Focus - Hocus Pocus (Sister and Cousin) | REACTION

[@southernhippie9058]

I don't think people realize how much talent it took to pull off that performance, One thing about it I don't care what kind of mood you were in when they started to play you are laughing by the end and these days that is nothing but a good thing.

[@jamelakajamal]

Yes 👍🏾

[@MegaEaglelover]

Exactly 🤘🏼🤠🤘🏼🤠

[@cnatview]

@Southern Hippie.... so very true.

[@joehicks6765]

Southern hippie...I'm an old western hippie straight out of the 60's. Totally agree this video so cool. Brings back lots of memories. This totally cheered me up and made the rest of my day. PEACE OUT!!!

[@andyjames6300]

Yes indeed

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Two of the funniest comments I saw about this performance: “They are playing this song like their tour bus is double parked and a cop is writing them a ticket!” & “ If cocaine were a song it would sound like this.”

[@markfinnigan4994]

Cocaine and a e85 chaser

[@LouSpowells]

"This is how it feels to chew 5 gum."

[@reno145]

Don't forget this one: "Our song is seven and a half minutes long." "You have three minutes." "Deal!"

[@CapAnson12345]

The level of skill required to do this is off the charts. Easy to miss when you're just laughing at it all.

[@walterholland1251]

Truth

[@FritzMonorail]

@Fool On The HiLL I don't see how it's a waste of skill. They made a song they wanted to make. It's better than doing something you don't want to.

[@bobkish824]

Absolutely. Guitarist Jan Akkerman was voted greatest guitarist in the world by Melody Maker Magazine in 1973, the year of this video. He's also a highly accomplished lutenist and classical guitarist... The vocal ability of Thjis van Leer is outstanding. He's also classically trained in piano, flute and organ from various musical conservatories in Europe.

[@MR-ml2po]

Jan Akkerman the guitarist..one of the most underrated guitarist ever

[@anthonybird4173]

Absolutely. A brilliant player.

[@clos5700]

I’ve always thought, since they were both from Amsterdam, that Jan Akkerman and Eddie Van Halen’s style of playing have some similarities

[@lisarainbow9703]

Akkerman was incredible.. The entire Moving Waves album is a masterpiece..

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

The whole band is awesome, Akkerman YES!

[@paulkazakoff9231]

@@lisarainbow9703 My favorite Focus album.It's a beautiful album. Focus 3 isn't too far behind it !

[@morphman86]

Not only did they speed up the performance for Midnight Special. The song itself was written in a very roundabout way. The lead came in to the studio one day, sat down behind the organ and played that one riff. They all liked it so much, they wanted to build a song around it. Only issue is that they couldn't really think of anything, so people just started jamming. Then, when all the instrumentals were in place, with five solos, they couldn't really think of any lyrics, so he did what the others had done and just started jamming, using his vocals as an instrument, making any sound he could think of. And that's how we got one of the most unique listening experiences in history.

[@kimethaz7497]

There was a rumor in 1972, that this 'fast' version of the song .... yes a slower one was recorded in Holland in 1971 ... due to time constraints Midnight Special Director told Thijs Van Leer (keyboardist, flautist, vocals) only part of the song could be performed, not wanting to leave out any of their music, the band decided to speed it up for their television performance ... when they went to Sire Records to record the US/Canadian version, the producer said "No No, like you performed it on Midnight Special." and supposedly that's how it happened.

[@LooneyTune666]

I heard they were given a set time limit and they just sped it up rather than cutting out parts.

[@jakeelwood3183]

@@LooneyTune666 Yup! True

[@fizgig2016]

Wow this kicks ass! Never heard the fast version before.

[@tony_25or6to4]

True. I saw/read an interview that confirmed it.

[@StephenH1]

Yes, the real/actual song is like 6+ minutes but I think they were only given about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes on the show. Forget about cutting, just play faster!

[@markwilliams7712]

When you get a standing ovation from an audience like that, you have chops.

[@DanielOrion74]

Truth!

[@andrewpetik2034]

Thijs' vocalizations are a formidable instrument in and of itself.

[@ricksgamemisc10]

"Special Guest Sister and Cousin" has been a real treat. Really enjoyed all the videos with them!

[@cnatview]

I agree.... they have been an added positive to Jamel's videos.

