Music Video Monday: All Things New

Something we always try to attain at Music Video Monday. We shall call it the Birthday Bash Edition.  This finished the Adult Contemporary Category. Next week we move on to Alternative.

Three videos today, next week moving on to four. Thank you to all those that entered the great 3rd Birthday Giveaway. Winners will be selected soon. Now on to our videos.

We begin our all new Music Video Monday with, not surprisingly, All Things New. This is New Man from their debut album on BEC Recordings.

Up next is Nathan Jess, from Ireland. This is When All Your Mercies.

We end with girl band More Than Rubies, which is Christa Wells and Nicole Witt. This is the foot stomping and hand clapping Coming To The Light.

Alternative is next week. Thank You for keeping tuned to The Night Beat, and, as always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Nothing But The Blood

Who knew you could go from Genesis to Revelation in 45 minutes? I surely didn't. I mean, even John MacArthur's "Jet Tour Through The Book of Revelation" took an hour.

The miracle of speed preaching has been accomplished, not by a pastor or evangelist, but by a Folk Singer by the name of +Caroline Cobb Smith . It's an ambitious undertaking. Born from a self imposed goal to write a song from each book of the Bible by her 30th Birthday, which was 11/11/11. With the help of +Kickstarter she took the best of the songs and created a masterpiece entitled The Blood + the Breath: Songs That Tell the Story of Redemption.

The album is a little bit of everything, style-wise, but because of its simple sound overall, I am going with Folk for the genre. Songs like Dry bones could be a Jazz/Torch Song sound, and All The Stars is pure pop. From Him To Him and Glory Power Honor Forever are in a Modern Worship theme. You get the idea. Whatever you like short of Rock and Roll you are sure to find it on this album. Plus, rather then sounding disjointed, the theme holds everything together.

I give this album a Perfect 5 Emerald Rating. Now that only guarantees it a spot in the Folk Music Final voting, but it still has to beat The Civil Wars and other entrants. The Civil Wars self titled sophomore release, by the way, is also a perfect 5. A battle royal in Folk Music. You always thought they were so peaceful. Enjoy the album below. Enter The Giveaway to Win The Civil Wars or Three other five emerald albums. And, as I say as I close each post, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Reckless Promises

Welcome back to Music Video Monday. We are continuing our journey through Adult Contemporary and Inspirational Music.

We begin with the king of Adult Contemporary. He may fashion himself a rocker, but he as always seemed the most tame of the Creed Clones of a bunch of years back. I'm talking about Jeremy Camp. His latest album is entitled Reckless, and this is the video for the Title cut.

A couple of crown princes are next. First up is Newsong, probably the veterans of the grouping. From the album of the same name, this is Swallow The Ocean.

Finally, we end with something real. Sanctus Real, that is. This is Promises.

Next Monday we close out September, The Adult Contemporary Category, and the Great WENC Night Beat Third Birthday Giveaway all on the same day. Something like that is worth More Than Rubies. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Tale of Two Amy's or When Grant Met Lee

I am convinced that God has a sense of humor, the great majority of Christendom however otherwise convinced. For proof one need look no further than the Christian Music Industry. Fortunately for me, that is where I spend my career.

During the Jesus Music Era (the 1970's to the rest of humanity) a star arose on the landscape. While this teenage girl barely merited notice at seventeen when she debuted, two years later EVERYONE knew about Her Fathers eyes. Amy Grant was suddenly into Christian Music Deity (one thing Christians have down pat is Idolatry). She Was "OUR AMY", and pretty much was if you said Amy, your mind filled in Grant. Not that she didn't deserve some of that Idol Worship, 

Christian Music proceeded to settle into the Amy and Smitty Rut, where any release by Amy Grant or Michael W. Smith was deemed Award Worthy based on name recognition alone. While the 80's may have been the golden age for releases, in the award venues we were pretty much tin.

When God got tired of Amy this and Amy that, he decided that Christian Music needed a little rebellion, and He introduced the Christian Music World to an Arkansas girl by the name of AMY LEE. No Baby Baby for this girl. She looked like a Vampire and sang of death. Even In Death our love goes on were lyrics that got short lived Christian Magazine 7 Ball to say "somebody sign these guys". When Wind Up Records did release Fallen in 2003 by a band fronted by miss Lee, a revelation that these goth rockers were less than totally sanctified forced an instant purge from Christian Bookstores, and a guaranteed ride to 7x Platinum in the United States and 17 Million Sales Worldwide. Heart in Motion was waving a surrender flag. 

