In a nutshell, they were only allowed a 4? minute time slot...and instead of chopping out part of the six minute song, they sped it up to fit the time constraint....the song on their album is full length and much longer.
I've loved this song since I first heard it in the 70's - including the yodeling. To me, the whimsy is part of the charm, and the riff - it's just awesome. In my mind, I always pair this song with Edgar Winter's Frankenstein.
I thought everyone kneew this song. I've seen vocal teacher reactors speak of the facial expressions the keyboardist in this instance does as an exercise to be able to hit those levels/notes. Same as the singer for Radiohead does when performing "Creep".
Actually, a slightly longer version of the same gig was uploaded recently in which Van Leer is repeating a pattern for a long time without bresthing, yet another act of vocal wizardry. Focus is by far the best pop group ever from the Netherlands and still going strong, although not in the clessic line up. Bass player Bert Ruiter passed away a few years ago and maestro guitarist Jan Akkerman left the group in the mid-70’s. Their output in the early seventies is spectacular.
Jan Akkerman is a wonderful guitarist and Pierre van der Linden is absolutely killing it on drums. Thjis van Leer can’t sing those high notes anymore but he still yodels with the best of them
Yes. He's a genius - and a very nice man. I saw them play a gig in a sports clubhouse in Chislehurst around seven or eight years ago. He was a charming man. Still as bonkers as ever.
The yodeling and whistling are supposed to be funny. But when you get a chance, check out the studio version. It is over 6 minutes long and quite a bit slower. The guitarist is Jan Akkerman, who at the time was considered to be the best guitarist in the world.
I saw them live in 2008, and even got to ask one of them a really socially clumsy and dumb question (I was drunk). I was asking the guy yodeling, after the show. They had gotten a new guitarist (a few actually) since the 1970s. I asked this dumb question: "Where is Jan Akkerman?" (one of their original guitarists). And the looks I got was just precious. I deserved all of it for being that dumbfuck drunk. Although, when I saw him in 2008 he had aged a bit since 1973. He still could play your socks off on flute and the organ. You can check images online for Thijs van den Leer (yes, that is his real name, he's Dutch), and compare the images from the 70s to the oughts. He is an AMAZING musician. The whole band is very very talented. Another really good song is "Sylvia." Most of their songs are instrumental. My favorite prog rock Dutchman is still Arjen Anthony Lucassen though! :)
Only full audience standing ovation in the entire 9 years of The Midnight Special, when this was the only place other then in concert that you could see bands live. Universities and College party's would STOP at 1230am Saturday Morning until 2am when it was shown, everyone would gather around their TV's which would be blasted all over campus.
If you want to react to THE greatest live vocals ever watch The Righteous Brothers- Unchained Melody live on the Andy Williams Show in the 60s. unmatched vocals. No autotune no tricks. You'll be blown away.
There's some other live versions of this one and I don't think any of them are the same so it's fun to play them all and compare/contrast. :) Was all over the radio when it came out.
I think they were under some kind if TV time restriction. The pace of the song is ridiculously sped up from the studio version. The guitarist Jan Akkerman is I believe still considered one of the best guitarists in the world.
Is this the most infamous music video ever..? My friends and I would bring this out for a laugh. First time I saw this I was on the floor. You don't seem fazed the singer is trippin balls, big time. LOL
Dam this was such a great show.... midnight fridays. You had so many cool bands back to back. So it was speed up a bit. The timeless performances we got Steve Miller fly like an eagle. The DVD series it was on 6 or 7 urs. Old man worked afternoon shift got home 11:30. The flippin party song everyone loved it... just awesome!
Around this time their guitarist Jan Akkerman was voted best guitarist in the world by the acclaimed and influential magazine Melody Maker. The ease and speed that Akkerman totally shreds his guitar (using all four fingers instead of the usiual three without the pinky) was unheard of in those days. He was like a freak of nature and years ahead of hiis time. It took another Dutchman Eddie van Halen to raise the bar for guitarists again, with his tapping revolution. Brian May has stated that Akkerman was one of his main influences as a guitarist. And when you hear his solos you can understand why.
In a nutshell, they were only allowed a 4? minute time slot...and instead of chopping out part of the six minute song, they sped it up to fit the time constraint....the song on their album is full length and much longer.
….and consequently a LOT BETTER 🤘🖖✌️🎸🎤🥁🎹
Yes, studio version is far better than this especially if you enjoy that main riff which I do.
I've always loved the standing ovation at the end of it, surprised you've never seen this, epic tune and performance!!!
I've loved this song since I first heard it in the 70's - including the yodeling. To me, the whimsy is part of the charm, and the riff - it's just awesome. In my mind, I always pair this song with Edgar Winter's Frankenstein.
Me too!!
Jan Akerman? He was an influence for many guitarists.
This is one of the songs that inspired me to pick up a pair of drumsticks, I absolutely love it.👏🤘🏻🔥
I thought everyone kneew this song. I've seen vocal teacher reactors speak of the facial expressions the keyboardist in this instance does as an exercise to be able to hit those levels/notes. Same as the singer for Radiohead does when performing "Creep".
Little known fact…..Neil Peart wrote the lyrics for this. 😀
My first time hearing this and the music was great. Very enjoyable. Drummer is smooth!
Not silly & ridiculous. _FUN._ Everybody who watches this video, has a ball. Most have huge smiles on their faces, as well as outright laughing.
Actually, a slightly longer version of the same gig was uploaded recently in which Van Leer is repeating a pattern for a long time without bresthing, yet another act of vocal wizardry. Focus is by far the best pop group ever from the Netherlands and still going strong, although not in the clessic line up. Bass player Bert Ruiter passed away a few years ago and maestro guitarist Jan Akkerman left the group in the mid-70’s. Their output in the early seventies is spectacular.
