Focus: Live in America

Rating:
Summary: This is Focus Live 2002
Review: BEWARE! If you order this thinking it is "Focus Masters From the Vaults" it is not! This is a Live concert recorded in 2002 at Nearfest. It is not the archival DVD from Classic Rock Productions.

Rating:
Summary: This is Focus Live 2002
Review: BEWARE! If you order this thinking it is "Focus Masters From the Vaults" it is not! This is a Live concert recorded in 2002 at Nearfest. It is not the archival DVD from Classic Rock Productions.

Rating:
Summary: New line up serves Focus well
Review: No, this is not the original Focus band, nor is it archival footage. It is Thijs Van Leer with a lineup playing all of Focus's best material, plus a couple of new pieces, at Nearfest 2002, a prog rock festival.
Don't let the fact that Jan Ackerman isn't in this line up deter you....the new guitarist, Jan Dumee, is every bit as good, maybe better. In several of the pieces, he goes all out with extended solos that are superb, in the fiery fusion style. The guy is a monster player. Thijs's flute and organ work are also first rate. His playing in "House of the King" and "Flute Improvisations" is as good as ever.
Several of the songs take a few minutes to get going, but then generally work up to a furious level of playing. Hocus Pocus, saved for last, is definately a crowd pleaser. The DVD is shot well, and the sound is excellent. If you enjoy great instrumental prog/jazz/rock with liberal doses of searing electric guitar, you will love this DVD.

Rating:
Summary: What a lovely surprise
Review: This DVD is realy a surprise, FOCUS in new 'cover' but still with Thijs Van Leer (Focus to me) is a well playing band playing the essential FOCUS in the best way - don't wait - bye...