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Okidok, Focus music is heavy stuff. A Focus song mostly lasts more than at least 7-8 minutes, never below, and a concert lasts aprox. 2 1/2 hours. And no, Jan Akkerman is not with them anymore since the middle of the eighties. The simple reason is, he didn't want to anymore. But founder of this gang in 1969, is another guy named Thijs van Leer. And that gentleman, aged 60, is still sitting behind his keyboard very much alive. And he didn't forget how to jodel.Oh yes, and there is another - almost original member in Focus 2008, who is none other than drummer Pierre van der Linden, meanhwile 62 years of age young. The rest of this lot consists of Niels van der Steenhoven on guitar, and he truly is a so called guitar-wonderkind. And last but not least the line up is completed by bassist Bobby Jacobs. 

But heading back to the past for a quick one, this dutch artrock band has their biggest success in the middle of the seventies with hits like Sylvia, FocusI, Tommy, King Of House and the mega hit Hocus Pocus.

In 1976  Akkerman left the Band and Van Leer carried one under the monicer of Focus. First in 1985 the couple got back together for another album and played on one stage a few times. From the early 90s onwards, it took another 10 years until Thijs van Leer reformed the band in 2002.And with him, like mentioned before, - Pierre van der Linden, who had joined Focus in first place on their second album in 1971. 
It is very difficult to describe the music of Focus, which is full of different musical elements, including classic tunes, gregorian melodies, folkmusic, barock and even far eastern tunes. And although the musicians then used to joke around about their ideas, it is pretty much clear, that all that was up to a very high standard. 

And that's what it still is, I and 250 other people can hear and see tonight. 

The show starts strike 8.30 p.m. without supportact and lasts 'till 11.30 p.m. But Focus know exactly, how to play a great show without any minute of boredom, but all those greatest hits and some new stuff from last year's album 'Focus 9 new skin'. (There's been another album in 2006 as well  named 'Focus 8') 
By the way, even some of you don't know the band, I truly bet you, that y hearing the melody of Hocus Pocus, you surely say: oh yes of course I do know this....
Yes of course you do, this track once was a world class hit and it almost belongs to every rockfan's average knowledge. Thijs van Leer is the boss, handling like usual the organ and the flute and some rare vocals.


And stepson Niels van der Steenhoven, who tells me afterwards, that he only plays the guitar half of his life, which is 14 years - no kiddin'. He's one step above a natural talent I guess.  Inbetween all these 10-15 minutes tracks you hear some classy solos, also of the drums and the bass. And I presume, I don't have to mention, that this here is a high quality performance. 

However, it is a fact, that this here is a polished diamond, which has been hidden for too long in a draw, and now trying to get back it's sparkle. We can only hope, that this one will come back on the surface and pass on it's glitter to a younger generation as well. Although I fear, that this difficult subject is not understood by many youngsters. Because Focus is anything else but definately not easy listening. A well known rhyme says: operation well done, but patient is almost dead. What a shame, because this here is just simply brilliant stuff. 
http://www.focustheband.com/

Click Diary for some Aftershow Snapshots