Things settled down for a while and then another Christian Singer Songwriter by the name of (no, not Amy, look at the title) Joy Williams, with 11 Dove Nominations under her belt, decided to form a Folk Band she called The Civil Wars. Barton Hollow received Christian Music Promotion, but with the Sophomore self titled effort, Crickets are all that was heard from the CCM industry at large. I guess they weren't Spiritual enough.

Amy Grant, Amy Lee, The Civil Wars. You can't make this stuff up. It's better than six degrees of Larry Norman. I guess this Christian Civil War wont be settled until the Rapture. Time for one more joke from The Almighty. The Rapture. A Sudden Vanishing Away of The Church. There's a word for that, it's called EVANESCENCE.

I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter -Rock

This is it, the final post of the 2013 3rd Quarter Pool eligible Entries. We are all caught up and it's new stuff until the end of September. Then we begin with judging and voting on these entries while the pool fills for the 5th Platinum Vinyl Awards.

It is fitting that we end with Rock. It is the glory genre. Everyone wants to be a Rock Star. Face it, they make energy drinks called rock star, not country star. And what a way to end, this was a packed quarter. Check it out.

Rock Music

• Audio Adrenaline - Big House to Ocean Floor
• John Elefante - On My Way to the Sun
• Remedy Drive - Resuscitate Acoustic Sessions
• Silverline - Lights Out
• Skillet - Rise
• Sweet Comfort Band - The Waiting is Over

Skillet would be the Veterans of this half dozen, except that a few true veterans are here. John Elefante is a rock music veteran, having got his start with GRAC supergroup Kansas, and then AD and now a solo act. And then there's Sweet Comfort Band. Twenty nine years since their last release and they haven't missed a beat. I guess you can go home again. Plus Skillet and Elefante were perfect 5's and have immediate entry into the finals. This should be an interesting year.

Don't forget to enter the Great WENC Night Beat Third Birthday Giveaway. It's on until the end of the month, and Skillet is one of the prizes. As I said, when four times five equals three. Don't let your head explode making the math work. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Love Does

Welcome Back to an all new edition of Music Video Monday. We are full swing here in the studio. Taking a hiatus appears to have been a good idea. 

We're going to camp out for a while in AC land (that's Adult Contemporary, not Air Conditioning, though it's easy to get confused.)

We start with a trip to Blue Mountain, as the latest release by Brandon Heath is called. The album should represent well, it was a vast improvement over his previous release. This is the video for Love Does.

Next up is +Bebo Norman , who made a few trips to +SoulFest, if I recall correctly. This is the music video for Sing of Your Glory.
Finally, we end part one of the AC Trip with some advice. Actually The Advice, which You give me.

We continue with Adult Contemporary next week. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Heavy Metal

First up, the Hard Stuff. Only two genres remain. Both Rock, but one is louder and harder than the other. Hard Rock and Metal was the better represented of the two, again by one entry.

Hard Rock and Metal

• Ace Augustine - The Sick and Suffering
• Ark of the Covenant - Self Harvest
• August Burns Red - Rescue and Restore
• Colossus - Time and Eternal
• Extol - Extol 
• Fallstar - Backdraft
• For Today - Prevailer

You can't really get louder than the bands represented here. In most cases these are thrash metal bands, though ABR can get pretty melodic. And in thrash bands, the quality of clean vocals is what makes the difference here. We end the wrap up with Rock. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Rap

On to Rap and Hip Hop. A very well represented genre this quarter with ten entries. A nice mix of newcomers and veterans too. I wont spend too much time with introductions, so on to the entries.

Hip Hop & Rap

• Shai Linne - Lyrical Theology, Part 1: Theology
• Heath McNease - The Weight of Glory: Second Edition
• Andy Mineo - Heroes For Sale
• Mr. Del - Faith Walka
• JSon - Braille
• R-Swift - Apply Pressure
• Still Trill Christians - Kings
• Tony Tillman - The Tillman EP
• Whosoever South - Goin Home
• Young Chozen - G.L.O.W.

Some may remember that I was less than impressed one time with Mr. McNease. That was a different album. I treat each release separately.These songs inspired by the works of C.S. Lewis worked wonderfully. Newcomer Whosoever South was the star of the quarter. They mix it up. Hip Hop, Rap, R&B. A totally fresh sound in the genre. And staple JSon scored a perfect album this time around. Rock and Metal await. And I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Dance

Dance is next as we roll out the pool eligible entries for the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards. I am making one post here, although in the finals they will be split into two categories, Dance/Synthpop and Electronic/Industrial. Since I have already categorized this quarters entries I will be making two lists in this post. First up:

Dance/Synthpop

• Allistair - Feed The White Dog Love
• Family Force 5 - Reanimated
• Har Megiddo - Har Megiddo Remixed
• David Thulin - Reconstruction

Three of the four releases here are remixes, but they would qualify if they weren't. Har Megiddo and David Thulin (pronounced Too lean) got perfect 5's for their efforts. 

