Why are Focus CDs so expensive?

[Rarebird]

Focus - 50 Years Anthology 1970-1976 [box set 9 CD + 2 DVD] - release 13th November 2020

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...-2020.1000466/

Saw it on the website of a Dutch shop for € 45.99 which makes me more interested.

[Zeuhlmate]

Saw it on the website of a Dutch shop for € 45.99 which makes me more interested.

€ 36
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/det.../hnum/10325169

[Rarebird]

€ 36
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/det.../hnum/10325169

I thought it might be cheaper somewhere else. At least the price makes it worth it, to buy some albums for the second or third time. Bonus-tracks, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs, with stuff I partly don't have, I'm in.

[rockcup]

Cheaper.

https://www.amazon.fr/Years-Antholog.../dp/B08KH3RCHS

[Rarebird]

Cheaper.

https://www.amazon.fr/Years-Antholog.../dp/B08KH3RCHS

So Amazon France is cheaper than Amazon Germany.

[Trane]

So Amazon France is cheaper than Amazon Germany.

But Amazon France can make it difficult to order from and ship abroad.
(there is a french law on the way, I'm pretty sure)
Tried a few times from Belgium and gave up.

I'll check it out in Mediamarkt in Brussels (if not closed down)

There are four new Krautrock boxsets, based on geographical context (Köln, Berlin & Munich, I believe) - and a buddy spotted them in that superstore

https://www.bear-family.fr/bear-fami...des-krautrock/

[Rarebird]

But Amazon France can make it difficult to order from and ship abroad.
(there is a french law on the way, I'm pretty sure)
Tried a few times from Belgium and gave up.

I'll check it out in Mediamarkt in Brussels (if not closed down)

There are four new Krautrock boxsets, based on geographical context (Köln, Berlin & Munich, I believe) - and a buddy spotted them in that superstore

https://www.bear-family.fr/bear-fami...des-krautrock/

The French site is in French and doesn't offer a translation, which is possible with the German site, though I prefer having it in German. Each time it switch to Dutch I switch it back. One small problem is the prices always a bit higher than the prices on the site, because taxes.

Those Krautrock sets look nice, though I'm not sure I'm in for it.

[Hour Candle]

I have the Hocus Pocus box set and thought I would skip this. However, am I glad I didn't.. These first albums are amazingly well remastered and theres alot of extra material thrown in which makes this a real treat. I just love those DVD's and all the live material so much. In fact the whole box set is fantastic and is so recommended.

[strawberrybrick]

€ 36
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/det.../hnum/10325169

Thank you!

[Progbear]

There are four new Krautrock boxsets, based on geographical context (Köln, Berlin & Munich, I believe) - and a buddy spotted them in that superstore

https://www.bear-family.fr/bear-fami...des-krautrock/

What a cool idea! Why didn’t they think of this before?

[Zeuhlmate]

Focus - 50 Years Anthology 1970-1976 arrived today.
So far (first two cd's) sound is excellent.

[Mascodagama]

There are four new Krautrock boxsets, based on geographical context (Köln, Berlin & Munich, I believe) - and a buddy spotted them in that superstore
https://www.bear-family.fr/bear-fami...des-krautrock/

Thanks for the tip - Amazon UK has these too.

It appears the booklets in each set are in German only, a point to note for anyone who can't read that language but was hoping to read the notes / essays.

[Zeuhlmate]

Focus - 50 Years Anthology 1970-1976 arrived today.
So far (first two cd's) sound is excellent.

Hmmm - these first two albums sounded ok, a little bright maybe, but since I didn't have them allready it was hard to compare.

Then I tested Hamburger concerto, and tried 'La Cathedral' and was a little dissapointed.
It wasn't better than my old copy in any aspect, and there was a little less bass and midrange.

It's still a bargain: 9 cd's and 2 DVD's for the price of 2-3 new CD's, but the guy who remastered them does not impress me.

[jcarr73729]

Hmmm - these first two albums sounded ok, a little bright maybe, but since I didn't have them allready it was hard to compare.

Then I tested Hamburger concerto, and tried 'La Cathedral' and was a little dissapointed.
It wasn't better than my old copy in any aspect, and there was a little less bass and midrange.

It's still a bargain: 9 cd's and 2 DVD's for the price of 2-3 new CD's, but the guy who remastered them does not impress me.

You are entitled to your own opinion, however you are the first listener I have read who has suggested the new boxed set is inferior to any of the previous releases.
As with all music listening, it depends on the person and the hi-fi set-up, and our personal preferences.
You seem to be working you way through the set, so I would welcome your views once you have experienced all of the previously released material.

[Zeuhlmate]

You are entitled to your own opinion, however you are the first listener I have read who has suggested the new boxed set is inferior to any of the previous releases.
As with all music listening, it depends on the person and the hi-fi set-up, and our personal preferences.
You seem to be working you way through the set, so I would welcome your views once you have experienced all of the previously released material.

