Beyoncé's highly anticipated country album, Act 2: Cowboy Carter, has finally hit the airwaves. The anticipation for the project reached a high point yesterday when she dropped off the tracklist. However, the album showcases a diverse array of features and talent. Released tonight (March 29), the album serves unforgettable journey into the heart of country music, with an impressive lineup of collaborators and an abundance of heartfelt tributes. Miley Cyrus and Post Malone made guest appearances to name a few. Cyrus joins Beyoncé on the track "II Most Wanted," while Malone lends his distinctive vocals to "Levii's Jeans." Additionally, country music legends Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson make appearances on the album, contributing to an interlude alongside Linda Martell, the pioneering black female solo artist who made history at the Grand Ole Opry. In addition, Beyoncé's daughter Rumi Carter joins her for the track "Protector."
Moreover, one of the standout moments on the album is Beyoncé's rendition of Parton's classic hit, "Jolene." Following Parton's interlude, Beyoncé's soulful interpretation of the 1973 track serves as a powerful homage to the country music icon and adds a fresh perspective to the beloved song. The release of Cowboy Carter follows the surprise drop of singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages" during the Super Bowl, building anticipation for the full album. Serving as the long-awaited Act II of Beyoncé's 2022 project, Renaissance, the album represents a culmination of the singer's exploration into the country genre.
Moreover, Beyoncé' recently revealed that her journey to "Cowboy Carter" began five years ago. Furthermore, this revelation was sparked by an incident at the Country Music Association Awards in 2016. Reflecting on her experience, she shared on social media last week that she felt unwelcome in the country music community at the time. However, this experience inspired her to delve deeper into the genre's rich history, leading to the creation of Cowboy Carter and a newfound appreciation for its musical legacy.
With its diverse lineup of collaborators, heartfelt tributes, and Beyoncé's unmistakable talent, Cowboy Carter is set to leave a lasting impression on the world of country music. As fans immerse themselves in the album's captivating melodies and soul-stirring lyrics, they are sure to discover a newfound appreciation for the genre and Beyoncé's groundbreaking contributions to its evolution. Are you excited to listen to the entire project? Let us know on HNHH which track is your favorite!
Tracklist:
AMERICAN REQUIEM
BLACKBIRD
16 CARRIAGES
PROTECTOR
MY ROSE
SMOKE HOUR WILLIE NELSON
TEXAS HOLD 'EM
BODYGUARD
DOLLY P
JOLENE
DAUGHTER
SPAGHETTI
ALLIGATOR TEARS
SMOKE HOUR II
JUST FOR FUN
II MOST WANTED
LEVII'S JEANS
FLAMENCO
THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW
YA YA
OH LOUISIANA
DESERT EAGLE
RIVERDANCE
II HANDS II HEAVEN
TYRANT
SWEET HONEY BUCKIN'
AMEN
NEWS
Celebrated playwright and comedian Ben Elton has approached Noel Gallagher about creating an “Oasis jukebox musical”.
The two recently crossed paths at the Queen Budapest premiere at London’s BFI Imax. During their conversation, the We Will Rock You writer expressed his interest in building a stage production around Oasis’ songs.
The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column reported that the guitarist laughed and pointed him towards his brother Liam, saying: “You better ask our kid.”
Someone close to Liam suggested casting the singer would be a challenge, claiming no actor could "match" his "swagger".
Built around Queen’s songs, We Will Rock You enjoyed an impressive run, becoming the Dominion Theatre’s longest running musical and earning a place among the West End’s longest running productions. It also received the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Popular Show.
Interest in Oasis remains enormous, with 11 million people signing up for the Oasis Live ’27 ticket ballot.
After the Live Forever band returned to touring last year for the first time in 16 years, their famous rivalry with Blur became the subject of a stage comedy.
In The Battle, Gavin and Stacey actor Mathew Horne portrayed Andy Ross, the Britpop music executive who found himself in the middle of one of British music’s most memorable feuds.
He said: “This play is right in the sweet spot of my teenage cultural experience. I’m thrilled to be exploring this iconic era in music on stage with such a talented creative team involved.”
The production revisited August 1995, when Blur and Oasis went head to head by releasing Country House and Roll With It on the same day, each hoping to reach Number One.
Blur secured the victory with sales of 274,000 copies, compared with 216,000 for Oasis.
That chart contest fuelled years of public jabs between members of both groups, although relations have become less hostile over time.
A UK tour had been planned for the production, but its remaining performances were cancelled following the Birmingham and Manchester engagements in February and March this year.
Oasis Live ’27 begins on May 21 at Glasgow’s Celtic Park, with 42 concerts scheduled, including a record six performances at Knebworth.