Jan Akkerman is a wonderful guitarist and Pierre van der Linden is absolutely killing it on drums. Thjis van Leer can’t sing those high notes anymore but he still yodels with the best of them
Nice Justin. Notice that the drummer held his sticks like Buddy Rich, which is the proper way to hold them for silky smooth rolls across the kit.
The guitar player is Jan Akkerman who is one of Rik Emmett’s influences.
I've only heard the studio version before and never knew that an actual band member yodeled all those parts. First time seeing this live. Thanks.
I think his spasing out is, in my mind, him doing face warm ups for which is about to come next.
Love this, they are actually more jazz than anything when you listen to their albums. They have lots of other great stuff.
Thijs van Leer is one of my musical heroes of all time.
Yes. He's a genius - and a very nice man. I saw them play a gig in a sports clubhouse in Chislehurst around seven or eight years ago. He was a charming man. Still as bonkers as ever.
Can't believe you've not heard this before, it's a classic rock tune of the 70's and was a big hit in the UK
That was a lot of fun! I must admit that this is the only song I know by them.
Back in the olden days when I was a volunteer DJ at a local high school radio station, I used to play the studio version of this song quite often.
😂 great reaction. I love watching people react to this.
Lololol....the look on your face when Thijs started yodeling. 🤣🤣🤣
I was very fortunate to see them live in a small hall in my home town Worcester in the UK. I think around 2005, they were amazing.
I saw them in Croydon,South East London in ENGLAND,,,
Chislehurst, Dartford and Sutton around eight to twelve years ago. All great gigs.
Thanks for reaction! Love this song🎤🎸🥁🪈❤
The yodeling and whistling are supposed to be funny. But when you get a chance, check out the studio version. It is over 6 minutes long and quite a bit slower. The guitarist is Jan Akkerman, who at the time was considered to be the best guitarist in the world.
I saw them live in 2008, and even got to ask one of them a really socially clumsy and dumb question (I was drunk). I was asking the guy yodeling, after the show. They had gotten a new guitarist (a few actually) since the 1970s. I asked this dumb question: "Where is Jan Akkerman?" (one of their original guitarists). And the looks I got was just precious. I deserved all of it for being that dumbfuck drunk.
Although, when I saw him in 2008 he had aged a bit since 1973. He still could play your socks off on flute and the organ.
You can check images online for Thijs van den Leer (yes, that is his real name, he's Dutch), and compare the images from the 70s to the oughts.
He is an AMAZING musician. The whole band is very very talented. Another really good song is "Sylvia." Most of their songs are instrumental.
My favorite prog rock Dutchman is still Arjen Anthony Lucassen though! :)
This is a song that no bar band will ever include in their repertoire.
they jam, for sure,even if its weird,if you don;t laugh,you are dead, l.o.l, 😅🤣😂
"Silly and ridiculous" - I'm sure that's what they went for. But with musical perfection. Fun all around! ;)
I've always loved this song but it also always made me laugh 😂 when you get past the silly expressions he really does have a cool range
Only full audience standing ovation in the entire 9 years of The Midnight Special, when this was the only place other then in concert that you could see bands live. Universities and College party's would STOP at 1230am Saturday Morning until 2am when it was shown, everyone would gather around their TV's which would be blasted all over campus.
Omg surely you've heard this before???
If you want to react to THE greatest live vocals ever watch The Righteous Brothers- Unchained Melody live on the Andy Williams Show in the 60s. unmatched vocals. No autotune no tricks. You'll be blown away.
There's some other live versions of this one and I don't think any of them are the same so it's fun to play them all and compare/contrast. :) Was all over the radio when it came out.
I think they were under some kind if TV time restriction. The pace of the song is ridiculously sped up from the studio version. The guitarist Jan Akkerman is I believe still considered one of the best guitarists in the world.
6/7 minute song and allocated 4 minutes,my friend...
@@Isleofskye Yeah that's too much, LOL But they did an incredible job with it anyway.
Is this the most infamous music video ever..? My friends and I would bring this out for a laugh. First time I saw this I was on the floor. You don't seem fazed the singer is trippin balls, big time. LOL
The studio version is longer.
Dam this was such a great show.... midnight fridays. You had so many cool bands back to back. So it was speed up a bit. The timeless performances we got
Steve Miller fly like an eagle. The DVD series it was on 6 or 7 urs. Old man worked afternoon shift got home 11:30.
The flippin party song everyone loved it... just awesome!
Side 2 Eruption one of my fav prog works, thanks
Love this double speed version.
Around this time their guitarist Jan Akkerman was voted best guitarist in the world by the acclaimed and influential magazine Melody Maker. The ease and speed that Akkerman totally shreds his guitar (using all four fingers instead of the usiual three without the pinky) was unheard of in those days. He was like a freak of nature and years ahead of hiis time. It took another Dutchman Eddie van Halen to raise the bar for guitarists again, with his tapping revolution. Brian May has stated that Akkerman was one of his main influences as a guitarist. And when you hear his solos you can understand why.
Moving Waves is a prog masterpiece , very underrated
While I always appreciated their musicianship, this song always made me laugh - for obvious reasons, I think.
The studio version is worth a listen.
Good time for European progressive fusion music and the Dutch football scene of that time ,Ajax, Feyenoord and musically, Focus .
infectious isn't it.
Maybe you heart the cover from iron maiden or heloween
The coke was real good back then, Justin... Jus Sayin'
Pluspunt voor jou ,je geeft commentaar maar onderbreekt het nummer niet
Just shut up and listen to great music.