Rachel Flowers with Thijs van Leer - Flute Battle - CTTE 2019

Rachel stopped to jam with rock legend Thijs van Leer of the band Focus during Cruise to the Edge 2019. After playing some jazz standards and other tunes together, Thijs had an idea to try something a little bit different...

[@neildando7883]

I'm a musician with autism from England and I suffer from depression and anxiety but whenever I watch your videos they lift my spirits and drive me to make more music. TRULY INSPIRATIONAL with kind regards from Neil Dando 😊

[@jorgegarciahildebrandt6147]

Kind and Blessed both ! really Beautiful And Nice Persons Both of You !❤️😍❤️😍

[@dogwood8031]

I keep finding these videos of Rachel playing a different instrument at the highest level. She is unbelievable.

[@Fercough]

Natural talent, dedication, drive. Wonderful.

[@TerryGreenlaw]

We were sitting right behind Thijs the whole time they were playing. It was amazing seeing them together.

[@PIPIPISTA]

Lucky guy🙂

[@MrZimpoppel]

I don't know if I'll ever feel jaded of seeing Rachel multi-talents. I don't think so. And what I really love is to see her interacting with real "monsters" like Thijs Van Leer, and to see how THEY take as much pleasure to play with her than her with them ! And in the end, I think it is me who takes even more pleasure by listening to them ! Always !

[@entubadao]

Ditto!

[@karlmccreight8172]

Keyboard Instruments, Guitar and Flute. Is there more to come to come? Wouldn't be surprised

[@martynh5410]

Thijs van Leer!! Hadn’t kept track of him since the 70’s band “Focus”. Nice to see he’s still brilliant and this was a great video with Rachel.

[@RickTransit]

Wonderful combination - I've loved Focus since the early 70s and Rachel just continues to astound me!

[@larryseyer]

I love everything Rachel does. She's amazing!

[@henrys.6864]

What can't she play? A true virtuoso!

[@lazyslip2962]

Battle? Hah, no, they are just greeting, chatting probably exchanging ideas in their own special way, bravo Rachel, and of course van Leer!

[@rman52]

So glad Rachel is keeping the music of ELP alive. She is an amazing musician. And Van Leer and focus are prog legends. The whole band was phenomenal.

[@3rdandlong]

Yes, she is keeping the music of ELP alive. Bless her for that.

[@janosnyikos9454]

Two musical geniuses.

[@Fercough]

Yes.

[@peterhorah7884]

Hardly a battle of flutes ! More a beautiful collaboration between two excellent musicians!

[@UrlieGee]

Pure Wonderstuff! Two of my heroes here! Yay Rachel! Bravo Thijs Van Leer! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Il MAESTRO e lAllieva che duetto strepitoso col flauto traverso !!!!!! Che bellezza momento MAGICO !!!!!

[@paulelliott3220]

Unbelievable duo Rachel never ceases to amaze

[@PIPIPISTA]

This what I call pure joy. Tears are dropping.

[@marcioricha8069]

Two legends!

[@rokker101]

I could listen to Thijs and Rachel all day!

[@drphelps9017]

So excited to find this video. Thijs Van Leer has been one of my favorites for decades and I only discovered Rachel a few weeks ago.

[@cdubya3071]

And she has been blind since birth. Plays at least 4 instruments. Has inherited Keith Emerson’s keyboards. And is well deserving.

[@HarryCrabb-j9q]

Well that just made me cry, I can do without such beautiful moments.

[@757flyer]

Brought tears to my eyes.

[@philging]

Outstanding playing Rachel and great to see Thijs van Leer again - maybe Ian Anderson would do a duet with you.

[@stefanpolihronopoulos723]

Wouldn't that be kewl?!

[@troublesomecorsair]

Wonderful! Nice to walk in on this a few minutes after finishing the Sky Falls Over London - Focus 1972 BBC program.

[@Lightmane]

Is there an instrument Rachel 'can't' play? My goodness this woman is super talented.

[@jorgegarciahildebrandt6147]

Tears of Joy ❤️

[@itonlyhurtswhenilaugh4750]

What a gift she is

[@DontFeedTheTrolls]

That was beautiful!

