Vocal Coach reacts to Focus - Hocus Pocus (Thijs van Leer Live '73)

[@decibella]

So my dad Thijs van Leer wrote you guys this and asked me to post it: ✨ Thanx 4 your heart-warming & beautiful comment on Hocus Pocus by Focus ! Love U forever ... Let me tell U that Focus travels the world and keeps on Yodelling !! 🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵 Hugs from Thijs van Leer ( founder member of FOCUS ) ✨ Love, BELLA VAN LEER ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@johnschuler4816]

This song was done at my request (thank you Beth!) and this comment ^ is the most awesome thing ever!

[@pathatfield2543]

I had no Idea these guys were still together,let alone still touring.This is one of the coolest,heaviest songs to come out of the 70s.

[@n3xtcyclops257]

How does your dad feel about the song being in Baby Driver?

[@TheD4VR0S]

@@johnschuler4816 I also requested it Beth did I not say it would be hilarious

[@caryd67]

Incredible music from so long ago, and still has such relevance and power. I’ve loved Focus all my life, and I love this opportunity to express my appreciation ❤️

[@decibella]

Haha!! Thijs, that’s my dad! I’ll make sure to show this to him, he’ll be so honored and flattered when he sees this😍 Thank you, love!! ❣️

[@BethRoars]

Is it? Tell him it’s awesome and to drop me and message. I’d love to say hi! x

[@decibella]

Beth Roars i’ve just sent the link to him, i’ll keep you posted😊

[@andystokes8702]

He's really your dad? Well tell him there's a guy in UK who was a teenager back in the 70's who was well into Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Deep Purple, Led Zep who bought Focus 3 when it first came out and listened to nothing else for 6 months. Tell him, thank you, he made my life so much better.

[@matt23012301]

he's amazing!

[@decibella]

andy stokes i’ll forward this mssg to him right now😊 He’ll appreciate it!

[@deanevangelista6359]

Focus is one of the most underrated bands ever.

[@R.M.MacFru]

I miss hearing them played on the radio, but all the stations play 80's and up now. 😕

[@HitLeftistsWithHammers]

Furt 💨

[@66BranDo]

I agree but that could be seen a good thing.

[@drewbocop]

@@R.M.MacFru Luckily our main classic rock station still plays Hocus Pocus occasionally, but you're right, back home Z93 used to play this song constantly.

[@merenguesaurio]

They are underrated yeah , but they are known ... now modern prog bands are REALLY underrated, almost invisible, there are a lot of great bands some made songs that are as good as some classics , and nobody knows them ... really sad

[@catclaud]

I met Thijs van Leer at a Focus concert in my home town a few months ago. He is so kind & down to earth. He can't go this high with singing anymore, but is still just as good on his instruments. Lovely guy.

[@TH-ds2yx]

Whitchurch?

[@catclaud]

@@TH-ds2yx Oss, The Netherlands

[@gregorwalton]

I saw him a couple of years ago in North Wales. Such a nice guy!

[@Lichfeldian--Suttonian]

I didn’t speak to him in Southampton last time they were there but he was very approachable.

[@11DNA11]

He's 70 or 71, no one really expects guys his age to go to the same range he went 40+ years back.

[@dlsamson]

I just heard that this live version is particularly special because Hocus Pocus is normally a 6 minute song but Midnight Special told them they only had 4 minutes airtime. The bands response was: let's speed it up & see if we can cram the whole 6 minutes in to 4 minutes! This might clarify the facial expressions of Thijs getting psyched up to play at hyper speed.

[@devodavis6747]

Great factoid, thanks

[@jayjanyh2932]

@@devodavis6747 The Midnight Special was a unique rock only crowd, yet this crowd gave one of the few Midnight Special standing ovations, for Focus.

[@charliebrady3751]

@@jayjanyh2932 And on the same night that Gladys Knight and the Pips, BB King and Earth Wind and Fire were on the bill. Wow! What a lineup.

[@auniversalwoman]

Please don't say hocus pocus, it's a slur against Jesus. In Latin, " This is my Body" translates " Hoc es Corpus Meum" and back in the day God's enemies made up the word Hocus Pocus to make fun on His Last Supper.

