Gig trail again, Dad Rock Supreme with Focus (3 replies)
My review:
Wow what a gig tonight.
I was completely blown away by Focus. I expected it to be good, but it was extraordinary. Firstly there was no posing or messing about, these guys just played, and boy did they play!
There was no build up to the start, they just ambled on to silence, made a few adjustments and Thijs started making a few notes on his Hammond organ, a few toots on his flute, (yes both at the same time), and we were into the track Focus 1. It starts slowly, melodically, but builds to a crescendo. As soon as that finished, House of the King came next. This was a single,and although not successful here in the UK, it’s a track a lot would recognise.
Track 3 was Eruption. Got to be honest, I didn’t know it. However I soon fell in love with it. Thijs introduced it as several movements of music with a link. He didn’t say what the link was though! This track is amazing. It Changes form a number of times. It has a rock feel, a swing section, a bit bluesy, jazz, classical, and even a section that could have come off a Gary Moore album! I loved it, and it was one of the highlights of the evening. It must have been at least 20 minutes long.
Focus 7 followed and the the well known Sylvia finished the first half.
The band came back on and we were told that rock groups weren’t allowed to do the tango. Le Tango started the second set. The second track was written in memory of former bassist Bert Ruiter, who passed away in 2022. It simply is called For Bert. The bassist was terrific utilising all 6 strings on his bass. (Yes I know, but he did!)
We then had All hens on deck and La Cathedrale de Strasbourg, the latter being about the chimes of a bell. Then the brilliant Harum Scarum where everyone showed off their musical ability. We’d had a drum solo in the first half and we got another one here. Again this was a long track, but another good one. Thijs had left the stage. The rest of the band finished the track.
They then left and Thijs returned. He did a little improvisation on the flute and the Hammond organ before the band returning and the improvisation turning into Hocus Pocus. I have never been to a gig where there’s been community yodelling, not until tonight. Again brilliant performances all round, but Pierre van der Linden produced an outstanding, out of this world drum solo! You would never believe he’s over 70! Amazing. The second set was completed by Focus 3.
There was no swapping of instruments, the guitarist and bassist place the same instrument respectively all show. Neither was there any pulling funny faces while playing. They just played the songs. These guys redefine the word “tight.”
After Thijs came into the foyer and played the piano. He did McArthur Park! I got to meet him too! Fantastic night.