Everyone’s excited about Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” album. It’s very good, great even, and should secure Ms. Knowles with her first Album of the Year next January.
But groundbreaking? Not really. Exactly 30 years ago there was an album and a documentary called “Rhythm, Country & Blues.” It mixed top country stars with R&B stars.
The R&B stars were Sam Moore, Patti Labelle, Little Richard, BB King, Natalie Cole, The Pointer Sisters, Aaron Neville, The Staples Singers, Allen Toussaint, and Al Green. I’m sure they’re reading all the publicity about Beyonce and saying, “Huh? We did that 30 years ago!”
Not to take anything away from Beyonce. The album is personal to her because she grew up in Texas. But most of the R&B singers from “Rhythm, Country, and Blues” also grew up in the South — or had roots there.
By the way, the album debuted at Number 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. It was a huge hit, and remains available on streaming and on CD. The duets hold up very well, too.
