THE ULTIMATE ANTHOLOGY

Forever young. . . except Thijs!

While apparently not an official Focus release, this Ragnarock (Classic Rock) Productions DVD contains footage which any fan of the band will consider essential. The centrepiece is a full 20 minute rendition of "Hamburger concerto" which seems to be taken from TV performance around the time of its release. The sound is available either as conventional stereo or as DTS enhanced 5.1 surround. Either way, this is pure Focus gold with both Jan Akkerman and Thijs Van Leer in fine form. The preceding "Hocus pocus" which opens this set, and which finds the band clearly enjoying themselves, dates from around the same time.

Strangely, we then jump forward a quarter of a century to 2002, to find a completely different band bearing the name Focus performing "Eruption", a track which originally appeared on the "Moving waves" album. After realising that the guy with the big hat playing keyboards is in fact still Mr. Van Leer, it becomes clearer that he has surrounded himself with musicians of approximately the same age as Focus were when the track was recorded. I believe the rest of the band here were originally in a Focus tribute band; the quality of their playing would certainly bear this out. Compared to the 70's footage though, there is something slightly cold and aloof about the performances.

The alternating between the classic line up of the 1970's and the Van Leer tribute band of the naughties, which continues throughout, is a little disconcerting. The DVD might have been better had the tracks appeared chronologically by performance. Thus "Eruption" is followed by an Akkerman led rendition of "Anonymous II", which in turn is followed by the 2002 line up playing "House of the king". The rendition of "Anonymous II" does have the unfortunate side effect of reminding me of my sole experience of a Focus gig in the 1970's, where the band arrived 2 hours late, and attempted to make up time by playing everything at breakneck speed.

The 13+ minute "Focus medley" sees Akkerman taking the opportunity to lead a jam session, while taking in themes from the band's best known period. Those who enjoy that aspect of the band's work will revel in being able to also witness the performance. The 2002 rendition of "Focus III" is faithful if unremarkable, while the 70's performance of the classic "Sylvia" is again rather rushed.

On a technical note, the 5.1 surround track is subject to annoying drop out , which rather spoils the enjoyment. In all though, this is a commendable collection which any fan of Focus will consider to be something of a holy grail.

This Focus DVD contains excellent vintage material from 1973. And these are all the best pieces from the band (Focus III period), only "Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!" is missing. The summit is reached with the fabulous "Focus Medley" which begins with the celestial moment of Moving wave's "Eruption", and continue into a fantastic jam. Both sound and picture are great on this 1973 material. Some 2002 live in USA has also been added to dilute the mix. The performance is not too bad, and the band is even rather close to their 70's sound, except the (big) drum, as usual. This DVD is a must have for any Focus fan.

Review Nº 738

"The Ultimate Anthology" is a DVD of Focus and was released in 2004. This DVD is the ultimate and a perfect guide to the music of Focus, the pioneers of the progressive rock in Netherlands and one of the most innovative and creative progressive rock bands to emerge from the 70's. So, this is an impressive and essential live document of the band.

Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by the classical trained organist and flutist Thijs Van Leer in 1969. So, initially, Focus comprised the keyboardist and flutist Thijs Van Leer, the guitarist Jan Akkerman, the bassist Martin Dresden and the drummer Hans Cleuver. The band had several changes in the line up all over the years. Thijs Van Leer and Jan Akkerman were the real driving force behind Focus all over the years, and together they produced some of the greatest instrumental rock music ever created. They were responsible for spreading the progressive rock besides UK.

The DVD "The Ultimate Anthology" features some rare footage of many different incarnations of Focus, including the classic 70's line up featuring Jan Akkerman. "The Ultimate Anthology" includes a complete live performance of "Hambuger Concerto" and a stunning footage of Thijs Van Leer leading the band on the triumphant and astonishing come back live tour of Focus in USA in 2002. So, this Focus DVD contains excellent material from the 70's and the addition of some 2002 live material is also very good, and where the new line up is close to their classic 70's sound.

"The Ultimate Anthology" has nine tracks. At the time where "The Ultimate Anthology" was recorded, Focus had four studio albums, "Focus Plays Focus [Aka: In And Out Of Focus]" which was released in 1970, "Focus II [Aka: Moving Waves]" released in 1971, "3" released in 1973 and "Hamburger Concerto" released in 1974. So, the material on "The Ultimate Anthology" belongs to all these four studio albums, which is usually considered the golden era of Focus. Thus, from "Focus Plays Focus [Aka: In And Out Of Focus]" we have only one track, "House Of The King". From "Focus II [Aka: Moving Waves]" we have two tracks, "Hocus Pocus" and "Eruption". From "3" we have three tracks, "Anonymous II", "Focus III" and "Sylvia". From "Hamburger Concerto" we have only one track, "Hamburger Concerto". But, beyond these seven tracks we have also more two tracks. "Focus Medley", as its name indicates, is a medley of several themes from the band's best known musical period. "Hocus Pocus (Reprise)", as its name indicates, is a live reprise of the original song released on their second studio album "Focus II [Aka: Moving Waves]" that opens the DVD.

"The Ultimate Anthology" covers small parts of three different sets taken from two different places in the 70's with Jan Akkerman as still a band's member and footage of Thijs Van Leer leading a completely different band on a comeback live tour to the USA in 2002. "Hocus Pocus" and "Focus Medley" were taken from a 70's TV live performance with the classic Focus line up featuring Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer, Bert Ruiter and Pierre Van Der Linden. They represent two great moments with the hilarious moment of "Hocus Pocus" and with a rare medley of some classic Focus songs with Akkerman leading a jam session that ends with a frantic version of "Hocus Pocus". "Hamburger Concerto" was also taken from a live TV performance. It's brilliantly performed and represents their most famous and elaborated epic. It was also performed by their classic line up but with Collin Allen on drums instead of Pierre Van Der Linden. "Anonymous II" and "Sylvia" were taken apparently in the same place of "Hocus Pocus" and "Focus Medley" were recorded, but in other occasion. They represent another great moment and the performance has the same classic line up. "Eruption", "House Of The King", "Focus III" and "Hocus Pocus (Reprise)" are great tracks which were taken from the USA live tour of 2002. They were wonderfully performed by an entire new support band of Thijs Van Leer featuring Jan Dumee on vocals and guitars, Bobby Jacobs on bass and Bert Smaak on drums, doing almost forget the original Focus line up. The variable video images as would be expected from a compilation with three decades of difference are acceptable and good. In what concerns to the video, considering the varied sources, the sound is remarkably good too.

Conclusion: Any album or video that proclaims to be the "ultimate" of anything has much to live up to and we must be suspicious of that. Here, despite the two completely different periods, at last, is a DVD that lives up to the hype. I'm sure that the devoted Focus' fans will want to buy this DVD immediately, and for those, like me, that remember Focus with a fond nostalgic glow, there is much to recommend on it. So, this is certainly a DVD that will bear repeated viewings and listenings. Thus, this is a nice DVD that shows the magic of the rock music at the time. It's highly recommended, really.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)