hocus pocus by focus

[rvhawkeye]

Sorry kids, no hip hop shit here.

[Woow1207]

so damn funny !

[Kilroy7771]

The famous Dutch Rock headed by organist / flautist Thijs Van Leer.........i like this one.

[zagar666]

rock and roll'owe dziadki

focus the best

:)

[Mrjwa2010]

@zagar666 zagraj tak ?

[gorilamagro]

this guitarist is good, but... he's way too much of a show off. He doesn't stop playing in the (fantastic) drum solos. That's really annoying.

[demartijnstam]

Am I the only one who has a sync-problem on this video?

[Neildodo]

There 1973 rendition was Much better!

[Akumalive]

Excellent song!!

[oldsyphilitic]

A wonderful performance and the first time I've seen anyone of substance playing a Gibson marauder. They were Gibson's 1970s answer to the telecaster and proved unsuccessful. There's nothing wrong with this one!

[NarutoUzumaki001200]

ROCK N ROLL :noel:

[10pencils]

mom, grandpa took acid again...

[cuddles005andahalf]

Very cool guys i love it

[henkieheadache]

where's the sharpness/the edge/the feeling, it's so.... sweet, yak!

[valoukibasse]

génial!

[GBoCookies]

That flute solo is really far out. And his turkey neck really emphasizes his seizure-like motions. <3

[boltzx]

@GBoCookies

lmao! good one

[JosueJang370]

so amazing , the quality of the music didn't changed a thing !

[kd4adv]

Looks John Popper from Blues Traveller.

[santiagodebellavista]

until this song i didnt know i could reach that notes. thanks focus!

[joshuadomingues]

Que coisa,

Sempre ouvi meu pai falar que a música d'antigamente era melhor, e não é que ele tinha razão, vai falar o que? Ouça agora Britney Spears, Shakira e outras merdas que vendem milhões.

[fmagalhaes1521]

@joshuadomingues o seu pai tem razao... musica na epoca do seu pai era musica... nao tinha demaisiada tecnologia para cobrir como diz-se "as coisas feas ou a falta do talento"... e um alivio para ler os commentarios em portugues em lugar ingles...

[TheTrevorGoodchild]

@fmagalhaes1521 Scorchio. Teh teh teh teh teh, Chris Waddle.

[djmcrave]

Love this way to do music. They are from Holland without a doubt. The country of music experiments.

[paulwall1981]

There is only one word to dscribe a band like this and that is OUTSTANDING!!!! What more needs to be said. 

[hogai95]

he can't reach the "ahhhh's", just the "dododoli" lol

[Gollunk]

Excellent !

[gmcjetpilot]

With all the electronic keys and synthesizers today nothing sounds like those old organs. The drummer is left handed and sitting in a regular old office chair... interesting. The guitar player looks like the late David Carradine. I am always glad to see musicians of the past still rock. To many of the 60's and 70's musicians died way too young (see drugs). We need more music of all kinds, especially from the 60's, 70's and 80's.

[technocrash09]

@gmcjetpilot Good point............That is a hammond B3 and only artists can make them sond good. Today, ya plug yer computer in....plug yer organ into yer computer...........then bang away and suck like everyother band-of-today (no offense.....just the way it is)

[cornil50]

Richtig geil LOL!

[TheDean283]

its hard to believe this song was actually a knock on the rock music of the day. the flute was a direct insult to jethro tull. this song is ok, but the rest of there music is kind of lame. way to repetative for my taste.

[Macca64if28]

amacing.....i love it!

[Xigjotjslg]

Pathetic Prog at his worst

[gmcjetpilot]

still playing the old school organ... love it. I love the arrangement with the drum solo break, fills and vocal and key solos. Guitar solos are so over used in music for so long, but at least in this song the guitar solo or lead is supporting the song, not look at me I can play a million notes a second. Does any one know if this is the original lineup?

[mus1cat]

@gmcjetpilot Basically it is Thys Van Leer, the flautist, keyboard and yodel man with other musicians. Probably called Focus cause he owns the rights to the name. Sorta like anyone other than Chris Squire can't be grouped under the name Yes cause he owns the rights to the name.

This is not the Focus of yesteryear. In fact, anytime you have the name being used from a band going back 30 years ago, it is a project by one or two of the original line-up.

[GaaraTurnedAussie]

I love the flute solo..we..speaking for me I play the flute..but I just love it

[gmcjetpilot]

@GaaraTurnedAussie

Skin flutes don't count mate.

[BeninMusik]

The first piece he playes on the flute sounds very much like a piece of bach! Does somebody know?

[metalpriest420]

happy birthday thijs!!!!!!!!

