Black in the Saddle (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Sara Beck (vocals); J-Money, Paul Allen, Adam Shoenfeld (acoustic guitar); Gary Burnette (electric guitar); James Pennebaker (steel guitar); Randy Kohrs (dobro); Jonathan Yudkin (banjo); Larry Franklin (fiddle); Jeffrey Roach (piano); Michael Rojas (Hammond b-3 organ); Jeff Armstrong (synthesizer); Joeie Canaday, Glenn Worf, Mike Brignardello, Ethan Pilzer (bass guitar); Larry Babb, Steve Brewster, Brian Barnett (drums); John Rich , Big Kenny (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Angela Hacker (vocals); James Otto, M. Shadows.

As much as the idea of an African-American rapper performing Nashville country might sound like a one-joke affair, the continuing success of country-hop star Cowboy Troy simply proves how little stylistic difference there is between the top of the pop charts and the top of the country charts. In the long run, this is a good thing. On the follow-up to his breakthrough album LOCO MOTIVE, Cowboy Troy and his producers and mentors Big and Rich expand the concept to include more overtly rock-influenced material alongside the hip-hop and country: opening track "Buffalo Stampede" even features a guest shot from M. Shadows of the metal act Avenged Sevenfold. Elsewhere, "Hick Chick" (here in two mixes, one emphasizing the twang and the other the beats) finds Cowboy Troy flirting with guest singer Angela Hacker, who also appears on the stomping "Lock Me Up." The album concludes with a new "barn dance" mix of Cowboy Troy's signature song, "I Play Chicken With the Train." minimize