Next up is Electronic Music that isn't necessarily just for the dance floor, although you probably can dance to it.

Electronic/Industrial

• All The Bright Lights - The Wind and The Waves
• Steve Hare - A Heart Like Your Own
• The Jellyrox - Embellish
• Pilgrim - Pilgrim

For those not in the know, +The Jellyrox Street Team ST is the side project of Matt Langston of eleventyseven. All The Bright Lights has its entry pretty much by faith, as except for a few clips, I can't find anything on availability. It seems like vaporware, so, even though I gave it 5 Emeralds, it may not be guaranteed.

Three more to go, and I still have room in September. Yeah. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Gospel

Continuing with our announcement of the Third Quarter 2013 PVA Pool Eligible Entries. We move on to Gospel and R&B. A lot of new artists here this time around. One perfect album as well. Without further ado.

Gospel/R&B

• Percy Bady - Kingdom Inspirations
• Isaac Carree - Reset 
• Javen - Worship In The Now: Live
• Jonathan Nelson - Finish Strong
• Jamie Simond - Collage 
• Hezekiah Walker - Azusa: The Next Generation

Hezekiah Walker is a veteran and Nelson has been around a while as well, but the rest are new to me at least. Percy Bady really inspired me. He got a perfect 5 emeralds for the album and is guaranteed entry into the finals.

Four more posts to go. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Adult Contemporary

Adult Contemporary and its sibling, Inspirational Music, have been a well represented genre since it's introduction in the Second Year. This quarter was no different, as ten albums made the cut. The usual suspects made the mix, plus a surprising entrance by a veteran of the scene, though not usually in this category.

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• All Things New - All Things New
• Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
• Citizen Way - Citizen Way 
• Finding Favour - Finding Favour
• Amy Grant - How Mercy Looks From Here
• Nathan Jess - Love Stands Forever
• Matt Maher - All The People Said Amen
• Shane and Shane - Bring Your Nothing
• Tim Timmons - Cast My Cares
• Josh Wilson - Carry Me

Those of you who have been with me from the start may be surprised to see an entry from Amy Grant. Yes, I have supposed that the CCM industry lazily picks anything from "Our Amy" as they say, as an award winner. That being said, this entry brings me back to the Father's eyes glory days. She even sounds like the Amy of the 80's at some points.

That does it for AC. Don't forget to enter the giveaway while you're here. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Chicks, Chicken, Pickin and grinnin

Sometimes I am amazed by the low attendance at some Christian Concerts. I mean, what do you have to do to get the seats filled? Small Intimate venue with table seating? Check. Free Food? Check. College Credit? Check. Great Music? Check.

Did I mention the concert was FREE! Oh, and the band happens to be fronted by two beautiful girls with great legs (Yes, totally chauvinistic remark from a Guy, deal with it). Check out the picture and tell me I'm wrong. 

Phoebe (l) and Callie (r) Cryar of the Vespers

The Band in question is The Vespers. A Folk Rock band out of Nashville, Tennessee. If you've not heard of them before, don't feel bad. I "discovered" the band back last April with the release of The Fourth Wall . It was the first I heard of them, but in fact it was their Second Album. The debut was called Tell Your Mama, and was released back in 2010. They are a brother/sister act, so to speak. The Sisters, who do all the vocals, are Callie and Phoebe Cryar, aged 22 and 20 respectively. They are the Children of 80's CCM Rock Star Morgan Cryar. The brothers are Bruno and Taylor Jones, 21 and 23 respectively. They are a talented bunch.

• Callie Cryar: Guitar, Ukelele, Banjo, Electric Bass
• Phoebe Cryar: Banjo, Guitar, some ukulele, occasional mandolin and accordion
• Bruno Jones: Guitars and other stringed instruments (mostly upright bass)
• Taylor Jones: Drums and Mandolin

The Davis Auditorium at Nichols College was set up with tables seating 7. There were maybe 9 of them. I think there may have only been about 20 or so actually there. The concert began with the band's only cover tune, Grinnin In Your Face by Son House. That really set the tone for a high energy banjo picking night, made for dancing (the only invitation was ignored.

