Beyonce – Cowboy Carter (US Vinyl 2LP)

Beyonce’s 2024 Country Influenced Album Cowboy Carter on 180g 2LP.

Cowboy Carter, executive produced by Beyoncé, is about genres, all of them, while deeply rooted in Country. This is the work of an artist who thrives in her freedom to grow, expand, and create limitlessly. It makes no apologies, and seeks no permission in elevating, amplifying, and redefining the sounds of music, while dismantling accepted false norms about Americana culture. It pays homage to the past, honoring musical pioneers in Country, Rock, Classical, and Opera.

The album is a cornucopia of sounds that Beyoncé loves, and grew up listening to, between visits and eventually performances at the Houston Rodeo – Country, original Rhythm & Blues, Blues, Zydeco, and Black Folk. The album wraps itself in pure instrumentation in a celebratory authentic gumbo of sounds using among others, the accordion, harmonica, washboard, acoustic guitar, bass ukulele, pedal steel guitar, a Vibra-Slap, the mandolin, fiddle, Hammond B3 organ, tack piano, and the banjo. There’s also plenty of handclaps, horseshoe steps, boot stomps on hardwood floors and yes, those are Beyoncé’s nails as percussion.

The album includes a pair of covers: Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and The Beatles’ “Blackbird.” It also includes collaborations with Miley Cyrus (“II Most Wanted”) and Post Malone (“Levii’s Jeans”).

1. AMERIICAN REQUIEM
2. BLACKBIIRD
3. 16 CARRIAGES
4. PROTECTOR
5. MY ROSE
6. SMOKE HOUR • WILLIE NELSON
7. TEXAS HOLD ‘EM
8. BODYGUARD
9. DOLLY P
10. JOLENE
11. DAUGHTER
12. ALLIIGATOR TEARS
13. SMOKE HOUR II
14. JUST FOR FUN
15. II MOST WANTED
16. LEVII’S JEANS
17. DESERT EAGLE
18. RIIVER DANCE
19. II HANDS II HEAVEN
20. TYRANT
21. SWEET • HONEY • BUCKIIN’
22. AMEN