Moving Waves' is probably the most commercially successful of Focus' albums, and perhaps their finest album overall. This album dates from a time where prog was relatively young and quite unpretentious in comparison to the grand concepts and multitudes of synths that would follow. Here there's only an organ and piano for the keyboard department, as the Moog and its counterparts such as the ARP synthesiser had yet to take hold of musicians. Nevertheless, despite (or maybe because of) these factors, this album is an excellent one.'Moving Waves' was only Focus' second album, and is remarkably mature considering this. It also was one of few albums to spawn a bona fide hit single.
'Hocus Pocus' was this hit, and became so after the band appeared on the legendary UK TV show 'Old Grey Whistle Test'. Focus were perhaps the first of the acts that became huge after appearing on that show, though 'Hocus Pocus' isn't particularly representative of their oeuvre. Nevertheless, it's a fun rocking romp, with heavy guitar riffing from Jan Akkerman and some excellent drumming from Pierre Van Der Linden to complement the rather demented yodelling vocals and flute playing by Thijs Van Leer. This song perhaps tarred Focus as something of a novelty band, but it was a great choice for a single.
'Le Clochard' is in total contrast to the previous track. It's a beautifully sparse song with only subtle acoustic guitars and some gorgeous mellotron playing that is pastoral, symphonic prog at its most gentle and relaxing.
'Janis' is another gentle track, with some excellent flute playing by Van Leer, plus some wonderfully elegant and understated guitar playing from Jan Akkerman. There's also a very intricate section with lots of tricky flutes that reminds me of Genesis at their most tranquil (think 'After The Ordeal' or 'Stagnation') due to the Hackett style strumming and general laid back feel of the rhythm section.
'Moving Waves' is a very sparse song with only some neat piano work by Van Leer and some rather abstract yet pleasant vocals from him too. This isn't the most substantial of songs, but is easy on the ear at least.
'Focus II' is another excellent track, with a wonderfully uplifting melody mainly from Jan Akkerman's yearning and occasionally cascading guitar work, yet Van Leer's organ playing is also of note, as is an excellent and quite intricate quicker section that has some tricksy time changes.
'Eruption' dominates the album as you would expect, being a side long epic. However, it's an absolutely sublime one. There are lots of different flavours here, with some folk, jazz, classical and blues influences creeping in to the music- the very idea of prog rock. It begins with some eerie guitar atmopsherics, before switching to an uptempo piece with some fiddly musicianship and dizzying guitar work from Akkerman and organ support by Van Leer. The highlight of this wondrous epic is the gorgeous 'Tommy', which is one of prog's finest songs ever, thanks to the beauteous mellotron, haunting harmonies but most of all Akkerman's stunningly emotional guitar solo that rivals Santana for sheer spirituality and feeling, yet the whole piece is wonderful, with much complexity, particularly from the interplay from Akkerman and Van Leer, yet Van Der Linden's drumming is the epitome of good taste and virtuosity- his drum solo is excellently rendered and thankfully not self indulgent, just tasteful virtuosity.
All in all, this is highly enjoyable prog rock. To me, Focus didn't make a perfect album and for some their music may be a little gentle at times, but this is still hugely entertaining and flawlessly performed prog that would appeal to all symphonic fans. - Review by salmacis (James Jeffery)
Track Listings
Side 1
1. Hocus Pocus (6:42)
2. Le clochard (2:01)
3. Janis (3:09)
4. Moving waves (2:42)
5. Focus II (4:03)
Side 2
6. Eruption (23:04)
a) orfeus, answer, Orfeus
b) answer, Pupilla, Tommy, Pupilla
c) Answer, The bridge
d) Euridice, Dayglow, Endless road
e) Answer, Orfeus, Euridice
Total Time: 41:41
Line-up/Musicians
- Jan Akkerman / solo & acoustic guitars, bass
- Cyril Havermanns / bass, voices
- Pierre van der Linden / drums
- Thijs van Leer / organ, Harmonium, Mellotron, Soprano and Alto flute, piano, voices
Releases information
Lp-Sire-SAS-7401- EMI
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Dutch Progressive rockers, Focus produced their masterpiece in 1974 with the brilliant classical-rock album, “Hamburger Concerto”. The band largely abandons the long and boring jazz driven jams they had indulged themselves with on previous albums, and made a surprisingly focused and elegant album, which has dated very little in 30 years, compared with others from its period. This is due mainly to the diverse and gorgeous instrumentation of master guitarist Jan Akkerman and Flutist (no we aren’t called Flautists) and Keyboardist Thijs Van Leer. On this album, one can hear all the classic rock instruments, as well as beautiful Harps, Harpsichords, Bells, and Castanets, etc.
