Best Version Of Hocus Pocus
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53081
Printed Date: March 10 2025 at 13:11
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Topic: Best Version Of Hocus Pocus
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Subject: Best Version Of Hocus Pocus
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 05:48
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This is what started it all for me with progrock on a fateful day back in 1973 when I heard this on CKGM AM in Montreal. A bizarre number by a Dutch band called Hocus Pocus. Never heard anything like this. Completely far freakin' out. Blew me right away. I emptied my piggy bank and rushed out and bought the single on Sire records and played the living tarnation out of it driving my family and family pets nuts in the process. Many bands have tried to cover it but just couldn't hit the multiple octaves that Van Leer was capable of in his heyday. I've also provided links to several lesser known versions.
Amazing chick guitarist version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQGmYIoQfk8&feature=related - www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQGmYIoQfk8&feature=related
Yellow Brick Road version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p4vWFFgYVY&feature=related - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p4vWFFgYVY&feature=related
Focus slow version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZptvGrBmV0U - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZptvGrBmV0U
I'll stick with the original. There's a few more out there that are worthy of mention but they escape me at the moment. ------------- |
Replies:
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 07:59
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That almost started it for me. The family had just moved to Atlanta and I remember it getting a lot of airplay. Liked it for its quirkiness. It would be few more years though before the damn would break for me and I would totally lose interest in commercial music. Did not realize their were so many cover versions out there. I'll go with the Live At The Rainbow version, more energetic than the studio version. Ah, the good old days, when putting out something quirky and/or original wasn't an impediment to having a hit single. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 08:32
 I always liked the "fast version" on Dutch Masters, but credit where it's due: that Yellow Brick Road version is a very credible (& faithful) rendition. 
What's the story on that band, Vibe? ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 11:22
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Yellow Brick Road are a Las Vegas based classic rock cover band ( from Pink Floyd to the Who ) who`ve been around since the late 90s. They specialize in playing their covers almost exactly the same as the originals. They also play tribute shows ie a show of just Led Zep, just Pink Floyd, just Queen etc.
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Posted By: trackstoni
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 15:29
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Surely the Original , even the band says So , they can't even performe it the same Way , simply Amazing !!! ------------- Tracking Tracks of Rock |
Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 15:36
The Helloween version is the way I discovered Focus!!  That said, I haven't heard enough of these versions to accurately vote, but I'd likely vote for the original |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 17:25
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The original version certainly caught the music world off guard, even the swiss yodelers were wondering which one went to Amsterdam (hint, hint) . I saw a live version where there was interference because of intense humidity and during the whole song (and show) there was constant background opera and symphonies . Talk about reall prog LOL. Akkerman kept kicking at the amps , to no avail. You had to be there, 2 shows in one . ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Frippertron
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 18:24
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Iron Maiden? When and where and Eh? Whatever next... The Sex Pistols doing Tarkus. ------------- The Cheerful Insanity of Prog Rock |
Posted By: Frippertron
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 18:27
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Oh wow.. I never knew they did a cover of it..
Just did a google and came up with it..
Nicko doing the yodel section is the funniest thing I have heard..
Oh I love it
 http://www.imeem.com/loujaz/music/53i6sSVE/iron_maiden_hocus_pocus/ - http://www.imeem.com/loujaz/music/53i6sSVE/iron_maiden_hocus_pocus/ ------------- The Cheerful Insanity of Prog Rock |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 05:15
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I forgot this one : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cpxFGKOnE4 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cpxFGKOnE4 ------------- |
Posted By: Alberto Muņoz
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 11:53
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For me the original version it's the best one -------------  |
Posted By: Flucktrot
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 12:13
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Whichever this one is gets my vote...HOLY COW! This is definitely one of the most amazing things I have seen in rock!
------------- Thank you, God of Rock, for this chance to kick ass |
Vibrationbaby wrote:Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 23:29
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Smokin' band from Conneticut. That kid's going somewhere. ------------- |