Hamburger Concerto - Focus (An International Collaboration)

[@deeper2012]

Hermoso, maravilloso, formidable! Uno de los mejores discos de la historia de la música!! Desde 1974 escucho Focus y seguiré haciéndolo por el resto de mis días!! Increíble talento! Gracias por este momento a los músicos que dedicaron su tiempo para interpretar una pieza extraordinaria de música!! Saludos desde Argentina!!

[@RiquezaEmGotas]

The Bassist did a good job and even better singing the falsetto yodelling which is priceless and incredibly hard to sing.

[@thomasbauer6300]

Unendlichen Dank allen, die diese großartige Musik von FOCUS in die Zukunft, und hoffentlich in die Ewigkeit weitertragen. Der Vorhof zum Himmel!

[@wolframwiese8779]

Hallo T.B schließe mich Deinem Kommentar voll an

[@MrHistorian123]

The absolute star of this is the bass player. His bass playing is spot on tonally and his vocals are absolutely perfect. But they're all incredibly good.

[@troublesomecorsair]

Oh my goodness! I was thinking to myself earlier this week, I wonder if Rachel listens to Focus! Great bouncing baskets of fire! This is my favorite! I can't believe it! This is....so exciting...Oh my heart... I can't believe this song is.... I can't. I just can't. I'm gonna die. This is it. This is the end of me. I'm dead. RIP ....WAIT A SECOND! That's Jan Akkerman himself! I saw him post a preview of this on his channel! I had no idea it was a collaboration! Oh this is too good to be true. The bassist does a shocking fine job.

[@MrAlfredoferreira]

I make your words mine

[@buttonrecords]

I make yours feelings mine

[@buttonrecords]

wait! are two similars feelings here!!

[@donkleeds]

Haha I just wrote a comment before reading yours. We share the same ecstasy x

[@QHarefield]

Everything you said! Absolutely!

[@GamesForEverybody01]

Oh man, I had no idea this collab existed. So cool that Jan Akkerman was able to play in it too.

Brilliant excellent! I loved the execution from the church... before I only had to imagine it, but now IT'S DONE! How good, beautiful and dear Raquel Flowers, you in all this, could not be less! Keith Emerson, Frank Zappa and Focus, I've been listening to them for half a century! ... obviously music cousins sisters! and twinned for the great quality. Long live this music! Congratulations from Santiago de Chile.

[@arqjulio]

HERMOSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...que maravilla un temazo de FOCUS!!!!! uno de los máximos exponentes del prog, FELICITACIONES LA INTERPRETACIÓN MAJESTUOSA!!!!!!....desde el sur de Chile maravillandome!!!!!

[@rogerhennie8939]

If Rachel Flowers is in it, you know it's a classic.

[@thrak9]

I got the hots for Rachel.

[@mortimersnerd6119]

Pretty good! The bassist actually pulled off the vocals at 6:08 pretty darn well! I have always wondered what the translation of those vocals were...???....

[@zardoz1960]

Well done, boys. I love this album since almost half a century. It's from a time when some bands were touched by the hands of God. Absolutely awsome.

[@eyerock36]

That church organ / choral ensemble part was a lovely surprise!

[@marcoscamargo7763]

LINDO!!! MARAVILHOSO!!! ESPETACULAR!!! Grande obra-prima do rock clássico progressivo. Álbum magistral. Meu espírito está em completa festa. Obrigado à todos os músicos participantes. Viva para sempre, grande FOCUS. Abraços do Brasil. 👋 🇧🇷 👋

[@lucas-pnz5352]

BRBRBRBRBRBRBRBRBRBRBR

[@briane5706]

Is there ANY instrument that the genius Rachel Flowers cannot play? Virtuoso par excellence.

[@AviatorRider]

Beautiful !!! Beautiful !!! Thanks to Rachel and her family and all the participant Musicians, especially Jan Akkerman. Bravo !!

[@RealDiaz]

Long time Akkerman fan here, this is fantastic. Thanks!

[@julianevans9853]

Stunning. I’m gobsmacked. I’ve only just discovered this but so incredibly grateful to these wonderful musicians. My God, my favourite album of my whole life (I bought it the week it came out) recreated and recognised for what it is... a masterpiece. Like those other Dutch masters, Vermeer or Rembrandt Van Rijn, this music will be still be enjoyed in hundreds of years from now. It’s timeless, it has humour, grandeur, love, virtuosity and humanity all in one massive, glorious musical appreciation of the life we are gifted. Thank you, thank you. X

[@johncrump9838]

I have no idea why it took so long for me to find this extraordinary performance. Thank you all for your appreciation of the Focus piece, and for keeping its majesty and delight alive!!