[@jakurdadov6375]

@@auniversalwoman Hocus Pocus.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

Kid: "What were the 1970s like?" Me: "Focus, Hocus Pocus, live in 1973." Kid: "That was the entire 1970s?!" Me: "No. Sometimes it also got weird..."

[@SirManfly]

speed rock before there was speed rock !!

[@ozzy1887]

Ha!

[@billbrillford7883]

indeed!!

[@janeverse4555]

😀👍

[@calebbarton9783]

Priceless

[@erikkennedy8725]

The story behind this whole performance is incredible. The song has a set length. They were told they couldn’t use that time and had to cut it. So they just bumped up the bpm and crammed the whole song in.

[@johnpauljones9310]

They invented speed metal.

[@amitraam1270]

@@johnpauljones9310 And speed yodel!

[@Tonicwine999]

Why is nobody ever talking about that damn guitarist! He is a god

[@Wefkebidenberg]

Jan akkerman

[@Tonicwine999]

@@Wefkebidenberg thanks

[@fredrikjelkefors9336]

Indeed and still a guitar God

[@claytongillaspy8847]

And Jan is even better now in 2021 one of the best period

[@Tonicwine999]

@@claytongillaspy8847 oh really?… links?

[@PindleofKujata]

This is probably the most 70's prog rock song ever produced. I love it.

[@brianjlevine]

Close To The Edge would like a word with you.

[@Football__Junkie]

Check out Court of the Crimson King or Careful With That Axe Eugene

[@ronaldxyz1001]

I love Focus! They came to my highschool way back when and gave a demonstration, after which they opened up for Q&A, a teacher said “that was lovely but why do you have to use those horrible amplifiers?” Something my parents also always complained about. So Thijs Said “ good question, let’s turn off the amps and show you” so they plaid their hearts out and all you could hear was the drums. Case closed. Teachers looking thoughtful, we pupils laughing our heads off. Thank you Beth for bringing those memories back

[@nightwishlover8913]

Apparently, they sped up the song to avoid having to cut it to fit the time slot that they were allowed...

[@leorcc]

A shame really, it's much nicer at the regular pace.

[@HenritheHorse]

@@leorcc This the best version! So much more energy.

[@Strat0variusNi]

tbh, I thought they'd just taken a tonne of speed or something hahah

[@aryinc]

yeah kinda sounds like "proto" thrash metal ,sped up.

[@mhordijk0871]

@@cotoxs123 Yeah, and the original length was over 7 minutes

[@rickkaylor8554]

Jan Akkerman is one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. He is grossly underrated.

[@margotcoljee8594]

Hé was considered '' God " in Holland at that time . Hé was the best , hè was next to Eric Clapton a guitarhero !

[@davidplummer2619]

He was a far better player than Clapton ever dreamed.

[@SailingHighlight]

Not in the Netherlands 😊

[@choochoochooseyou]

Proof that Beth has no clue what she's getting into until she's here with us.

[@DerEchteBold]

Obviously, unless she actually knows the song.

[@choochoochooseyou]

Which is my point

[@DerEchteBold]

@@choochoochooseyou Well, you didn't mention, so I thought I do ; )

[@choochoochooseyou]

Irony 😉

[@corneliusantonius3108]

Wanna hear the TRUTH, They where askes to cut a 7 minute song into 3 minutes, They being a Boss didn't cut it but fast forwarded like a boss

[@sam21462]

"You can see the madness in his soul." This is one of the finest and most incredibly literate reaction comments I have ever heard, well done Beth!

[@flashpeter625]

1:08 "That's so 70's, I love it" Oh, just wait until it gets so 70's that there's nothing like it in the 70's.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Focus were not always crazy. They had a No. 1 hit across Europe with the beautiful instrumental “Sylvia”.

[@brianabare7515]

Loved that song!!!

[@LordBaktor]

My guitarist friend told me that Jan Akkerman was doing stuff that was not at all common back then. Like the guy was doing techniques that weren't popular until the next decade or something. I don't play guitar, but his playing sure looks impressive even today.