[@chanaplotke6218]

A few minutes of manic madness, I love it so much. Hope you all appreciated it. The audience at the end giving them a standing ovation gives me chills.

[@MarkFowlerthefunkee1]

As weird and hilarious as this is, these cats were playing the hell out of that song!

[@s1d299]

The musicianship here is impressive.

[@MarkFowlerthefunkee1]

Rudy Toot It really is!

[@Marcus538]

Theyre Dutch love the Dutch , theyre like that, Focus good band

[@richorichards4655]

These guys are legends to Hard Rock guitarists, may be nerves or amphetamines, but the recorded version grooves a lot more than this

[@MarkFowlerthefunkee1]

Richo Richards Apparently, it was neither. The story goes they were told to keep their performance around 3 minutes, but they didn’t want to cut anything! So...play it double speed! 🤣

[@billycannon5508]

I hope the three of you can appreciate how talented they all are. TIGHT!!!!!! Smoking tight.

[@vernhoke7730]

I've watched reactions to this song as often as I can find them. The looks on people's faces are priceless. I know when I first heard this song back in the '70s it was a definite "WTF?" moment.

[@TwistedSither]

One of the most entertaining reactions I've seen in a while.

[@travisrussell9166]

Your sister is funny,and pretty, Your cousin has a real nice smile, he smiles with eyes as well as his mouth. love this reaction

[@moegoesseekinggodsglory6711]

And now you know what happened to the kids of the 80’s & 90’s- these were their parents!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bethshadid2087]

🤪🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@homebrew2070]

Now you know how we feel when watching you. It’s fun when you know what’s coming and they don’t.

[@startledmoose]

"Where'd he get a flute from??" Wonderful.

[@ki2the2nd]

"He's like Snow White calling the birds."

[@NH2112]

He got it from some chick at band camp.

[@geraldherrmann787]

the level of skills needed for this version of the song is almost beyond compare, meaning all musicians included.

[@ericellis2729]

The guitarist, Jan Akkerman, was ahead of his time. Interestingly, if you've seen the Trolls World Tour movie, a couple of the characters do the yodeling part (or they used it from the original song recording.) My kid (6 yrs) laughed at the yodeling and I showed him this exact performance and he was rolling. I love this song from my childhood. Thanks for reviewing!

[@ambersometimes2841]

Between you and your family cracking me up and then this song on top of it... How can today not be a good day? Thanks for the laughs!

[@jerrywestaway9316]

You have wonderful Family members . Looks like really great folks to be around

[@karaminalee]

“Oh hell no, we’re not doing that now” 🤣🤣🤣 I cant say that tongue twister either, J! At least not fast.

[@Handletakenlol]

Moses supposes his toeses are roses. But Moses supposes erroneously. For no one's toeses are poses of roses. As Moses supposes his toeses to be

[@karaminalee]

Tom Quinn, that one’s a bit easier for me 🤣

[@MegaEaglelover]

I so needed y’all today 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@MTrekker2001]

As a high school student in the 70s, this was an anthem.

[@terrymcdonald4270]

Jamel, I have seen dozens and dozens of your reactions,this is by far the most insane, and I mean insanely great, that dude is talented big time !!! 👍

[@TTTzzzz]

These fabulous musicians are Dutch. Jan Akkerman is considered one of the best guitarists in the world. Did you see the crowd? A total standing ovation, they were very popular in the US.

[@santyrush]

No Dutch, they are from Amsterdam, Holland. Países bajos.

[@HVG67]

@@santyrush that's Dutch my friend. And I know because I am Dutch.

[@harrynac6017]

@@santyrush Holland is part of the Netherlands where the Dutch live. The Netherlands is often called Holland.

[@santyrush]

This Van leer, 31, March 1948, Amsterdam Holland. Wikipedia. Sorry.

[@harrynac6017]

@@santyrush Btw. Only english speaking countries call us Dutch. It's from Deutsch, who in english are called German. We call ourselves Nederlanders, like all other countries do. And Germans are called Deutschers or Duitsers in other countries.

[@Gulicktheemu]

This just popped up on my alerts. Taking an early lunch break so I can watch these. :-)

[@bethshadid2087]

Thank y'all for the laughs....definately needed it 🤣🤣

[@gassie62]

The studio cut had a decent amount of radio airplay in the 70s.

[@stevious7278]

Yeah; it was a hit here in Australia. The band came here to the end of the Earth on the strength of it. Yay!