[metalpriest420]

I love this song he may not be able to hit those high notes anymore but he can sing better than most people I know

[thiesjaarsma]

Jongens en meisjes, ken uw klassiekers! Deze plaat is kunst, met een grote K. Zonder Jantje Akkerman, helaas...

[sshhiioott]

70's version was hella sick

[1971SuperLead]

Is Jan the first "shredder"?

I little sloppy but what speed, excitement, innovation, taste and style.

Was he the first to sweep pick as well?

Leave it to the dutch to yodal in a metal tune! lol

[Laaauri]

no. Robert Fripp did it in '69. and Steve Hacket i guess too.

[DerFliw1967]

They rock, they rock, and the just keep on rocking... This one's on my hyves forever...

[Iskalld]

love the singer xD

[keyswhiz]

sheeesh stop bitchin about the band and his weight.. case in point,, LOU GRAMM , brain tumor, gained a ton of weight but who cares , he gave us lots of great music which will live on long after all you assholes are dead, samd with focus,, they keep playing because they love it, not because they have to impress you with the way they lQQk... grow up. and just enjoy the music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FolkMetalac]

@keyswhiz I'm with you man,good said!

[22mountainman]

This group is always in "Focus" Fantastic arrangement which ranks as one of my favorites.

[CSXer]

Nice ending! Thanks a bunch for posting!

One of my all time favorite songs!

[Motherboard46]

I have a comment on those of you who seem to be obessed by his weight.  Does anyone expect the man look the same as in 74"

His accomplishments aa a musician is amazing.. Whether it's the past or present Focus.. They can still rock..

Thjis's energy level is incredible for someone of his age.

I remember hearing their music back in the early 70's with great amazement..

If you check out Focus 1990 youtube that was their swansong as a great group and never duplicated..

They are amazing.!

[jojojosmart]

Where were these guys in the 80's and 90's- no videos!

[hblewitt]

The first three minutes are pure self indelgence, a waste of time.The years have taken some of the shine of this performance

[NeuroProctologist]

@hblewitt He's on a stage, performing for people that came to see him and his band.

Perhaps your new to this whole live music/performance on a stage thing.

Perhaps he was supposed to try to replicate the album version in it entirety, no more, no less?

That sounds soooooooo interesting. Really.

[smashninja]

This is a masterpiece!!!

[smashninja]

O woow, he gained weith, compare him with the concert at 70's

[MrBox84]

van leer still make a great jodel :)

[PAULLONDEN]

The high pitch is done by the guitarplayer.

MrBoX.

Lame act ,especialy when you've just seen the stellar '74 performance.

[MrBox84]

i know it, in fact i was telling about the jodel, not the high pitch

[pkPUX]

they still got it :)

[ukELITEuk]

doesnt have the same "feeling" as the '73 version, still epic but not as much as a great musical moment as the original.

[dodea7584]

stop milking it already

[Chris51]

@ukELITEuk - I think he should have stuck to using a Les Paul. This guitar doesn't have the clarity to cut through kind of muddys it all up

[kingofskateop]

@ukELITEuk cuz its not 70's lol... but those are better musicians then the band in 73...

[trissie2]

@ukELITEuk dude this is just as good, they are still so awesome even 25 years later theyre still rocking hard as hell. so stop posting these sad comments plz

[mus1cat]

@trissie2 Good version with that awesome never duplicated yodelling. However, apart from Thys Van Leer, it isn't Focus. Basically a project by him with other musicians. Can't really say it's the same group. Only Van Leer is here from that time. So, I would say he is still as good as he was 25 years ago. :)

[trissie2]

@ukELITEuk dude not true, still really really good.. Loved iT

[oldsyphilitic]

@ukELITEuk The former had the energy of youth; this has the subtlety and wisdom of maturity.

[FELIPEKRON1]

yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the best!!!

[TheDoodMan]

7:19 I thought Ernest Borgnine was yodeling. Sounded a bit like his Mermaid Man voice.

[TheDoodMan]

The song just loses so much feeling without Van Leer belting the high notes and Akkerman lighting up the frets... I appreciate the guitarist's efforts but he just falls short.

[OfficialNeilGard]

maybe its his tone,

[ultimabass]

He can't replicate Van Leer's glory.

[mrbgnle]

damn, completely out of sync. Why??!!

[dziewczynaZbyszka]

Respect!

[Valcarion]

So from what I've seen Jan is the first sweep picker, ever

I mean god damn....

