Focus/Kanagawa,Japan 9.22.2019

Euro rock heroes FOCUS came to Japan for the first time in 16 years, celebrating their 50th anniversary. The best original recording that recorded the latest stage is now available. This time, they will only have two performances in Kawasaki, and both performances will be released at the same time this week. The first part of this work contains the best audience recording of the first day “September 22, 2019: Club Citta Kawasaki” performance. “FOCUS 11” was released in Europe in 2018, but it will not be released in Japan until 2019. For the record, let’s check the position of the Japanese performance on the subsequent tour dates. ●2019《“FOCUS 11” released in Japan on February 20th》・February 15th-May 25th: Netherlands #1 (13 performances)/UK #1 (2 performances)・June 22nd-29th: Netherlands #2 (1 performance) / UK #2 (4 performances) / July 28 (Netherlands #3) + August 2 (UK #3) / September 5-19: UK #4 / Denmark (7 Performances) ・September 22nd + 23rd: Japan (2 performances) ←★Here★ ・September 29th – November 2nd: Netherlands #4 (1 performance) / UK #5 (25 performances) ・December 13th : Netherlands #5 (1 performance) ● June 20, 2020: NORTHERN KIN FESTIVAL appearance This is the schedule announced so far. It may seem complicated, but it’s basically the UK and my home country, the Netherlands. The autumn tour starting in September will include Denmark and Japan. And this work, recorded on the first day after returning to Japan for the first time in 16 years, is an audience recording that depicts the very best. This work is done by the “strongest taper in Western Japan” who is well-known at our shop, and the clarity and close contact are overwhelming. The core is on and extremely thick, approaching with no sense of distance, and the details are super vivid. It’s beautiful even when the flute whispers, and it never distorts even when the drumming thunders. The undulations of the base and the turbulent scat are clearly outlined. Although you can feel the audience in the snare tone and the vividness of the clapping, it is a superb recording that is far from a guest record. The show drawn with that sound is a splendor that concentrates a variety of careers. This time, we are releasing two days at the same time, and I think many people will choose the different sets. So, let’s organize the sets while focusing on the differences between the two days. [Common for both days]●FOCUS PLAYS FOCUS (2 songs)・Focus I, Anonymus●MOVING WAVES (2 songs)・Eruption, Hocus Pocus ●FOCUS 3 (4 songs)・House Of The King, Sylvia, Focus III, Answers? Questions ! Questions? Answers! ●Others (3 songs)・Harem Scarem [HAMBURGER CONCERTO], Focus 7 [FOCUS 9/NEW SKIN], All Hens On Deck [FOCUS X] [First day only (5 songs)]・Focus IV [MOTHER] FOCUS], Focus V [SHIP OF MEMORIES], Focus VI [REFLECTIONS], Who’s Calling [FOCUS], Focus 8 [FOCUS 8]… The medley arranged songs are also disassembled, so it would be a problem if you think it is a full performance, but you can understand the approximate balance. Both days will be centered around the golden era up to “HAMBURGER CONCERTO”, with a scattering of famous songs from each era. Although both are comprehensive, the first day has more variety, from 1980’s works such as Theis van Leer’s solo work “REFLECTIONS” and “FOCUS” jointly released with Jan Ackermann. are also widely selected. The standard for such daily songs is the “Focus” series, which was the highlight of this show, and includes plenty of middle and late songs that are not often played. Not only the set, but also the ensemble is spectacular. In any case, Odai Taisu was in great spirits, and there were plenty of flute solos, perhaps because his paralysis had completely healed. Even though the organ is playing, you can also hear the flute, and it’s a great performance that makes you want to ask, “How are you doing it?” And even more than that is Pierre van der Linden. He was not present when he last visited Japan 16 years ago, so this is his first return visit in 44 years since 1975. That special feeling alone is enough to leave us overwhelmed with emotion, but the performance is far from that. If the beat is tight, it’s hard to believe that he’s 73 years old, and he has plenty of power with each stroke. It will overwhelm you with a ferocious performance that will make you feel that you have seen the real thing from the Golden Age. Despite being back in 16 years, FOCUS showed off an ensemble that feels even more vibrant than it has faded. This is a masterpiece that vacuum-packs the first day of the latest visit to Japan with the best sound. Original sound exclusive to this work that cannot be heard anywhere else. Live at Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan 22nd September 2019 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (72:33) Part 1 1. Intro 2. Focus 1 / Anonymus / House Of The King 3. Eruption 4. Focus 4 5. Sylvia Part 2 6. Intro 7. All Hens On Deck 8. Focus 5 & 6 9. Who’s Calling Disc 2 (69:20) 1. Focus 7 2. Focus 8 3. Harum Scarum (incl. guitar & bass solos) 4 Hocus Pocus (incl. drum solo) 5. Focus III 6. Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! Thijs van Leer – keyboards, flute, vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion Menno Gootjes – guitar, backing vocals Udo Pannekeet – bass