[@CorwinAlexander]

Hit here in Canada too. I loved this song, so I was shocked when it jumped into that coked up tempo. It's not too difficult to find the studio version on YT though.

[@Embur12]

This is the best Focus, Hocus Pocus reaction, by far. You guys were a hilarious combo. I'd like to see more reactions with you 3...

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

I saw the title, and could not click quick enough. This song is proof that lyrics do not always matter. FYI, Helloween does an excellent version of this song, off an album they did called "Metal Jukebox" that is all cover versions of classic rock songs. I used to give my mother in-law crap by making her read Dr. Seuss' "Fox in Sox" book to my daughter, because it is all tongue twisters. My daughter loved that book, because I could read it no problem. :D

[@drax333]

I love Helloween's cover of this! That whole album is great.

[@HeavenlyHouse]

ha ha! I gave my mother-in-law that book to read to my kids too! :D

[@rondegroot1508]

Only band thats able to combine humor with phenomenal technical abilities.

[@rondegroot1508]

@Lance Williams Had lots of albums of Gentle Giant

[@bruceadler9709]

Jan Akkerman on guitar....the boy can play!

[@richardblack5710]

Hocus Pocus thru everything into this song including the kitchen sink.

[@Databyter]

Very entertaining. You guys had me cracking up. You can't go wrong with the special baby, or with watching with friends and family and laughing it up. Good times.

[@bethkelley575]

Of all your videos, to me, this is the BEST reaction ever! Love how you are reacting to your family's reaction! Priceless!

[@josephpowell3949]

They played the original version of this in that movie "Baby Driver" when he was getting chased on foot and it was badass! And yes this was the 70s! I like the original better!

[@scottschram5178]

The way they choreographed that scene to the music was fucking awesome!

[@lowrider4266]

Love your guests this week. Sister and cousin are cool as hell. Great reaction. And no one walked off camera laughing this time. Thanks. Good choice of revenge videos lol.

[@DanGerRus]

Jamel, watching the three of you with smiles on your faces and heads bobbin'... love it!!! 😁👍🏻💗

[@bexleymike]

I remember this when it was on! They got a great standing ovation on The Midnight Special! Great times!

[@joehicks6765]

First time ever seeing this song live. What a treat. This is so bomb. Thank you for doing this. An oldie brought back in style. This was truly a surprise and so rockin'. Your sister and cousin so cool just like you. Glad to see you all having such a good time with this. Thanks for the info on this song. You guys so super cool.

[@joehicks6765]

Absolutely love how his sister and cousin look kind of serious at the begging then you see a slight smile and then total all out laughter. Just what we need more of in these times. PRICELESS!!! THIS SO COOL. I just have to watch over and over. Thank you guys. Peace out!

[@beerguy6490]

Great reaction as always and loving that you are including your family in your videos. Would love to see more of them. Peace and stay safe brother.

[@karaminalee]

We’re your family and they’re your family, so that makes them OUR family too! 😃Love my new family members! 💕

[@shilohstore6086]

Not necessarily

[@karaminalee]

Shiloh Store, okay, um, those of us who choose to view Jamel et al as family then.

[@garyedwards278]

This is PRECIOUS. Thank you my friend for sharing this with them. They're in for a treat.

[@markscutti9682]

A seven minute song condensed into 4:45 and DIDNOT miss a note! Genius !! Also,I believe it was the only true standing ovation on Midnight Special

[@yourshadowself]

It breaks my heart how oblivious these guys are about the level of ability it takes to achieve this, regardless of genre or era.

[@patriciatomkins8935]

Hocus Pocus 🤣Jamel can I just say that if your Family and mine were to ever get together we would never stop laughing .thanks for sharing your happy family with us 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️❤

[@sherrydavis3883]

I love you doing your show with your sister and cousin! How fun!!!

[@michaelloveland1330]

You da Man! Yes, Darryl, yes! You had both my arms shoot up in approval when he hit that first high note!

[@michaelloveland1330]

PS - Moses supposes his toeses was roses.

[@lewmanstanford4966]

Oh Jamel, thank you. When my wife and I saw you were going to involve your family we had to watch this. Watching their reactions was priceless. Oh, the comment I saw about this song years ago was "speed metal yodeling!" Who else would ever attempt this. Thanks again!

[@HisHowliness]

That was me! I asked you to do this one months ago! So proud!

