Still in focus, fifty years on.
Focus (with Jeff Jeffrey) – The Ferry, Glasgow, 13th April 2023
Focus (with Jeff Jeffrey) – The Ferry, Glasgow, 13th April 2023
Thijs Van Leer
When is a 50th Anniversary tour not a 50th Anniversary tour?
When a pandemic scuppers or reschedules touring plans to the degree that you embark on said half century celebration in your fifty-second (and now fifty-third) year since the mixture of influences that produced the unique sound of Dutch progressives Focus was first heard.
Prior to Focus at 50 (or 53) at the Ferry, Scottish guitarist Jeff Jeffrey showed he can be as much fun (the Glaswegian gift of the gab) as he is entertaining in solo guise.
Jeffrey, who is also part of Rattlesnake Tattoo (think a modern-day Alex Harvey in a progressive power-trio), with live voice and nifty electric guitar play set over his well-prepared set of backing tracks, delivered 40 minutes of early 70s classic & glam rock (the perfect appetiser to the main Focus course).
Bowie’s 'Jean Genie,' Quo’s 'Don’t Waste My Time,' Purple’s 'Black Knight' and the smoker you drink Joe’s 'Rocky Mountain Way' (along with a clutch of well-chosen others) guaranteed both audience participation and approval (including Thijs Van Leer, who made Focus fan Jeffrey’s day, nay year, by telling him he loved his set).
Talking of the man himself, the Focus band leader and ever-present is now 75 years old, but he’s still an on-stage force on keys/ flute/ vocals; he’s also a larger than life character who provides some comedy/ anecdotal moments (as well as the majority of compositions).
Thijs Van Leer is challenged in both longevity and ability by 77 years young drummer Pierre Van der Linden, who drives the band on and contributed several jazz-tinged drum parts throughout the set, culminating in an extended drum solo near the end which defied his age.
Guitar duties these last thirteen years (and a stint from 1997 to 1999) have been ably handled by the always impressive Menno Gootjes, who has big shoes to fill when it comes to the older material and six-string legacy of Jan Akkerman.
Udo Pannekeet has been providing 6 string bass with impressive dexterity for the past seven years, as well as featuring on the band’s last studio album to date, Focus 11 (good news for Focus fans is that there will be a Focus 12).
Focus have been regular visitors to The Ferry in recent years and it was an impressive, enthusiastic and vociferous Glasgow crowd that turned up on a rainy April (what’s new?) night on the River Clyde (The Ferry’s "gig on the river" nickname gives the floating venue game away).
While the majority of the audience most certainly fitted the 70s profile, there were a few in attendance who weren’t over 60 and male (a Focus resurgence or just a love of good, creative rock/prog music delivered by a seriously talented quartet? Probably both).
When a pandemic scuppers or reschedules touring plans to the degree that you embark on said half century celebration in your fifty-second (and now fifty-third) year since the mixture of influences that produced the unique sound of Dutch progressives Focus was first heard.
Prior to Focus at 50 (or 53) at the Ferry, Scottish guitarist Jeff Jeffrey showed he can be as much fun (the Glaswegian gift of the gab) as he is entertaining in solo guise.
Jeffrey, who is also part of Rattlesnake Tattoo (think a modern-day Alex Harvey in a progressive power-trio), with live voice and nifty electric guitar play set over his well-prepared set of backing tracks, delivered 40 minutes of early 70s classic & glam rock (the perfect appetiser to the main Focus course).
Bowie’s 'Jean Genie,' Quo’s 'Don’t Waste My Time,' Purple’s 'Black Knight' and the smoker you drink Joe’s 'Rocky Mountain Way' (along with a clutch of well-chosen others) guaranteed both audience participation and approval (including Thijs Van Leer, who made Focus fan Jeffrey’s day, nay year, by telling him he loved his set).
Talking of the man himself, the Focus band leader and ever-present is now 75 years old, but he’s still an on-stage force on keys/ flute/ vocals; he’s also a larger than life character who provides some comedy/ anecdotal moments (as well as the majority of compositions).
Thijs Van Leer is challenged in both longevity and ability by 77 years young drummer Pierre Van der Linden, who drives the band on and contributed several jazz-tinged drum parts throughout the set, culminating in an extended drum solo near the end which defied his age.
Guitar duties these last thirteen years (and a stint from 1997 to 1999) have been ably handled by the always impressive Menno Gootjes, who has big shoes to fill when it comes to the older material and six-string legacy of Jan Akkerman.
Udo Pannekeet has been providing 6 string bass with impressive dexterity for the past seven years, as well as featuring on the band’s last studio album to date, Focus 11 (good news for Focus fans is that there will be a Focus 12).
Focus have been regular visitors to The Ferry in recent years and it was an impressive, enthusiastic and vociferous Glasgow crowd that turned up on a rainy April (what’s new?) night on the River Clyde (The Ferry’s "gig on the river" nickname gives the floating venue game away).
