At the Rainbow [Import, Live, Original recording remastered]

Focus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Live, Original recording remastered
• Label: Red Bullet
• ASIN: B00005B360
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,388 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #37 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Netherlands

Editorial Reviews

Reissue of 1973 album for Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus'. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difference of Opinion - This is a FANTASTIC album., August 20, 2004

By 

Anonymous Coward (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Rainbow (Audio CD)

The sound on the album is fine. Live albums are not going to sound as good as studio albums. I personally embrace this difference. You don't buy a live album for sound quality. Especially one that was recorded in 1973.

As for Sylvia, nothing can spoil that song. Again, the whole point of a live album is to hear a different interpretation of a song. If I wanted the same tender and tasteful playing, I'd just listen to the studio album. It's really great to hear Akkerman open up and spread his wings on this song.

I would also have to disagree with the sentiment that this wouldn't be a good "introduction album". Focus is about great prog song writing coupled with some truly virtuoso playing. That's not the biggest demographic audience to start with. If someone is into "the prog thing", this album is a fine introduction to the group. Each band member will cause your jaw to hit the floor. They're that good.

If you're into progressive rock or even are just into some REALLY fast yet expressive guitarwork, this definitely deserves to be on your shelf.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best live albums of the '70s, September 3, 2004

By 

Chet Fakir (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Rainbow (Audio CD)

The playing is looser than on the studio versions, but also more impassioned. Jan Akermans guitar playing is amazing, he really stretches out and plays some very fast and creative jazz-rock solos. Excellent playing all around, the band is firing on all cylinders. I have to say that I prefer many of the live intepretations over their studio counterparts. "Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!" is much better live due to the amazing solos. The sound quality is fine: its well recorded and the mix is ballanced. An excellent album, their third best after Focus 3 and Moving Waves.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holland 1, Rest of the World 0., October 30, 2001

By 

Mons "Mons" (Norrpan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Rainbow (Audio CD)

Focus were one of the standard-bearers of progressive rock in the 1970s. They were best known for coming from the Netherlands and having a hit single, Hocus Pocus (1972) which featured yodelling. But, dear reader, there is so much more! Now that that it is finally safe again to mention Progressive Rock, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to an absolute stunner. Focus crafted a blend of classical, jazz and rock that is so elegant, so beautiful that it makes me weep to think that this gorgeous music currently languishes in obscurity. Many people have a problem with instrumental music (which Focus mainly is) but the music here is so articulate and expressive that you in fact forget that there are no vocals.
What does Focus sound like? Well, think Hammond organ, flute, superb bass and drums rhythm section, and a guitar that dazzles with an all-round performance one minute jazzy, the next rock n roll. Let's put it this way. If you like early Genesis, Pink Floyd circa 1971 - 1973, Jethro Tull, or John Abercrombie, Jan Hammer or even Pat Metheny, give it a try. Or perhaps one day the nice people at ... will provide listening samples. Live at the Rainbow is the sound of Focus bringing the show to the London in 1972 and taking the notoriously picky English public by storm. The atmosphere captured on this recording is great. You get the hits - they're tagged on at the end - and some of the best moments of the band's earlier output. It would be pointless naming highlights - it's all fabulous, but keyboard player Thijs Van Leer's (new and improved) yodelling performance on Hocus Pocus is a scream. Other good albums by Focus? Moving Waves, Focus 3, Hamburger Concerto are all extraordinary. The long-awaited, Prog Rock comeback starts here.