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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Focus in Cardiff August 2022

Photo Credits Barry Morris

Slipped down to Cardiff last Thursday to see Focus play. The venue was The Earl Hague Club, Whitchurch. A typical set but without La Cathedrale and  including  Focus 7 and a new Song for Bert in memory of the recently deceased former bass player. All the band played well, including Menno Gootjes, who I thought did better with his solo than sometimes in the past. The crowd enjoyed All hens on deck but were less sure about Focus 7 and the bass solo. I'm sure he has said it before but I noticed that Thijs referred to Pierre van der Linden in public as "The world's greatest drummer", which he is, of course.

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Songs named for women


  1. Janis (Joplin)
  2. Eurydice (Auloniad wife of Orfeus)
  3. Sylvia (Alberts)
  4. Elspeth of Nottingham
  5. Tokyo Rose (name for all female Japanese propagandists)
  6. Anaya (Pannekeet)
  7. Winnie (Gootjes)
  8. Victoria
  9. Hazel (eye colour not an actual name)
  10. Song for Eva (daughter of van Leer)
  11. Song for Yaminah (Pannekeet)
  12. Ode to Venus (the Roman godess)
As of 2024 we can probably add Nura and Gaia. (Not sure who they are).