Looking at the music of Dutch rock band Focus, started in the late sixties by Thijs van Leer (b /31/03/48) with Jan Akkerman (b 24/12/46). Van Leer still performs and records under the name today (official site here). Akkerman's site here.

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Showing posts with label 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017. Show all posts

20240226

Track by Track 176--188 Focus Live in Rio

Archive number: 176-188
Titles disc 1: Focus 1, House of the King, Eruption, Sylvia, Song for Eva, All hens on deck,
Titles disc 2: Le Tango, P's March, Focus 5, Harem Scarem, Hocus Pocus, Focus 3, Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!
Main Album: Focus 50 Live Rio (Two disc audio and single disc Blu Ray)
Track numbers: 1-12
Genre: Live Progressive Rock Instrumentals
Venue: Teatro Municipal João Caetano, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Length: c 01.59.27
Composers: Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman, 
Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, melodica, flute, vocals, whistling; Menno Gootjes– Guitars; Udo Pannekeet - Bass; Pierre van der Linden - Drums
Producer: Geert Scheijgrond
Engineer: Geert Scheijgrond
Label: In and Out of Focus Records
Date of recording/release: September 14 2017.June 2021
Alternative version: These tracks are found on various Focus albums
Notes: This is a fairly complete recording with at least some of the verbal introduction to songs included
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20210604

Track by track 160 Fine without you

Archive number: 160
Title: Fine without you
Main Album: The Focus Family Album
Track number: 16
Genre: Vocal
Studio: Unknown
Length: 7:01
Composer: Thijs van Leer, Menno Gootjes, Bobby Jacobs, Pierre van der Linden, Jo de Roeck
Musicians: Jo de Roeck - vocals; Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Panekeet – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums
Producer: Geert Scheigrond
Engineer: Geert Scheigrond
Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings
Date of recording/release: 2017
Notes: We begin with 10 or 11 seconds of Hammond organ before the band joins in to preapre the way for the vocal, which screams in around 00:45. Just after 2:50 a guitar led section comes in, exploring the theme. Theis slows right down until at around 4:12 a jazzy but subtle flute led section comes in. Jo de Reek returns with his vocal at 5:30 which takes us to the end of the song which closes with a live wind down.
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Track by track 158 Santa Teresa

Archive number: 158
Title: Santa Teresa
Main Album: The Focus Family Album
Track number: 14
Genre: Sung Ballad
Studio: Wedgeview Studios(Woerdense Verlaat, Netherlands) Fieldwork Studios (Schoten, Belgium)
Skystudio and Bassbob Studios
Length: 6:00
Composer: van Leer
Musicians: Ivan Lins vocals, Thijs van Leer organ flute, Menno Gootjes guitar, Udo Pannekeet bass, Pierre van der Linden drums
Producer: Geert Scheigrond
Engineer: Geert Scheigrond
Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings
Date of recording/release: 2017
Alternative version:
Notes: A crash of cymbal and a chord in unison from the band begin the track and after about 20 seconds of Hammond dominated introduction, the singer (Ivan Lins) begins with the hymn like words below in Spanish. At 1:50 a flute breaks in and there is a flute led instrumental break. At 2:26 the vocal returns. By the 4 minute mark Vins has risen to something of a tuneful shout an the band takes over again, this time with the electric guitar leading. Then on the five minute marker Vins sings for thfinal time and the song comes to an end.

Lyrics: Santa Teresa Enamorada.
Santa Teresa Enamorada.
Maravillosa
Vas tan de prisa,
Camino a tu amado
Tómanos de la mano, Tómanos de la mano

Virgen del Carmen
Estrella de Chile
Tu hija Teresa
Es nuestra alegría.
Virgen del Carmen
Abre tu manto de gracias, de luces
Tómanos de la mano, Tómanos de la mano

Santa Teresa Enamorada
Santa Teresa Enamorada
Maravillosa
Vas tan de prisa,
Camino a tu amado
Tómanos de la mano, Tómanos de la mano.

Virgen del Carmen.
Estrella de Chile.
Tu hija Teresa
Es nuestra esperanza.
Virgen del Carmen
Abre tu manto de gracias, de luces
Tómanos de la mano. Tómanos de la mano.

Santa Teresa Enamorada
Santa Teresa Enamorada
Maravillosa
Vas tan de prisa Camino a tu amado
Tómanos de la mano. Tómanos de la mano

Translation
St Theresa, beloved, St Theresa, beloved.
Wonderful.
You go so fast
On the way to your beloved.
Take us by the hand, take us by the hand.

Virgin of Carmen, Star of Chile
Your daughter Theresa
It is our joy.
Virgin of Carmen
Open your mantle of graces, of lights
Take us by the hand, take us by the hand.

Virgin of Carmen, Star of Chile
Your daughter Theresa
It is our joy.
Virgin of Carmen
Open your mantle of graces, of lights
Take us by the hand, take us by the hand.

St Theresa, beloved, St Theresa, beloved.
Wonderful.
You go so fast
On the way to your beloved.
Take us by the hand, take us by the hand.
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