Friday, March 12, 2010

Hocus Pocus; Focus

In 1971, the group released Moving Waves, which brought the band international acclaim and a hit on both sides of the Atlantic with the radio edit of the rock rondo ‘Hocus Pocus’. This rock classic consists of Akkerman’s guitar chord sequence used as a recurring theme, with quirky and energetic interludes that include alto flute riffs, accordion, guitar, and drum solos, whistling, nonsensical vocals, falsetto singing, and yodeling. This album established Thijs van Leer and Akkerman as composers who could appeal to progressive-rock album listeners (a large audience in the early 1970s) and radio single buyers.

This is from Songfacts.com and the interview title is Focus And The American Hell done by Tony Stewart (not the race driver): “But for some silly noises which can’t really be called vocals, this song is an instrumental. In an interview with the British newspaper New Musical Express in May 1973, lead guitarist Jan Akkerman said ‘Hocus Pocus’ was ‘just a send-up of those rock groups.’

“Joke or not, it was a big hit. The album version of this Van Leer/Akkerman composition runs to 6 minutes 42 seconds. The radio edit entered the Billboard Chart at #98 week ending March 3, 1973 and peaked at #9 week ending June 2
.”

Wikipedia also says: “In May 2010 Nike included ‘Hocus Pocus’ as the main theme tune in their extended FIFA World Cup commercial. This has created renewed interest and acclaim on the many internet sites that link to the Nike advert. The advert was first aired on US Network TV during the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on May 22 and then throughout the World Cup.

“A re-release of ‘Hocus Pocus’, due to the Nike commercial, led to the song entering the British Charts at 57.


The comercial is amazing! I couldn’t fail to post it here. It’s a pity the whistlings aren’t there... :P



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