1) a Dutch progressive roc… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name.
1) a Dutch progressive rock band founded in 1969.
2) an American rapper and Hip-Hop producer.
3) Bigband from Valašska, Czech Republic.
4) a Hip-Hop artist from the Sunshine Coast in Australia.
1) Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, along with guitarist Jan Akkerman.
They are one of the most well-known and influential rock bands from the Netherlands. They successfully fuse inspired jazz, rock, and blues improvisation, classical musical structures, and accessible pop melodies into a powerful and instantly recognizable sound.
Akkerman's technical mastery of the guitar and the often unpredictable brilliance of his improvisations were the perfect counterpoint to Van Leer's extensive knowledge of musical styles and disciplined approach to composition. Van Leer's tongue-in-cheek musical references include the reworking of motifs from an early Monteverdi opera in the extended piece "Eruption" on the Moving Waves album, the contrapuntal passage in the middle section of "Carnival Fugue" on the Focus 3 album, the Renaissance-era harmonic progressions in "Anonymous II" (also on Focus 3), and the quote from the first chorale of J.S. Bach's oratorio St. Matthew's Passion in the track "Father Bach" on "Mother Focus".
Focus are possibly best known for their "Hocus Pocus", a top 40 hit from the Moving Waves LP, which included inspired bits of yodeling (believe it) and explosive guitar work.
The works of both composers display an impeccable melodic sense more often found in pop songs and Broadway showtunes than in progressive rock compositions. It is to the regret of many rock fans that Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman were unable to continue their collaboration, as together they were more than the sum of their formidable parts.
Akkerman's "House of the King" (from the "In and Out of Focus" album) is the title theme of 'Don't Ask Me', a science-based British TV show of the 1970s that made household names of Dr. Magnus Pyke and Professor David Bellamy. It is also the title theme of Steve Coogan's BBC2 sitcom Saxondale. It is often mistaken for a Jethro Tull song.
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2) There is also an American rapper and Hip-Hop producer called Focus. His civil name is Bernard Edwards Jr. He has produced tracks for The Game, Tony Yayo, Stat Quo, Bishop Lamont, Dr. Dre, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé among others. In 2003, he founded the label
a.Fam Entertainment, Inc. See http://www.myspace.com/Icouldntthinkofabettername and http://www.myspace.com/noimaginationorcreativity.
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3) Focus is a big band (jazz ensemble) from Valašska, Czech Republic.
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4) Focus is also the name of an upcoming Hip-Hop artist from the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Check out http://www.myspace.com/alsocouldnotthinkofabettername for more.
Red Sky At Night
Focus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
As the lyrics of this song are entirely instrumental, the meaning can be interpreted purely through the music itself. The title itself, "Red Sky at Night," is a well-known weather saying that indicates fair and calm weather ahead. The use of this phrase in the song title suggests a sense of tranquility and peace that is reflected in the music as well.
The instrumental arrangement starts with a mellow, soothing guitar melody that is accompanied by the sound of waves crashing in the background. This creates a sense of tranquility and relaxation, evoking images of a calm and peaceful evening by the ocean. As the song progresses, the tempo and intensity increase gradually, introducing new instruments and building up to a climactic finale.
Overall, the song seems to convey a sense of serenity and optimism, with the gradual buildup of instruments and intensity representing a sense of hope and the promise of a brighter future. The use of the ocean sounds and the calm guitar melody suggest a connection to nature and a desire for harmony and peace.
Contributed by Allison W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Iván Doniel Gonzalez
Love this tune... i remember my dad listening this album near his dead... RIP Father, my true hero..
Scott Colborn
Thank you for posting all these Focus tunes. Still sounds great after all these years. Jan Akkermann continues to be one of my fav guitar players. Peace.
Mephistofoles Corblimey
Takes me back to the 70s when we used to go across to Holland to do the Dutch rallycrosses at Valkenswaard...
Jorge Barboza
Imposible no imaginarse un cielo rojo al anochecer... Maravilloso...
Sandro Aguila
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William Barnes
One of Focus' greatest hits.One of the greatest instrumentals ever. Bravo!!
Terry Mark
Haven't listened to this for many years but still hits the spot.
Paul Griffiths
Focus were the greatest gift the dutch could have given us, musically one of the best bands of the seventies and there were many great bands in the seventies
Lisa Owens
This is one song I loved back then as much as I do now! So many memories!
Richard Bell
Great tune. I've liked it since the first time I heard when the album was released. It would've made a good addition to Mother Focus.