A whole lot of Beyoncé

No way anybody would want to just download Beyoncé, this new album by Beyoncé. Beyoncé fan or not, this one is a real keeper. It is a must-have for any Beyoncé fan and for anybody who appreciates the great deal of work that creates products vastly superior to others in the market. Dubbed a “visual album,” the self-titled release does not only come in two discs, CD and DVD, it also has a collection of stunning images in a booklet.

First off, you must listen to the CD. The songs included are all-new originals and feature collabs with some of the biggest hip-hop artists of today like Pharrell Williams and Timbaland as producers and duets with Frank Ocean in Superpower, Drake in Mine, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche in Flawless and her little daughter Blue Ivy in Heaven.

Of course, the biggest of them all is Jay-Z to whom Beyoncé is married. I wonder how much influence he has on the production and marketing of Beyoncé products. If he had a big hand in creating and selling Beyoncé, I would say that he is a genious. It was with Jay-Z that she wowed at the Grammys in the opening number Drunk In Love. That song is in the album plus its provocative video as well as a photo of Beyoncé’s behind in those tights on the CD cover. And you already know how Beyoncé looks in that costume.

There are 14 songs and these are among Beyoncé’s best to date. This is the sort of album you do for love or art and not the charts. It is obvious that unlike 4 or I Am…Sasha Fierce, this was produced by a very confident artist with no thought about image or sales. The result is many things. Sweet and tender, Pretty Hurts and Blue or sexy, Drunk In Love or just plain different, Haunted, but the entirety is smooth, as though she is simply coasting along with great ease.

Every song included comes with a video. These, plus a few others make up the 17 cuts in the Disc 2 of the album. Knowing Beyoncé’s mindset, there was no way she would have just any ordinary video in the album. What buyers get are short, very well-made films that can stand alone as works of art. And she looks absolutely beautiful in all of them. The attention to detail in the production of each one is remarkable, and I am glad that fans and music lovers have been given the chance to own copies of these videos in their collection. Gorgeous stills from the video shoots are what make up the booklet.

Then do take note that the release of Beyoncé into the market was also an experiment of sorts. It came out online without airplay, ads or any kind of fanfare. Very quietly it appeared on iTunes where it was exclusively available for a few weeks. And Beyoncé was right to take that chance because the album was a big-seller from Day One.

At a time when local producers must bring down production costs to the lowest level possible in order to survive, coming across this album by Beyoncé makes me feel so envious. But reality says that there is no way we can afford something like this right now so I will just content myself with listening and watching Beyoncé, and once in a while hoping that things will be better soon for Filipino artists.

And there is a lot more Beyoncé in the stores these days. If what you want is the sight and sound of Beyoncé doing her big hits like Baby Boy, Crazy In Love, Diva, Run The World (Girls), Single Ladies and many more live, you will be glad to know that also now available is another two-disc set. This is Beyoncé Life Is But A Dream, a film by Beyoncé Knowles. Disc 1 of the set has the complete inspiring HBO documentary that marks Beyoncé’s filmmaking debut.

On Disc 2 is her Live In Atlantic City show where she performs her greatest hits. She is also the executive producer and shares directing credits for the concert movie with Ed Burke. This was shot during the star-studded inauguration of the Revel Casino Hotel in May of 2012 and marked her first concert appearance after the birth of Blue Ivy. Again, Beyoncé’s dedication to offering only the best in her performances is very much in evidence. I can only say, what a show!

Also included are End Of Time, Get Me Bodied, Naughty Girl, Party, Dance For You, Freakum Dress, I Care, Schoolin’ Life, 1+1, Flaws And All, Countdown, I Was Here, I Will Always Love You, Halo, Green Light and Love On Top. And again, it comes with a booklet full of gorgeous pictures.