[@docbobster]

In an era where I was obsessed with Jimmy Page, Richie Blackmore, and Hendrix, Jan Akkerman completely blew my mind. Very different from Holdsworth, but comparable in the kind of "WTF IS HE DOING?" reactions among guitarist listeners. His post-Focus solo work is, unfortunately, uneven, though I recommend 10,000 Clowns on a Rainy Day as a great career overview live set.

[@johnschuler4816]

Yes, there are many amazing things about this performance but the most amazing might be that it was 1973.

[@somebloke13]

Akkerman is top class and up there with the best 👏👏

[@brianjlevine]

@@docbobster In the 70s it was Akkerman, Steve Howe and Robert Fripp who routiney blew people's minds.

[@docbobster]

@@brianjlevine Yep, you just named my 3 guitar heroes back then...and now.

[@Gilmaris]

3:38 "That was just using loads of consonants." Well, he _is_ Dutch...

[@RayyMusik]

„Loads of consonants“ isn‘t typical for Dutch.

[@Gilmaris]

@@RayyMusik That's what it sounds like to non-Dutch.

[@svenniepennie4237]

@@RayyMusik But you can use a lot of consonants in a row in Dutch. An (extreme) example would be "angstschreeuw", which has seven consonants in a row.

[@RayyMusik]

svennie pennie Same in German: Angstschrei. So still not typical Dutch. :)

[@svenniepennie4237]

@@RayyMusik ​I never said it was typical. Nor does something have to be exclusive to be typical. I was mostly just pointing out that "loads of consonants" is a thing in Dutch sometimes. Another, even better, example is "slechtstschrijvend" which has a whopping nine consecutive consonants.

[@clem1257]

"Maybe he's warming up his voice".....or the LSD is kicking in.

[@quintmylodonrecorders8387]

Absolutely.

[@timhutchinson8485]

...yeah I'm gonna go with that explanation.

[@autohmae]

@@timhutchinson8485 Whatever the circumstances, it was clearly not easy to perform it so fast

[@williamskellyl1]

Jesus, beer just came out my nose lmfao

[@timhutchinson8485]

Kelly Rushing ouch...

[@deborah_chrysoprase]

oh man, Beth had no idea what she was in for - seeing her reaction was so fun, wholesome, and priceless!

[@waldwuffel1260]

Oh wow, this is faster and crazier than the studio version!

[@autohmae]

Yes., they only got a small time slot on the show... so what do you do ? They sped up the song ! :-) It's insane to do so, maybe some drugs was involved, but whatever it was, hugely talented !

[@MeenToss]

@@autohmae And funnily enough, this version is superiour to the studio version.

[@Kylora2112]

"You have 4 minutes to play a 7 minute song." "Fetch us our cocaine."

[@dougmphilly]

@@autohmae tremendous chops although there is another dutch band from the same era, finch, which could play faster.

[@prickyX]

Ok Focus, you think you can squeeze that song in under 5 minutes?... Sure, hold my Grolsch.

[@animeator]

This song... is The sound of the 70's going absolutely mental. I love it.

[@IAmFat1968]

Dear Beth you're not only a great teacher, you're also so charming and lovely, your smile is so moving.

[@alanatwood1243]

Christophe MARTINEAU, Glad I’m not the only one who noticed. She is adorable.

[@pacorivera7672]

@MichaelKingsfordGray INCEL ALERT!!

[@chrisbarlow2131]

I just really really wish the cameras could have shown the faces of the audience as this classic proceeded to unfold. It would have been priceless!!

[@jappperon7012]

Fine example of Controlled madness. that and many hours just entertaining self to learn what you can do and how to control it. I am having fun learning throat singing and rotary breathing.

[@apancher]

Controlled madness is a great description.

[@FordPrefict42]

Hocus Pocus by Focus was recorded in 1971, the same year I was born. It wasn't released in American until 1973. I've literally enjoyed this song all of my life! I thank Beth Roars and Focus for sharing this with the World!