[@frankipoux]

I know Rachel love Jan Akkerman and Cie. but she's deserve more exposure than this and in another dimension like Jazz or Pure improvisations. She's, in my book, one of the 50 most talented people on this planet. But the reality is she can play any instrument, so one of the 5 in this world.

[@justsingit72]

Rachel you continue to shine with all your performances, and what versatility! I loved the flute..... I'm so honored to have worked with you on a past project and also on an upcoming project! Take care and continue your journey!

[@barryawy58]

Good God I'm glad I found this. Extraordinarily faithful to the wonderful original. Thank you all!

[@flyboy2880]

This is just amazing, from my first listen many years ago it has been my favourite Focus track.To see it live is fantastic, reproduction is incredible.

[@tnecniv1952]

Fantastic! Rachel+ Jan Akkerman! Beautiful piece of music. Even the vocals are perfect 😁😍

[@kenakahane599]

I happened to get to your attractive channel while looking for FOCUS . What a GREAT session !! I moved so deeply that I have been listening every night before sleep. Thanks so much. from JAPAN

[@eyerock36]

I found it looking for ELP!

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

Jumping up and down to this!!! A masterful rendition with the presence of Mr Akkerman no less!! Everyone on this did a MARVELOUS job, or so the saying goes, "Well Done"!!!!!!! Now, one for the road??!!

[@journeymantraveller3338]

This should have way more many likes and views. Brilliant music. Great guitar solo and loved Rachel's crazy keyboards near the end. Note for note. Stands up to the album and has the edge on the live studio video by the band. Great to see the great Jan Akkerman involved.

Brillante excelente ! me encantó la interpretación ejecución desde la iglesia.... antes solo la tenía que imaginar, pero ahora YA ESTÁ! Que bueno hermosa y querida Raquel Flowers, tú en todo esto, no podía ser menos! Keith Emerson, Frank Zappa y Focus, que llevo Medio Siglo escuchándolos ! ... obvio músicas primas hermanas! y hermanadas por la calidad. Larga vida a esta música! Felicitaciones desde Santiago de Chile.

[@rstrela]

Incredible! I never really listened to this song, because I thought it was a little boring for its length. I always preferred Answer? Questions! - Questions? Answer! But this blew me away and I think it is time to reevaluate my life :) Keep the good covers coming, I am looking forward to them. And Jan Akkerman - what an honour :)

[@pauljones4960]

When they land, we play them this. My absolute most favourite piece of music ever and what an awesome, inspirational homage. Favourited and will share with my Dad who ‘Focussed’ me as a youngster. My utter respect to all involved. Thank you!!!

[@reinharddursch3932]

*Rachel* i love you. ⚘💗 *RD* Munich-Germany

[@angrycat3525]

Another favorite of mine! This is an album that I still have in vinyl, and enjoy regularly, and I thought I was the only one who did. Of course, the question raises itself - is there anything Rachel CAN'T play? I'm thinking the answer is a resounding no. Great work!

[@odiesdad01]

One of my most favorite pieces from one of the best, under rated bands ever. A Fantastic performance!

[@QHarefield]

Oh wow! What can I say?? Splendid, magnificent! I want to start naming people but what's the point? - I would end-up naming every individual musician! So, well done everyone! Bravo!

[@saylormalan]

Rachel, I liked it so much, too much of you and these talented musicians playing Focus's Hamburguer Concerto. Congratulations to you and the musicians. I am 65 years old and I really like these incredible and crazy progressive rock bands that will never exist. Who was from that time, the 60s and 70s liked it a lot. Today's people only hear garbage. They don't know the crazy and best quality sound it was. Congratulations again! I love you Rachel!

[@TheChessPatzer]

I was half-listening to this for the first five minutes thinking "it's just another high quality cover version by the same folks that do all those marvellous ELP collaborations". Then Bálint came in with those yodels and OMG!!! Quite simply brilliant.

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Grande performance del grande capolavoro dei Focus !!!!! Con l'inizio dal Corale del S Antonio del compositore classico Franz Joseph Haydn !!!! Un brano davvero straordinario però anche qui non è stato usato il mellotron che invece nell' originale dei Focus è presente !!!! Per me il mellotron dava ancora più suggestione e fascino al brano !!!!! Che comunque è splendido!!! Nota di merito invece al cantante che in questo fa solo dei vocalizzi ma li fa talmente bene che sembra Thijs Van Leer !!!!!! Bravissimo !!!! Molto bene anche la donna che suona il flauto traverso belle suggestioni ma tutta la band si esprime molto bene !!!! Un complimento a tutti i musicisti !!!!!

