Focus/Live Compilation 1971-1973

Focus included rehearsals on Texel Island in the Netherlands in 1971, the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam on October 29, 1971, and a Philharmonic Hall performance in New York on March 23, 1973.・The ultimate item that fans have been waiting for will be released as a 3-CD set! ! First of all, Disc 1 includes a rehearsal on the island of Texel in the Netherlands in 1971, recorded in a superb stereo line recording. With perfect pitch adjustment and remastering, it has an even more ultimate sound. The sound drops in several places in Eruption, which were confirmed in the original sound, are not on the main board. The exact date of this performance is not clear to this day, but the 2nd album was recorded from April to May this year and released around October, so it is probably a studio session around the time of the release of “Moving Waves”. It is thought to have been recorded. Regarding the performance, the new song Anonymous Two has a slightly different arrangement from the studio version (Sylvia is also introduced here and there in the keyboard phrase), and there is a lot to listen to, but Untitled, which can be said to trace the history of Focus ‘s performance is a must-listen. Among them, the many transcendental guitar plays that explode throughout Ackermann’s solo performance are goosebumps, and the many outlandish phrases that are not exaggerated can be heard anywhere else. It is a wonderful sound source that has the initial focus, rarity, performance content, and sound quality all perfectly. Next is disk 2. Track 1 includes approximately 14 minutes of Focus? from Disc 1’s “Rehearsal on Texel Island” at the beginning. All the problems caused by analog tape deterioration that were heard in the original sound have been corrected to create an easy-to-listen version. The following tracks 2 and onwards include a stereo soundboard recording of the performance at the “Newport Jazz Festival” held in Rotterdam on October 29, 1971 after the release of the second album “Moving Waves”. This has also been perfectly pitch adjusted and remastered to create an even more ultimate sound image. It’s not just a PA output or a broadcast sound source, it’s a very high quality, official level sound that is definitely among the top of the board. You will be suddenly moved by the beautiful tone of Ackermann’s violin playing at the beginning of Eruption! The set list included only Eruption, but since it’s a festival, it’s entirely possible that it’s just this one song, but at the rehearsal on Texel, they played “Anonymous 2” and “House of the・King” and “Focus” were also played, so it is possible that they were played at this performance as well. Anyway, Eruption, which opens with this classical duo of organ and guitar, has an incredibly wonderful content, and unlike the approximately 23-minute studio take, perhaps because it was a jazz festival, here each member’s solo is shown. It has been stretched out to almost double the length, and the breathtaking and spectacular performance of the four members from the golden age, centered on interplay, is definitely worth listening to! Among them, Ackermann, with his ferocious technique, was still exploding with amazing playing, and his solid, extremely fast playing, violin playing, and other wonderful plays that mixed slow and fast were undoubtedly at the pinnacle of rock guitar style in the 70s. You could say that. This is a must-have sound source for fans who can enjoy the ultimate performance that perfectly combines the free-spirited performance that is unique to Focus and the close-knit ensemble with the finest sound. And Disc 3, March 23, 1973 New York recorded the Philharmonic Hall performance as a stereo soundboard recording. This is also a very high quality sound, with perfect pitch adjustment and treatment, making it a truly official-quality sound! ! It is a Philharmonic Hall sound source that can be said to be a standard, and several titles have been released, such as the already released “Anonymus Two”, but this time’s sound is the most natural, and it is definitely a younger generation upgrade album. It will be. The focus of the album is basically classical phrases, but on this day too, there was a lot of high-level improvisational performance, and instead of going for easy improvisation/interplay, it was convincing with high tension and skill. It’s truly wonderful to see them perform so full of energy! ! (Jan Ackermann’s lute solo was also performed at the London/Rainbow Theater performance in May 1973.) A gem where you can fully enjoy the best balanced sound quality, such as the sense of separation of musical tones, and the best performance. This is the sound source. Introducing a super item that is a must-have for fans, packaging the fierce and one-of-a-kind ensemble from the most fulfilling period of Focus with world-class technique and architectural beauty, packaged with ultra-superb sound quality! ! Texel Rehearsal In Netherlands 1971 STEREO SBD Newport Jazz Festival In Europe 1971 STEREO SBD Live at Philharmonic Hall, New York, NY. USA 23rd March 1973 STEREO SBD Disc 1(67:41) Texel Rehearsal In Netherlands 1971 1. Anonymous Two 2. Eruption 3. Le Clochard 4. Untitled 5. House Of The King 6. Janis Disc 2(63:59) Texel Rehearsal In Netherlands 1971 1. Focus? Newport Jazz Festival In Europe 1971 Live at De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 29th October 1971 2. Introduction 3. Eruption Disc 3(73:47) Live at Philharmonic Hall, New York, NY. USA 23rd March 1973 1. Introduction 2. Focus III 3. Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! 4. Focus II 5. Anonymous Two 6. Eruption 7. Hocus Pocus 8. Sylvia 9. Hocus Pocus (reprise) Thijs Van Leer – Organ, Flute & Vocals Jan Akkerman – Guitar Bert Ruiter – Bass Pierre Van Der Linden – Drums STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING