Track by track 73 Sneezing Bull

Archive number: 73
Title: Sneezing Bull
Main Album: Focus Con Proby. Also a single in 1977 b/w Eddy.
Track number: 5
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: EMI Studios, Hilversum, The Netherlands
Length: 04' 23”
Composer: Philip Catherine
Musicians: Philip Catherine - Acoustic guitars, Electric guitars; Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ; Bert Ruiter – Bass; Steve Smith - Drums
Producer: Yde de Jong
Engineer: Jan van Vrijaldenhoven/Mike Stavron
Label: LP – EMI
Date of recording/release: Recorded/released 1978 LP – 1978 CD - 1988

Alternative version: As found on Live at the BBC (also on Philip Catherine's solo album Guitars)
Notes: A previously recorded Philip Catherine number, this track fits very well into the Focus style recalling House of the King. The building up of an atmosphere present on the original track (on the album Guitars) is not attempted on this version. The acoustic guitars, drums and bass begin together (00:00-00:07) then the flute comes in (00:08-00:33, 00:39-01:05, 01:12-01:40 and 01:44-02:09). A shout from van Leer is heard at 01:59 adding to the excitement and the live feel. After another brief bridge (02:10-02:14) reverbed electric guitars take up the lead for a more jazzy section (02:15-03:17). The flute then comes back to play first a bridge then the original theme but now against an electric guitar accompaniment (03:18-04:24). Another van Leer shout is heard at 04:05. The piece ends quite suddenly.

Track by track 63 Sneezing Bull (Live)

Archive number: 63
Title: Sneezing Bull (Live)
Main Album: Live at the BBC
Track number: 4
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Venue: New Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1LL (now Apollo Victoria)

Length: 07' 45”
Composer: Philip Catherine
Musicians: Philip Catherine - Electric guitars (Taped acoustic guitars accompanied by soprano saxophone); Thijs van Leer – Flute; Bert Ruiter – Bass, cabasa; David Kemper – Cabasa, Cymbals, Gong
Producer: BBC

Engineer: BBC

Label: Hux Records

Date of recording/release: Recorded March 21 1976 but only released (on CD) June 1 2004

Alternative versions: Catherine's version on Guitars and the later studio recording found on Focus Con Proby. Another short live recording appears on some collections.
Date of recording/release: Recorded 19, released 1978 LP – 1978 CD - 19
Notes: Though a previously recorded Philip Catherine number this track fits well into the Focus style and obviously recalls House of the King. This version retains the building up of an atmosphere present on the original Catherine track (on Guitars) but later abandoned. Ostensibly live, Catherine make use of a backing tape featuring acoustic guitars and soprano sax which he and Ruiter play over in the first part (00:00-02:07) where the atmosphere is built up. We then swing into a jazzy main section (02:08-05:33) where Catherine strums (still accompanied by his taped acoustic guitar), Kemper and Ruiter accompanying on cabasas and van Leer plays his distinctive flute in varying styles. Besides the main riff there are various bridges in and out, some quite jazzy and others quite plaintive or wild, in what is a quite joyous piece. Kemper crashes his cymbals from time to time. Then for a longish stretch it is just the guitars and percussion (05:34-06:15) but the flute comes back in as the riff continues to come in and lead out (06:16-07:15). At last a final gong is struck accompanied by wild flute sounds (07:16-07:20). Finally (07:21-07:45) we have the audience appreciation and yet another grateful 'thank you' from van Leer.