[@anneslater5437]

Wow, brilliant performance from everyone involved, thankyou so much, I enjoyed every bit of it!

[@FundamentalsUK]

The 3rd album I ever bought as a 14 year old in74 amazing rendition. Excellent job all

[@giuseppedecristofaro6076]

This is simply great. Thanks to you all!

[@quicolic]

This is BRILLIANT!

[@Kraz3e987]

Wow great work from Balint on bass and vocals!

[@MrAlfredoferreira]

this work is absolutely genius

[@socksumi]

The merging of musical genius... Thijs Van Flowers.

[@dietmarsimon]

I can't believe what I had been listening and watching the last 22 minutes. I would never ever had expected that it would be possible to perform this epic piece of music 'Live' eye to eye with Focus. Thank You very much Ladies and Gentlemen for this incredible outstanding performance.

[@ljw5768]

Jan A is my musical hero.

[@josebegui]

Just glorious, glorious. One of my all-time favorite pieces of music. What an undertaking - you guys pulled it off.

[@josefrancoluzzi3747]

Pearl of synphonic rock, fantastic work! ❤❤❤👏👏👏

[@stevegrant7762]

Wow this took me back 50 years and had me gaga. Why was music so dmn good during that 5 year period?

[@17drums]

Thank you so much Jeanie and Rachel for gracing this project! Requesting Rachel to do the flute solo was the first time we met. Seems so long ago. (Actually it was - a year and half already? Holy cow!) Rachel could not have done a better job. (Not to mention your videoing!)

[@17drums]

Next up is 'The Endless Enigma'. Rachel's piano work will really be put to the test on that one, (though we all know the inevitable, SUCCESSFUL outcome already!)

[@17drums]

I just got my bongos set up. I'm hoping to start recording in a week or so! That will be another epic video!

[@RobertMinsk]

***** 17drums Please say you are doing Part 1, Fugue, and Part 2

[@17drums]

We're going to do the whole song, Robert!

[@federicorizzo8586]

que feliz me hace ver tanta gente que estudió estos temas, fundamentales música maravillosa, gente joven y gente veterana compartiendo grabaciones con el super mega crac Jan Akkerman, congratulaciones...larga vida a Focus.

[@flyboy2880]

Unbelievable, thanks for posting.

[@zeraelsereno]

It is great to read in these comments many of the things that I feel about the present treatment of this masterpiece. Hear to believe, it's like meeting an old friend and finding him younger but, at the same time, more experienced.

[@davidsheekey6480]

What a wonderful tribute to a great piece of music. I have had the great pleasure to see Focus recently, Thijs van Leer still performing as well as ever. Thijs and his contemporary the late Rick van der Linden are great favourites of mine. I throw out the challenge to recreate the sounds of Trace.

[@rondegroot1508]

No one knows Trace lol

[@dirkjanriezebos2240]

Pierre

[@sonnyblu6299]

I remember seeing FOCUS... it was amazing. With their 147 Leslie tone cabinets stacked higher than the forward PA!. I was already a Leslie freak by then... Oh my God what a sound! A wash of Leslie heaven. Jan Akkerman driving his Marshall amps to distortion through them. Sonic Bliss.

[@paulealing1]

Absolutely brilliant....

[@twistor59]

For many years I thought I was the only person in the world who appreciated this piece of music. I wore out my vinyl copy.

[@andykentbristol]

Yes, I had to buy a fresh copy too ;-)

[@SynthThis]

wonderful collaboration, excellent musicians, great music and as always: a brilliant performance by Rachel Flowers!! Thank you so much for this upload and to the involved musicians! I Love it! In germany we call it "Schmankerl" (tidbid)

[@donkleeds]

Oh my goodness this is ***kin unbelievable! What an amazing amazing achievement. Thank you so much. Who would believe anyone would re-record this wonderful epic. I loved seeing the flute solo close up, the guitar solo is superb (the one little 'tapped' note was supercool), bassline is smooth as a baby elephant, everything is the finest quality. Can't praise you highly enough. Looking forward to exploring more x x x

[@DaveBowman482]

Bravo 👏👏👏!!!

