Magic in the Ayr...
Focus – The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 22nd October, 2013
Well.
Focus at the famous Ayr Gaiety Theatre – who’da thunk it?
Actually, based on the new regime at the Gaiety who are trying to re-establish the identity the historic theatre had before its attempted close down by the local council (do not start me), I’m not surprised.
In the 90’s and early Millennium the Ayr Gaiety hosted a diverse range of acts outside of the usual pantomime and cabaret suspects; noted pop and rock performers who graced the Gaiety stage included Lindisfarne, Wolfstone, Nils Lofgren, an acoustic Fairport Convention and a very funny comic and part-time musician called Rick Wakeman.
Since reforming the band in 2002 (following a reunion show and a couple of false starts) founder member and ever present Thijs van Leer (organ, flute, vocals) has gone on to assemble what is unarguably the strongest Focus quartet since the classic 70’s era and the days of Hamburger Concertos.
What had been a band in danger of becoming nothing more than the official Focus tribute act have formed in to a line-up that carries on the Focus legacy in fine musical style courtesy of van Leer, guitarist Menno Gootjes (who played in a short-lived version of the band in 1999), bass player Bobby Jacobs and the outstanding talents of Pierre van der Linden, the drummer who was part of the classic 1971-1974 Focus line-up and returned to the fold in 2004.
Adding to the legacy was the band’s 2012 release Focus X, an album that embodies the very spirit of Focus in its stylistic approach, musicianship and quirkiness.
The 2013 UK tour date at the Gaiety Theatre was a show of two halves; the first set acted as a Greatest Hits presentation while the second set contained newer and infrequently played material that only the Focus faithful would know.
Thijs van Leer’s flute introduction floated across the seats of the famous old theatre as the rest of the band struck up the soft opening refrain of 'Focus,' one of the band’s truly classic tunes.
The frantic second half of 'Focus' featured some ridiculously quick but controlled bass and drum runs by Bobby Jacobs and Pierre van der Linden before the jaunty melody of 'House of the King' echoed through the theatre.
'Eruption' may not be every rock fan's cup of long-form fusion tea, but it was great to hear the 20 minute piece in all its unfettered and sometimes quite mad glory – the song has nothing to do with natural volcanic forces; it’s actually a musical interpretation of the human brain firing off thoughts and impulses in all directions, both controlled and uncontrolled.
'Eruption' also showcased the melodic sensibilities of Menno Gootjes on the section known as 'Tommy.'
Former Focus six-stringer and guitar great Jan Akkerman pretty much owned the tone-and-touch (in a rock environment) material back in the day but Gootjes is a good guitarist in his own right; he almost made you forget that 'Tommy' and other Focus classics were originally made famous by the gifted Akkerman.
'Sylvia' was the predictable but excellent ending to the first set, complete with its classic false ending and audience participation by way of clap-a-long or yodel-a-long, depending on your preference.
A Focus X one-two opened the second set; the fast fun of 'All Hens On Deck' (it’s not just the music that sometimes has a sense of humour) kicked off proceedings before 'Le Tango' (one of the few Focus songs with a vocal/ lyric) got an airing.
A rare outing for the jazz ballad 'Focus V' was a treat for the fans although as Thijs van Leer said it’s a difficult tune to understand let alone play, who jokingly made mention that while many of the audience wouldn’t know it, he wasn't sure if they did, either (they did, I’m pleased to report).
A rollicking 'Harem Scarem' ended the show with the band firing on all four cylinders.
The extended Hamburger Concerto number featured a guitar, bass and drums power-jam section and individual solo spots.
While I’m no fan of extended solos in shows, they did help showcase the talents of the musicians – Gootjes got a chance to shred, Jacobs played fast ‘n funkified runs and a Pierre van der Linden drum solo is almost worth the admission fee on its own.
Thijs van Leer then performed a left hand flute right hand organ solo that acted as an introduction to the obligatory 'Hocus Pocus' encore.
While van Leer’s falsetto yodel may well be a thing of the past, his tenor alternative fits just fine – and he can still whistle.
Thijs van Leer, Pierre van der Linden, Menno Gootjes and Bobby Jacobs put a little magic in the Ayr at the Gaiety, courtesy of their on stage Hocus Pocus.
Long may their magic continue.
