Track by track 209 Positano

Main Album: Focus 12

Title: Positano

Track number: 9

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands

Length: 3:28

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Piano, Flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Pannekeet - Bass, synthesisers; Pierre van der Linden - Drums

Producer: Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes

Label: Spirit of the Unicorn

Date of recording/release: July 2024

Alternative recording: None

Notes: We begin with a pleasant acoustic guitar piano piece (00:00-01:15) followed by 20 seconds or so of electronically treated synthesised flute. A beat then brews up beneath that until at the two minute mark a yearning electric guitar-led band breaks in with a fresh rock tune. After 40 seconds of this the lead is taken on by the flute. At the very end the synthesised flute pattern is isolated and plays out for the last 15 seconds.

Positano is a village on the beautiful Amalfi Coast (Province of Salerno), in Campania, Italy, mainly in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast. It has a long history back before Roman times. Modern era Positano became a wealthy market port from the 15-17th century and has only continued to grow in popularity over time. Back then they traded food such as fish and other resources. By the mid-19th century, however, the town had fallen on hard times. More than half the population emigrated, mostly to the USA, it seems. It began to attract a large number of tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper's Bazaar in May 1953: "Positano Bites Deep". Steinbeck wrote, "It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone." VAn Leer has a friend who owns property there.

Track by track 207 Nura

Main Album: Focus 12

Title: Nura
Track number: 7
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands
Length: 3:57
Composer: Thijs van Leer
Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, Flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Pannekeet - Bass; Pierre van der Linden - Drums
Producer: Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes
Label: Spirit of the Unicorn
Date of recording/release: July 2024
Alternative recording: None

Notes: Nura has a trademark van Leer keyboard introduction on Hammond organ with violined guitar. A caesura at 1:15 is followed by a raucous band backed guitar riff, joined briefly by a swinging flute around 01:42. All is very jolly until 02:10 when the initial slow piece returns for about 40 seconds, backed with high-hat and cymbals. After a second caesura, the raucous part returns and plays out to the fade.

Track by track 205 All Aboard

Main Album: Focus 12

Title: All Aboard 

Track number: 5

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands

Length: 4:31

Composer: Udo Pannekeet

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Panekeet – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums

Producer: Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes

Label: Spirit of the Unicorn

Date of recording/release: July 2024

Alternative recording: None

Notes: We begin with a groove from the rhythm section with plenty of cow bell. The flute comes in around 00:15 and then the guitar too from around 00:33. This all rises to a guitar chord that sounds at around 01:05. The band then carries on exploring the theme until a brief slow down around 01:40. It then carries on until another break down at 02:17 before heading onwards. At 03:05 a fresh choppy break is added. This dominates until the fade.

Track by track 204 Meta Indefinita

Main Album: Focus 12

Title: Meta Indefinita

Track number: 4

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands

Length: 4:36

Composer: Pierre van der Linden

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Panekeet – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums

Producer: Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes

Label: Spirit of the Unicorn

Date of recording/release: July 2024

Alternative recording: None

Notes: The atmospheric track, said to be improvised, begins with a solo reverberating guitar. At around 00:20 a flute joins in and a bass guitar, mostly harmonics. The cymbals and drums are also heard from around 01:10 and begin to dominate but with guitar chords too and then flute and bass. From 03:31 the guitar is briefly 'violined'. Everything slows down after that and the piece drifts out much the way it drifted in. The title is the equivalent to something like no limits.

Track by track 203 Béla

Main Album: Focus 12

Title: Béla

Track number: 3

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands

Length: 4:08

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Piano, Hammond organ, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Panekeet – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums

Producer: Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes

Label: Spirit of the Unicorn

Date of recording/release: July 2024

Alternative recording: None

Notes: The first minute and a half or so of this track is just piano. Then the reververating guitar-led band comes in more stridently, taking up the theme and playing it through two or three times. Is the title a reference to Bela Bartok? Actually a grand child!

Track by Track 201 Fjord Focus

Archive number: 201

Title: Fjord Focus

Main Album: Focus 12

Track number: 1

Genre: Progressive Jazz Instrumental

Studio: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands

Length: 4:24

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Udo Panekeet – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums

Producer: Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes

Label: Spirit of the Unicorn

Date of recording/release: July 2024

Alternative recording: None

Notes: Focus keep up the humour with a tongue in cheek reference to the Ford Focus motor car. We begin with the whole band pumping out a majestic and orchestral theme that breaks down at the 30 second mark with a jazzy guitar-lead and more mellow section, a flute section coming in 00:52-01:16 and a series of descending scales to 01:40 when the original theme breaks back in again. At 02:07 Menno takes up the lead jazz rock electric guitar (all in one take apparently). At 03:39 the flute drifts back into the mix with piano too as things once again settle down to the close. 

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 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

Key: C#

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 170 (164) Winnie

Archive number: 170
Title: Winnie
Main Album: Focus 11
Track number: 6
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: Mosh Studios, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Length: 5:13
Composer: Thijs van Leer

Key: F
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: November 2018
Alternative recording: Focus Family Album
Notes: This is a slightly shorter edit from the version on The Focus Family Album

Track by track 168 How many miles?

Archive number: 168

Title: How many miles?

Main Album: Focus 11

Track number: 4

Genre: Progressive Rock Pop Song

Studio: WedgeView Studios, Netherlands

Length: 4:48

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Key: C

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, flute, vocal; 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: These are the lyrics to the track

How many miles between

my love and I?

My love, where have you been

all my life?

How many stars have seen

us weep and cry?

With tears of joy that mean

us man and wife?

Let me reflect your energy

that moves my soul to ecstasy.

Let me become your melody

be sung in perfect harmony.

Amazing grace, your face divine,

now let me be your Valentine.

Let me become your bird so free

on wings made for eternity.

How come you shine so bright

you lucky star?

This fragrance of your soul

smells from afar.

How is it possible

your answer's yes?

My deepest joy, my love,

forever jazz …

let me reflect your  energy ...

The track begins (00:00-00:09) with drums before breaking into a bouncing instrumental ensemble with guitar and flute. Then at around 01:09 a slightly cheesy pop song comes in and lasts until around 03:27. We then revert to the bouncing instrumental but this time with a spoken van Leer voice over reiterating the lyric until the fade.

Track by track 155 Let us wander

Archive number: 155

Title:  Let us wander

Main Album: The Focus Family Album 

Track number: 11

Genre: Solo instrumental (Flute)

Studio: Unknown 

Length: 2:33

Composer: Thijs van Leer 

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – 1989 Muramatsu Flute 

Producer: Geert Scheigrond 

Engineer: Geert Scheigrond 

Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings 

Date of recording/release: 2017 

Notes:  Thijs apparently wanders near a river playing his flute with aquatic and other background nature sounds.

Track by track 150 Mosh Blues

Archive number: 150

Title: Mosh Blues

Main Album: The Focus Family Album

Track number: 6

Genre: Prog Rock

Studio: Mosh Studios, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Length: 6:24

Composer: Thijs van Leer, Menno Gootjes, Bobby Jacobs & Pierre van der Linden

Musicians: Thijs van Leer - organ, scat, flute; Menno Gootjes - Guitar; Bobby Jacobs - Bass; Pierre van der Linden - Drums

Producer: Geert Scheijgrond

Engineer: Geert Scheigrond

Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings

Date of recording/release: 2017

Notes: The track begins with a bass and drums led band groove, the Hammond coming in from 00:27. Hammond and lead guitar swap the limelight, the guitar eventually triumphing, At 3:18 van Leer gives us about 48 seconds of scat, 28 seconds of Hammond lead and 47 seconds of breathy flute. The band then playout the rest of the song, which lasts just over a minute until the final chord.

Moshing

The word Mosh refers to the recording studio in sao Paulo, which got its name from the initials of its founders: M alagutti O swaldo S antisteban H élio.

(from Wikipedia) Also known as slam dancing or simply slamming, it is a style of dance in which participants push or slam into each other, typically performed to "aggressive" live music. Moshing usually happens in the centre of the crowd, generally closer to the stage, in an area called the "pit". It is intended to be energetic and full of body contact.

The dance style originated in the hardcore punk scenes of California and Washington, DC around 1980. Through the 1980s it spread to other branches of punk rock as well as thrash metal and grunge, which exposed it to the mainstream. Since then, moshing has occasionally been performed to energetic music within a wide variety of genres, including alternative rock, EDM and hip hop, while remaining a staple at punk and heavy metal shows.

Variations of moshing exist, including "pogoing", "circle pits" and "wall of death". Dancing can be done alone as well as in groups.

While moshing is seen as a form of positive fan feedback or expression of enjoyment. It has also drawn criticism over dangerous excesses occurring in offshoots. Injuries have been reported.

Track by track 145 Nature is our friend

Archive number: 145

Title: Nature is our Friend 

Main Album: The Focus Family Album 

Track number: 1 

Genre: Solo instrumental 

Studio: Unknown 

Length: 3:14 

Composer: Thijs van Leer 

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – 1989 Muramatsu Flute 

Producer: Geert Scheigrond 

Engineer: Geert Scheigrond 

Label: In and Out of Focus Recordings 

Date of recording/release: 2017 

Notes: Thijs apparently wanders in the woods playing his flute with background nature sounds.

