Twitch Vocal Coach Reacts to Focus - Hocus Pocus

[@straymusictracksfromdavoro6510]

I have watched this more times than I can remember and still Jan Akkerman's guitar playing continues to astound me.

[@vishalvarier5397]

The licks from 8:22 make me stank face every single time. Every single time, no fail. Such fresh dissonant sound to throw into the more conventional rocking rhythm section (although the drummer's probably got more jazz chops as a drummer than Jan as a guitarist)

[@drj602]

He is such a master.

[@SatanicHamsterThe]

Great drummer, great guitarist, and great lead singer. Very talented band.

[@steverakes6182]

The only standing ovation ever given on the Midnight Special.

[@Drinckx2]

Such a great song. Add him to the list of great Dutch singers on your 'watch list'. And props to Jan Akkerman's ridiculous shredding on the guitar. Brilliant madness.

[@PastaRulla]

Jan Akkerman was better shredder than almost all current heavy guitarists nowadays are combined.

[@sie11pervan]

@@PastaRulla and made it look ridiculously easy as well. Like a leisurely Saturday night rehearsal in a garage.

[@jeanmariezeyen111]

@@PastaRulla...an still IS !! (if he wants to) but he also does this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fcc2Vjn8mVlac

[@louisvitalis4800]

I was 14 when they did this, it was a great hit in our prog rock community in Amsterdam! I loved it then, still love it. Great reaction!

[@tonyanderton3521]

Me too, Louis; just 14. Our best wishes from England to our friends in Amsterdam, and thank you for sending us your great prog rock band Focus whom we loved.

[@sierkvanderwerf4765]

Just so you know, the dude singing/synth/flute "Thijs van Leer", has also participated with Ayreon on the cd "Into the electric castle" and the live show "electric castle live and other tales"

[@LordBaktor]

Jan Akkerman, according to a guitarist friend of mine, was doing stuff back then that didn't become mainstream until like a decade later. Still impressive today.

[@HenryFordOfficial]

probably the guy who brought sweep picking into the mainstream

[@yampymusic]

You can see him sweep picking before sweep picking was a thing at 8m31s

[@sophuz]

the crazier about this performance is that they are playing at like 1.5 normal speed due to the TV show time limit and they don´t wanting to cut the song

[@mauijttewaal]

Yeah that's what he said...

[@Kgio-2112]

Ha. Everyone thinks its so unique with this performance. If you have ever been to a concert, especially rock, they usually play faster than the studio recordings. They all all amped up and adrenalined up

[@wjl2601]

Jan Akkerman is clearly fed up with this jodeling act and is shredding his nuts of at te same time. He was the most surprising, innovative rock guitarist at the time, far ahead and very much admired by the establishment. He was and is a legend.

[@BroudbrunMusicMerge]

The whole band was a conglomerate of insane talent

[@damirhlobik6488]

Absolutely right But Mr Thijs van Leer is a miracle

[@wjl2601]

@@damirhlobik6488 Yes he is;-)

[@damirhlobik6488]

@@wjl2601 Do you know the Introspection albums by Thijs?

[@wjl2601]

@@damirhlobik6488 Of course. Groot solo werk van mr. Thijs. Dutch seventies treasure.

[@henkras2049]

Everybody, over 50 years old in The Netherlands knows John Woodhouse. He was an accordeon icon. Ekseption brought classical compositions into the pop world, mixed with their own music. I liked it very much and I am happy to see them on you channel.

[@huachenyuforforever6024]

Yes so true! Our country had a variety of artists and very good ones too! We had the Woodhouse records, Ekseption and Focus. Amazing :-)

[@papaverweg]

I do remember me John Woodhouse, stage name of Johan Hendrik Holshuysen (Amsterdam, June 1, 1922 - Turnhout, May 7, 2001) was a Dutch accordionist and composer. At the age of fifteen he became world champion playing the accordion by playing Mozart's "Turkish March" with the accordion on his back. Woodhouse played for years for the VARA radio with the orchestra Accordeola with, among others, Jaap Valkhoff, Eddy de Jong and others, and also as an accordionist with the Windmolens orchestra. Woodhouse was regularly assisted on his records by the flute player Gerry. As Johnny Holshuysen, he composed and arranged more than 1000 pieces for radio ensembles such as Accordeola, Bella Musica, the Edelweiss Kapell, Sfeer en Rhythme and various ensembles and orchestras bearing his name. In addition to ‘Koffie, Koffie, Lekker Bakkie Koffie’ sung by Rita Corita kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmGzdKiPbc2Xd7M he became famous for writing songs. He won the National Song Contest three times as a composer with Speeldoos (1963, played by Annie Palmen), Het is enough (1965, played by Conny Vandenbos) and Ringdingeding (1967, played by Thérèse Steinmetz). In 1967 he had a big hit with.“Melodia" kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGOuqXuIjqiIjZo, an instrumental version of "Hörst du mein heimliches rufen" played on the "Magic Accordion", an electronic accordion with the sound of an electric organ. A number of smaller hits followed like “Aloha Oe” kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIGbdHhmorKfj6c. He gained great fame with the TROS TV program Woodhouse in Vienna. In 1973 Woodhouse was a guest musician with Ruud Bos on the soundtrack of the movie ‘Naakt over de Schutting’. His accordion playing can be heard during the opening credits and in a few other music fragments in the film. In 1975 John Woodhouse worked on the film Rooie Sien. He can be seen in a small role as an accordionist in the café where Sientje (played by Willeke Alberti) has her first performances. He lived in Belgium for the last years of his life and died in Turnhout at the age of 78.

[@R---66---R]

Grand story! I just picked out three facts: Mozart, flute and 'windmolens' (windmills).........hmmmmm, let me guess....uhhhhh...Nightwish??? ;-}

[@okiejohn3925]

@@R---66---R I wonder if Troy can play the accordian....I wouldn't bet against it....

[@TheStraatjutter]

Het is genoeg is a great song , gosh.

[@jerryconnors1703]

1. You have the proper respect for the range of talent that Thijs van Leer exhibits here -- thank you. 2. I've timed the song and it is played at 1.37x normal speed because of the time the show gave them. 3. That was Gladys Knight (of "and the Pips") doing the introduction. 4. The story is that this is the only standing ovation ever given on The Midnight Special. 5. I don't know if you are also a guitarist, but another writer pointed out that Jan Akkerman was "sweep picking" in the next-to-last segment -- one of the first-known instances. Thanks!

[@Vinterfrid]

Respect suggesting he's on acid all the time? I beg to differ!

[@marcmulder9893]

Good date for uploading this reaction. ;-) I miss joining live but I am glad there is the VOD. I had a lot of fun during this reaction which was my request.

[@codonauta]

There is a part was cut off from the original, when the vocalist keeps a yodel for 18 seconds without breathing. It´s gorgeous, I don´t know why that part was cut, and why exactly that part. We find the full version of this in YT.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

I’ve been thinking about doing a yodeling comparison video this would be great for it

[@karlagerfeld8362]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/farbhKmQhMesa5Y

[@huachenyuforforever6024]

John Woodhouse! My dad had his records. The last thing I could imagine was a reactor reacting to Focus and mentioning Woodhouse. His 'Woodhouse smile' was just as famous as his accordion playing. Isn't KZbin amazing, thank you!

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

This is awesome! I didn't know that about his smile 😁

[@henkvandenbos9769]

Dutchie born in 1962 reacting here... Focus was something extraordinary, and how funny to hear that you're related to John Woodhoose / Johnny Holshuysen, I remember both very well, both were legendary in their own field in The Netherlands!

[@petervanderstraten1547]

Tijs van Leer ( the jodeling guy) also performing with flute in a couple song of Ayreon, for instance: Ayreon - Valley Of The Queens: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJWxnnatfdOWn6s

[@Orielzolrak]

why? Why? why? the peple that see o listen something different says: what kind of drugs use? Maybe yes, but imagination don´t need drugs always! Sorry for this, english isn´t my language, I am drawer and listening Focus in the meddle of 70ts Best regards

[@RegisWilkins]

You're correct, Focus was a brilliant band. But this clown doesn't get it.

[@erwinmulder1338]

Classic Dutch prog to the max. Love it.

[@palantir135]

Thijs van Leer plays flute in the last live concert by Ayreon: the electric castle live and other tales. No, they’re not on acid. They’re Dutch, as am I.

[@mauijttewaal]

There's a lot of speed involved;)

[@EricvanDorp007]

You just gave a reaction to my type of music from a perspective as a Dutch so I know FOCUS so good!

[@Payne2view]

Back when if music was a bit odd sounding the audience just thought "Hey, this is a happening, so groovy man!" and appreciated it. "Sylvia" is still my favorite song by Focus though.

[@Bigdog-Reacts]

And that performance received the first and (I believe) only standing ovation ever on The Midnight Special!

