COVER OF THE WEEK

FOCUS "Dutch Masters"

 

# 20 is a compilation by the Dutch group Focus. It’s a classy cover where they use a well known picture from a box of cigars. The album painting shows the group members dressed up in baroque type clothes and the brand Dutch Masters works fine with the rock group as well.

The group was formed in the late 1960’s around Thijs van Leer (keyboards, flute, vocals). The style was progressive rock. But the group went through many different lineups through the years. Guitarist Jan Akkerman is maybe along with van Leer the most well known Focus musician. The cover painting shows (from left to right) Jan Akkerman, Thijs van Leer, drummer Pierre van der Linden and bassist Bert Ruiter. This was actually the third line up of Focus.

Dutch Masters is one of many compilations with the group. It features material from 1969 to 1973.

Thijs van Leer still tours with a group named Focus but none of the oldtimers from the early days are in that group.

S.H.