Track by track 135 Crossroads

Archive number: 135
Title: Crossroads

Main Album: Focus X 

Track number: 10

Genre: Jazz Rock with vocal 

Studio: Fieldwork Studios, Schoten, Belgium 

Length: 5:38

Composer: van Leer, Peters

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Piano, organ, flute, vocal; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Bobby Jacobs – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums; Berenice van Leer - vocal 

Producer: Bobby Jacobs 

Label: Eastworld Recordings

Date of recording/release: November, 2012

Alternative version: This is a version of Brazil Love

The track begins with rhythmic drums. After five seconds the bass and jazz piano come in then electric guitar. A piano trill at 34 seconds announces a rising choral and guitar part. Then at 1:05 a new driving guitar theme begins and is joined by the flute from 1:44 to 2:13. We then revert to the choral and guitar theme - the guitar perhaps a little wilder. At 2:28 the flute is back, though further back in the mix. At 2:40 to 3:44 van Leer comes in with a spoken style vocal (see below). The vocal continues until the flute and other instruments come back to the fore, the guitar leading latterly. At 4:17 the guitar announces the final part, a brief drum break until 4:43 when the bass adds its own contribution, which goes on until the fade. Apparently there was more but it had to be cut.

Lyrics

I don't want to know just how I feel

Cannot bear to know just how I feel - crossroads ahead

I don't want to think in terms of tears

There's no time to lose you're here

At the crossroads we part.

Love is far ahead and far behind. - the crossroads are here.

How can we still look back at the past, it doesn't last

We cannot change the good and bad times we remember

Here we meet and here we part my friend

And I will love you 'til the end ...

Just like the tide that keep on rolling.

Track by track 134 Message Magique

Archive number: 134
Title: Message Magique

Main Album: Focus X 

Track number: 9

Genre: Progressive Rock with vocal 

Studio: Fieldwork Studios, Schoten, Belgium 

Length: 3:53

Composer: Ben van der Linden

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Piano, organ, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Bobby Jacobs – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums 

Producer: Bobby Jacobs 

Label: Eastworld Recordings

Date of recording/release: November, 2012

Alternative version: An earlier flute version of this track can be found on Thijs's solo album Renaissance

Notes: The track is introduced by nine seconds of drums then a piano and bass come in for another nine seconds before the lead guitar takes up the main theme in that rising Focus style that is so familiar. This continues until 1:46 when it is the turn of the flute to lead for several bars. From 2:27, it is flute and guitar that synchronise to lead the band. Around 3:15 the descent to the close begins, chiefly led by the flute but concluding with a satisfying sigh from the lead guitar.
Note on Ben van der Linden. 

Van der Linden (no relation) is a pianist and composer. He learned to play the organ as a child in church. He also studied piano with Jaap Callenbach at the Rotterdam Conservatory. He became pianist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for two and a half years then studied electronic music with CEM and jazz with Chick Corea.
He also led the Ben van der Linden Trio and was a student of jazz pianist Louis van Dijk.
Over the years he has worked with van Leer and many others including the singer Della Bosiers, the Peter Blanker Consort, Liselore Gerritsen, Fons Jansen, violinist Christiaan Bor, Conny Vandenbos, filmmaker Bob Rooijens, Henk van Ulsen, Ramses Shaffy, Willem Wilmink, Jan Boer Chair, Audrey Hepburn and Huub Oosterhuis. He was musical leader with Paul van Vliet for nine years and has composed hundreds of songs for different people. His work can be heard on around 80 commercial recordings.

Track by track 131 Birds Come Fly Over (Le Tango)

Archive number: 131
Title: Birds Come Fly Over (Le Tango)
Main Album: Focus X
Track number: 6
Genre: Jazz Pop Vocal
Studio: Fieldwork Studios, Schoten, Belgium
Length: 5:21
Composer: Thijs van Leer, Roselie Peters

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, flute, melodica; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Bobby Jacobs – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums; Ivan Lins - vocals. 

Producer: Bobby Jacobs, Geert Scheijgrond

Label: Eastworld Recordings
Date of recording/release: November, 2012

Alternative version: The same track is on The Focus Family album. Versions of  Le Tango appear on the Focus album with Jan Akkerman, on Introspection 4 and in other places.

