Track by track 200 Focus 12 (Introspective Duet Between Menno & Me - A Well-Deserved Pause For Pierre & Udo!)

Archive number: 200

Title: Focus 12

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 12

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 4:13

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Piano; Menno Gootjes – Guitars

Producer: Geert Scheigrond

Engineer: Geert Scheigrond

Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings

Date of recording/release: June 2021

Alternative recording: None

Notes: This new track is again perfored in a minimalist style with only two instrumentalists

Track by track 199 Focus 11 (Another wordless song)

Archive number: 186

Title: Focus 11 (Another wordless song)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 11

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 3:34

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: 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: June 2021

Alternative recording: Focus 11

Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original Focus number with full band but with some changes of instrumentation.

Track by track 198 Focus 10 (Sophisticated)

Archive number: 185

Title: Focus 10 (Sophisticated)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 10

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 3:15

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: 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: June 2021

Alternative recording: Focus X

Notes: This swinging jazz number is shorter than the original but similar otherwise.

Track by track 197 Focus 9 (Classic Dream)

Archive number: 184

Title: Focus 9 (Classic Dream)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 9

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 4:25

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Piano; Menno Gootjes – Guitars

Producer: Geert Scheigrond

Engineer: Geert Scheigrond

Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings

Date of recording/release: June 2021

Alternative recording: Focus 9/New Skin

Notes: This minimalisitc version of the track drops the bass and drums and the flute.

Track by track 196 Focus 8 (Rondo)

Archive number: 183

Title: Focus 8 (Rondo)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 8

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 5:50

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano; 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: June 2021

Alternative recording: Focus 8

Notes: A much improved version of the track, chiefly due to the drums of Pierre van der Linden, which start the track off and close it.

Rondo The rondo is a musical form that contains a principal theme (sometimes called the "refrain") which alternates with one or more contrasting themes, generally called "episodes", but also occasionally referred to as "digressions" or "couplets". Some possible patterns include: ABACA, ABACAB, ABACBA, or ABACABA.

The rondo form emerged in the Baroque period and became increasingly popular during the Classical period. The earliest examples of compositions employing rondo form are found within Italian opera arias and choruses of the first years of the 17th century. These examples use a multi-couplet rondo or chain rondo (ABACAD) known as the Italian rondo.

Track by track 195 Focus 7 (Inner Joy)

Archive number: 182

Title: Focus 7 (Inner Joy)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 7

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 5:18

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, 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:  June 2021

Alternative recording: Focus 9 and the live albums Focus Live in America and Live at Trading Boundaries (van Leer solo)

Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original Focus number with full band. Some nice violined guitar at the close.

Track by track 194 Focus 6 (Thinking and Drinking)

Archive number: 194

Title: Focus 6 (Thinking and Drinking)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 6

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 3:40

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, 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:  June 2021

Alternative recording: None

Notes: This rare track often threatens tot turn into one of the other tracks in the series but is ts own beast.

Track by track 193 Focus 5 (Impressionistic ...)

Archive number: 180
Title: Focus 5 (Impressionistic ...)
Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc
Track number: 5
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands
Length: 3:54
Composer: Thijs van Leer
Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ; 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: June 2021
Alternative recording: Ship of Memories
Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original Focus number with full band. No flute this time.

Track by track 192 Focus 4 (Rock Ballad)

Archive number: 179

Title: Focus 4 (Rock Ballad)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 4

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 4:30

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – 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: June 2021

Alternative recording: Mother Focus

Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original Focus number with full band but no Hammond organ or synthesiser.

Track by track 191 Focus 3 (Song without words)

Archive number: 178
Title: Focus 3 (Song without words)
Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc
Track number: 3
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands
Length: 3:42
Composer: Thijs van Leer
Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, 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: June 2021
Alternative recording: It was first on the third album. Van Leer and Akkerman have nice versions on solo albums.
Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original with full band.

Track by track 190 Focus 2 (Mini-opera)

Archive number: 177

Title: Focus 2 (Mini-opera)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc?

Track number: 2

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 4:39

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, 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: June 2021

Alternative recording: It was first on the second album. Van Leer and Akkerman have nice versions on solo albums.

Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original with full band. Some nice double tracked flute early on.

Track by track 189 Focus 1 (Statement)

Archive number: 176

Title: Focus 1 (Statement)

Main Album: Focus 50 Completely Focussed Disc

Track number: 1

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 3:34

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ; 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:  June 2021

Alternative recording: In and Out of Focus, Golden Oldies, etc

Notes: This is a pretty much live re-recording of the original Focus number with full band. There is no vocal.

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 introduction to songs incuded

Track by track 175 Focus 11

Archive number: 175

Title: Focus 11

Main Album: Focus 11

Track number: 11

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 6:11

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: 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: November 2018

Alternative recording: Focus 50 Album Complelely Focussed

Notes: This stand out track is in several parts. We begin with with a beautiful guitar led slow melody that takes us to 1:15. Something more brisk then breaks in, introdiced by the piano but led by the guitar, flute and piano. This goes on until 1:47, ending on a long drawn out note that is succeeded by a further part based around a very catchy 10 note tune on guitar. At 3:07 there is a flute led bridge as far as 3:31 when the catchy melody comes back in. This meanders on until 4:38. From there to 5:41 we have a guitar led tune, again very catchy and ending on a long drawn out note. The final section is a repeat of the second brisk element from before again featuring piano and flute. The track ends with a flourish on solo flute.

Track by track 174 Final Analysis

Archive number: 174

Title: Final analysis

Main Album: Focus 11

Track number: 10

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 3:51

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano; 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: November 2018

Alternative recording: None

Notes The track begins with 35 seconds of rhythmic drums and rhythm guitar work as it builds up an atmosphere (slightly reminiscent of the track Birth). A screaming guitar then comes in as the geat continues. At 54 seconds things skow slightly as the piano leads for a short while. A clear but slightly dissonant guitar leads briefly after that. The chugging beat continues then until at 1:31 the guitar leads again with a series of descending lines. The piano can still be heard behind it. At 3:13 the beat we began with resumes until 3:22 and again 3:32 when the piano motif is heard briefly twice more. The tracl=k then fades.

Track by track 173 Mare Nostrum

Archive number: 173

Title: Mare Nostrum
Main Album: Focus Family 11
Track number: 9

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands
Length: 5:08
Composer: Udo Pannekeet

Key: C
Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ; 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: November 2018
Alternative recording: None

Notes: The whole band begin together with a laconic guitar-led melody slightly changing arouf the one minute mark. At about 1:53 the drums energetically lead into a jauntier section. The guitar work  grows increasingly more energetic. At around 4:32 it slows before quickly closing with drums and the whole band.

Mare Nostrum is the Latin for "Our Sea" and was a Roman name for the Mediterranean Sea. In the decades following the 1861 unification of Italy, Italian nationalists and Italian fascists who saw Italy as the successor state to the Roman Empire attempted to revive the term.