#focus #focusmusic #hocuspocus #reaction Rapper FIRST time REACTION to Focus - Hocus Pocus Live '73! I just saw an ALIEN! Join this channel to get access to perks: / @blackpegasusraps
That's not how it was, the original is 6.40 or something like that and they played it in 6 minutes, that was still too long so it got heavily edited to this version here but the actual 6 minutes they played are available nowadays, the unedited version got finally released a year ago or so.
Focus was a band formed in 1969 in Amsterdam. The guitarist Jan Akkerman also played 1968 in the band "Brainbox" with the blues singer Kazimierz Lux with his super voice !!
Also, the video was cut (as is most of Heart’s « Stairway to Heaven » live every reactor watched). There is a « long » version with the missing verses (but it is still faster than the studio version for the reason you just told) :)
@@tonic8945the slow version is great, yet I prefer the faster version. It is sad that there are no slower version reaction videos. I think I saw one last time I did the rounds 😂
They are a Dutch group. The song is normally 6:35 minutes. But they only got about 3 minutes of play time. And they just played the entire song so fast that is would fit. Jan Akkerman is the gitarist. The guy on the organ is Thijs van Leer.
This is a myth. They played the song for 6 mins. But quicker then the recording. You can find the complete performance on midnight special channel. For tv broadcast they cut the song down to 4 min to fit the time slot.
@@NinoMit87 That's right, the Midnight Special channel. Several reactors reacted already to the complete version of this clip. My favourite: The Fairy Voice Mother. Vocal coach and flute player herself. Her reaction to this always cheers me up! 🙂
Focus was a Dutch progressive rock band founded in 1969. The 'singer' is Thijs van Leer. The 'lady' is Gladys Knight (aka "The Empress of Soul") of Gladys Knight & The Pips, best known for songs like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "If I Were Your Woman". She's a 10-time Grammy winner. You should react to some of her songs. The Pips were her all-male backup singers, dancing behind her in live and TV performances. If you want 'weird', check out the Bonzo Dog Band. -"Jollity Farm" -"Tubas in the Moonlight" -"I'm Bored" -"Death Cab for Cutie" (this song was released in 1967, 30 years before a band in Washington state took the title as their band name) -"Laughing Blues" (This one's a lot of fun!) Or Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band. Try "Woe-Is-Uh-Me-Bop" from his album "Lick My Deals Off, Baby" (1970) There's a reason the last 5 years of the 1960s produced such musical creativity. And this isn't even the really weird stuff.
@@bertalach I've been a fan of Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes, and the Bonzo Dog Band since about 1968. They have a considerable song catalogue, so naming a representative sample is difficult to keep from being long and overwhelming. "Hunting Tigers", "The Intro and The Outro", "The Sound of Music", "The Equestrian Statue", ""Jazz Delicious Hot Disgusting Cold", etc. It's just so hard to know when to stop.
Pierre Van Der Linden is the drummer, and he and the keyboardist/vocalist are together still and released their 50th year album titled obviously FOCUS 50.
One of my favourite drummers, Pierre Van Der Linden. Saw Focus play live about 5 weeks ago and he and Thijs Van Leer, the yodeller(!) are still in the band - and what a guitarist Jan Akkerman was.
Jan Akkerman [ the guitarist] also had some albums out where he played complex Bach lute pieces on the guitar. That's why he can play that fast fluid stuff, more than just the usual arpeggios. Thijs Van Leer [ organ, flute & vocal] is still going, still fronting the band. He doesn't hit quite the same high notes nowadays. During one of my university stints, one of my course-mates was a heavy metal guitarist, who also used to play Back lute & organ pieces for practice, because they contain very complex progressions & structures.
Since you liked this, you should check out Frankenstein from Edgar Winters Group ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P8f-Qb-bwlU.html Also Check out Tobacco Road Live from Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-af0rV6dli_o.html. You will love both of these songs/videos!!
The WHOLE band is killing it! The drummer is bananas! Keyboard/whistler/Flutist is Absurdly talented. Jan on guitar id THE MOST UNDERRATED GUITARIST OF THE CLASSIC ROCK ERA.
Back then, people knew that this guy was the greatest. In 1973 Akkerman was voted Best Guitarist in the World by readers of the UK magazine Melody Maker.
My buddies and I did a lot of hallucinogens back in the day. We listened to this many times. Your interpretation is the wildest thing ive ever heard about this song! Thats impressive.
