Focus, treeeeemendos!

[Floyddroid]

I have been revisiting Dutch band Focus these past few weeks. totally tremendos. When you consider the age of their early output they were an innovating band. Focus III and Moving Waves in particular were ground breaking albums. if you have them in your collection, dig them out spin them and totally immerse yourself in what was surely the advent of Prog as we became to love and know it.:)

[Sonority]

Even better - go see them live!!
They tour here regularly both as Focus with Mr Van Leer & I have also seen Jan Akkerman a couple of times.
Great night out with some great tunes from a while back.
Memories of moving waves when it was first released..

[Rare Bird]

Aye Focus were a superb band indeed, i like the first three studio fuzzies a lot.

I did intend go see them some years back at Oakwood School/Classic Rock society Rotherham but i was on holiday..

[Floyddroid]

Even better - go see them live!!
They tour here regularly both as Focus with Mr Van Leer & I have also seen Jan Akkerman a couple of times.
Great night out with some great tunes from a while back.
Memories of moving waves when it was first released..

Indeed, I have seen them on numerous occasions the last time being at the High Voltage Festival a few years ago and Ackerman is a joy to watch in the smaller venues. i'll drink to that :cool:

[stupinder]

I only have Moving Waves (OVOC) and have pulled it from the shelf for listening to later.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Yep focus are pretty fantastic. Anyway heard focus X yet?

[Effem]

I didn't think I would find any other Focus fans out there, but here you all are you lovely people :eyebrows:

I have been captivated by the band ever since I first heard "Anonymous" played on the radio way back in the 70's. It was late at night and I had the headphones on listening to the old whisperer himself and I was a bit doubtful when he said he would play the 'full' version at 26+ minutes long :eek:

Terrific track and have played it regularly every week ever since both on vinyl and CD. Played it a couple of times at some bakeoffs and most folks don't really 'get' the quality of musicianship and the vibrancy found in that track. Bass guitar and awesome drum solos too - yummy :stalks:

[Wakefield Turntables]

I recently picked a copy of focus iii on repress 180g vinyl, I have the original as well on 1st pressing, I think I prefer the re-issue. I also picked another focus album for 50p which is sitting on my back wall amongst a group of other stuff not yet listened to. I think I might dig it out tonight :cool:

[MartinT]

I've always loved them. Hamburger Concerto is my favourite album.

[Rare Bird]

Just bought the first four studio fuzzies on new 180grm vinyl yum yum :drool:

I have to keep up the the good work in the name of the almighty prog..

'Focus 3' has to be my fav.

[Sonority]

This appeared in my in-box last night - thought it may be of interest here, already got mine of order :)

'LIFE SIGNS' is a new band project from keyboardist John Young, Nick Beggs (Steve Hackett / Steven Wilson bands) and Frosty Beadle (ex-CUTTING CREW), with a sterling collection of guests, namely: Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer (FOCUS), Jakko Jakszyk and Robin Boult.
The music is described as: "terrific melodic Prog, long songs, heavy on the keyboards."
And that's all the detail we have not now - no track titles, times, artwork, packaging details etc, ... but we are taking pre-orders for it now.

[MartinT]

I can't find any info on it, Stephen. Do you have a website link, please?

[Sonority]

Hi Martin,
This is all I have - I didn't want to post it all as it will look like I'm a shill for these guys :) !! I have also requested vinyl (if available)

That geyser Hackett is *really* putting some effort in this last few months, this and Kompendium dont yet appear on his own site, then there is the Rome project on top.

Cut as you see correct please.

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'LIFE SIGNS' is a new band project from keyboardist John Young, Nick Beggs (Steve Hackett / Steven Wilson bands) and Frosty Beadle (ex-CUTTING CREW), with a sterling collection of guests, namely: Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer (FOCUS), Jakko Jakszyk and Robin Boult.
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[MartinT]

Thanks, Stephen.

[Floyddroid]

Yep focus are pretty fantastic. Anyway heard focus X yet?

got some files sent to me for review. haven't listened yet. beer and music tha neet though.:cool:

[Floyddroid]

Yep focus are pretty fantastic. Anyway heard focus X yet?


I didn't think I would find any other Focus fans out there, but here you all are you lovely people :eyebrows:

I have been captivated by the band ever since I first heard "Anonymous" played on the radio way back in the 70's. It was late at night and I had the headphones on listening to the old whisperer himself and I was a bit doubtful when he said he would play the 'full' version at 26+ minutes long :eek:

Terrific track and have played it regularly every week ever since both on vinyl and CD. Played it a couple of times at some bakeoffs and most folks don't really 'get' the quality of musicianship and the vibrancy found in that track. Bass guitar and awesome drum solos too - yummy :stalks:sylvia was actually the first ever single i bought with my own money. I ca't be sure but i think it may have even been in old money? 2/6d seems to ring a bell.

[Floyddroid]

This appeared in my in-box last night - thought it may be of interest here, already got mine of order :)

'LIFE SIGNS' is a new band project from keyboardist John Young, Nick Beggs (Steve Hackett / Steven Wilson bands) and Frosty Beadle (ex-CUTTING CREW), with a sterling collection of guests, namely: Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer (FOCUS), Jakko Jakszyk and Robin Boult.
The music is described as: "terrific melodic Prog, long songs, heavy on the keyboards."
And that's all the detail we have not now - no track titles, times, artwork, packaging details etc, ... but we are taking pre-orders for it now.
Indeedly doodly. Sounds good. Hopefully going to interview Nick Beggs in the next few weeks. i will post the link when it happens.