Eruption (Focus) - Behind the Score (Episode 20)
Added 2022-05-29 21:56:16 +0000 UTCI'm returning to the music of Focus for the first time since I got high while listening to Hocus Pocus. Eruption is also from Moving Waves, taking up the entire 2nd side. I found the juxtaposition of pre-baroque harmonies and early-70s rock band instrumentation so fascinating and fun. Along the way, I'm discussing augmented sixth chords, why many are told to shun parallel fifths, and some general opera history. I hope you enjoy!
Private Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/715013130/2972bd7c55
Comments
Well done, as always! You might think about "Hamburger Concerto" at some time also. Another great Focus tune.
Monty Ernst
2024-09-22 23:18:21 +0000 UTCWow! Just fascinating, thank you. Fun fact... I had this album on 8-track cartridge around 1980.
Les Mable
2022-06-04 22:25:05 +0000 UTCIt's on the list!
R. Douglas Helvering
2022-06-01 19:13:15 +0000 UTCLove Focus, the analysis was fascinating, lost me a number of times on the theory, felt like I was back at school feeling like the only person in the room not following...
Itsfun2listen
2022-05-30 19:52:23 +0000 UTCThis was a *lot* of fun. This album came out during my first year of music study, and I remember being so fascinated by this piece in particular. I didn't immediately make the connection between pre-baroque operatic composition and this, but I did eventually learn who Orfeus and Eurydice were, and oddly enough, it was the renaissance-influenced compositions of Gentle Giant and Gryphon that led me to rediscover this particular work a few years later. And the discussion of aug6 chords was priceless. Two minutes of that, and I now understand the differences between them, whereas the Piston theory book made a muddle of that, and more. Great discussion of a work by a great band who tends to get overlooked now, but who were quite an intelligent, progressive group back in the day. Thanks, Doug !
Peter Tutak
2022-05-30 18:02:03 +0000 UTCI've loved this album for 50 years now I think, this track is one of the best prog tracks ever recorded, and Jan Akkerman is one of the finest and most overlooked rock guitarists. I'm glad you did this with a score Doug, the composition and orchestration was all done by Thijs van Leer. I'm just so glad I got to see them last month, when they did the Moving Waves album in full. This was a real highlight. Thank you Doug!
Chris Ramsbottom
2022-05-30 17:30:06 +0000 UTCThat was fun! One of those albums I had on vinyl and never replaced. It's probably the first time I have heard this in 40+ years. I also saw them in Central Park's Wollman Skating Rink, after they released this. Anything they recorded, they could reproduce live. Thanks for this, Doug!
Thom P
2022-05-30 14:13:54 +0000 UTCI’m really glad you got to listen to the piece that shows the musical ability of this band . I really hope you also will give Hamburger Concerto a chance! It’s just as interesting as this, perhaps even more!
Ole Martinsen
2022-05-30 08:15:53 +0000 UTCRecently, I suggested this for an EPL or Masterclass friday, not realising it was in the pipeline for a Behind The Score, absolutely fabulous. Thank you Doug. So many little theory lessons in here, and I think I've finally grasped the theory behind the augmented 6th chord. Richard Rathbun, yes buy it, there's some lovely cool down tracks between Hocus Pocus and Eruption.
FallingLeaf
2022-05-30 07:47:26 +0000 UTCBravo!
Rhesus Perplexus
2022-05-30 00:27:57 +0000 UTCPot-smokin' nerds!! Gotta watch out for them!! Luv ya, Doug!! This was an interesting breakdown, and since this is the first time I've heard anything except Hocus Pocus from this record, it inspired me to listen to the full album on YYT, and I'll probably buy a copy.
Richard Rathbun
2022-05-29 23:44:02 +0000 UTC