The album begins with “Delitae Musicae”, a short and Renaissance flavored intro, which instantly sets the classical mood of the album. This segues into the rocker, “Harem Scarem”, which was the album’s obvious ‘single’. It is a rock piece which features insane ‘Yea Yea Yeas’ from vocalist Van Leer, and frantic and impressive guitar and piano. This six minute piece manages to change mood relatively quickly and often though, shifting from the jazzy open, to the beautiful acoustic midsection with Van Leer’s ever-present Flute. (Of All things one even hears an accordion on this very good track!) The frenzied energy of “Harem Scarem” changes instantly into the beautiful piece, “La Cathedrale de Strasbourg”, a song complete with stately church organ and bells, and very calm vocals. This song evokes the grandeur and majesty of the Cathedral in Strasbourg quite well, and is a relaxing album highlight, which even features Van Leer whistling (no, not yodeling) at the end. “Birth” is my all-time favorite Focus track. This seven minute song is pure beauty. It features shifting solos between the talented Akkerman and Van Leer on Piano, Organ, and Flute. Unlike many prog- rock instrumentals, this one isn’t about technical pyrotechnics; it is extremely tasteful and manages to highlight the extreme skills of each member while maintaining musical credibility. (The flute on this track truly is amazing, as is Akkerman’s monstrous Guitar solo at the end.) That just about wraps up Side One. Side Two features the two minute suite, the “Hamburger Concerto”. This song remains one of Focus’ most accomplished pieces in terms of construction. This song continues the classical mood set in “Delitae Musicae.” While their previous extended works were largely jazz and blues jams, here we find a classically inspired and structured suite, which has a sense of purpose. It never becomes overbearing, and gives each member of the band room to show his talents. (The piece is actually based on a Haydn piece which they then extend and make their own, un-credited). The album closes with a reprise of “Birth”, called “Early Birth” a fitting end, one can never get enough of Akkerman’s tasteful yet electrifying guitar. Overall, this truly is a masterpiece, an album that flows beautifully, and maintains a relaxing mood while not becoming dull at all. Focus’s best by far. Sadly, their work would take a nosedive after this ad Akkerman and Van Leer’s relations would sour. – 5 Stars.
Track Listings
1. Delitae Musicae (1:13)
2. Harem Scarem (5:52)
3. La Cathédral De Strasbourg (4:59)
4. Birth (7:46)
5. Hamburger Concerto (20:19)
i) Starter
ii) Rare
iii) Medium I
iv) Medium II
v) Well Done
vi) One For The Road
6. Early Birth (2:54)
Total Time: 43:03
Line-up/Musicians
- Thijs van Leer / organ, piano, harpsichord, electric piano, flute, alto-flute, arp synthesiser, recorder mellotron, vibes, accordion, the organ of St. Mary the Virgin - Barnes, handclaps, all voices, whistling
- Bert Ruiter / bass guitar, auto harp, triangles, chinese finger cymbals, handclaps, swiss bells
- Colin Allen / drums, conga drum, tambourine, castanets, cabasa, woodblock, chinese gong, timpani, handclaps, flexatone, cuica
- Jan Akkerman / flute, timpani, handclaps, all guitars
Releases information
1974 LP Atco 36100
1998 CD EMI 48860
2001 CD Red Bullet Productions BV RB 66.191
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