[@brianjomansenstinesmith5132]

Shocked to see this here. Thanks to you and the requester.

[@AudiophileTubes]

Focus was a unique band that helped spearhead the whole genre of progressive rock back in the 70's. Jan Akkerman was considered one of the very best rock guitarists as well (and really, was an original 'shredder' in his own right), that garnered much respect around the world by rock fans. It was a fantastic, mind expanding era for free form creativity, spawning influential artists that are still revered today, and stand the test of time!

[@Kylora2112]

When you have 4 minutes to play a 7 minute song...

[@reme7903]

ikr, the studio version is way slower. they had a tight scedule and they killed it.

[@drewbocop]

@Dude Honest lol, i just coincidentally watched this actual video last night and ran across this today and i was about to say she sniped that comment for meaningless youtube updoots

[@apancher]

I heard this version first, and prefer it! They absolutely nailed this, and the world is a better place for it.

[@fernandogalindo5370]

That explains a lot

[@lordofthewoods]

I was gonna' say... the tempo was a LITTLE EXTREME! : ) I definitely prefer the less-insane studio version...

[@kefhomepage]

I never laughed so much at Beths reaction ..she didn’t have a clue what’s coming :)

[@IllustriousCrocoduck]

Beth, laughing: this is amazing! I can't even... *proceeds to give helpful and intelligent technical breakdown of the vocals while simultaneously teaching us mortals how to sing AND appreciating the music at the same time*

[@MrPopoGod]

That's what I love about these videos. Seeing the technical breakdown is extremely interesting and adds a level of appreciation for what's going on beyond "this sounds nice." I'd love to see Beth do Nightwish's performance of Stargazer at Tampere. It'd be a side of Floor she hasn't seen yet and I'd love to see Beth's commentary on it.

[@IllustriousCrocoduck]

@@MrPopoGod I'm sorry, but I am perplexed by your name... are you her slave or is she your slave or are ypu merely saying she is a slave? None of the above?

[@EenZekereMartijnK]

3:18 has no words but still sounds Dutch.

[@1972LittleC]

From the time Akkerman was God, and Clapton just was a very distant angel in guitar heaven.

[@tmage23]

You're not kidding. I'm racking my brain trying to think of another rock guitarist that was doing sweeps this early. I can't think of any

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

Uh, this is from 1973 (though the song was released in '71). Clapton had already been a guitar hero for years and played on nearly 20 albums by this time.

[@1972LittleC]

@@kingbrutusxxvi and he got schooled by Jan. Clapton wasn't a God anymore.

[@SRVMETAL]

@@tmage23 check out some old clips of Les Paul (the guitarist, not the Gibson guitar). Seeing a dude doing sweeps and stuff in black and white is trippy.

[@MrDiederikDuck]

@@kingbrutusxxvi I am not going to write down what Jan Akkerman thinks of the "guitar skills" of Eric Clapton, but it's not very positive. But Eric earns a lot of money being an average guitarist, so he must do something good.

[@chefpegleg1]

Beth: What's he going to do next? No one knows! Those of us who have known this song all our lives: Oh, we know...just wait.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Yeah some of us remember when this was new!

[@treintje1001]

I saw Thijs play the flute just 5 days ago in the Ayreon show ‘Into the Electric Castle’ live with the original artists. Magnificent. He is a great artist.

[@tonywalton1464]

I am literally crying with laughter at Beth's reaction to the falsetto. Not all 70s music was the Bay City Rollers (thankfully). Thank you so much for your analysis, Beth.

[@rafaelr.2228]

1:10 "He's psyching himself up with some twitchy face" "Or maybe he's warming up his face muscles" That's quite naive for someone inside the music world 😂

[@edp5886]

I think it may be turret's.

[@milanberghout9854]

@@edp5886 i know its the effects of a boatload of cocaine

[@jappunge1806]

Beths face when the singes starts to yoddle 😂😂😂 Priceless!!!

[@patrickkeenan6331]

This is the BEST reaction video. EVER.

[@michaeledwards2919]

This young lady is precisely and exactly correct in her conclusive summation of this performance. 👑🍀Her description is spot on.