[@johnvierdag5060]

John Woodhouse was a world champion player of the accordeon at one time if I recall correctly. I really do appreciate your very positive and elaborate acknowledgement of the people that are applying their skills in expressing musical emotions (artists and reactor colleagues alike)

[@davidg1612]

I can't believe the crowd wasn't sitting there speechless at the end thinking, "WTF was that?!?" Lol

[@Leeuw1962]

Cool, John Woodhouse. Yes, a big name in the fifties and sixties in the Netherlands. And yes, Focus was a real kind of Hocus Pocus musical magic!

[@freddykhd]

Johnny Woodhouse still is very famous in the Netherlands and very good in his genre. I dare to say that Focus was the best band in the worrld in that time.

[@toddstevens13]

Only Full Standing Ovation in the History Of Midnight Special.

[@black4pienus]

Yay, more Dutchies! My dad loves Thijs van Leer (vocalist). I still think it's brilliant they sped up the song to make it fit the given time. lol I bet my dad knows Johnny Woodhouse.

[@andytilley7205]

Saw these guys in concert last year, they are still touring in their 70's. Awesome it was

[@TheVirtualWatcher]

Oh! The 70's were a wonderful time to live through ...

[@arturama8581]

I asked my father, cause he knew 'John Woodhouse' personally. My dad was in the same scene, playing the double bass harmonica in a - then very popular - harmonica trio. The 'Magic' in John Woodhouse's accordion was that it was actually an electronic organ, played by the keyboards of the accordion, which gave him all the different sounds and registers. My dad didn't know if the bellows were real or just for keeping up appearances.

[@astridhofstra4895]

Ofcourse we know Johnny Woodhouse, an icon. Seen Thijs van Leer doing this one just a few years ago in de Boerderij, he couldn't reach the highest note but that energy, man. My daughter and I danced and danced, he came up to us and the end of that show because he enjoyed our dancing so much. Seen him also just before covid with Ayreon.

[@mahalayananda]

I was just 12 when this one came out and we were eagerly discussing whether it was Jan Ackerman or Ritchie Blackmore from Deep purple who was the best guitar player in the world. Still love both. You talked about acid and I think during this period Focus was probably one of the most sober bands around.

[@liefde1911]

I saw Focus in my youth. They were excellent musicians!! Jan Akkerman, at that moment one of the best guitar player in the world.

[@RikvanderSchalie]

And he still performs, and he still is phenomenal. . Saw him a few years ago in a local music pub (80 people max) at a distance of 1 meter. Quite the experience.

[@joostprins3381]

Don’t forget 3 of them did the conservatory (classic), so no nitwits.

[@fsinjin60]

The best point Charlie hit on was this was an instrumental and vocal warm-up for the band which became recorded and their first international hit. Yodeling loosens the soft palate, and the head voice warmup goes into the stratosphere. After this tune, they would be ready for any performance.

[@uueyeam6398]

Thijs van Leer appeared on the last project from Aryon as well

[@benmelich8220]

That was actually the short version! You should check out the full version of that video.

[@RegisWilkins]

this vocal coach is a joke. Doesn't know wtf he's talking about. Drugs? Shows total ignorance.

[@jerrybutler1336]

standing ovation................

[@Bodyknock]

That's weird, it lost a section where he yodels for about 22 seconds straight, amazing breath control!

[@wendyt7958]

Amazing vocals and as far as I know they only had one song that they sang in "Moving Waves" They were far ahead of the times. Love them

[@bevohw]

Late reaction Just seen it In 1978 when I was stil a cop We recieved a call from him He had to perform in our city but was lost He drove in a mini cooper So we helped him to get on time for the concert He was a remarkle man I was already a fan from Focus so after the concert he invited us and gave us free tickets for there new concert as VIP's haha Something you will never forget., Great reaction from you Greetings from an Old Dutchman

[@geertdelange4785]

Progrock from the Netherlands, early seventees, the original (7 minutes) is much more slower. This performance goes like a bullet 🔥 Thijs van Leer, is stil on stage 🤘🏻🇳🇱❤️

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

Also, the message they brought was, don't take yourself so seriously, something these days is lost trough times. I still have a vinyl copy of their album.

[@gayrambo4529]

I always though Thijs was having a bad acid trip there in the beginning, but then I realized he's just stretching out his face for the workout he's going put it through.

[@MrBonners]

In the 70s N.American Rock one way and European Rock another way. There were many experimental rock bands. Germany and the Netherlands were a hot bed for it. Also called 'Alternate Rock'.

