One should always be focused… on the finest of Dutch progressive rock. The tunes entitled ‘Focus’ and numbered 1-5 can be found across that mighty ensemble’s ‘original era’ albums of 1970-76. ‘Focus 6’ is fairly obscure, having appeared originally on a 1981 Thijs Van Leer (organ/flute in Focus) solo album. When Focus rebooted as a recording/touring sensation in 2002, the first album was called ‘Focus 8’ (featuring, of course, a tune of that name). The album ‘Focus 12’ is due in July… featuring not a tune of that title but one called ‘Focus 13’. (See below for the answer to ‘where’s ‘Focus 12′?’)
But what of ‘Focus 7’? Well, it seems to have first appeared on a little-known live album (sold on the band’s merchandise stall rather than being a ‘proper’ release called ‘Live in America’ in 2003 and then on an even more obscure semi-release called ‘Live in South America’ the following year. A studio version of ‘Focus 7’ belatedly appeared on the 2006 album ‘Focus 9’ (along with, obviously, ‘Focus 9’).
Luckily, for those of us who were blinking and missed things, the well-marketed ‘Focus 50’ (referring to their 50th anniversary – not that they’d jumped several dozen numbers in their tune titles… that would just be silly) triple-CD in 2021 contained, aside from two discs of a live show, a new studio album entitled ‘Completely Focussed’ [sic] – which contained stunning new versions of the previously known ‘Focus 1’ to ‘Focus 11’ in order… plus the all-new ‘Focus 0’ and ‘Focus 12’. All recorded in one day, apparently. Amazing!
Anyway, from obscurity, ‘Focus 7’ seems now to occupy the place of a classic in the current Focus repertoire. Here they are last month, live in Poland. A British tour is currently underway – alas, not reaching NI.
Colin H says
The performance of the sublime ‘Focus 7’ referred to above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiW_CS9k7FY&list=PLuaeyI8rVf2LHnBLSuQ-E3Qzfs4X7iyig&index=4
Colin H says
And the entire ‘Completely Focussed’ [sic] from 2021 – featuring new studio recordings of ‘Focus 0’ to ‘Focus 12’ – if you enjoy it, do consider buying the ‘Focus 50 3CD+Bluray set.
Colin H says
Slight correction to the OP – Focus are currently in mainland Europe not the UK. A US tour that’s in the offing in July:
Wednesday, July 3: Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
Thursday, July 4: Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON
Saturday, July 6: Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA
Sunday, July 7: The Paramount, Huntingdon, NY
Tuesday, July 9: Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ
Wednesday, July 10: Count Basie Center, Red Bank, NJ
Friday, July 12: Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City, NJ
Saturday, July 13: Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem, PA
Sunday, July 14: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
Tuesday, July 16: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, SC
Wednesday, July 17: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Thursday, July 18: Columbia County Performing Arts Center, Evans, GA
Saturday, July 20: Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL
Sunday, July 21: Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, FL
Monday, July 22: Seminole Hard Rock, Tampa, FL
Wednesday, July 24: North Charleston PAC, North Charleston, SC
Thursday, July 25: Macon City Auditorium, Macon, GA
Friday, July 26: Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL
Sunday, July 28: VBC Mark Smith Concert Hall, Huntsville, AL
Tuesday, July 30: The Arcada Theatre, St Charles, IL
Wednesday, July 31: The Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
Hot Shot Hamish says
I saw them at the Northern Kin festival a couple of years ago, they were marvellous. Thijs Van Leer was in fine form and in addition to the usual ‘thank you’s’ to audience, crew, organisers reserved his biggest thanks in a tongue-in-cheek style to the Merch Man so t-shirt and cd sales must have gone well!
Colin H says
I believe they’re Cropredying in August.
Kaisfatdad says
What a band they are, Colin! Thanks for getting everything into focus for us.
I’ll now be keeping my eyes peeled for a possible Stockholm gig.
I just looked at their FB page. The artwork for their new album is by ….Roger Dean!
Progtastic!
Rog is alive and well and 79 years old..
Gatz says
I saw them in 2022 but due to the low ceiling in the venue the sound was just awful, far too loud and the drums absolutely battering. For the second half we retreated to the bar in the next room where the noise was just poor instead of actively painful, waited until they had played Hocus Pocus then made our grateful escape.
Colin H says
Bummer. 🙁
Junior Wells says
Last saw them showcasing Hamburger Concerto. Don’t think they have been to Oz since. Who now plays Akkerman’s parts ?
Colin H says
Menno Gootjes. He’s remarkable at ‘the 70s Akkerman style’ while still, I feel, bringing his own thing to it. Akkerman today, by contrast, has moved away from the sound and to an extent style of that era – not a criticism, but if you want to hear the 70s Focus repertoire played in a way that’s instantly familiar, the current Focus is where it’s at.
The ‘new’ Focus (2002-present) has had, I think, three guitarists – Menno for by far the longest.
Here’s an example:
Kaisfatdad says
He’s excellent, Colin! And has been in Focus before, many years ago.
https://progressiverockcentral.com/2013/01/12/interview-with-menno-gootjes-of-dutch-band-focus/
Colin H says
Indeed.
Kaisfatdad says
Colin, I am sure that what you don’t know about Focus is not worth knowing.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you’ve gone to all the trouble to learn their native language to get a really deep understanding.. Maybe I should try that too?
Njäääää…. Not such a great idea! It would all just end up in Double Dutch!