I remember this actual performance! I was there and I am in the film!! It was filmed for Top of the Pops in Bournemouth at "the Village Bowl" They filmed two songs - this and Hocus Pocus That is why some of the audience shots show the headbangers (me included) rocking to the other song! At the end of the clip mine is the face in the centre as the camera lifts out - I have looked for this clip for ages but always for Hocus Pocus so never found it till now. BRILLIANT!!! thanks for postng it.
Focus, a cool band for sure. I'm an older person now and glad this kind of music was around when I was just a young pup. These guys are phonomenal musicians. They were playing stuff like this at a time when there was more respect for the creative aspect in music. I'm thankful this time existed and I was around to take it in.
This wil always remain.. In 100 years there will still be people enjoying this absolutely outstanding song. All we gotta do is thank god on our bare knees that this kind of music was made..
Bij de eerste tonen van dit nummer komen al mijn emoties en lichamelijke reacties los: tranen, kippevel, brok in mijn keel...wat een juweel van muzikale genialiteit!!
As an 11 year old I watched this on TOTP in 1972 and had my musical perspective changed forever! Magical stuff - I never thought I would ever see the piece of film again!!
Unreal. One of the most perfect tunes ever written. How some of the audience can 'headbang' to it defies belief. Me; I'd make a loop of it, close my eyes and sip champagne 'till I fell into a coma. :-).
I dont think there is a better instrumental track from a band, in my opinion. I love this now as i did as a boy growing up in the seventies. Proper brilliant
I used to always think this sounded like the music after everything's come right in the movies... Like a sort of triumph but with elements of nostalgia :)
Dt nummer brengt me direkt weer terug naar de tijd dat ik in de brugklas zat. Start jaren '70. Prachtig om weer te horen. Akkerman speelt hier magistraal....
I was enthralled with this in 1973 - lost track and found it again on Amazon starting from just remembering Dutch and the year. I am very happy to be reunited. Inspiring and joyful piece
I first listened to this song when i was 5 years old. I clearly remember my sister who was a huge fun of focus, lifting me up and dancing with me on her hands. You never forget their tunes they are pure magic. Amazing music, amazing group!
Takes me back to my early days listening to this and many other classics on Radio Caroline. I missed Caroline and all the other album stations before the Internet brought all this fantastic music back to life for a new generation to hear. Great Post
Gaaaaf!! Eindelijk beelden van Focus met Sylvia... Was nog maar 6 of 7 jaar en had ze nooit met dit nummer op tv gezien.... Hoorde dit nummer alleen maar op de radio....
Why oh why are there not more instrumentals in popular music? I have nothing against singers/songwriters but I really enjoy simply listening to music without the distraction of words and/or images(ie. music videos). I'd love to hear 10-30% instrumental music on the radio. Especially of this quality!!
I love the tempo change at 2:37. To me, that is the most beautiful part of the song. Jan Akkerman's volume swells on the Gibson Les Paul blending in with Thijs van Leer's roaring Hammond sound. I love it!
Remember this on TOPT in 1973.....with lovely Jimmy Savile..erdle erdle erdle....what a great piece and a great band.....shame about old Now then Now then. Keep Focused !
Adam Walker I used to feel the same way when I'd hear the song Games People Play by The Alan Parsons Project on the local classic rock radio station here in my hometown. I'd think to myself, what a kick ass tune. But the DJ's would NEVER mention who played it. It was only recently that I was able to figure out who played it, and now I want to get the album it's featured on.
Saw this band live in the early 70's not long after Sylvia was released. Moving Waves was one of those 'must have' albums along with Dark Side of the Moon and Tubular Bells - shame they lost their way though.
Huge hit when I lived in Holland in the early seventies and listened to Radio Noordsee International and went to clubs in Rotterdam. Nothing but love for the Dutch people who were absolutely wonderful.
I remember hearing this for the first time ever at Xmas on uk radio in the 90s,bought the cd the very next day.Hooked forever!What a tune.He is an Absolute musical Genious.
One of the best instrumentals of all times it's way underrated ! ! ! ! can't believe it, been playing electric guitar for 15 years, first heard this a few months ago.........................................
This is what real music is all about. Focus are a one of a kind band and are amazing. I hope they carry on for another 40 years in some from or another. Timless.
I remember listening to this brilliant piece of music at 2 minutes to midnight on radio luxemburg when it went to no. 1 in their chart back in 1973, don't I miss those times!!!
Fantastic tune! The part where Focus slows down "Sylvia" from 2:37 to 2:46 is my favourite part of the song. I just love Jan Akkerman's volume swells and Thijs van Leer's roaring Hammond in that section.
Nice to see some footage of Jan Akkerman still playing in Focus..I must have been 6 years when i was captured by this tune..Not knowing that it was Focus at first when i heard this on Radio Veronica....I only listened to pirate stations like Radio Caroline, Mi Amigo...
..Als dit prachtige nummer vroeger in een ochtendprogramma op de radio kwam... was het onmogelijk in m'n bedje te blijven liggen! Door deze ode aan Sylvia bruiste ik van energie, wilde absoluut alles uit de dag halen!! Heerlijke stimulator.....Katalysator bedoel ik eigenlijk!!!!
You are absolutely right. That's what I think too. A great dutch virtuoso and I know his music since I was twelve years old and at that time I used to listen to Zappa and Hendrtix as well. Jantje je bent de beste! (That's dutch)
Hey dont worry its all still out there to listen to. In those days we had not internet - you only shared music, but taping each other's records. Boy was it slow. Much better now that 100 years of great music - and more new every year - is safely backed up digitally. We'll never lose the great now.
1972-1973 was quite possibly the best period for music...ever. So many amazing bands released their 'defining' albums, Wishbone Ash with Argus and Genesis with Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound to name just two artists.
Was looking for this damn song since I heard it during the closing credits of 1:life on the limit documentary. Spectacular guitar play. Love this piece to bits.
Over the years I have started quite a few young people on the way with guitar and all without exeption ask what inspired me? I play this and they understand.Thanks focus,led zep,deep purple, sabbath,moody blues for real music.