[@Axechucker]

Beth's eyes when he started yodeling..

[@MansMan42069]

Thjis' eyes when he *himself* started yodelling

[@aryanson]

And her WTF?? Expression on her face is priceless, when he starts the dik dik dik dik speaking in the second verse.

[@prickyX]

I was a kid when this song came out and i was blown away! Years later catching this live version on youtube floored me. Freaky deaky Dutch!

[@mennobults6464]

Nice to hear a proffesional looking into this. Thank you, Beth. Thijs can do everthing with his voice. Thijs is known as a classical musician.

[@KyleS.1987]

And then he pulls out a flute! :0

[@davinbaker1045]

This one time.. at band camp..

[@bifferspice]

"you can see the madness in his soul". heartwarming and perceptive comment. great song. wonderful front man. love all of this.

[@MattKrogmeier]

I grew up listening to this on a 7” vinyl that belonged to my older sister! This version is so much faster than the studio versions, but it’s always entertaining!

[@secondchance6603]

Hocus Focus ROCKS!! EDIT: When you have four minutes to do a seven minute song this is the result!!!

[@alastairmcintyre4752]

4 of the most underrated musicians EVER , Each a true genius with their instruments , And it was a joy to see them live almost 50 years ago at the Glasgow Apollo

[@CapAnson12345]

The look of amazement and excitement in your eyes makes watching this worth it.

[@frankswarbrick7562]

Two prog rock songs in a row? Wow! I was worried there wouldn't be enough vocals in the song, but there really was. Great!

[@lescouse]

Brilliant vid! The shock is real on Beth’s face.

[@HereticalKitsune]

"You can see the madness in his soul!" Came here from your The Hu-video and I love your channel! Your reactions are beautiful!

[@KingHarris11]

I just knew that you would love this song! It’s complete organised chaos with an insane level of technique.

[@amateurreacts4165]

I love this version of this song. It's like the producers of Midnight Special said, "Hey guys, I know the song is 8 minutes long, but you've only got 4. Make it count!"

[@erikdravn]

Your videos bring me joy. Thank you!

[@hyowokatzamuaio5246]

This guys are just insane, they play soooooo freaking well.

[@Suldog29]

One of my favorite bands. I love seeing the faces of those watching this for the first time, especially when Thijs Van Leer kicks in with the vocals! Thanks!

[@apancher]

This live version ended up being played at a much faster speed than on the album. The result, as you can see, is absolutely brilliant

[@petergrandahl2386]

I've never heard anyone cover this song well probably because no one could cover this song well. The talent here cannot be overstated.

[@PbPomper]

Not gonna lie. Focus make me proud to be Dutch :) Great musicians. Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman. I love Thijs his energy!

[@MegaCraptacular]

Like tulips, windmills, and stroopewafels, Focus is DUTCH!!!

[@mookyyzed2216]

Your giddiness is awesome. It shows exactly how I feel every time I hear this song.

[@TheHermit72]

This is the great thing about progressive rock, they move around their music, explore a lot of sounds and speeds, master their instruments, they were genius.

[@BenjWarrant]

What I like about Thijs is that he's having fun and playing with his voice, and yet it still fits perfectly with the manic spirit of the song.

[@davidpggarrett]

Seeing Thijs' response was amazing! Seen Focus twice in a tiny football club function room, once with my Dad, who has been a fan since the beginning! Such intimate experience seeing them live... and there's more to them than Hocus Pocus, too!

[@devodavis6747]

I love this reaction, I've shared it SO many times!! Thank you for loving one of my favorite songs. I've loved Hocus Pocus for... wow, 40 years!

[@arcticcirclepit2008]

This version especially, sped up from the studio version, always struck me as punk rock as hell.

[@Fygee]

The Midnight Special channel recently released a better quality video straight from the source tape, which includes a piece missing here where he yodels for an extended period of time until he's completely out of breath. Definitely worth checking out, a long with all of the other treasures they've been releasing.

[@chopperdeath]

He was psyching himself up, and doing facial/vocal warms in preparation for this amazing performance!

