REVIEWS

Focus at Montreal - October 10th 2002
by Richard Perusse

First, the band came here only 2 times in the past, one time in Quebec city and one time in Montreal between '72 and '74.
For us die-hard fans who are very rare here, we were happy to heard Focus even only one original member is always in the band. There's a legion of progressive music fans here (we were near 200 for that concert) but even they are old or young, they were there for quality music. So, the band begin very smoothly with Focus I including a very hot and inspired flute jam.

They enchain with House of the King (special version, acoustic guitar + flute). We can heard the very classical influence of Thijs. When people heard first hammond chords of Focus II old fans recognize it fast, I don't have to tell you more about that song! Then came Eruption, a 15 minutes version (miniature as Thijs told) with a very kinda brazilian vocal jam influence who is very predominant on the new cd by the way!

Focus III: for sure the new guitar player deliver his very inspired feeling in that one. 

Sylvia: people didn't known about the story of the song about the female singer called Sylvia. She didn't want the song composed for her because she hate it. So finally, Focus did a hit with that song accidentaly!

La Cathédrale de Strasbourg: the beginning of the song played on the hammond organ gives a very deep feel, people appreciate very much this version, of course very inspired from the french vibe vocal like on the album.

Harem Scarem (title taken from the pub's name near the cathédrale!): that one can show us at what point Jan Dumee can really play the guitar, he assimilate very much the the Akkerman's technical jazzy style of scales by the way. There's here a long guitar jam, after there's a bass jam; I'm sure Mr. Jacobs already listened to Jaco Pastorius!(very brilliant)

Focus VII: new song, world premiere, a smooth song, at the end a very hot classical inspired flute solo + vocal/organ who serve as bridge to bring us Hocus Pocus of course to finish the show. For sure, Van Leer cannot sing like in the old times but on the flute he didn't lost his capacities (he never had to be jalous of I. Anderson, never in his life) 

Hocus Pocus: I like very much the kick-ass guitar of Jan Dumee, he's hot!

Encore: they played a song of the new cd - Focus VIII. The concert been catch on video.

Long life to Focus!

PS: it's the first time I make a review of a concert, it's because focus is in my top 5 progressive bands of all time and I made it also for the die-hard fans like me.

Thank you very much ( i hope i didn't made it for nothing)

Richard Perusse

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