Posted on 12/30/2022 6:00:30 PM PST by FLNittany
Dutch prog-rockers Focus giving a breathtaking performance on NBC´s Midnight Special.
Thijs van Leer - Vox, Flute, Organ
Jan Akkerman - Guitar (-god!)
Bert Ruiter - Bass
Pierre van der Linden - Drums
Announced by the lovely Gladys Knight
Almost a half century old.
As far as I know, the members of the band are still alive and kicking today. Maybe not vigorously kicking but kicking nevertheless.
I’ve watched Nick and Lex before. They are good.
Who remembers when one could turn their tv set on and watch the Midnight Special concert, but also listen to it through one’s home stereo system through their local rock station?
THIS- was, “state of the art” back in the day. Sublime, by definition.
And a glorious high five to all of the reel-to-reel aficionados that knew what was going on with hi-fidelity!
Rank amateurs today...
Thanks! (I’m old though, I remember “together”).
And yes, Frankenstein is a great track. I remember listening to it on my pocket transistor radio (from Radio Shack) that for some reason had a LEATHER case on it.
>And a glorious high five to all of the reel-to-reel aficionados that knew what was going on with hi-fidelity!
Still a few of us left but...
I own 4 real-to-real decks, the youngest around 40 years old and every one is pining for the fiords due to the lubricants having turned into glue over the years. They can be rebuilt but the price to do so is through the roof and you have to find somebody who can still do the work. If you’ve ever opened one up the mechanical craftsmanship that went into one is a marvel to behold.
Sad to say I’ve left r-r behind in favor of digital files, many of my favorites I’ve remastered to 24/192. All the goodness of 15ips tape with none of the hassles.
Yes, I’ve seen a bunch of them. The best are when black people react to 70s and 80s bands they thought were black only to discover they were white: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQLhhXKYg6Y
I remember when I found this on You Tube several years ago. I was laughing for 2 hours, whether more at how fast they were playing, or Thijs expressions I’m not sure...
Many years later, Thijs did a one off with Uriah Heep too. Great stuff (and a little more of the “eyes” toward the end)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cIBA9MLAJw
Those two are indulging in a bit of cultural appropriation there, especially the guy. They’re two of the whitest sounding black people you’ll hear.
The drummer struck me as having the same sort of ease in the seat as Buddy Rich.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.