SHIP OF MEMORIES

The frantic activity of Focus, because of their success in both Britain and the US, had drained the band and recording sessions in mid-1973 failed to produce a new album. Some of this work was later released as Ship Of Memories in 1976. This album was compiled of leftover tracks from that session and other tracks that were lying on the shelves. It has the following tracks:

"P's march". This was recorded during the 1973 sessions. It is one of the better tracks of the album with the typical Akkerman violin sound. It was supposed to be the next single. "Can't believe my eyes". This was also recorded during the 1973 sessions. It is not very structured, it is more a sort of jam. "Focus V". Also recorded in 1973. This is part V in the Focus series, it sounds very mellow "Out of Vesuvius". As a sequel to Eruption, Thijs van Leer was working on a piece called Vesuvius. This track is a part from that work. Later Vesuvius was rewritten and recorded as Hamburger Concerto. This is a good track with excellent guitarplaying by Akkerman. "Glider". This was later rewritten and recorded as Mother Focus, and appeared on the album with the same name. "Red sky at night". Every year in The Netherlands a week is dedicated to books. In 1976 an album was released where pop/rock musicians wrote and played the music, while the lyrics were written by an author. On this album Focus worked together with poet Jules Deelder, this track was Avondrood. Translated it means Red Sky At Night and the version without vocals can be heard on Ship Of Memories "Spoke the Lord Creator". This track is from the early days when Hans Cleuver and Martin Dresden were still members of the band. It was recorded during the sessions of On And Out Of Focus. "Crackers". This track was later rerecorded by Jan Akkerman and appeared on his selftitled solo album released in 1976. It's a funky track. "Ship of memories". Is the only track that Pierre van der Linden has written for Focus. It's just drums and keyboard. Hocus Pocus. This is the single version that was released in the US. It is a rerecording of the track that appeared on Focus II / Moving Waves.

Although there are some great tracks, this is merely an album for the Focus fan.