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Am I alone in thinking focus 3 is their best album |
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dougmcauliffe ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: February 23 2019 Location: US Status: Offline Points: 3895 |
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The title says most, but I never understood why this album isn’t held to the same caliber as moving waves and hamburger concerto. I think it’s a beautiful album with melodic and intense playing. I guess the main complaint is that it’s too long which is fair. But I think the first disc is def made up of their best material. Not to discredit the second disc
Edited by dougmcauliffe - September 01 2019 at 07:07 |
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Manuel ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: March 09 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13481 |
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Certainly is a great album, with great melodies and compositions. I guess is a matter of personal taste, but if you think it's their best, you certainly have good taste.
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HackettFan ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: June 20 2012 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7951 |
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You are never alone, as long as you are listening to Focus 3.
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A curse upon the heads of those who seek their fortunes in a lie. The truth is always waiting when there's nothing left to try. - Colin Henson, Jade Warrior (Now)
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cstack3 ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() VIP Member Joined: July 20 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 7514 |
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I agree, a phenomenal album that doesn't get enough attention!! I'll listen to it today, thanks!
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I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
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moshkito ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: January 04 2007 Location: Grok City Status: Offline Points: 18559 |
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It's a neat album, and quite enjoyable ... however, leaving behind things like "Hamburger Concerto" is sad ... it's such a great piece that an international band (with Rachel Flowers as well!) also did this piece in its entirety. FOCUS fits best as a whole, not which album is best ... "Mother Focus" also has some nice stuff ... and all of this was wonderful on the FM radio dial in days gone by that many folks never heard or appreciated. A lot of this stuff fit really well in the middle of anything.
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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com |
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richardh ![]() Prog Reviewer ![]() ![]() Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 30197 |
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A lot of it always sounded improvised to me. Focus were massive in the UK for a period of time (73/74) thanks to Hocus Pocus , Sylvia and a great performance at the Reading festival ( this was the 'Glastonbury' of it's day). I always felt they were a bit like ELP. Many great tracks and great live band but no real killer album that put the rest in the shade. BTW I know it's a bit off topic but the full version of Hocus Pocus features in the film Baby Driver . Great fun!
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miamiscot ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: April 23 2014 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 3635 |
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It's one of their best...
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Stool Man ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: January 30 2007 Location: Anti-Cool (anag Status: Offline Points: 2689 |
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It's my favourite of theirs
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rotten hound of the burnie crew
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someone_else ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() VIP Member Joined: May 02 2008 Location: Going Bananas Status: Offline Points: 24810 |
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An archetype of the category "Good but not essential".
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Man With Hat ![]() Collaborator ![]() ![]() Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166183 |
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It is certainly one of their best, but I think Moving Waves tops it.
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Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
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twosteves ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: May 01 2007 Location: NYC/Rhinebeck Status: Offline Points: 4096 |
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I love 3 but think Moving Waves may be more concise. Have to revisit them and get back to you.lol
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HackettFan ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: June 20 2012 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7951 |
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Yes, it is their best. I like its improvised feeling. It feels live, as though I could imagine reaching in my pocket and pulling out a ticket as I listen. I like all Focus albums, but I agree 3 is the best. I like that it's long. Hamburger Concerto, as delightful as it is, always seems to short to me.
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A curse upon the heads of those who seek their fortunes in a lie. The truth is always waiting when there's nothing left to try. - Colin Henson, Jade Warrior (Now)
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dougmcauliffe ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: February 23 2019 Location: US Status: Offline Points: 3895 |
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Focus 3 is a lot more interesting to me most the time, moving waves has some great stuff with Hocus pocus, eruption and focus2, but the shorter songs in between never did it for me |
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Logan ![]() Forum & Site Admin Group ![]() ![]() Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 38533 |
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You are definitely not alone.
I don't tend to think in terms of best, but Focus 3 has been my favourite Focus album at one time or another. It has rather depended on the day and mood, sometimes I would rather listen to the jazzy Focus three, sometimes the "Meaty masterpiece" that is Hamburger Concerto, sometimes Moving Waves. Ultimately, I don't think there is a best as I think different albums have different things to offer. I haven't listen to Focus much over the past decade, but it was one of my absolute favourite bands. Focus 3 does have the highest Focus studio album rating at rateyourmusic,see https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/focus , but at PA it has a lower rating than Hamburger Concerto (the highest rated) and Moving Waves. Here are two reviews from rateyourmusic:
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Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I observed before. It can be much like that with music for me; immersed in experiencing the moment.
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Whamdaddy ![]() Forum Groupie ![]() ![]() Joined: February 04 2019 Location: WIsconsin Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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i love focus 3, and do think it is their best
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The Wham Daddy
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Sean Trane ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() Prog Folk Joined: April 29 2004 Location: Heart of Europe Status: Offline Points: 20588 |
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Let's just say that this double studio album would've stronger being reduced to a single disc affair or a three-sided one (live Johnny Winter's Second Winter was), like many double album, such as Tommy, White Album, The Wall, the Lamb, Works Vol 1, etc...
Even the outstanding Electric Ladyland and Quadrophenia have a few bits that are weaker and some lengths. Of course F3 have two sides that are notably shorter (side A & D), but I would've cut PVdL and Ruiter's solo in Anonymous 3 : the drum solo is absolutely boring and the first part of Ruiter's solo (when he really is solo) is also tedious so some 9 minutes could be saved up. . Hamburger Concerto rules, though.
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dr wu23 ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: August 22 2010 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 20697 |
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I'm embarassed to say it's been so long since I played it I honestly can't recall any of it.....time for a re- listen.
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One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin |
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irrelevant ![]() Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: March 07 2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 13382 |
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My second favourite, behind...
... Ship of Memories!
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