[@wouterboswinkel1713]

There are 2 persons who stand out Thijs van Leer (keyboards etc) and Jan Akkerman who was voted best gitarist of the world 1973 by melody maker. Both are still alive (thijs is from 31-03-1948 and jan is from 24-12-1946)

[@Kgio-2112]

Cant discount Pierre on drums

[@Paul_C]

Oh man, I remember John Woodhouse, not my favourite but my grandmother liked his music. And with two television channels only....

[@R---66---R]

Hahahaha...one of 'the' best reactions on YT! And...oh yeah, for real, I live in one of the most crazy, versatile countries of planet Earth...The Netherlands! Thanks again, man...so good! This was no April Fools Day joke...no, this was real...a real musical top-product from a period of time when I had 7 years of age ;-}

[@maureenwagg5305]

Great reaction to this fantastic Dutch band. Loved it.

[@richardmorton4762]

Check out Dear Mr Fantasy by Traffic. Steve Winwood was the lead singer.. He has some awesome vocal techniques.

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

I'll never get over how well he jumps through vocal ranges like they are nothing

[@bob5074]

Dude is a Rock God and master of breath control.

[@terryconstanti3073]

Hocus Pocus is a real showstopper but for my taste, for musicality - composition, lyricism, tone, beauty - their later albums ”Hamburger Concerto” and ”Mother Focus” are my favourites

[@Green-Lyon]

Gelukkige Verjaardag/Happy Birthday to the mad Dutchman who turned 73 yesterday!

[@lernmit5824]

Unfortunately, this is the shortened version of the performance. It's even hotter in full length!!!

[@robertcraane7910]

Oh...we temember Johnny Woodhouse...still a legend here in The Netherlands!

[@Simon-hb9rf]

a fun reaction, and with that moustache and open shirt combo your giving off your own 70's vibe lol. P.s. is that a banksy over your shoulder?

[@benbermusics]

Great to see this one again,thanks!

[@Nimrodsland]

The US audience wasn't ready for it ... it still isn't

[@MrBonners]

Viking Rock.

[@annebokma4637]

Johnny woodhouse. I was born in 1968 and I know him 😁 midnight special released an uncut version of this. The missing part is brilliant too.

[@damirhlobik6488]

Finally an expert who explained the vocal capabilities of Mr. Thijs van Leer, thnx 🙂

[@DanaTheInsane]

As someone who’s been on acid nobody stoned is playing that tight and that fast.

[@ternel]

Any tips for performing this karaoke?

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Warm up before

[@NorCalGuy]

Charlie! This totally made my day. When I saw this I was already familiar with it and hand to God… Completely by myself I yelled out yes yes yes!

[@erikcouvret]

Your "greatuncle" Johnny Woodhouse was one of the best accordeonists ever! Great ears, no keyboard side, just buttons! Which is far more difficult. And the guitarplayer in Focus was a huge talent. Jan Akkerman! Also one of the best ever! Didn't want to adjust to the commercial world too much. But he is happy, I guess, now playing the lute very beautiful! The band was a sensation at the time in Holland! Performed at my school 3 times! :-) The singer Thijs van Leer was more known for playing his Hammond organ and flute than singing ! Classical background! Still respected but not a big career!

[@taylortyler1867]

It's funny that you mentioned an accordion b/c the studio version of this has what sounds to me like an accordion towards the end. If he's your grandmother's brother, then he _IS_ your great uncle.

[@one42chrisp]

I have loved this piece ever since it came out, as well as the “Moving Waves” album! There is a fabulous Ayreon video that features not only Thijs van Leer but also John de Lancie, and Arjen himself on vocals, plus, of course, a few other greats, it’s a lot of fun. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGasmqele72Wbac

[@chrissturkenboom6080]

I know John Woodhous. My parents had all his albums.

[@zoebanks687]

I like the fact that you minimize your screen so that we can see more of the video rather than putting the video in a small screen as most reactors do. Take note other reactors.

[@deed5811]

6:18 reminds me of Indian vocal percussion chipmunk style!

[@Unsung_Earth]

I want this for my ringtone

[@fredvrijhof3870]

Johnny Woodhouse was very famous in these days too! Haven't heard his name for so many years. Cool!

[@thomasgurley8893]

All y'all are wrong because focus was so against doing drugs. They had 4 minutes to play an 8 minute song and they made it work

[@Kgio-2112]

I know this is a vocal reaction but that sweep at 8:30!!