[jbabcock5630]

@Valcarion yup, its true, i've done some serious research into it and i believe so, he didn't bring to the level it was used today but he was the first

[Valcarion]

yeah, I figured as much

freaking ridiculous

Jan has to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time

[hulldanfan]

One of the earliest Rock players maybe, but Django was sweeping 80 years ago and Jazz cats have been doing it ever since. Also, Blackmore was sweeping in late 60's

[ShiroKreuz]

They still awesome lol =)

[zOmBiEsToMpEr666]

the singer stopped taking Drugs.. Obviously..

[spaciak]

@zOmBiEsToMpEr666

But then you live longer, even on wine and red meat! Strong dope are for pussies, or the utterly insane, and nature helps by putting 'em to an early grave!

[zOmBiEsToMpEr666]

@spaciak Then you turn fat and can't sing high notes. What a shame lol :P

[tommy198359]

@zOmBiEsToMpEr666 You sir are an idiot. This man is a genius and does not need drugs to be brilliant.This is one of the most talented bands to ever play music but only with its original players. This guitar player is very sloppy and could not hold a candle to Jan Ackermann.

[Thezemon]

they like as they were in 70's , so much .

but why the singer became fat ?

[figarobananavoladora]

People grow old and fat through the years

[westpalmscott]

I think Van Leer may have eaten jan Akkerman

[aroondsouza]

Hey man I watched this group live when they were in Dubai in the early ninties and I first heard their music around 40 years ago. Great band I must say.Very good musicians

[jfhudak]

Man, that was really excellent! I like how they handled the vocal transition! Pretty slick, and it really satisfies the ear when you listen to it. The guitar player was good as well, though I must admit I'm rather a fan of Jan Akkerman.

[luckyvet]

Yes! From a musical instrument perspective, the Best version I've heard of this song!

[xDAZZE]

It's so sad Thijs Van Leer can no longer do the extremely high vocal he used to be able to :(

[luckyvet]

Its ok though! He's still miles ahead of 99% of any musician in music today.

[SaweetTooth]

he still has the side burns though and he can yodel still i like the side burns

[Pikopati]

yea it is :(

[icabezudo]

And yet so wonderfully awesome that he is still around performing at all. The fact that they came up with a solution to the problem and kept on going is fantastic!

[LucianDarkwynd]

The audio is off...

[here4family]

Thought I was checking out Charlie Daniels for a bit..LOL

[KakashiOwnage]

The guitarist is awesome

[billywinking]

halloween covered it pretty good.

[daindabain]

this song reminds me of something a few years ago mayb a skate video or summin cant quite put my finger on it

[BANDIT120066]

STUNNING !!!

[kenziexxpodders]

Yep Awesome !!!!!

[thetrobador]

awsome!!!

[Edensadventures]

haha, this is the result when epic nerds get together to jam.

Way cool!

=D

[ThaFreshPrinceofGA]

It's called Progressive Rock

[jabberwockknight]

professor

[Salbeibonsche]

still fantastic

[bobdebord]

this is your brain on drugs...any questions?

[Arnkellj]

the 70's version is better... more powerful.

[Pectiniculus]

they don't have the same guitarist, that's basically why.

[zugrundig]

your answer is at 8:33

[mysticvintage]

you are right, he doesnt sound too good. too much shredding, too scoop distortion

[dwightownnoobs]

can you play better?

[westrokker]

the years have not been kind to Thijs van leer

[MeltmanX]

He looked exactly the same as in this video when I saw them 3 yrs ago. in fact, where is the video from?

[westrokker]

not sure but I loved Focus back in the

70's, still listen to "Moving Waves" ti this day, God I'm old!

[mysticvintage]

havent.

[AdamAus85]

Good on em, still giving it his all.

[currawongee]

i love european people

[johnbourbon]

you would

[DecapitatedOwns666]

love u 2

[hectordiosviento]

quiero tener un abuelito asi de loco

[Mreloka1]

I doooo... remember, so, excellent !

Wow! amazing! Thanks

[ivarus75]

This is a great example of what a big difference Jan Akkerman made to this song!

[panhead1219]

Yodel Miester!

[KillerClown2614]

Oustanding! Not enough of this about these days!!

[sonykroket]

Not bad at all, Thijs still has it.

Jan Dumee is very good but.....we all know what.

Akkerman = best.

[ironmanpizza]

OK! I GOT CHILLS "ETHEREAL" i looked up that word , it fits . Music is how our souls travel , a comisic nonlinear timeless journey .

[OhmygodSportacus]

They're still at it

[qurazy]

One of the most chaotic songs ever written.

[mercman58]

Outstanding to say the least

[drjvideo]

I'm allergic to out of sync videos.