[@PhilWatson]

Bravo Rachel! Awesome duel with the master! 👏

[@tedsta]

This is so wonderful. So so glad I discovered your music. 😀

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

He’s one of the greatest flautists in modern music history. There’s something in his technique and breathing that just makes him stand above all others for me. She’s brilliant too, but Thijs….. off the planet.

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

FANTASTIC,,,!! playing on Cruise to the Edge..!! Why did I not go??????????? All Prog Rock Jazz Music fans should try to go on this cruise

[@genepozniak]

FLUTE BATTLE! FLUTE BATTLE!!! AWESOME!

[@jlucasound]

Rachel is just getting "warmed up". Both are awesome.

[@christophermorrison8632]

Great stuff. I've heard TVL many times in concert and even met the dude- such a nice man. What a great idea it would be for you two to record some material.

[@neildando7883]

Hi Greetings from Kent England I've commented before but I just like to add this if I may.......... As I've probably said before I have autism and learning disabilities but live independently and without being too big headed LOL I'm also quite an experienced musician mainly playing guitar , drums and bass in that order but I can play other instruments as well , it goes without saying that I'm quite good at drums and guitar mainly and I'm an experienced sound tech too . But I just watched the video of the Tarkus tribute recital you done on two tier organ and modular synthesiser over three years ago I'm I little bit of a synthesiser buff Now my point is that boasting aside I'm quite a good musician with autism and learning disability but you are just something else and you absolutely blow my socks off with every video that you do and that video was absolutely amazing 👏 p.s. I used to be a celebrity in my own right like you are but I've kind of taken a step back now due to ill health but I'm starting to recover Keep up the good work WELL DONE 👏👏👏 With regards Neil 😊

[@PIPIPISTA]

When musician talents meet.

[@ddargel]

Rachel...you are amazingly talented and I always enjoy hearing everything you play. When I close my eyes and listen to you play...rainbows of color dance across my eyes.

[@NigelBethell]

Thijs is still touring with legendary band Focus, on a very extended 50 years tour. Caught them twice. Thijs and drummer Pierre van der Linden are band originals and are ably supported by younger new members on bass and lead guitar. They are playing in some smaller venues and will be available at the merchandise stand afterwards !!!!

[@rcjward]

Rachel, your musical talent has no bounds, and you never cease to amaze me!

[@Nachtuil36]

I love both Thijs and super talent Rachel, ... however, music should never be about competition ...showing off ... !

[@margaretsiepka8756]

That was just beautiful ❤️ Thanks Rachael ❣️

[@lepaintre123]

Toujours surpris ! Bravo Rachel.

[@steveg219]

Beautiful playing!

[@JohnLRice]

Fantastic!

[@SlashyJ]

I somehow just discovered Rachel this week. I was impressed with the first video with her on keyboards. Then saw she played guitar, too. And Chapman Stick! Now flute. Are there any other instruments she plays?

[@weaseldragon]

bass, ukulele, violin, percussion, and probably more

[@mikebyrne3682]

fantastic

[@nelsonsoucasaux2751]

What a challenge ! Very good !

[@anneslater5437]

Just beautiful!

[@anthonydimattei6997]

She is just a joy to listen too ,love her album

[@DavidGreybeard602]

Amazing to hear them playing together!

[@VallinSFAS]

The equivalent would be myself and Jon Camp riffin' on "Ashes Are Burning". Since Greg Lake and Chris Squire are no longer amongst us.

[@eyestrainfilms]

Wow. Just … wow.

[@iforth64]

Excellent music! On another note -- the sound quality is really *very* good. How did they do that?!

[@RachelFlowersMusic]

Zoom audio record was sitting on the piano

[@tiradu]

great !!!

[@jm131719]

Unbelievably amazing. Thank you.

[@barchilon]

2 idols together

[@PaulBerson]

Awesomeness Wonderful Wow Cool Enjoy 🎶💕🎶💕🏄🥇💃🏼😎🎊🤸‍♂️🥂❤️🎼🚀🏖🏝🎉🚣‍♀️🎹

[@Cybi0]

Imagine if war was done with flutes battles ... ♥

[@agatepickguitars]

FANTASTIC...

[@claudiobraga873]

Maravilhoso !

