this one live. It would be awesome to see a full concert in great quality by them on RUclips. I sure hope one exists! Thanks so much for watching John..
I believe i missed that epic, it sounds more interesting than the "title" would tell, it's much happening, mostly Instrumental (When the voice came it was very daring and fun) it seems entertaining music full of surprises, great sounds and instruments coming in and out, the Hammond organ seems still to be the star, some clichés here and there but what a great musicianship and it was finally a nice trip ! Touché! So it was also my first time 😎, thanks!
I like your review. Love when viewers add things that I didn't state in my reaction. Really cool also that it was a first time for you as well. How can it only have 263,000 plays on Spotify?! Thanks 🙂
@@retroreactions.... I'm usually not a hamburger eater it's too junk for me, but this Concerto is a great music from Focus, there are so many pearls we haven't heard yet! Breeze from the past!
You've selected another one of my favorites Brandon! I don't know how you keep doing this!😊😊 Yes, this track is a masterpiece. When you can, you should listen to "La Cathedrale de Strasbourg" on the same album... For me it's the other highlight and a stunningly beautiful piece of music. The guitarist Jan Akkerman is incredibly underrated, in my opinion. He should be up there in the pantheon of greats. Focus are still around, with Thijs (pronounced "Ties") Van Leer the only original member. Akkerman is still recording beautiful albums too. Thanks for a great reaction Brandon and you should definitely listen to more of this incredible band. All the best. Andy.
Hi Andy. Guess we have very similar tastes..or you're telepathic haha! I've added your vote for Cathedrale, it's up to 4 votes now. Can't wait! Sad that I have never heard these names or this band until this channel. You're very welcome, they are on rotation now for the life of my channel I'm sure 🙂 Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And Happy New Year!
What an unusual piece….. I really liked it. The ultimate Focus song though is “Hocus Pocus”!! Thijs van Leer is amazing on keyboards and flute. There is a live version from The Midnight Special that is incredible. They were given a time slot to perform Hocus Pocus, which wasn’t enough time, but Thijs was determined to play the entire piece in its entirety, so it is super fast, in an almost “manic” manner. Thijs does some yodeling, flute, whistling 😗!! Their current lineup, still featuring Thijs van Leer, are still touring.
Cool, I liked it a bit too! Yes, HP on my radar for a long time. I suppose that one needs to be next for them. Wow, great to know they are still touring! Thanks for the late night watch again. Was a bit arduous deciding on a list this week! Still 4 contenders for tomorrow lol. Thursday I have high hopes for, Friday we're back to Floyd and Saturday is likely a fan favorite! 😎
Another great song IMO is “Sylvia”. I think you’d like it as well. I don’t know a lot of Focus, but have listened to songs of theirs for a solid 50 years!
I was already a fan of Focus when this album was released, but I hesitated buying it for the longest time because I hated the title. A side-long song about hamburgers? Ridiculous! Silly me. This turned out to be one of their best albums. Just proves you can't judge a book (or record/song) by its title. Hope to join you on more Focus reactions.
Yes, very deceiving to many no doubt! I would have guessed beforehand that it would be a silly/bizarre song. Focus will definitely stay on rotation on the channel. Thanks so much for watching 🙂
Nice..yes, this reminded me of several songs/artists, just couldn't figure out who, other than Floyd. Of course a very popular chord progression here. Thanks for the late night watch my friend!
Prefer the live versions on youtube, for me the best version is the Don Kirsner rock concert performance but it's a pity the soundquality isn't that well. It's great to see them performing their masterpiece live. Masterpiece? i think it is but others might think differently.
Great piece Brandon, but did it really need that yodelling? Would have been superb with a conventional choral backing as they developed late on. Cost them many sales? That aside, it was melodic, 'tuneful' and majestic, better for me than some of the random keyboard work you get with some of their mainstream prog contemporaries.
I'd say no, but it was certainly a bold and memorable choice. As with Zappa, I accept and appreciate that kind of quirkiness. Glad you enjoyed the song. Thanks..
![Gucci Mane & Sexyy Red - You Don't Love Me [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j7IBqyFKT4c/mqdefault.jpg)
Meat's journey from raw to well done has never sounded so brilliant!! Clearly I'm in love with these musician's talent after just 20 minutes... Thanks for watching! 🍔
Check out the other side of this album. And Focus3.
Finally someone taking Focus seriously.😊
Yes, and I am seriously in love with this song! 🥰 Thanks so much for watching this longer reaction Roger..