[@debbeborders5762]

Crazy antics, musical talent, vocal abilities. A surprisingly good performance.

[@DanielOrion74]

Nailed it.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

You should also welcome the both of them to the weird and wonderful world of Prog rock. Among Prog rock musicians, Focus are considered to be grand masters.

[@Express-420]

love this song off their 1971 album Moving Waves which I believe is their biggest hit

[@daveshowalter1173]

Moving waves

[@Express-420]

@Brian Schienbein only one

[@timothyhays1817]

It's like watching the Wizard of Oz on acid.

[@danielstewart7163]

I watched the original Journey to the center of the Earth on acid. This was on a Friday night, I knew it was coming on and scarfed the acid for the movie. About a half hour into the movie my phone rings and it was my job, i worked in a coal mine, they wanted me to work the next day. Be dressed and in the hole by 8 AM, without thinking i said yes. It worked out, i was still trippin' at 8 in the morning so it turned out to be one of my better shifts. I didn't start coming down till about noon anyway. Got to watch a cheap classic movie and make time and a half with an excellent buzzz. I was happy.

[@loudog2326]

The Musicianship and the Performance !!! FANTASTIC !!!

[@dottiegnyc1]

Thanks that made me think of my Dad's face when he heard this for the first time....very funny....it was fun watching your sister and brother's reactions. The song is pure entertainment

[@susanjackson282]

You have a beautiful family

[@louisb5563]

Hey that was Gladys Knight! Monster performance! This was fun man! Yo' "sister" has got a pretty smile!

[@johnlong9534]

I have seen this video several times but never enjoyed it as much and now watching y'all.

[@mgonzales56]

OH MY GOD!!! I remember this song when is came out, but I had never seen this video. I could not stop laughing. Made my night. Loved it.

[@lowrider4266]

OMG here we go again. Lol. This going to be good. Thanks for the great laughs.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

WOW!!! I don't think I've ever seen a live performance of this song in my life I used to hear it on the radio all the time and thought it was still strange then but to see his facial expressions while he's performing these vocals is quite entertaining!!! And the young ones reaction to this is kind of similar to my own and it's making me laugh even more!! THX JAMEL/JAMAL!

[@donnernoneya26]

Thanks for the laugh! I'm dying over here... he's whistling through his tooth! LMAO

[@kneh39]

50 years ago . Awesome, they from my homeland The Netherlands. So proud that Jan was choosen as "Best guitar player in The World "that time. They still play here in The Netherlands

[@jeannec.2730]

My neighbor friend and I used to laugh our heads off at this song. We were around 9 years old when it came out. Still makes me crack up!!

[@neilburns9149]

The band is Hocus Pocus and the song is Focus

[@kentclark6420]

No, I think the song is Focus, and the band is Hocus Pocus.

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree5974]

I remember this tune when I was a little girl in the 70's. It used to scare the hell out of me then! Now I just think it's weird-funny and I kind of like it!

[@marcchetty7197]

Every morning cocaine wakes up, he does a line of this. Nick Martin.....😆

[@RalphMasielloArt]

Loved this song as a kid, but your reactions to it make all fun again!

[@jameslipke354]

Our choir teacher vocal scale junior and senior high school choir, had us do our vocal scale warm ups with that tongue twister as well as Cinnamon Lemon Liniment every day in 1st hour choir, school concerts and for all state vocal competitions. Everything we performed at State was A Capella. We performed songs in English, Italian and Latin. I miss those days!~APRIL LIPKE

[@Suldog29]

As someone else said, off the charts musicianship. No matter what, it is so much fun seeing others get fun from what they're watching. God bless.

[@walterlevesque7602]

HEEELLLAAA AWESOME REACTION.. For "REAL" Captain Jamel_AKA_Jamal.. and your sister and your cousins reactions are also very Priceless they understood the song and got into the groove anyway that just to watch that is absolutely Priceless + your wonderful wife saying goodnight to all of us that was very precious and appreciated.. please continue to stay healthy stay strong and remember one step at a time and I can know I'm speaking for all of your subscribers that you make our days brighter and better with your reactions in your choice of songs and just you being you thank you once again... Peace ✌

[@cretoolsen5031]

Jamel, Rev. Olsen here I love your channel, you are an awesome dude.

[@dalerockwell2226]

Great that you're turning 1973, Focus, and their unique and amazing song loose on the 21st Century! Spread the...uh...yodel!!!

