The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus [Original recording remastered] [Import]

1. Hocus Pocus

2. Anonymus

3. House of the King

4. Focus [Instrumental]

5. Janis

6. Focus II

7. Tommy (Eruption)

8. Sylvia

9. Focus III

10. Harem Scarem

11. Mother Focus

12. Focus IV

13. Bennie Helder

14. Glider

15. Red Sky at Night

16. Hocus Pocus [US Single Version]

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Reissue of 1994 compilation for the Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus', featured here alongside 15 other tracks (16 in all) including the U.S. single version of 'Hocus Pocus'. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus,Focus,Import [Generic],667344114345,Netherlands,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Average customer rating:

Focus - A Nice Overview Of The Band's Career
Don't need anything else.
ROCK'S MOST JAMMIN' SONG.....................PERIOD!!!!!!!!
Only "Hocus Pocus" is any good
Dutch Treat !

The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus
Focus
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Moving Waves
Focus III
Live at the Rainbow
Hamburger Concerto
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

ASIN: B00005B361
Release Date: 2001-02-19

Tracks:

Hocus Pocus
Anonymus
House of the King
Focus [Instrumental]
Janis
Focus II
Tommy (Eruption)
Sylvia
Focus III
Harem Scarem
Mother Focus
Focus IV
Bennie Helder
Glider
Red Sky at Night
Hocus Pocus [US Single Version]

Album Description

Reissue of 1994 compilation for the Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus', featured here alongside 15 other tracks (16 in all) including the U.S. single version of 'Hocus Pocus'. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally remastered compilation of their greatest hits.

Customer Reviews:

Focus - A Nice Overview Of The Band's Career.......2007-03-19

I came a bit late to the Focus bandwagon. Of course I had heard their one big US it "Hocus Pocus" which still gets classic rock airplay to this day, but I had never explored any of their albums. When we signed the band to play ProgDay 2004 I thought I should pick up a compilation and this is the one I picked. I was very pleasantly surprised. The album presents a nice overview of the band's career and the recordings have all been remasterd and sound top notch. There are two versions of "Hocus Pocus" the single which made it into the top 10 on the singles charts back in the 70's. Most of the band's other best known stuff is here too including "Sylvia", "House Of The King", "Harem Scarem" and "Focus III". The album is all instrumental with the exception of a few yodels and yelps from Thjis Van Leer. Both Van Leer and Jan Akkerman shine on their respective instruments throughout and the album switches between up tempo rockers and more mellow melodic fare. Overall this is a nice compilation and would serve as a decent into to the band's material.

Don't need anything else........2004-06-25

If you know of Focus, and are just a casual fan, then this is all you need. They definitely have more depth than just "Hocus Pocus" but in reality this is a good overview of their career.

ROCK'S MOST JAMMIN' SONG.....................PERIOD!!!!!!!!.......2004-06-23

If there exsists a more "jammin" "kick **s" "put the pedal to the metal" song out there.......I've never heard it!! Nothing comes close to this rock masterpiece. When you think they can't possibly "turn it up a another notch", they pull it off flawlessly, and never stop!!

Only "Hocus Pocus" is any good.......2004-06-08

...which is fine with me, because that was what I bought the disc for. But I just wanted to warn those who might expect a whole album of comparatively high-quality music that there's a good reason for which the group is only known for the one song. The remainder of the album alternates between attempts at ripping off Jethro Tull and ripping off Pink Floyd, but they never get anywhere near either band's skills in either the composing nor the performing sense.

"Hocus Pocus" is a fantastic hard rock song. There's nothing else in the world that's quite like it. The rest of the album never even approaches this level of hyperactive intensity. They're basically a very mellow group except during "Hocus Pocus," and thankfully, the long six-plus-minute version is the one featured, along with an odd shorter version at the end of the disc that's not mixed very well.

While there's a lot of instrumental music I love (Zappa, anyone?), I thought I should warn those expecting vocal rock that this is a completely instrumental album (unless you count the occasional "yeah" or yodel).

To sum up, then: Phenomenal title track, followed by an hour of filler.

Dutch Treat !.......2004-06-03

Has it really been over 30 years since this terrific group of musicians from Holland scored a huge success with their "Moving Waves" album, and the highly original signature tune, "Hocus Pocus" ? Time flies--but, in the case of Focus, time has been kind--their music still sounds fresh, melodic and exciting.

The band went through some personnel changes, but the key members were Thijs Van Leer ( keyboards, flute, vocals ), and guitar whiz, Jan Akkerman. I have fond memories of seeing them live in Montreal--an awesome concert.

This CD is an excellent retrospecive of their most memorable numbers. Their music was primarily instrumental,and "progressive" in the most positive sense. The "focus" here--if you'll pardon the pun--was on musicianship--these guys could really play. I suspect Akkerman and Van Leer might have had some classical training in their youth. All their well-known numbers are included--"Harem Scarem", "Sylvia", "Janis" and two different versions of "Hocus Pocus".

The 70s was an era where bands flourished who had only the most talented musicians. Later, progressive rock groups were often labelled pretentious--usually by critics who could only appreciate three-chord boogies ! Well--this "pretentious" music gave us some of the most incredible musicians rock has ever had--Steve Howe, Tony Banks, Keith Emerson, Dave Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Robert Fripp, Daryl Way and--yes--Jan Akkerman. When I hear some of the junk that is selling today, I don't know whether to laugh or cry !

OK--I'm off my soapbox ! Bottom line--Focus were easily one of the best 70s bands, and this CD is a worthy compilation. Recommended.

Droste Presents the Best of Holland
Average customer rating:
Droste Presents the Best of Holland
Various Artists , and The Prodigal Sons, Hocus Pocus -- Focus, Margriet Eshuijs, Shocking Blue, Herman Brood, Golden Earring, Het Goede Doel 2 Unlimited
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000N76874

Product Description

Various Artists / Droste Presents The best of Holland Track Title 1. You -- Ten Sharp 2. When the lady smiles -- Golden Earring 3. Belgie -- Het Goede Doel 4. Saturday Night -- Herman Brood 5. Venus -- Shocking Blue 6. Bloedend Hart -- De Dijk 7. House for Sale -- Margriet Eshuijs 8. Hocus Pocus -- Focus 9. You still think -- The Prodigal Sons 10. No Limits -- 2 Unlimited