Notes: We begin with drums then acoustic guitar, organ, flute and eventually a chugging electric guitar in tango time. At 0:54 the vocal begins. The words are

I'm always watching sunrise,

I have at least a life

And for my heart's desire, I can die.

And you my love, my good love,

I see you live your life,

But in my heart I've often seen you cry.

I'm only waiting for the time to pass,

How can I raise my voice or my hand?

Birds come fly over to the sun.

Out of a million lovers,

One only could be mine,

Oh there's a million others passing by

From sun up until sundown

This life is such a strife

And if you lose your love you lose your life.

I'm only waiting for the time to pass,

How can I raise my voice or my hand?

Birds come fly over to the sun.

There is a brief instrumental section announced by a beat from 2:02-02:21 after verse 3. In the subsequent part van Leer's melodica is heard. From 3:28-04:01 the band comes in more strongly again before the final vocal section which features the second three verses repeated. A piano is heard in the mix this time.

Track by Track 130 All Hens On Deck

Archive number: 130 

Title: All Hens On Deck 

Main Album: Focus X 

Track number: 5 

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental 

Studio: Fieldwork Studios, Schoten, Belgium 

Length: 5:44 

Composer: Thijs van Leer 

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, flute, vocals; Menno Gootjes – Guitars; Bobby Jacobs – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums 

Producer: Bobby Jacobs, Geert Scheijgrond

Label: Eastworld Recordings 

Date of recording/release: November 2012

Notes: The track begins full pelt with drums then the band led by percussive guitar, the flute coming in from 00:06. This goes on until at 00:23 we have the breakdown with a series of three strokes, lasting until 00:44 when the Hammond led band takes up the theme. The flute then leads until 01:01 and the second break down. At 01:16 it is van Leer's scat vocal that comes in echoing the guitar with the band until 01:43. Menno's bluesy guitar then goes on until 02:28 when the scat section is repeated until 02:56. Next comes a radical slow down and a majestic, classical section led by the vocal and guitar. At 04:13 the earliest section is repeated, leading into the scat section (from 04:40). A final six strokes brings us almost to the end (05:25) before a long drawn out cat moan vocal contribution by a finally breathless van Leer.

Track by track 128 Victoria

Archive number: 128

Title: Victoria

Main Album: Focus X

Track number: 3

Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental

Studio: Fieldwork Studios, Schoten, Belgium (Mixed at B-Spot Studio; mastered at Tube Mastering)

Length: 5' 28"

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars, Vocals; Bobby Jacobs – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums

Producer: Bobby Jacobs, Geert Scheijgrond

Mastered: Andy Jackson

Mixed: Bram Bol

Label: Eastworld Recordings 

Date of recording/release: November 2012

Alternative version: This track was originally recorded in 1970 with a vocal in Dutch penned by Lennaert Herman Nijgh. The lyric tells the story of a man accused of rape who is knifed by the girl's father! An edited version of the instrumental appears on The Focus Family Album

Notes: The track begins with a solo piano intro. At 00:10 the drums break in and then the guitar led band when the chorus comes (00:52-01:16). The chorus features a background vocal repeating the name Victoria. The verse (to 01:55) and chorus (to 02:18) are then repeated. The break down then comes, featuring organ, flute and a little muted flute before returning to the theme just before the three minute mark. A verse and some chorus work follow until 03:56 when a jam comes in with real jazz flute and some guitar. This plays out to the end of the track.

Track by track 127 Focus 10

Archive number: 127

Title: Focus 10

Main Album: Focus X

Track number: 2

Genre: Jazz Rock Instrumental

Studio: Fieldwork Studios, Schoten, Belgium (Mixed at B-Spot Studio; mastered at Tube Mastering)

Length: 5' 28"

Composer: Thijs van Leer

Musicians: Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, flute; Menno Gootjes – Guitars, Vocals; Bobby Jacobs – Bass; Pierre van der Linden – Drums

Producer: Bobby Jacobs

Mastered: Andy Jackson

Mixed: Bram Bol

Label: Eastworld Recordings 

Date of recording/release: November 2012

Alternative version: None

Notes: This is the title track and the tenth in the eponymous series. The drums again briefly introduce the guitar led band. The tune is a playful jazzy, even at times a quirky and teasing, one. The tune has something of a French feel to it. Beginning at 00:02 it goes on to 02:28 before the flute joins in. This flute section then goes on until around 03:40 before being chiefly superseded by the guitar although it does make some brief comebacks. At 05:02 the piece breaks down and first only piano and organ play and then for the final 33 seconds just solo jazz piano to close the track.

New version of Focus II

A new album, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Prog Rock Classics includes a version of Focus II with Van Leer on flute. Worth a listen.