[@jaapharteveld9810]

My daughter saw Focus last year. Thijs van Leer still performing in Holland. Yes I'm Dutch. Try Radar Love from the Golden Earring. Also number 1 hit in the USA in 1973.

[@susieq4680]

Jamel the look on all of your faces. Priceless. 😁😁😁

[@diggler693able]

You three are the best, thank you.....after a bad day ....i am now happy.. thank you

[@sandramason6795]

I really loved listening and watching their reactions! It was.great! My Mother could whistle like that through curling her tongue! She could burst your eardrums!

[@Phreddyfoophred]

The guitar in this is never the same. If you watch videos of it, the guitarist does it different each time.

[@TheSirpatrick33]

I have not laughed this hard in years! Thank you 😷🤘

[@PeterPan-nh7yx]

@ Danny Buetow Me too :-))

[@TheDJ904]

To switch from chest voice to head voice at that speed is immaculate and not to mention the high pitch the Dutch got is dope!

[@marniethedyslexic6445]

Jamel and family I just want to say thank you for reacting to this piece of art. As crazy as it is that’s talent. And so much fun. I just Love it and 🤪🤪 It’s so damn entertaining.❤️👍😀✌️🌼Love and peace

[@noahvale7555]

I said it before and I'll say it again....That guitar player is inventing shred right before your eyes right there...keep in mind, that was 47 years ago and that guy is sweep picking!!!!...I've watched this video about 100 times and it never gets old....It's easy to laugh at the novelty and funny faces, but this band was way ahead of it's time....Starts at 140BPM...ends up at 200BPM

[@mjhammer11]

I about fell out of my chair when she reacted to his tooth during the whistling. I had tears in my eyes..

[@jerrywestaway9316]

You Guys Have Me Horse Laughing Every Time I Watch This :-)

[@steven3271-x9d]

Now you know how we feel while we watch your face as you hear these songs for the first time. Classic and it's kind of addicting, too!

[@danwolf8893]

Oh man that was great.. We sure do love you all.

[@ordinarypete]

I was looking for this song to suggest to you and I found you already had ! 😂 heck yes!

[@MWPoss]

I bout fell on the floor laughing at their first reaction to the keyboard player!😂🤣

[@vitchr]

Made in Holland. This is pure skill. Mr Jan Akkerman on guitar. One of the best. Period. And scatting was invented here. The speed. Wow. This Dutchman likes it

[@jeffguyett1041]

Hell. yes. Thank y'all for making me crack up!

[@danareynolds1786]

The ultimate tongue twister: "Irish Wristwatch".

[@johnnosiennek7066]

Mrs Puggy Wuggy's got a squre cut punt...not a punt cut square,but a square cut punt....It's flat on the bottom and it's square on the front, Mrs Puggy Wuggy's gota square cut punt Say that fast if you dare

[@Xcris_crosX]

Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper Five times fast She shot the city sheriff

[@mmasque2052]

Hardest tongue-twister in English: The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep is sick.

[@johnnosiennek7066]

@@mmasque2052 I'm not a pheasant plucker,i'm a pheasant pluckers son.. I'm only plucking pheasants ,till the pheasant plucker comes

[@rchoquette2975]

Whale Oil Beef Hooked

[@redrum567]

Thank you for mentioning at the end of Born To Be Wild Saturday Night Special introducing y'all fam to this tune 🖒🖒 Most excellent!

[@bjornprigge4539]

one of the best artists ever from The Netherlands!

[@brianshaker1885]

I like how you instantly show this to everyone.

[@kenslater7354]

You would not believe how serious this band really are! And this was a hit single all over Europe including top 10 in the UK

[@rockymountainrussian2540]

Red leather yellow leather thats the color sundials.come in now.

[@tfodthogtmfof7644]

But only for sundials you wear in your nabel. 🤣

[@MegaEaglelover]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@lowrider4266]

Roflmao. Hilarious.

[@gwenndolynnmecklenburg6457]

(pronounced: /tɛis vɑn leːr/; born 31 March 1948) is a Dutch musician, singer, songwriter, composer and producer, best known as the founding member of the rock band Focus as its primary vocalist, keyboardist, and flautist. Born and raised in Amsterdam among a musical family, van Leer took up the piano and flute as a child and pursued them at university and music academies.