[@arthurking6846]

The wonder and joy on you're face made my day. Beautiful

[@Guggz]

"It's like Anchorman" *Ian Anderson screaming in the background*

[@patrickl.whalen8668]

Guggz yes she must do Tull

[@heyidiot]

Was thinking the same thing! Our girl NEEDS to hear some Jethro Tull!

[@TheDriller-Killer]

​@@heyidiot I think a bit of Aqualung wouldn't go amiss 😂😂😂

[@StacyBaldwin-qv5cj]

The look of surprise and pure joy when he starts yodeling, priceless

[@rogerking7258]

Ironic that a band that did almost exclusively instrumental music had the best vocalist in the world. I doubt you'd find three people on the planet with the same ability.

[@MrVLORSIRIS]

I love watching her try to explain the courage & the madness of music in the 70's! Great Video! MZ

[@kenzisdad02]

This may be your most adorable reaction yet! Love your videos!

[@gitaaa7740]

I never would have thought that 48 years later some young girl would be analyzing one of my favorite songs :)

[@BethRoars]

😂🙈

[@Jeerus]

The fact that they played their almost 7 minutes song in 4,5 minutes because they didn't have more time like that still amazes me to this day.

[@tonante27]

Thjis Van Leer studied classical Organ back in his native Holland as a child and then studied flute later (Like Ann Wilson of Heart who is/was a great flute player). His vocal range seemed to be a tad higher than tenor and could easily reach an alto voicing. He wrote a tune called Hamburger Concierto - mostly and instrumental - that highlights his vocal range as he mocks an opera during the middle of the song imitating the soprano vocalaist and the bass vocalist... all tongue-in-cheek.

[@ingovonderluhe2174]

FINALLY!...I always waited for your Reaction to Focus !.....I

[@kaislivesoundchannel4706]

That is one of the craziest songs ever…always loved it.

[@JeffreyBezeau]

Hooo!!! Amazing reaction as always hahaha!!! One thing to know, if i remember correctly too, is that this song usually is a bit slower on the tempo and have a lenght of 6 minute 41 second i think, but they were asked to play (on this set) under 5 minutes (played in 4 min 50 second in this video). So that's why they kinda "rush" the song on it. They are amaaaazing musicians however hahaha.

[@Warlock_UK]

I always wondered why this version was so fast. I presumed from his face it was a ton of speed. :D

[@JeffreyBezeau]

@@Warlock_UK cocain could have been involved in the process too hahahaha.

[@johnafirth]

I suspect they were indeed tripping balls.

[@love-vy1ry]

They never used harddrugs.

[@arthurking6846]

Had to click on this one. I knew you'd love it. So much range and control in his voice!! Not to mention the musicianship. INCREDIBLE

[@vashthestampede4716]

Focus definitely is my favorite Band. Those guys are amazing, I can't express.

[@RonArts]

This was a huge hit when I was young. Really love your response.

[@hummerman62]

Oh my God Jan Akkermann, so F*cking good on that guitar, absolute one of the best ever

[@TIMxisxHERE]

Thats why, here in the Netherlands, we call Thijs van Leer the ultimate instruMENTAList.

[@jonathannieto3111]

Uff... Beth... Me alegra tanto que te guste esta gran banda holandesa, Focus, con las dos megaestrellas: Thijs Van Leer (Voces, Teclados y Flauta) y Jan Ackerman (Guitarras). Esta cancion es, my pillow song, the soundtrack of my youth. Thanx for the uploading & sharing. Saludos desde la preciosisima bahía de Tampa, Florida. 🎸🎶🏆👍

[@Naturalhighz]

My dad introduced me to this as a kid and always just loved the pure skill!

[@-R.Gray-]

It was a very good strategy though. How would they ever have made it onto American TV if they were singing in Dutch ? This song also enabled guitarist Jan Akkerman to have a solo career in the U.S.

