3

Focus III is the third album of Thijs and Jan. It was my first album from Focus, which I purchased. I was not disappointed. The album has good tracks, and good tracks only. I can't point out any bad songs, they're all at least pretty good or fine. These two dutch musicians have good sense of music. This album is very easy and relaxing to listen. The songs:

Album kicks off with 'Round Goes the Gossip', which was my least favourite track when I first listened the album. It has grown to me. It is good piece of progressive rock with weird noises. The second track is short, but beautiful' Love Remembered'. Very relixing and soft tune in the songs. I close my eyes every time I hear the song no matter where I am. The next song is one of my favourites: 'Carnival Fugue'. First minute is very beautiful and emotianal piano playing. Then the song is devoloping into its finesse. That is progressive. The groove in this song is great. Nice track. Moving on to 'Focus III', which is pure focus song. It has the elements that make the song fit the title focus. Very easy goin' and soft track. 'Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!' is very good track. It is long, but can keep up with quality, the song doesn't disappoint at any point of its structure. Bass playing is nice, drumming very good, but guitarring is great. Great work by Jan Akkerman. The song top quality from Focus. 'Elspeth of Nottingham' is one of my favourites. The medieval guitars and flutes is what I enjoy the most. Middle-Ages have always fascinated me, and the music that resembles any historical period has a special place for my ear. Very good track. But not good as the epic 'Anonymous Two'. This is my alltime favourite Focus song. It has everything, the solos from each instruments are great, the track is structurally great and it is very full package of music and instrument solos. It is long, but it starts off immideatly and finishes quickly. Great track!

The album is very good and full of good music. I can't decide which one is better, this one or 'Hamburger Concerto'. Though I love this album so much, I can't give this album 5 stars. It is not essential: a masterpiece of progressive music, but I would say it's excellent addition to any prog music collection. Highly recommended and a good place to start to listen Focus.