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musiclover420
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Focus (classic rock band from 1969)
#23429430 - 07/10/16 02:04 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Anyone listen to them? I have been checking out some of their recent stuff today as they are from the 70's mainly but have put out a few albums over the past 10-20 years. Here is their 2012 album which I have been slowly working my way through and I am really impressed with how solid it is! Not many bands can keep putting out original sounding music after such a long career...
Focus - X [2012] FULL ALBUM
Also note the Roger Dean album cover which is a sure sign it will be gold
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23429452 - 07/10/16 02:13 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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And here is their Magnum Opus so to speak:
Focus - Hamburger Concerto (Complete) Live, 1975 (Remastered)
Very classically driven epic tune with some really wonderful guitar and organ/ keys.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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hex_enduction
satta massa gana



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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23429496 - 07/10/16 02:25 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I always hated this band back in the day when I was really into prog, but haven't given em a solid listen in 5+ years, probably even more. I'll give the stuff you posted a listen though for posterity.
What is it about them that you like so much, just outta curiosity?
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Connoisseur said: oh ive cried on drugs sunshine said: Tragic. I told the cop not to do it but he didn't listen.
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: hex_enduction]
#23429519 - 07/10/16 02:36 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
hex_enduction said: I always hated this band back in the day when I was really into prog, but haven't given em a solid listen in 5+ years, probably even more. I'll give the stuff you posted a listen though for posterity.
What did you hate about them?
Quote:
What is it about them that you like so much, just outta curiosity?
I like how they are very classically driven and have a refined orchestral sound for just having 4 members.
Their keys player is really amazing, in the live vid I posted he is literally surrounded by 4 big ass keyboards and does some great stuff.
The guitarist also has some serious skill and uses some really interesting/ unique tones and playing styles.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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hex_enduction
satta massa gana



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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23429551 - 07/10/16 02:50 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hate is far too strong a word. What I shoulda said was I could just never get into em despite being a huge fan of many similar groups at the time. They just struck me as the kinda band who focuses more on technical virtuosity than captivating songwriting, kinda like ELP, but I still like ELP more than Focus Their music just seems a little aimless, and I'm not too keen on their melodic and harmonic pallet.
I'm listening to the second track you posted. I agree, that dude on keys is a talented motherfucker, but nothing is really capturing my interest. Not for me I guess 
FWIW, I'm not terribly into classical outside of a few composers, like Schubert, who I consider one of music's greatest minds. I love 20th century composers, but that's obviously not classical and also not the kinda thing 70s prog groups were drawing influence from.
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Connoisseur said: oh ive cried on drugs sunshine said: Tragic. I told the cop not to do it but he didn't listen.
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: hex_enduction]
#23429572 - 07/10/16 02:58 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I am not huge on classical either but I like when prog groups are influenced by them, here is some funkier stuff from focus:
Focus - Hard Vanilla
I guess they changed their style up considerably over the years
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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ModestMouse
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23429573 - 07/10/16 02:59 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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My buddy and I used to love watching this back n highschool. It's both funny as fuck and legitimately talented.
-------------------- Anyone got a lowpass filter in this biiiiash?
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: ModestMouse]
#23429582 - 07/10/16 03:02 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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That song was used for the 2010 Nike Superbowl commercial apparently
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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hex_enduction
satta massa gana



Registered: 01/26/14
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23429590 - 07/10/16 03:05 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
musiclover420 said: I am not huge on classical either but I like when prog groups are influenced by them, here is some funkier stuff from focus:
Focus - Hard Vanilla
I guess they changed their style up considerably over the years 
This is pretty dope. Probably the coolest thing I've heard of theirs
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Connoisseur said: oh ive cried on drugs sunshine said: Tragic. I told the cop not to do it but he didn't listen.
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: hex_enduction]
#23429725 - 07/10/16 03:57 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yeah I like that style a lot more too, way more smooth and funky. Reminds me of some fusion stuff.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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PatrickKn



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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: ModestMouse]
#23429856 - 07/10/16 05:08 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
ModestMouse said:
My buddy and I used to love watching this back n highschool. It's both funny as fuck and legitimately talented.
That was pretty awesome. Good introduction to a band I've never heard of.
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Thayendanegea
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: PatrickKn] 1
#23432264 - 07/11/16 02:32 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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"Hocus Pocus" is one of my favorite songs of all time.
-------------------- Look Deep Into Nature,and Then You Will Understand Everything Better. Albert Einstein
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ModestMouse
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: Thayendanegea] 1
#23432348 - 07/11/16 03:05 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Killer drums and flute/vocals on that jam
-------------------- Anyone got a lowpass filter in this biiiiash?
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: ModestMouse]
#23432354 - 07/11/16 03:06 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Thayendanegea said: "Hocus Pocus" is one of my favorite songs of all time.
The yodeling and "popeye" voice really do give it a unique feel that the guitar and everything else drives home very nicely 
Quote:
ModestMouse said:

Killer drums and flute/vocals on that jam
I really like their use of flute in general, much more jazz fusion like on their later stuff too.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Deadmaker
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23432770 - 07/11/16 06:09 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I wasn't aware that they were still around. I was really into Hamburger Concerto and Focus at the Rainbow at one time. Listening to X now.
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: Deadmaker]
#23432928 - 07/11/16 07:13 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
killme said: I wasn't aware that they were still around. I was really into Hamburger Concerto and Focus at the Rainbow at one time. Listening to X now.
What did you think of X? I thought it held up pretty well against any of their earlier stuff I have heard, though their style has evolved a bit.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Deadmaker
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: musiclover420]
#23433054 - 07/11/16 07:52 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I really like it through the first listen. It is definitely evolved from their earlier works, but still very similar at the same time. Thanks for posting!
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musiclover420
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Re: Focus (classic rock band from 1969) [Re: Deadmaker]
#23433104 - 07/11/16 08:12 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Glad to hear you enjoyed it, I always love finding classic groups from the 70's that are still putting out great new music.
Your very welcome Also if you like prog rock and have heard of Nektar they have some interesting recent stuff as well as some amazing classics.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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