I didn't say it was inferior, but the improvement is debatable.

Right now I am listening to III, and the bass level here is not significantly reduced compared to the old CD, they sound quite the same, but the overall level of volume is a bit lower.

Listening devices besides my ears: CD: T.A.C. C-60 (partly tube), preamp: Ear 864 (tube), effect: upgraded Parasound HCA 2200 II, speakers: Snell A 2 (new bass drivers), speaker cables van den hul Magnum hybrid, signal cables: silver sonic air matrix.

[calyx]

Just received the box, and am very impressed with the amount of work that went into it. It's quite the bargain with that amount of unheard and unseen material, an informative booklet etc. etc. This sets the standard for a more affordable alternative to the big boxes that pop up elsewhere. I'm actually left wondering how this could possibly be a profitable venture - which makes me all the more thankful. For some reason I've only ever owned a couple of the albums, so very little duplication for me.

[jkelman]

I have the Hocus Pocus box set and thought I would skip this. However, am I glad I didn't.. These first albums are amazingly well remastered and theres alot of extra material thrown in which makes this a real treat. I just love those DVD's and all the live material so much. In fact the whole box set is fantastic and is so recommended.

My copy is still on its way, but based on Wouter Bessel's superb remastering of the Complete Jan Akkerman box, I've high hopes.

[Trane]

Just bought the boxset from a B&M store (39€)... opened it and it could be everything I ever need from the band... and there is much space for more discs in there in case I should ever want bring in 8 to 11. Interesting booklet too.

as far as the DVDs, I'd have to chack if the stuff on Master From The Vault is on the two included in the boxset. If so, the MFTV could exit along with the four old jewel case CDs.

EDIT:
Scoop: don't throw away your MFTV DVD, cos there are two things not included on this boxset.
One is the fantastic Old Grey Whistle Test clip with Philip Catherine (replacing Akkerman) on Angel Wings
and the 55' mins classic rock documentary overwseeing the band's history thru the words of Thijs.

[Rarebird]

Just bought the boxset from a B&M store (39€)... opened it and it could be everything I ever need from the band... and there is much space for more discs in there in case I should ever want bring in 8 to 11. Interesting booklet too.

as far as the DVDs, I'd have to chack if the stuff on Master From The Vault is on the two included in the boxset. If so, the MFTV could exit along with the four old jewel case CDs.

EDIT:
Scoop: don't throw away your MFTV DVD, cos there are two things not included on this boxset.
One is the fantastic Old Grey Whistle Test clip with Philip Catherine (replacing Akkerman) on Angel Wings
and the 55' mins classic rock documentary overwseeing the band's history thru the words of Thijs.

I've ordered it today and according to Amazon it will arive before the end of this year. I wanted to order it some days ago, but it wasn't available at that moment. I've waited with ordering, till a moment I could be home at the moment it would be delivered, because I fear it doesn't fit in the mailbox. Nice it has some extra room, perhaps I can add the CDs from the other box, that aren't in this new box.

[Bruno Sampaio Barbosa]

Just bought the boxset from a B&M store (39€)... opened it and it could be everything I ever need from the band... and there is much space for more discs in there in case I should ever want bring in 8 to 11. Interesting booklet too.

as far as the DVDs, I'd have to chack if the stuff on Master From The Vault is on the two included in the boxset. If so, the MFTV could exit along with the four old jewel case CDs.

EDIT:
Scoop: don't throw away your MFTV DVD, cos there are two things not included on this boxset.
One is the fantastic Old Grey Whistle Test clip with Philip Catherine (replacing Akkerman) on Angel Wings
and the 55' mins classic rock documentary overwseeing the band's history thru the words of Thijs.

NOT INCLUDED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDWSCSO11bc

Focus - Rehearsal sessions at Kasteel Groeneveld, Baarn, Holland (1971)

Documentary from 1972 called "The Portrait of Focus" with Focus rehearsing in Castle Groenerveld in Baarn in the Netherlands in 1971. That castle was where every Focus song from 1971-1976 were rehearsed and composed. Hocus Pocus was composed in this castle. Some scenes from this documentary is on Focus DVDs. House of the King & Focus 1 is promo vids recorded in a television studio in Holland.


1. House Of The King (promo video)
2. Focus 1 (promo video)
3. Eruption rehearsal
4. Thijs Van Leer Flute Solo (Bach's Menuette II, Suite #1)
5. Intermezzo Interrotto
6. Untitled (but known as «European Rhapsody» from 2006)
7. Band Introduction
8. Jam Session
9. Jan Akkerman Guitar Solo (Improvisation / Le Clochard)
10. Focus 2 rehearsal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDWSCSO11bc

[Rarebird]

Recieved it today. It looks great. I'm very fond of the improved artwork for the first 4 CDs. The booklet is a treat as well.