Customer Reviews

Beat 1966 [VHS]

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Freddie at the absolute top of his game. King's inventiveness has never been more apparent than on this video. Playing much more forcefully than on his contemporaneous studio recordings, King tears through spine chilling versions of classics like "Hideaway" and "Have You Ever Loved a Woman". On the later King plays with such intensity and beautiful phrasing that one wonders what Eric Clapton may have been up against on his tour with Freddie. While I have never been particularly fond of King's 70's releases, this video demonstrates how truly great he once was. The fact that he was dreadfully unrecorded during this time makes this video all the more valuable.

This is Freddie King at his best, in a live performance. He is raw, he is fresh and he is awsome. You will not regret this purchase.

Freddie was and always will be one of the best! A top player and vocalist who left a permanent mark in blues playing and history. Ignore the host, the teenie bopper dancers, and the dated wardrobe. Instead pay attention to stinging blues lines, soul, conviction and instrumental melodies that stand the test of time. Freddie had an attack to his playing that stands out here more than anywhere in his records. The only player to compeat in the cutting attack is Albert Collins. Everyone else comes second.

Whether playing in a TV studio, backed up by Go-Go dancers, or at a Festival overseas, he can take the stage with al command and virtuosity of bigger "names". His songwriting, singing, and showmanship are all over this tape.
On "The Beat!!!" TV show section we got a big bag of gems, including "I'm Tore Down", plus two renditions of classics like "Hide Away", "Funny Bone", and "San-Ho-Zay".
Seven years later we see Freddie on stage in Sweden, in front of a studious audience, and a revisit to "Have You Ever Loved A Woman", plus an unusual arrangement on "Blues Band Shuffle", really showing Canned Heat, Eric Clapton, and so many others, how to do it right.

This vidio is the ultimate Blues Man at his very best! Eric Clapton was quoted as saying "Freddie taught me how to make love to the guitar". Freddie's style is nothing short of electrifying! How he can sing and play is grand. A thumb pic and a single index finger pick masters the Gibson like no other. His finger pick gives a backstroke twang to the blues. Anyone who thinks he plays the blues should see the way the blues should be played

If you're into the blues....AT ALL....you MUST buy this tape. Video is excellent, and audio is good too. I don't think The Beat TV show sound engineers were the best, but you can still hear everything. There are a couple of tunes at the end of the tape that were recorded at a concert in Europe a few years after The Beat sessions. HOLY COW! Those are the crown jewels of this tape. Makes me wonder why Freddie isn't more famous. To listen to Freddie is to love his musical ability, and to WATCH him is quite rewarding. We miss you Freddie.

ERIC CLAPTON SHOULD NOT EVEN BE QUOTED IN A REVIEW ON THIS MAN. HES NOT A PIMPLE ON FREDDIES 'FACE'. THIS VIDEO IS A MUST HAVE! FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIKE 'REAL' BLUES, NOT ERIC 'PRUNEFACE' CLAPTON 'BLUES'. :)