Focus yourself...Upto a ship of memories

Focus is by all means one of my top favorite bands. My vote goes for Hamburger Concerto. This album was one of those "Instant Seduction" projects where the music gets you from the first 3 chords. Thjiis van Leer incorporated more keyboards to the overall soundscape, allthough a bit unnecessary since his talent and craftmanship with his legendary Hammond B-3 yet unsurpassed. The pure classical compositions and variations on the classical harmony is brilliantly executed by all members of the band. Burt Reiters bass lines are powerfull and present overall the record. Colin Allen's drumming, besides his debut on Focus makes this album even more interesting. Jan Akkerman plays guitars and flutes and takes immense advantage of the perfect keyboard soundscapes created by van Leer. Hamburger Concerto is a MUST HAVE album for those that really love "Old School" Progressive Rock....

The reason I choose Hamburger Concerto over Focus 3 is based on the fact that I prefer the classical element on HC. Focus 3 is a project with more free style improvisation and has a jazzy touch to it. The beautiful long compositions Answers Questions, Questions Answers and Anonymous Two are masterpieces.

My review on Hamburger Concerto;

FOCUS Hamburger Concerto
Review by Lunarscape @ 9:56:27 PM EST, 10/15/2004

 —  Hamburger Concerto is one of these albums that seduces you at the first listening, leaving you with the sensation that you want to listen to much more in the likes of the tunes you just heard. The Album deviates a bit from the "normal" Focus since the classical incorporated elements are predominant. Pipe Organs, and Mellotrons together with the usual Hammond tunes played in classic form makes the superb soundscapes for Akkermans guitar, Colins drumming and Reites usual bass lines. Focus normally played on a more jazz like harmony and gained fans all over the world with Moving Waves (72), Focus III (73) and the legendary Live At The Rainbow (73) albums being "Sylvia" and "Hocus Pocus" the most known tunes from this fantastic Dutch band. The various moods, from pure classical to hard rock moving back and forth make this Focus recording a landmark by itself. I had the honor to se Thjis van Leer last year playing these great Focus tunes, 30 years later, but with the same entusiasm as always, and with a band that stands up to any oldtime die-hard fan. Hamburger Concerto is by all means an item to have in a progressive rock collection.

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Lunar

This time I agree, with you, Hamburger Concerto is  a masterpiece, without any doubt is their most serious work.

But still my favorite track is The House of the King the most famous Focus track even when most people believe it's by Jethro Tull.

Iván

i surprised Moving Waves is winning this, Hocus Pocus is pretty weak

i rarely listen to that album

Aaron