HAMBURGER CONCERTO

Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band formed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in 1969, by Thijs van Leer. The band has undergone numerous formations in their history. Formed of members of the pit band for the Dutch production of the rock musical "Hair", Focus released their debut studio album "In And Out Of Focus", in 1970. But, their debut gained little attention outside the Netherlands. They only started to gain popularity following the success of "Focus II", released in 1971. The success continued with "Focus 3", released in 1972 and "Hamburger Concerto", released in 1974.

So, "Hamburger Concerto" is the fourth studio album of Focus and was released in 1974. As happened before, for the third time, the band suffered another change into their line up. Pierre van der Linden, the drummer of the group was replaced by the ex-Stone The Crows drummer Collin Allen, even before Focus recorded "Hamburger Concerto".

So, the line up on the album is Thijs van Leer (vocals, keyboards, organ, flute and piano), Jan Akkerman (guitar), Bert Ruiter (bass guitar) and Collin Allen (drums).

"Hamburger Concerto" has six tracks. The first track "Delitiae Musicae" written by Jan Akkerman is a short but at the same time magnificent piece which instantly sets what will be the classic mood on the album. This is a beautiful classic piece of music influenced by the Renaissance and Medieval music that introduces us perfectly well in the mood of this fantastic album. The second track "Harem Scarem" written by Thijs van Leer represents a musical proposal completely different. It's a very rock oriented song, with some jazz influences, very frantic from the start to the end. This is a song where we can perfectly see, on the vocals and "lyrics", some the usual "insanity" of Thijs van Leer. It's another magnificent piece of music with impressive guitar and piano works. The third track "La Cathedral De Strasbourg" written by Thijs van Leer represents another change in the musical direction on the album. It's an extremely beautiful piece of music with very calm voices and with church organ and bells. This is a perfect song, an incredible and beautiful track, one of their best and one of my favourites too. It's a song that evokes perfectly well the grandeur and majesty of the Gothic Cathedral of Strasbourg. The fourth track "Birth" written by Jan Akkerman represents another surprising, perfect and magnificent musical moment on the album. It's a song with a nice harpsichord introduction by Thijs van Leer that changes and oscillates the musical atmosphere of the song between the classical and rock. It features also solos between Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman, where they show their skills, perfectly well. This is truly a unique and brilliant song and it's also absolutely delightful. The fifth track is the title track "Hamburger Concerto". It's divided into six parts. All the six parts were written by Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman, alternately. This great piece of music represents the epic moment on the album and is a suite with about 20 minutes long. This theme always was and remains one of Focus' most accomplished pieces of music, in terms of musical construction, and it has an incredible mixtures of styles and genres and represents also one of the best progressive musical moments, ever made by anyone. This piece of music is, in my humble opinion, the best and the perfect way to describe and show the music of Focus, and how their music can be so beautiful and perfect, in some moments. Believe me, you only can understand what I'm saying if you hear it. The sixth track "Early Birth" written by Jan Akkerman is, as the name says, a reprise of "Birth". It's, in reality, a magnificent and perfect way to close the album. Unfortunately, since is a song that comes after the title track, there is a tendency not to be noticed, what is totally unfair. This is also a great song, in the same vein of "Birth", where once more we can hear a great guitar work by Jan Akkerman, a great flute solo and also a good bass playing.

Conclusion: I completely agree with Easy Livin when he says that "Hamburger Concerto" is by far the best and more accomplished album of Focus. It's true that "Moving Waves" and "Focus 3" are two great albums. We we even can say, in a certain way, the same about "In And Out Of Focus". However, "Hamburger Concerto" is another thing. "Hamburger Concerto" is their most progressive album and it's also the only perfect album made by Focus. It's also their only album that deserves to be considered a masterpiece. "Hamburger Concerto" is also one of the best albums produced in the 70's. I even dare to say that "Hamburger Concerto" is one of the best and most perfect progressive rock albums ever made. "Hamburger Concerto" represents the band in the peak of their form and explains why Focus is considered the best Dutch progressive rock band, why is considered one of the best and most influential progressive rock bands, and finally, why it's so respected, even today, in the progressive rock world. Unfortunately, "Hamburger Concerto" represents also the last great album made by them, in the 70's, and the beginning of the divorce between Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman, what would take place in the next year, after the release of their fifth studio album "Mother Focus".

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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