Brother, I have watched a LOT of reactions to this epic performance, but this just might be my favorite!! 😂😂 Your bewilderment was pure gold! You made my day! 😂
Last month I attended a Focus concert in The Netherlands, where the band was founded. After fifty (!) years still touring the globe. Vocalist Thijs van Leer (75 years old) and drummer Pierre van der Linden (76 years old) of the original line-up, performed just as powerful as they did in the seventies, including the astonishing jodeling parts! Former Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman was in 1973 voted 'best guitar player of the word' by the British music magazine Melody Maker. Todays line-up: Thijs van Leer: organ/flute/vocals, Pierre van der Linden: Drums, Menno Gootjes: guitar, Udo Pannekeet: Bass.
Good Reaction,My Friend. I saw them in South East London in 1972 and the lead/organist is still performing over 50 years later. Other songs by Focus are totally different like "Sylvia" and "Love Remembered" ENJOY:)
MAD mad guitar work But the drummer was freaking FIRE!!! Then crazy ass vocals...this song was the whole package. Back in high-school I had it for that drummer!!
They were the only band on Midnight Special to ever get a standing ovation. It seemed fast because it is an 8 1/2 minute song and they were told they only had 5 minutes to play. They sped it up instead of cutting out any of the song. Listen to the album version. It's awesome.
In 1973 when this song/album came out I was the first person in my fraternity house to buy this album. When I played Hocus Pocus all my frat brothers gathered around my room to listen. Everybody was shocked, yet there was lots of laughter! What an unusual song by Focus!
Programs like "Midnight Special" and "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" were transformational for my friends and I. We were 14, 15, and 16 years old, gathering in my basement to watch these incredible acts. This is why I am so grateful to have grown up in that decade.
They were in a big time limit because it was TV and they only had 3 minutes or something to do the number. So instead of cutting it short, they played it fast. It's excellent.
Thijs van Leer, there at the keyboards doing the vocals, is a Dutch icon. I have had the pleasure to meet him thrice. I volunteer for the Netherlands' biggest free music festival, Big Rivers. Last time I met him was last year and was still performing under the name of Focus, although he's about the only original member left. Wonderful man. Really down to earth.
Thijs Van Leer is STILL PERFORMING at 76 years old. I remember when this [ and their other huge hit “Sylvia “ were on the Rock radio stations [ well, one, anyway. KSHE-95, St.Louis was at that time , listed as “Album Rock”.]📻🙂
I bought Moving Waves when it first was released and have watched dozens of RU-vid videos of this performance. The reactions always make me laugh. For me, it's one of the great live performances ever.
In the 9 years of Midnight Special, this was the only Full Audience Standing Ovation. Ratings were through the roof for this as it was the only way to see Live Bands except in concert. University and High School students, shut everything down Early Saturday Morning at 1230am until 2am, there were dozens of us watching, and lights were on in every house with 15-30 years old across the country.
You are watching masters in their field. Ahead of their time and they were asked to shorten the song for time limits and they said no, we will just speed it up. Listen to the studio version and you will see. Listen to other tracks on the album "Moving Waves" They were incredible
Fast forward 51 years & I saw the current line up of Focus live at a venue near me in the UK the other week. This took me right back to my teenage years when this band first became famous. A great night out & the founder member of the band, Thijs van Leer on keys (now in his '70's), has still got it. I don't think he can do the whistling or high pitch notes these days but he still plays the flute in one hand while playing the keyboard with the other. The other band members are all very accomplished & were given their own slots to shine on the night. The very essence of a progressive rock band.
When my grandkids asked me what was music like in my day. I sit them down had have them watch this video. And say. "Well pretty much like this....BUT sometimes THINGS ALSO GOT WEIRD too" The band had a 6min 30 second song. They were told to drop some of parts od the song to get down to 5 minutes. In typical 1970s fashion the band said "Here hold the coke mirror, were doing the whole song in 5 minutes...{sssnnniiiffff}"
Keep the grind going BP. If you feel like you are burning out, always take a break & come back fresh. Love your daily videos for years now and only want what's best for you.
i first heard this song playing at an Apocalyptica concert in 2008 lol my brother and i were extremely confused but my dad was like "oh, it's hocus pocus by focus!"