Jan Akkerman was declared best guitar player of the world 1973. Let that sink in!
Thijs van Leer is both a brilliant flutist and keyboard player. He sings well too, but songs with lyrics are rare for Focus.
Love this pick. The entire album is fabulous. As are the ones preceding it.
I know this is for a niche audience. But thank you!!
Another 20 min epic is Eruption from the Moving Waves album. This was the album and the band that got me into prog rock. Love the chanel.
Nice, I have added your vote for Eruption to my list! Glad you love this band. Thanks so much for watching and for the nice compliment 🙂
The highlight for me is, you didn't pause it. Thank you. And yes, Focus 3 / Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! Is essential listening.
Eruption is essential!!!!
You should also listen to Song For Scheherazade by Renaissance!!!!
Oh Brandon, what a pleasant surprise this morning, opening youtube!! I discovered Focus 2 years before the publication of that album, and it blew me away... fond memories of that, while watching you! I've followed them right from the beginning, and there are 11 studio albums between 1970 and 2018 to get through and enjoy!
Beginning and ending of it is inspired by 'Variations on a theme, by Haydn' by Johannes Brahms in 1873. I think you broke down that master piece beautifully, and it doesn't really matter to me, when exactly which part began and ended. I think the whole 'Hamburger' concept was anyway more of a joke. Focus did that regularly during their career - don't forget to have fun as well - very 'Dutch' to me! 😄
As for recommendations of where to go next, mine are:
1) 'Eruption' of the 1971 album 'Moving Waves' (22.35 minutes of magic)
2) the other 4 pieces of 'Hamburger Concerto' - each of them shows a different side of the band - that whole album has no weak moment at all! 🌈
Hello! Wow, a long time fan, that's awesome! I have much greatness to discover. Thanks for the wonderful compliment. Tried my best here, so much to take in! It's cool that they add bits of fun but then have the true musical chops to deliver excellence as well. I added your votes for those 5 songs. Thanks so much for watching 😀
Yea WAY too much to catch on first listen. Dang this is AMAZING!......💙
Thank you it wasn't "Hocus Pocus" or "Sylvia." Just as the band "Argent" is often (absolutely wrongly) reduced to the two songs "Hold Your Head Up" and "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", "Focus" is often reduced to these two songs. Both bands have so much more to offer (as we just heard).
I bet I'll find HP and S to be good songs too, but thanks for shedding light on how this band is viewed by many. That's why there are lots of reactions to HP on RUclips. I want to explore many of their best deep cuts of course. Thanks so much for tuning in!
my other fave Dutch band is *SOLUTION.* albums: (solution, divergence, cordon bleu)
Never heard of the group or the song, but both are outstanding. Great pick!
Thanks! Glad it was new for you too and that you loved them and the song! Appreciate you stopping by and giving it a chance..
I don't know how you choose your songs, Brandon, but whenever you introduce a new band to your channel, you often zoom right onto their best track. Many will mention “Hocus Pocus” and I can understand why (let's face it, a band that can make yodeling sound cool is no ordinary band 😂). But in my books, “Hamburger Concerto” is their best track. Good choice!
Hi! Viewer suggestions/direction often play a huge part (as in this case), which always helps greatly, or I just do my own research. Can't imagine Focus getting much better, but I'm certain they have others at or around this level..Another exciting rabbit hole. Thanks!
Dang is right!! 💙💙💙🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶
I´m so happy you came across this jewel! I used to listen to the cassette tape till it was dust. Happy journey!
Me too! What an experience... I'm hearing the whole album is great. Yes, a new wonderful band journey to go on, thanks bud!
Thanks Brandon, I've been asking other first-listeners to check this LP track out. Saw them do this live back in Australia '74 and would it believe it was actually better (!) than the studio version. Focus 'Live at the Rainbow' LP is also a knockout intro to this talented Dutch band who are still going to this day with founder member keyboard vocalist Thijs van Leer at the helm. 🎹 🎸
You're very welcome. I loved every second. Wow, so lucky that you got to see them and this one live. It would be awesome to see a full concert in great quality by them on RUclips. I sure hope one exists! Thanks so much for watching John..