While the majority of the audience most certainly fitted the 70s profile, there were a few in attendance who weren’t over 60 and male (a Focus resurgence or just a love of good, creative rock/prog music delivered by a seriously talented quartet? Probably both).
Menno Gootjes
As if to underline their reputation of being musically unique, Focus opened their set with a Thijs Van Leer flute solo, which segued into the relatively ambient 'Focus 1/ Anonymous,' illustrating the classical influences in the band’s roots.
This was reinforced by following number, the ever popular 'House of the King,' which includes a flavour of mediaeval/ folk music.
With this opening salvo (both of which came from debut album In and Out of Focus), the crowd were immediately on-side; the band to audience bond became even stronger (and the energy noticeably ramped up further) when the ever-shifting, multi-movement 'Eruption' from second album Moving Waves was played in its twenty-plus minutes entirety.
Many a fan and critic would cite that sophomore album as the high watermark for Focus, and the live version of 'Eruption' (arguably their best number) certainly showcased the virtuosity of the band with the memorable melodies, stunning ensemble playing and solo sections. A true set highlight.
The set progressed to the more down-tempo 'Focus 7' from well-received 2008 album Focus 9/ A New Skin. Menno Gootjes got the chance to highlight his technique in this number, to the delight of the crowd.
Crowd pleaser and most successful single 'Sylvia' was up next.
The compositional skill at play on 'Sylvia' makes it sound simple and effortless, but in reality it contains many subtle key changes (a Focus trait).
The tempo was then increased with the modern era Focus rock of 'All Hens on Deck' before softer, poignant contrast came by way of new number 'For Bert,' dedicated to classic era Focus bassist Bert Ruiter, who sadly passed in March 2022 (it was genuinely touching to hear the crowd give respectful applause for this moving tribute).
'Harem Scarem,' from another classic Focus album Hamburger Concerto, was yet another highlight, extended to include a Van Leer-less power-trio jam that also featured a guitar and bass solo.
The evening came to a slightly premature, one-song-dropped end (ah, the dreaded curfew) with crowd favourite 'Hocus Pocus,' which included Thijs Van Leer’s quirky and loveable vocal parts (yes sir, he can still boogie the yodel, although the higher vocal lifts before each main riff were smartly and knowingly taken on by the crowd, and Menno Gootjes additional guitar lines).
The song culminated with the aforementioned bravura drum solo from Pierre Van der Linden, who remains a force of percussive nature.
The band played well, the greatest hits and the handful of newer numbers were performed expertly, and the crowd absolutely loved it.
Everyone went home nostalgic and happy – what more can you ask for from a gig on the River Clyde on a rainy April night?
See you in your fifty-fourth year, boys.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photos by Nelson McFarlane
This was reinforced by following number, the ever popular 'House of the King,' which includes a flavour of mediaeval/ folk music.
With this opening salvo (both of which came from debut album In and Out of Focus), the crowd were immediately on-side; the band to audience bond became even stronger (and the energy noticeably ramped up further) when the ever-shifting, multi-movement 'Eruption' from second album Moving Waves was played in its twenty-plus minutes entirety.
Many a fan and critic would cite that sophomore album as the high watermark for Focus, and the live version of 'Eruption' (arguably their best number) certainly showcased the virtuosity of the band with the memorable melodies, stunning ensemble playing and solo sections. A true set highlight.
The set progressed to the more down-tempo 'Focus 7' from well-received 2008 album Focus 9/ A New Skin. Menno Gootjes got the chance to highlight his technique in this number, to the delight of the crowd.
Crowd pleaser and most successful single 'Sylvia' was up next.
The compositional skill at play on 'Sylvia' makes it sound simple and effortless, but in reality it contains many subtle key changes (a Focus trait).
The tempo was then increased with the modern era Focus rock of 'All Hens on Deck' before softer, poignant contrast came by way of new number 'For Bert,' dedicated to classic era Focus bassist Bert Ruiter, who sadly passed in March 2022 (it was genuinely touching to hear the crowd give respectful applause for this moving tribute).
'Harem Scarem,' from another classic Focus album Hamburger Concerto, was yet another highlight, extended to include a Van Leer-less power-trio jam that also featured a guitar and bass solo.
The evening came to a slightly premature, one-song-dropped end (ah, the dreaded curfew) with crowd favourite 'Hocus Pocus,' which included Thijs Van Leer’s quirky and loveable vocal parts (yes sir, he can still boogie the yodel, although the higher vocal lifts before each main riff were smartly and knowingly taken on by the crowd, and Menno Gootjes additional guitar lines).
The song culminated with the aforementioned bravura drum solo from Pierre Van der Linden, who remains a force of percussive nature.
The band played well, the greatest hits and the handful of newer numbers were performed expertly, and the crowd absolutely loved it.
Everyone went home nostalgic and happy – what more can you ask for from a gig on the River Clyde on a rainy April night?
See you in your fifty-fourth year, boys.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photos by Nelson McFarlane