Rare 1988 Melanie Concert With Jan Akkerman of Focus Surfaces
Cleopatra Records has been releasing Melanie music of late what with its reissues and “new” releases from the alt-folk singer who graduated Long Branch High School to become a 1960s icon. The latest of which is In Focus Live ’88 with Jan Akkerman of the Dutch prog-rock band Focus (known for its biggest hit “Hocus Pocus” in 1971).
In May of ’88, Melanie was Invited to open a prestigious Euro music festival in the Netherlands. The plan had her fronting local musicians but when rehearsals went sour, Dutch Guitar Hero Jan Akkerman stepped in to save the set by making the tunes come alive with the help of Santana percussionist Raul Rekow.
Melanie, who died earlier this year at 76, said last year she was familiar with Focus through her husband/producer Peter Schekeryk. “It was Peter who would bring the albums home, and we’d sit there listening to these amazing musicians making the most incredible music. And, suddenly, there I was onstage with one of them playing my songs! I kept thinking I ought to pinch myself, but I didn’t because it felt so good.”
The concert was taped for posterity but never released. Until now. Melanie always delighted in surprising her fans. “I really enjoyed the looks on their faces or the sound of their voices,” she explained in that same 2023 interview. “I’ve seen so many artists who just play their set or record their songs and you know exactly what you’re going to get from them. I never wanted people to say that about me.”
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