[mjgh5000]

your video lags a bit

[thiesjaarsma]

mooi hoor. puik werk van thijs...echt mooi. Een Fantastisch nummer, en dat na al die jaren nog 'ns, en zo ongelofelijk mooi...hulde!

[ThomasHardmanJr]

Any metal band that wants to be thought to be worthy must do a cover of this.

[Steevforgreatjustice]

Any metal band which thinks it can cover this without pissing all over it is clearly wrong

[Brewdison217]

Well said Steev

[gtakira07]

hey guys, tell me the name of the tune thijis plays on flute at the first part of this video.

[cesarmalak]

Damn this Thjis guy is just crazed!

[FATSOMAN45]

how can he still sing that good

[Egomentu]

Its good, but its not the 70´s. And its not Akkerman.

[1MProductions]

I agree, this guy just can't keep up with Jan Akkerman.

[doutorsilva2008]

something really special and brillant

[currawongee]

brillant stuff good to see the man's still doing it easy

[badnameboy]

3:13 is awesome!

[lacinty]

it's awesome to see this amazing band and Thijs van Leer after 30 years,,, so cool ! TE GEK! :D

[HoundmanV]

J42... When MMR started the Marconi Experiment on 93.3, I thought IBG had cranked up the power, and started a show, playing all the same music, And telling you who they were and the names of the songs. Ever hear, Jumpin Jack Flash played on organ by Wynder K Frog, who was really Mick Weaver??

[HoundmanV]

J42 I don't remember WIFI, so searched. read they played the music after HS games or something. I had heard that IBG ran the FM station for some FCC rules about brodcast power, maybe on AM, and why they didn't have a regular show. It is pretty convoluted. Used to go to a club in Philly to hear, "The Young Ideas", and 1 nite they announce they are going to play, " I Can't Quit Her", by BS&T with Al Kooper. That's how I learned the name and group. The lead singer was reading the words off a sheet

[HoundmanV]

Jacksn42.. It was WIBG FM. )

[Jacksn42]

Ahh yeah...correct.

[RenewedLikeTheEagle]

Awesome

[Jaydoug99]

Listen to rock occasionally, and i must say this is some hoottt shit

[jmmatos23]

organs, and flute... thijs van leeeeeeeeeer! aaaaaah aaaaah aaah aaaaaaaaaah! :D

[Vidwatchuk]

I agree 30 yrs on and still sounds good many bands from 30yrs ago havent done so well

[TrimTOODLE]

AC/DC !

[bazooka1001]

I'm going to see them tonight !

[azul0380]

I'm so jealous!

[soulserviver101]

Focus - Hocus Pocus (Live!) search that it's like the one in 73

[soulserviver101]

this isnt the real video the video in 1973 was better and there is no comperison

[PuppyZwolle]

Not the real video?

Of course this is a real video. It is not the original version from '73 but what do you expect? People change in 30 years... at least they should.

I love this one almost as much as the '73 version.

[jmmatos23]

this one is much better dude!

[antagonist42]

The flute reminds me of Ian Anderson.

Holy crap...This is THE BEST...

[DavidCassidyFan2]

Dam, these guys are like fine wine.

[newlyneast]

Saw Focus in Tavistock Devon UK in April 09.

I love the sound, Thijs Van leer Beautiful soulul sound of his Hammond and Flute with the combination with Pierre Van der Linden amazing energy of percussion and Niels van der Steenhoven talent, so soulful and emotional, there is NO SUBSTUTE for emotinal music for which Focus are masters of.Thats why their tours are so popular. I think Thys is a very special emotional creative Musician. ( from an old fiftty fart who loves his Hammond A100!)

[detriotdave]

all these years and the lead singer has not lost his mutton chops

[ThatOneBrownKid]

I'd be pissed if he did

[PuppyZwolle]

He tried to sell them. Nobody was interested. He's stuck with them.

;^)

[nopjes001]

great combination!!!!!!!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[celsopiano]

Du Karaleo!!!!!! Espetacular....

[BARRIEMOREBARLOW]

Brilliant. Spectacular. A must for every music student.

[tinshey2]

exelent. it drive me crazy

[josspretty]

rock on!

[HoundmanV]

This is one of the songs that the top AM station in Philly played on their Automated FM station, in the late 60's, when FM was starting to arrive. It wasn't very powerful, and No DJ or commercials, just music, and a voice giving the call letters every 20min. They played this, Led Zep, The Rotary Connection, and BS&T with Al Kooper, and music that no one else was playing. Hearing this, I thought the Swiss had a rock band with the yodeling.) It was a trip, and frustrating not knowing who they were

[Jacksn42]

Ah, yes HoundmanV I can still hear it...92.5 WIFI. Those were the days!