Amazingly, this month (October 18 2024) an unlikely 1988 recording will be published that everyone seems to have forgotten. There must be little in common between the American singer songwriter, the late Melanie Safka (she died early this year) and the virtuoso guitarist Jan Akkerman. However, on May 24, 1988 the two legends found themselves not only sharing the stage but actually performing together.
This unique collaboration, which took place in Leiden, Holland, during a music festival, was captured on a professional recording, and is soon set to see release as “In Focus: Live ’88”.
Akkerman with a female vocalist is hardly unheard of as recordings with Trea Dobbs, Karin Kent, Wanda, Bojoura, Yvette Cason, B B Queen and his own daughter Laurie demonstrate.
There must be afew recordings like this about, where successful American artists came to Holland and took advantage of the local talent available. And then there is the live performance of Tubular Bells when Akkerman stood in for a jittery Mike Oldfield. Wouldn't mind hearing that.
The track list is as follows. Track 5 looks interesting.
1. Beautiful People
2. Chosen Few
3. What Have They Done To The Rain
4. Bon Appétit
5. Jan Akkerman and Raul Rekow instrumental
6. Every Breath Of The Way
7. Working Legend
8. Loving The Boy Next Door
9. Just Can’t Do It
10. Together Alone
11. Private Parts
12. Prematurely Grey
13. What Have They Done To My Song, Ma
14. Tuning My Guitar
15. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)
