Max’s streaming service is now offering Beyoncé’s documentary “Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance,” which was released about a month after Queen Bey’s groundbreaking album “Cowboy Carter.”
Produced by CNN FlashDocs, the documentary will show how prominent musicians like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé are challenging the country music genre and how their influence relates to the history of Black artists in Nashville.
“Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé’s eighth solo studio album, was released on March 29. The 78 minutes of music, divided over 27 songs, honor the Black heritage of country music. The CD features a number of Black country musicians, including Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy, Willie Jones, and Reyna Roberts. Legends of country music Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton have vocal cameos in it as well.
During the 2024 Super Bowl, the lead song from the album, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” was revealed and made available. Thirteen days later, Beyoncé created history when her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” peaked at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, making her the first Black woman to do so. “Cowboy Carter” is the album with the greatest sales so far in 2024 and also delivered Beyoncé her eighth topper on the Billboard 200.
In a review, Chris Willman stated, “‘Cowboy Carter’ is a masterpiece of sophisticated vocal arranging, laid out on top of mostly fairly stark band tracks.” Not that she ever stopped using that amazing skill of hers, even on a dance-oriented record like “Renaissance.” But in this instance, her mastery of creating self-harmonies is highlighted in a way that may not have been as obvious to listeners since Destiny’s Child recorded a Christmas record featuring a cover of “Carol of the Bells.” It’s happiness.
Only on Max, stream “Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance.”