Not a Beyoncé fan except; I watched the Movie "Cadillac Records" about Chess Records that recorded so many blues musicians in the 50s and 60s (and put Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters on the map. Movie was done on a budget, very fitting for the low budget Chess Records. The music was the songs of the great Chess artists but played by the current musicians playing the parts. The songs are good - but, those were some huge shoes to fill.
Etta James is late in the movie, played by Beyoncé. I had paid zero attention to Beyoncé so I watched with no expectations. The acting - good. Then came the song and OMG this woman can shout out the blues! And put her whole heart, soul and body into the song like it was hers. To this day, I have not looked at her work any further, but I had my eyes opened. I will always know she is the real deal, however she chooses to live out her life.
Ben