[@emdiar6588]

All of their songs with lyrics were in English. that was the only way if you wanted success outside of the Netherlands and Flanders. Take Golden Earring for example. I don't think they ever recorded in their native tongue. My all time favourite Focus song is Happy Nightmare (Mescaline). my favourite Dutch language band are Doe Maar. Super catchy white ska/reggae band, who might have had success abroad but refused to sing in English.

[@harrynac6017]

@@emdiar6588 Barry Hay's mother is Scottish and he was born in India, came to the Netherlands when he was 8. So he is bilingual.

[@emdiar6588]

@@harrynac6017 Cool. Ik ook. I'm English and came to NL when I was 23. Vrij wel ingeburgerd nu, and I love a bit of Doe Maar. Reminds me of the British Two Tone stuff I heard as a kid.

[@harrynac6017]

@@emdiar6588 A lot of native Dutch people don't know Barry wasn't born in the Netherlands either. He speaks Dutch without an accent. And a lot of native Dutch people don't know Focus at all. They were more successful abroad. Did you have to do the "inburgeringscursus"? I think I wouldn't pass it.

[@emdiar6588]

@@harrynac6017 LOL. no inburgeringscursus so far, but with Brexit looming, who knows? When I was a school kid in the 80s, in England, a couple of mates and myself were into obscure 70s prog and classic rock, so Focus and Golden Earring were on our radar (no pun intended, haha) although they had already been mostly forgotten in the UK. I speak fluent Dutch, but not growing up here I do have a detectable accent, although it usually takes a few sentences into a conversation before someone asks me where I'm from.

[@bobsegertributeband]

HA HA HA! A GREAT track from when we were kids. His note accuracy in those yodels is nothing short of amazing. A GREAT BAND! They have some GREAT tracks.

[@lukagovorcin3610]

THIS IS STILL THE BEST BAND I HAVE EVER HEARD,IN THAT TIME,AND NEVER AFTER!! FANTASTIC JAN AKKERMAN AND THIJS VON LEER,AND DRUMMER IS FANTASTIC! I WANT TO SEE THEM AGAIN PLAYING!! THAT IS MASTERPIECE!!

[@WOLPHBYTE]

you have no idea how happy I am that you made this video, holy heck. Focus has been one of my biggest musical inspirations and I'm proud to be from the same country as them. also super dope that Thijs actually wrote you a message through his daughter's channel!

[@BelleNewman]

Thank you for this! Takes me back to when they were one of my favourite groups - never heard them playing Hocus Pocus that fast, though! (I still have the Moving Waves and Focus 3 LPs somewhere tucked away - this has made me want to listen to them again!)

[@evanjones2454]

It's fun when Beth gets SO amused and excited.

[@xorsyst1]

Never clicked on a reaction video so quick :) I knew you'd love it.

[@Theories16]

Ultimate champions these lads were and still are!! Awesome Band and artists!

[@Gerardbal]

Try, Aryeon: The day that the world breaks down, for another Dutch genius

[@SirPrizeMF]

Ayreon is the ultimate supergroup of all time. Lucassen is an absolutely lyrical storytelling genius and invites the people to match it l.

[@timkies4760]

Beth, I happened upon your channel just while bumming about. I am a retired foundry worker, but also a former professional sax player. I was born in 1960, so I will be 60 this month. And I grew up with a lot of this music. I remember Focus quite well. I played in a rock band, mostly saxes and a little guitar. But I didn't sing, because my voice is so bad. Just from this one video, I learned more about how to sing, via your comments on how the different vocal sounds are made, I wish I was back in our band again. I definitely have done some background singing when playing guitar. And I plan on searching out your podcast, also. Very good comments, and you are a very perceptive listener. To understand that the chaos that the song sounded like really had direction and intent to it, as well as a very strong band behind the singer, takes someone who really understands not only vocals, but just music in general. Glad to have found you.

[@Outland9000]

Focus: "How much music you want in your music"? Listeners: "Yes"?

[@MrRocking4ever]

these guys are topmusicians - all of them - for me this live performance is one of the best and most incredible on YT

[@andrewlaw]

Complete prog rock lunacy. 😄

[@tomh3652]

OMG that was adorable at 3:39 when she tried the sounds.