Hamburger concerto?! I get it, but, this is filet mignon or prime rib if you ask me. Focus is properly in focus, per usual
I'm thinking Japanese Wagyu beef! Man, I love this one so much already. Thanks for the late night (?) watch and for being first! 🥇
I believe i missed that epic, it sounds more interesting than the "title" would tell, it's much happening, mostly Instrumental (When the voice came it was very daring and fun) it seems entertaining music full of surprises, great sounds and instruments coming in and out, the Hammond organ seems still to be the star, some clichés here and there but what a great musicianship and it was finally a nice trip ! Touché! So it was also my first time 😎, thanks!
I like your review. Love when viewers add things that I didn't state in my reaction. Really cool also that it was a first time for you as well. How can it only have 263,000 plays on Spotify?! Thanks 🙂
@@retroreactions.... I'm usually not a hamburger eater it's too junk for me, but this Concerto is a great music from Focus, there are so many pearls we haven't heard yet! Breeze from the past!
Job security for me LOL.... You need to try In N Out Burgers haha...
You've selected another one of my favorites Brandon! I don't know how you keep doing this!😊😊
Yes, this track is a masterpiece. When you can, you should listen to "La Cathedrale de Strasbourg" on the same album... For me it's the other highlight and a stunningly beautiful piece of music.
The guitarist Jan Akkerman is incredibly underrated, in my opinion. He should be up there in the pantheon of greats.
Focus are still around, with Thijs (pronounced "Ties") Van Leer the only original member. Akkerman is still recording beautiful albums too.
Thanks for a great reaction Brandon and you should definitely listen to more of this incredible band.
All the best. Andy.
Hi Andy. Guess we have very similar tastes..or you're telepathic haha! I've added your vote for Cathedrale, it's up to 4 votes now. Can't wait! Sad that I have never heard these names or this band until this channel. You're very welcome, they are on rotation now for the life of my channel I'm sure 🙂 Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And Happy New Year!
What an unusual piece….. I really liked it. The ultimate Focus song though is “Hocus Pocus”!! Thijs van Leer is amazing on keyboards and flute. There is a live version from The Midnight Special that is incredible. They were given a time slot to perform Hocus Pocus, which wasn’t enough time, but Thijs was determined to play the entire piece in its entirety, so it is super fast, in an almost “manic” manner. Thijs does some yodeling, flute, whistling 😗!! Their current lineup, still featuring Thijs van Leer, are still touring.
Cool, I liked it a bit too! Yes, HP on my radar for a long time. I suppose that one needs to be next for them. Wow, great to know they are still touring! Thanks for the late night watch again. Was a bit arduous deciding on a list this week! Still 4 contenders for tomorrow lol. Thursday I have high hopes for, Friday we're back to Floyd and Saturday is likely a fan favorite! 😎
Hocus pocus is their Circus number. They have so much more to offer.
I will enjoy seeing a lighter side to them, but their stellar abilities are crystal clear to me already..
Another great song IMO is “Sylvia”. I think you’d like it as well. I don’t know a lot of Focus, but have listened to songs of theirs for a solid 50 years!
OK, yours is the second vote for Sylvia. 50 years?! I have some catching up to do!
🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔💙💙
Your emojis made me very hungry! (minus the cheese lol)
🤣🤣
I was already a fan of Focus when this album was released, but I hesitated buying it for the longest time because I hated the title. A side-long song about hamburgers? Ridiculous! Silly me. This turned out to be one of their best albums. Just proves you can't judge a book (or record/song) by its title. Hope to join you on more Focus reactions.
Yes, very deceiving to many no doubt! I would have guessed beforehand that it would be a silly/bizarre song. Focus will definitely stay on rotation on the channel. Thanks so much for watching 🙂
Felt a bit a Tubular Bells about 2/3s of the way in.
Nice..yes, this reminded me of several songs/artists, just couldn't figure out who, other than Floyd. Of course a very popular chord progression here. Thanks for the late night watch my friend!
Prefer the live versions on youtube, for me the best version is the Don Kirsner rock concert performance but it's a pity the soundquality isn't that well. It's great to see them performing their masterpiece live. Masterpiece? i think it is but others might think differently.
Oh I must hear and watch this one live! It's definitely a masterpiece to me, so we're in total agreement there! Thanks for tuning in..
Great piece Brandon, but did it really need that yodelling? Would have been superb with a conventional choral backing as they developed late on. Cost them many sales? That aside, it was melodic, 'tuneful' and majestic, better for me than some of the random keyboard work you get with some of their mainstream prog contemporaries.
I'd say no, but it was certainly a bold and memorable choice. As with Zappa, I accept and appreciate that kind of quirkiness. Glad you enjoyed the song. Thanks..