[@gerardojunior7680]

Fantastic, absolutely fantastic

[@lowdown4651]

Watched rachel for 3 years. Oh u tube had not a clue she liked or played focus wow sweeeet love it thanks rachel be well sweet heart☺☺

[@natkinkhole779]

😳😳😳😳😲👏👏👏👏👏👏. The bassist is phenomenal and everyone involved! Only master level musicianship here folks. Jan Akkerman was the first to shred using just his left hand on the neck and lightning fast picking. 👏👍🌹🥰

[@paulmckeown5672]

That was abso9lutely fabulous, thanks very much I really enjoyed hearing one of my most loved Focus tracks!

[@ConceptJunkie]

My all time favorite Christmas song, and a wonderful rendition I come back to all the time!

[@dagarlook1]

Jesus. So close to the real thing.So impressive and FANTASTIC. Jan, ik ben altijd al een fan van jou geweest. Jij blijft voor mij de meester op gitaar. Vliegerrmolen in Voorburg in de jaren 70 tot aan Zeist in 2012. Enorm bedankt

[@IYAMNI]

I was wondering who was going to handle those crazy vocals. haha Excellent. And with Jan Akkerman!

[@Epeterson2000]

Outstanding piece, outstanding musicians, outstanding editing, outstanding job!!! Thanks to everyone involved in making this happen.

[@TRBAUB]

wow rachel! love to hear you play focus, one of my favorite bands. when do we get "round goes the gossip?"

[@SharpblueCreative]

Most awesome. I will share this far and wide. Always been a Jan Ackerman & Focus fan. This has really made my Sunday. Thank You Rachael.

[@fetermcblues]

I have watched and collaborated on many projects online through out the years ..this is the best collaboration I ve ever listened and watched ,,Outstanding !!

[@stevelove7292]

Excellent - very well played all. From another lifelong Focus - and especially Jan Akkerman - fan. Never ever get tired of this wonderful music.

[@albertomorales3296]

no, no puede ser, tengo en vinilo, ese albun. tu me haces emocionar

[@slackdude1]

This is idiotically beautiful. I wanted to go to work tomorrow feeling downtrodden and defeated. Now what am I supposed to do? Vocals by half a nostril.

[@kquat7899]

Great job all round.

[@Snardbafulator]

Damn, Hamburger Concerto ... with Jan Akkerman playing Leslie rhythm ;) I've heard most of these tributes from you guys (and gals) and I'm really just blown completely away. The yodeling, flute and guitar solos were all note perfect. Help, I'm reliving my adolescence ;) And that wonderful console Hammond (with real Hammond tone wheel guts ;) ... But this is all one level of classic progrock: the ELP, Yes, Jethro Tull, Focus, Genesis axis ... A lot of Frank Zappa falls into this as well. Heavily based in obviously pre-existing forms, with the weirdnessess as an appliqué. Although certainly not all. The Black Page is weird all the way through -- even the "easy, teenage New York version" ;) I'd be fascinated to know whether Rachel could ever get around to transcribing that melody by ear ;) The next level up I'd put Gentle Giant and Bruford / Wetton-era King Crimson. A little more dependent on unique styles of musicianship, timbres and highly quirky arrangements. Very difficult to accurately and completely transcribe, let alone cover effectively. A level above that I'd put Magma. Magma is not all that difficult to play or transcribe, in that it's motific music (and mostly modally based). But just like Stravinsky with his little jagged cellular fragments cut up and rearranged Cubistically, and with Magma's epic tune lengths, it'd probably be unbelievably difficult to *remember* during a performance ... Some of the most powerful rock-based music out there, though ... Finally, at the very tippy-top of my personal pyramid of classic progrock, I'd put the Canterbury bands with Dave Stewart: Egg, Hatfield and the North and National Health. Dave Stewart is, in my humble opinion, the greatest keyboardist / composer of that era. No, he never had Keith Emerson's chops. Nobody did ;) But he had a totally unmatched sound and a harmonic imagination that was both deeply thrilling and remarkably elegant. I'd kill to see a video of a keyboardist attacking (literally) his completely insane arm-smashing fuzzwah Hammond solo in National Health's Dreams Wide Awake ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXqndWqblpqso5I And Rachel really needs to listen to, and transcribe, his utterly transcendent, Coltrane-esque 17/8 organ solo in Egg's Wring Out The Ground (Loosely Now) ... (at 2:52) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKOkepuAj6t5eqc So if you guys want to give yourselves a project that would doubtless take well over a year to do (but would be *soooooo* incredibly worth it), why not take on the single greatest 20 minute suite in all of British progrock: *MUMPS,* from Hatfield's seminal The Rotters Club. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npCwhpSgfthsjNU You'd need: three angelic-voiced vibratoless women singers (like Holst's vocalise in Neptune), a murderous tenor saxophonist and flautist (like Jimmy Hastings) and a general appreciation for ... umm ... bebop with Stravinsky chords? And meter changes ;)