[@jeffrogala9038]

would love to hear her play some cuts from Introspection 1&2

[@OlaviKnaapilaMane]

wow Good 😺👍🎶🌹

[@jorgemonroycanchola9587]

o gh I used to flight with focus Long ago...so Long. .but this us what im crying focus was Kiss Rachel fer mew

[@2manysigns]

Soo cool !

[@Bornlivedie2]

you can't read notes, you can't read what i'm writing..i'm impressed by your musicality... Rachel, thank you for being you!!

[@Knight14649]

Yea, bravo Rachel. Plus she can play like 9 other instruments just well or better.

[@micowikstrom7182]

9???!!! Piano Organ Guitar Bass Drums 4 to go... Any videos available she plays the drums?

[@arieraaphorst1998]

Thanks!

[@uwelucas8190]

WHEN RACHEL PLAY, THAN GREAT 👏👏

[@samandor1]

The main difference is lung capacity and experience - getting those breathy tones requires wasting a lot of air, yet modulating it to continue. When is Rachel going to play with Ian Anderson?

[@gringochucha]

Yes, I noted that her playing is cleaner, but his is more expressive. However, knowing next to nothing about wind instruments, I couldn't explain why.

[@andrewhaines3259]

@@gringochucha experience really. Not to dismiss Rachel's talents in any way, but Thijs comes across as more expressive and his tone is more relaxed and flows more smoothly. I'm not a player, but working as an instrument technician for nearly 12 years you get to hear a lot of players and the different skills that are employed to create the sounds. Getting your embouchure right on a woodwind instrument is a big part in how you sound.

[@gringochucha]

@@andrewhaines3259 Funny. Since posting this I actually started learning the flute and have been working hard at it for a year and a half. Yes, breathing and embouchure are the most important part. The fingers are a lot less important than people think.

[@stanervin6108]

She still exists!

[@brianmccrory3778]

Rachel is a super hero musician!!

[@henrymanzano4600]

genial

[@liecht]

Rachel is very good on everything she attempts to play,but in my opinion,flute suits her talents specially well

[@romanlightman9045]

HEY HELLO ROSY TIGER😀👍🌼 FROM RUSSIA WITH L💕VE. TRA-LA-LA-LA-LA. Hi.

[@umajunkcollector]

Rachel and Ian Anderson, so kewl to see that?

[@nigelstansfield1644]

Why are those people being so rude?This is the trouble with today imo.

[@Knight14649]

OK, now I’m going to watch her battle Dwezill Zappa and play Franks music better than him too..

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

That's how I was introduced to Rachel. Dweezil had her on stage to play Montana, and she was on guitar. She did an amazing job, I've never seen anyone with right hand technique like hers. Someone in the comments mentioned that she played keyboards and was using Keith Emerson's equipment. Dweezil should be put on a big pedestal for all the young talent that he highlights in his music. She also played Inca Roads on keyboards.

[@garybankston9319]

Thijs van Leer is the yodeler in Hocus Pocus by Focus. Too bad he and Rachel didn't do a bit of yodeling.

[@garythompson2517]

What instrument don't you play well, Rachel?

[@theotherfinnegan9955]

what a treat

[@97739wilbur]

Holy Macaroni.

[@m.m.t.garageband688]

*****🇺🇸🎼🎸🎤U still uncomatible Rachael 😇🙏🏽🎹🥁🎶🇺🇸*****

[@spiritof6663]

OH MY GOD SHE PLAYS FLUTE, TOO?!?! WTF

[@windmill10]

And flute too?????!!!!

[@jimmuir2551]

@Heline

[@bordersw1239]

Van leer seems to be fixated with G minor

[@jjsc4396]

And now Ron Burgundy will play the jazz flute for you.......

[@Psychprogrock]

"I'm not prepared."

[@evanham4057]

So funny he rips off the first gem of the battle and Rachel goes Wow.

[@angrycat3525]

I like Thijs van Leer - always have since I first heard Focus. But he's bitten off more than he can chew here!

[@rattleshakti]

Nonsense.

[@romanlightman9045]

WHY HE PLAYS SITTING AND WITHOUT REMOVING HIS HAT, AND RACHEL STANDING UP? HE`S JUST A CROOK!

[@Psychprogrock]

Because he is over 70 years old.

[@sebas793]

Why are you shooting freakin nonsense?