First saw them live at the beginning of '73 and again a few months after this performance in May '74 ! This " one off " version of the song was played at approx double the speed it was normally played due to time constraints from the producers of this show . The band weren't prepared to do a shortened version so decided " what the hell we'll just speed it up " - and this was the result . Thijs van Leer the guy on keys , flute and vocals is still active ( as are the band with a changed lineup ) . Jan Ackerman ( guitar ) was voted the world's best guitarist in 1973 . Off to see them live again in November - 50 years after the last time ! 😱😱😱
Jan Akkerman was one of the early GOATs for shredding way before it was common. He influenced several guitarist especially in Europe. They had to do this song at a faster tempo to fit it in before the end of the show. That drummer is next level on this.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind. LOL I love watching the reactions to this performance. They had to speed it up because they didn't have enough time to do the song at the normal tempo , not enough air time, so it felt even more frenetic than usual. That is what was so great about music in the 60' s and 70's, the variety, the experimentation, the talent!
Once heard, never forgotten. It's always fun to watch someone reacting to this for the first time. Incredible, very left-field, Dutch band. And they were all possessed - brilliant musicians. Thijs (pronounced TYCE) van Leer on organ and lead yodel, Jan Akkerman on lead guitar, Pierre van der Linden on drums, and Bert Ruiter on bass. According to legend, they sped the song up to fit it into the time slot they were given, so it was even more frenetic than the album version. PS - "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" :)
I recently saw an interview with the lead vocalist a few months ago. According to him, he was in the studio messing around on the keyboard when the Drummer joined in; he was doing vocal warm-ups. Before they knew it, they turned it into a song. If you pay attention to it, he's yodeling in tune with the notes he is playing. This was his vocal warm-ups to get ready to record or do a show put to music. 🎶🎤👍❤️🎶
Loved your reaction- thanks. This is a Dutch Progressive Rock band. The guitar player, Jan Akkerman, was considered to be one of the top guitarist during that time period. The front man is Thijs Van Leer and is still touring a lot on cruise ships. If you are looking for some information on them, check out the comment to this on Jayvee TV reaction channel (heart warming story about Thijs Van Leer's family and upbringing that is amazing). Thijs and his daughter do leave comments on reactions to this once in a while.
He wasn't twitching so much as warming up. By the way your expression was priceless. Have you listened to Black Coffee by Humble Pie yet? I think you'd love it.
My friend the summer before his Junior spent about 10 hours a day learning every song on Focus live and Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow every song to perfection. That is how I found out about this band. Great musicians and Jan such a brilliant guitarist. Everyone in the band is technically amazing. Drummer killing it!
Wow! This song was crazy. I have been watching your reactions for over a year now and this is the first song you've done that I hadn't already heard. In fact I never even heard of the group. Without this channel I probably never would have either. Thanks.
THIS PERFORMANCE is PHENOMENAL!!! I remember this song on the radio - and, it's really TWICE as long - and, I believe....towards the end - the drummer actually is checking out the clock, as they were only allowed HALF the time of the song on the show....and, rather than cut it short - they played it at double-time!! AMAZING!!! They were SO CREATIVE!!! THANKS for THIS ONE, BP!!! :) HUGS!!
I'm dying! 😂 I LOVE your enthusiasm and authenticity! I've never seen this either, and it was pretty dope! I didn't lose my mind like YOU with all your "Close Encounters Of The THIRD Kind" connections...but I get it! 😁
Back in the late 1970's I was working as the stage manager for a Toronto (Canada) band called ZON. Very progressive at first, this song was one of their staples of their live show. It usually ended the night. The lead singer was the yodeller and the keyboard player would do the really high stuff. Their version deviated slightly (the singer did one of the vocal breaks as Donald Duck) but there was no mistaking what it was. Always got us a standing ovation. ZON went on to do 3 albums. An incredible live band.
Great reaction to a great group. I'm a lot older than you--I was around when this first came out. And I can tell you, you will never hear anything like this again. They are unique and head-explodingly talented. And the movie you were referring to is called "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
Since you enjoyed this, now you should check out Johnny Winter's Frankenstein, video. You'll love that, too Much love from Maine and keep doin what ya do ❤
Saw them in concert on their first UK tour in the very early 70's. Superb band. I bought all their subsequent albums and those by individual members of the band.
Many recordings are lost because they then overwrite the expensive tapes...glad they missed this one, it's proof of the exciting performance and nice for the people who were there and us..Tape must have been on a high shelf or in a basement for more than 40 years and now it's a hit on RU-vid.
