Review of Focus: The Ultimate Anthology

Introduction

Another Ragnarock `Ultimate Anthology` release, this time featuring Dutch prog- rock super-group `Focus`. The Ragnarock library has been a mixed bag thus far, generally under-delivering on the `Ultimate` promise but on this occasion they`ve struck pure gold.

Focus were one of those peculiar bands (straddling the line between the kraut-rock extremities of Can and Faust and `hey-nonny-no` prog) that had an instantly definable sound. Sometimes experimental, but always extremely musical, it was the virtuoso combination of classically trained keyboardist/vocalist/flautist Thijs Van Leer and guitarist extraordinaire Jan Akkerman that defined their emotive soundscapes.

This disc kicks off in fine form with an early `70`s TV performance of their hit, `Hocus Pocus` (available elsewhere on a Ragnarock DVD compilation). There are some great pieces of guitar work and the yodelling segments are as comical today as they were back then. A prog-rock act that didn`t take themselves too seriously!

Next up is an extraordinary find. A complete live TV performance of `Hamburger Concerto`, a 20 minute epic. Set against a glittering disco-style back-drop, there is no light show to enhance this musical journey and the audience are fixed in their seats like Madame Tussaud rejects, but this is all about the music, not the performance. It`s a truly blistering rendition with surprisingly good sound for a TV piece reaching its 30th anniversary. Akkerman`s guitar work here is pure magic, and Van Leer drifts effortlessly between his keyboards and flute during this complex but melodic opus.
Having closed my eyes to enjoy the music, when opening them again it was with a shriek that I realised the uncanny similarity between 1974`s van Leer (now in close-up) and Bill Bailey. (He`s a keyboard player too isn`t he? Hmmmm…).

Track 3 is a near perfect rendition of `Eruption` from their finest album (in my view) `Moving Waves`. It`s been a decade or two since I listened to this but it still sends a shiver up and down the spine. This performance was from a recent reunion tour (2002) and the sudden time transition is quite jarring. Thijs Van Leer looks like he`s performed a `Hamburger Concerto` too many as there`s twice as much of him to enjoy here. Jan Akkerman has either worn extremely well or we have an imposter, and sadly the trademark Les Paul has disappeared too. But despite these disappointments this is a sterling rendition and the live audio quality is really first class.

We then (peculiarly) travel back in time to get a glorious workout of `Anonymous II` and it`s a relief to find Akkerman back on the axe. Then it`s back to 2002 again (the logic of track order is weird here) for a pleasant run-through of `House of the King` - a flute dominated track that wouldn`t have sounded out of place behind that `70`s test card with the girl holding the clown. Not a highlight!
But then all is forgiven as we`re treated to a mid-70`s medley of Focus hits, kicking off with `Eruption` again and by now even the most hardened Focus fan should be wiping a tear from their nostalgic eye. Its just plain bloody brilliant! To keep those tears of joy rolling, we then get a nice version of ` Focus III` from the 2002 tour, and it still sounds great - it`s beautiful melody picked out and defined on guitar in a way that is not often heard in contemporary music. The disc ends with a 1970`s version of hit `Sylvia` and then a final clip from 2002 of the band reprising `Hocus Pocus` complete with wildly eccentric vocals that include Van Leer speaking in a language of his own making that more than doubles his native Dutch.

Video

Variable 4:3 as would be expected from a compilation straddling three decades. But overall, surprising acceptable throughout.

Audio

Dolby and DTS options. I personally preferred the warmth and intimacy of the Dolby tracks to the DTS re-mastering which seemed to do little other than widen the sound.
Again, considering the varied sources, remarkably good.

Features

None.

Conclusion

Any disc proclaiming to be the `ultimate` anything has much to live up to. Here, at last, is a disc that lives up to the hype. Devoted Focus fans will want to buy this disc immediately, and for those (like me) that remember Focus with a fond nostalgic glow, there is much to recommend it. Certainly a DVD that will bear repeated viewings / listening. Recommended!