[@dwaynehutchinson3112]

The band FOCUS reminds me of the band DARKNESS I love the song HOCUS POCUS in 1973 the lead singer reminds me of the lead singer in the band DARKNESS

[@renevw5812]

And there is another story behind this performance in this show. The makers of the show where listening to the song and said: well you only have the half of the time so can you shorten the song. Well Focus thought, yes we can. Now normal bands saying well lets cut in the song. Focus, well lets play it the whole song.....but up tempo :)

[@perkeyser2032]

Kind of funny to have a vocal coach react to an "instrumantal" song. :)

[@gusncamargodrummer]

insane musicianship level. Over the top...

[@damianvc31]

If I'm not mistaken Tim Akkerman who shares Beste Zangers season with Floor, is the son of Jan Akkerman the guitarist of Focus

[@flashpeter625]

Can you cite any source for that? I had the suspicion that they might be related, but could not find a single reference to Jan's children or Tim's parents. Akkerman is not an entirely uncommon surname in the Netherleands (3500 individuals with this surname in 2007), so it could as well be coincidental.

[@damianvc31]

@@flashpeter625 don't reverse exactly but I believe I saw it somewhere, I'll post it if I find it

[@maartjewaterman1193]

Yes, I do remember John Woodhouse very well.

[@mennobults6464]

And you don't have the version were he plays the cello ;-)

[@Templarofsteel88]

I read this on a other reaction video for this song,the band stated that the only thing they were on for this preformance was red bull. :P

[@mauijttewaal]

This was 1973...

[@musicreview7160]

You have the best sounding mic setup. Dayum! Me jealous!

[@FocusVideoArchive]

Since you have reacted to «Hocus Pocus» by Focus, you should also react to this: This is a follow-up video, with fun and interesting stuff about Hocus Pocus and Focus. A MUST WATCH! Hope you’ll watch it. Here is the link, it’s uploaded as «not listed» so it’s not officially on my channel yet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5eXZHSwbtWDi5o

[@AnOldGreyDog]

Mind you, that's probably the least impressive rendition of the 'scatty' section that I've heard. Probably because they're playing it so fast, he couldn't do it properly (it's already stupidly fast at normal speed). Listen to the original: that part is much more complex.

[@codypendragons]

Yodalene←(not sure I spelled that right it looks more like a lady's name or someone's name. Rather than an exercise, in vocal breaking) is like a drug, it makes me happy to hear it and when it stops I think of it fondly, but I never do it 😊

[@byardw]

I've often wondered if this was what castrati sounded like.

[@thenflywjaz6917]

3:08 Vocal coach opines how naturally the voice can yodel, then makes the world's worst attempt at yodelling ...

[@HenryFordOfficial]

a les paul into a plexi is still the best metal guitar tone of all time

[@gingerbaker_toad696]

Akkordeon, the german instrument from hell. - Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)

[@stevevalkos6308]

it's pretty cool listening to someone analyzing yodeling

[@chrisgrose8712]

This was just a great screw you to the TV programmes controlling mindset and was just such a marvel to play the complete piece in 4 minutes, while still keeping it in it`s entirety. Sheer genius.

[@sharkyvomit]

You are family of Johnny Woodhouse? ( Jan Hendrik Holshuijsen? My Father had all his records! 😎👍

[@j0hnn13K]

Jan Akkerman (not related to Tim Akkerman) deserves a big shoutout here, obviously Thijs van Leer is an amazing vocalist but Jan was one of the best guitarists in the world at that time. Actually, he was voted best in the world 2 or 3 times in the early 70's and still ranks top 15 among "those in the know" today. (alongside people like Jeff Beck, Duane Allman, Steve Lukather, Carlos Santana, and Eddie van Halen, not exactly a bad crowd to be part of) He inspired countless guitarists .. including above mentioned Eddie van Halen, and well.. if you are one of the big inspirations for Eddie van Halen.. then you are god-tier. (and he is) This song is a timeless classic with only 2 general reactions usually, its either "LOL WTF IS THIS!!" (mostly the yodeling) or "WOW WTF THIS IS AMAZING!!" (cause it is! lol) A legacy to be proud of, thats for sure. (even if Thijs was coke'd out of his mind 90% of the time)

[@johnroekoek12345]

Johnny Woodhouse?.Very famous for Dutch 55+ people! 👍👍👍

[@rhondanighman]

They played this at like double speed to fit the whole song into the program lol

[@Kgio-2112]

Most bands play faster live.

[@zhommes7315]

Johnny Woodhouse played the accordeon

[@gwaptiva]

Johnny Woodhouse! Jo! Blast from the past. Not sure if even I am old enough to have seen his original performances, but the name is very much well-known.