The !!!! Beat

I recently purchased the whole 6 dvd run of this series from Germany's Bear Family Label. It's really fantastic. I've never even been that big a fan of the blues, but this has given me a whole new appreciation for 'em (some of 'em anyway). This show really puts a smile on my face.

It's a syndicated show from Texas (the only studio available with color facilities at the time-1966) with only black artists, hosted by a big white guy named Hoss Allen, who all the guests seem to genuinely know and love. The house band is led by guitarist "Gatemouth Brown".

Artists appearing on the show include: Otis Redding; Little Milton, Esther Phillips, Joe Tex, Etta James, Lattimore Brown, Rosco Shelton, Carla Thomas, Freddie King, Barbara Lynn, Johnny Taylor, Maurice & The Radiants, Louis Jordan, Mighty Hannibal, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Robert Parker, Joe Simon, Mitty Collier, Jamo Thomas, Zz Hill, Lou Rawls, Bobby Hebb, Willie Mitchell, Don Bryant, Ovations, Bar-Kays, Percy Sledge, Garnett Mimms and Sam & Dave! I highly recommend this to anyone with any interest in Blues or Rhythm & Blues.
Buy The !!!! Beat Vol 1
Buy The !!!! Beat Vol 2
Buy The !!!! Beat Vol 3 
Buy The !!!! Beat Vol 4
Buy The !!!! Beat Vol 5
Buy The !!!! Beat Vol 6

Comments

[mark]

It`s an amazing series isn`t it.

[chad]

yo long time fan of your site, and as any nashvillian (like myself) can tell ya, hoss allen was a nashville icon. he was also one of the radio personalities that broke "black" music to a much larger audience on WLAC. if you hear his voice you can see how many thought he was a black man on the radio. this show was recorded in texas but he travelled down from nashville weekly to film it. there is a great nashville r&b exhibit done by a friend of mine at the country music hall of fame. if it tours, dont miss it. there is also a great cd comp of rarities to look for.

[Evan]

Wow, that looks fabulous! Thanks for letting us know about this.

[mickey]

i bought myself the entire series and am savoring every soulful morsel! even though too many are lip-synched, it's still great to see the faces that make the music i love.

i've also be devouring all the Beat-era videos. where on earth did you find them? if it's a secret, i don't wanna know - just keep posting them!

many thanks!