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Si vede anche Jan Akkerman in diversi riquadri sia da giovane sia come ora attualmente !!!!! Beh !!! Devo dire che Jan Akkerman è ancora oggi uno dei più grandi chitarristi di sicuro !!!!! Bravissimo non solo con la chitarra elettrica acustica e classica ma anche con l'uso del Liuto non ricordo se ha mai usato il sitar ma penso che al suo livello lo saprebbe usare tranquillamente !!!!! Naturalmente grande plauso anche a Thijs Van Leer oltre alle tastiere le sa suonare tutte e meravigliosamente bene dall' hammond al mellotron ai vari sintetizzatori alle tastiere antiche spinetta Clavicembalo pianoforte harmonium etc poi estende il suo virtuosismo anche al flauto traverso ed altri strumenti a fiato ed inoltre possiede nella voce un falsetto incredibile memorabili i suoi giochi vocali soprattutto lo yodel che non è per niente facile farlo bene lui poi lo fa benissimo !!!!! Certo non sono molti i brani cantati nel loro repertorio e questo mi ha sempre lasciato sconcertato perché Thijs Van Leer dimostra di avere doti di cantante fuori dal comune con quel falsetto incredibile che si ritrova !!!!! Però capisco anche che é stat una loro scelta consapevole di fare assai più musica strumentale che cantata E quindi va bene anche così !!!!!

[@williambarnes6201]

Gotta admit,pretty damn good.Pretty damn good indeed.Bravo!

[@masterjojo11]

Total Fan, You Rock Rachel!

[@1000watts]

Brilliant performance by all involved. Bravo!!!

[@proisle]

Totally entertaining !!!! One of my top fave teen albums......hey GREAT vocal solo.....WONDERFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@FriesinNF]

Great! Fantastic!

[@marklucas8795]

Just watched this once again after a few years ! Absolutely fantastic !

[@MrMjp58]

Exquisite in all aspects. The strat solo was beautifully played - and with one of the best guitar sounds on YT - utterly audible!

[@paulopqf]

From here far down south in Rio de Janeiro I thank you for this amazing presentation ! I´ve been listening to this song since 1972 !

[@AlfonsoAuerbach]

woooow spectacular

[@jlucasound]

All is awesome. Doing Focus lyrics? Wow. Great job Balint Holubecz. That is not easy to pull off.

[@josealexandreferreiradasil2054]

Me emocionei de chorar de tão lindo que é isso.obrigado Focus 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@darrybon]

And, of course, great performance from everybody...

[@vashthestampede4716]

Amazing musicians!! This Song is awesome, I'm a huge fan!!

[@19620000]

Bravo!!! Excelente!!!

[@alexhutchison4517]

Fantastic!

[@ruloh01]

Oh my god, what a crispy, fluffy, yoghurty version! And the bass player starts to sing far better than Thijs van Leer! Jan my hero, how good of you to participate in this session. This band prooves that Focus has a future. I discovered you today Rachel Flowers, i can't wait to see new work of you. Respect and admiration.....

[@clebermendes3285]

Maravilha. Parabéns a todos.

[@damirhlobik6488]

Great work all, wow

[@zindi1138]

WOW. im blown away. of yes king crimson wishbone ash ten years after manfred manns rush pink floyd it took me away. what an excellent performance .

[@osmardutour2205]

impresionante!! es casi igual que escuchar el disco, realmente espectacular, nunca me imagine que tenia tantos instrumentos!! genios ustedes y genios focus !!

[@simonfuller6194]

Another great performance !!!!! Greetings from the not so warm Harz Mountains Germany

[@briane5706]

simon fuller Lovely scenery in the Harz Mountains and Forest. Visited Goslar many years ago.

[@hughstephenhainey4996]

Brilliant

[@adrianbiondi765]

Excelente versión de tan majestuosa obra. Felicitaciones desde Argentina.

[@socksumi]

Focus... definitive progressive rock icons that were legendary in Europe but never got the credit they deserved in North America.