Ross Muir
October 2013
Focus – The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 22nd October, 2013
Well.
Focus at the famous Ayr Gaiety Theatre – who’da thunk it?
Actually, based on the new regime at the Gaiety who are trying to re-establish the identity the historic theatre had before its attempted close down by the local council (do not start me), I’m not surprised.
In the 90’s and early Millennium the Ayr Gaiety hosted a diverse range of acts outside of the usual pantomime and cabaret suspects; noted pop and rock performers who graced the Gaiety stage included Lindisfarne, Wolfstone, Nils Lofgren, an acoustic Fairport Convention and a very funny comic and part-time musician called Rick Wakeman.
Since reforming the band in 2002 (following a reunion show and a couple of false starts) founder member and ever present Thijs van Leer (organ, flute, vocals) has gone on to assemble what is unarguably the strongest Focus quartet since the classic 70’s era and the days of Hamburger Concertos.
What had been a band in danger of becoming nothing more than the official Focus tribute act have formed in to a line-up that carries on the Focus legacy in fine musical style courtesy of van Leer, guitarist Menno Gootjes (who played in a short-lived version of the band in 1999), bass player Bobby Jacobs and the outstanding talents of Pierre van der Linden, the drummer who was part of the classic 1971-1974 Focus line-up and returned to the fold in 2004.
Adding to the legacy was the band’s 2012 release Focus X, an album that embodies the very spirit of Focus in its stylistic approach, musicianship and quirkiness.
The 2013 UK tour date at the Gaiety Theatre was a show of two halves; the first set acted as a Greatest Hits presentation while the second set contained newer and infrequently played material that only the Focus faithful would know.
Thijs van Leer’s flute introduction floated across the seats of the famous old theatre as the rest of the band struck up the soft opening refrain of 'Focus,' one of the band’s truly classic tunes.
The frantic second half of 'Focus' featured some ridiculously quick but controlled bass and drum runs by Bobby Jacobs and Pierre van der Linden before the jaunty melody of 'House of the King' echoed through the theatre.
'Eruption' may not be every rock fan's cup of long-form fusion tea, but it was great to hear the 20 minute piece in all its unfettered and sometimes quite mad glory – the song has nothing to do with natural volcanic forces; it’s actually a musical interpretation of the human brain firing off thoughts and impulses in all directions, both controlled and uncontrolled.
'Eruption' also showcased the melodic sensibilities of Menno Gootjes on the section known as 'Tommy.'
Former Focus six-stringer and guitar great Jan Akkerman pretty much owned the tone-and-touch (in a rock environment) material back in the day but Gootjes is a good guitarist in his own right; he almost made you forget that 'Tommy' and other Focus classics were originally made famous by the gifted Akkerman.
'Sylvia' was the predictable but excellent ending to the first set, complete with its classic false ending and audience participation by way of clap-a-long or yodel-a-long, depending on your preference.
A Focus X one-two opened the second set; the fast fun of 'All Hens On Deck' (it’s not just the music that sometimes has a sense of humour) kicked off proceedings before 'Le Tango' (one of the few Focus songs with a vocal/ lyric) got an airing.
A rare outing for the jazz ballad 'Focus V' was a treat for the fans although as Thijs van Leer said it’s a difficult tune to understand let alone play, who jokingly made mention that while many of the audience wouldn’t know it, he wasn't sure if they did, either (they did, I’m pleased to report).
A rollicking 'Harem Scarem' ended the show with the band firing on all four cylinders.
The extended Hamburger Concerto number featured a guitar, bass and drums power-jam section and individual solo spots.
While I’m no fan of extended solos in shows, they did help showcase the talents of the musicians – Gootjes got a chance to shred, Jacobs played fast ‘n funkified runs and a Pierre van der Linden drum solo is almost worth the admission fee on its own.
Thijs van Leer then performed a left hand flute right hand organ solo that acted as an introduction to the obligatory 'Hocus Pocus' encore.
While van Leer’s falsetto yodel may well be a thing of the past, his tenor alternative fits just fine – and he can still whistle.
Thijs van Leer, Pierre van der Linden, Menno Gootjes and Bobby Jacobs put a little magic in the Ayr at the Gaiety, courtesy of their on stage Hocus Pocus.
Long may their magic continue.
Ross Muir
October 2013