The Short concert (about an hour give or take) consisted mostly of songs from The Fourth Wall (in addition to Grinnin', Better Now, Flower Flower, Got No Friends and Will You Love Me were featured). Two new songs from an upcoming third album were played plus Tell your Mama and Pick a fight from the debut. The concert closed with Close My Eyes, one of their hardest songs ever. I'll close with it too. Rarely does a concert come close to some of the energy on an album due to Murphy's Law. This time Murphy was nowhere to be found. Until next time, Tell Your Mama, or anyone else you know, that I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: The One That Got Away

Welcome back to an all new edition of Music Video Monday. We're trying something different this time around, as we share videos from the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards Eligibility Year. Instead of doing random videos, we are progressing by genre. We may have to backtrack if something pops up, but I think we won't have to, it being September.

We begin with a legend in the making. The Civil Wars are already multiple award winners, and it looks like they're going to mine Platinum once again, at least in the Folk Genre. We shall see about the others. This is the only Music Video from their Self Titled possible swan song (They have Lyric Videos). They truly are The One That Got Away.
Next up is a double nominee. Yancy (not Nancy) already has a nominated album in Children's Music this year. She strayed into Folk and Modern Worship Territory with her album Roots for the Journey. I think it was more folk than Modern Worship, so I classified it there. This is Safe.
Finally, we conclude with one of the Folk Queens of Christian Music. JJ Heller is really a staple in the Platinum Vinyl Awards lineup. She could be this awards version of Amy Grant, though I believe she merits it. I kind of give all one girl and guitar people to folk, though she could be classified as pop. This is the video for Who You Are.
That concludes this edition of Music Video Monday. Next week we will settle down for a while in Adult Contemporary. Scroll down a little further and enter the giveaway. (One of the artists featured here has an album in the mix. It appeals to both North and South). Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Alternative

Ten releases made the Alternative Pool this Quarter, making it one of the big winners, so to speak. The genre shared second place honors with Hip Hop and Adult Contemporary. The Big Winner of Course this quarter was Modern Worship by one.

Alternative

• Abandon Kansas - A Midwest Summer
• The Almost - Fear inside our bones
• After Edmund - Art and Commerce
• Eisley - Currents
• Ghost Ship - The Good King
• Golden Youth - Quiet Frame: Wild Light
• House of Heroes - The Knock Down Drag Outs
• Over the Ocean - Be Given to the Soil
• Paramore - Paramore
• Sleeping at Last - Atlas 002: Light EP

Eisley has been a regular here at the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Since we've existed they haven't really failed to qualify an entrant into the pool. Both Deep Space and The Valley made the finals, and Ambulance from the won Alternative Song in the Second Awards. Of the list only Paramore is guaranteed a spot, as it was awarded a Perfect 5 Emeralds.

I will be at The Vespers concert at Nichols College in Dudley tonight, so if you are in the area I would be glad to meet you. Don't forget to enter the giveaway while you are here. Stay with me while the 3rd Quarter is announced, and as always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Modern Worship

This is the big winner this quarter. Modern Worship had more eligible entries than any other genre with eleven. Now before you run off to lead worship in a church I should reveal that Adult Contemporary, Alternative, and Rap had ten each. So, without further ado, the best in Modern Worship.

 Modern Worship

• Charles Billingsley - Live in Concert
• C3 (Christian City Church Oxford) - In Your Rhythm
• Lights Align - Before/After
• Tim Neufeld - Trees
• Joshua Price - Nothing Without You
• More Than Rubies - More Than Rubies
• Martin Smith - God's Great Dance Floor, Step 1
• Vineyard UK Worship - Come, Now is the Time: The Platinum Collection
• Vineyard UK Worship - Piano Classics
• Ben Walther - Make Your Home in Me
• Carlos Whittaker - Fight

Some of these entries were really difficult to track down, but track them down we did. Vineyard UK struck a rare double entry in one quarter. The albums are completely different in nature from each other and stand on their own. And it's good to hear from former Delirious front man Martin Smith once again.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Pop

Pop music is usually well represented, but this time it was a little thin. Not too bad, however. With six entries it merits a post by itself, and it makes up almost an entire grouping of nominees.

Pop Music

• The Afters - Life is Beautiful
• David M. Edwards - Heart full of Soul
• Hawk Nelson - Made
• Kerrie Roberts - Time For The Show
• Hannah Rose - Hannah Rose
• Unspoken - The World is Waiting

The Hawk made an impressive showing this time around. It's good to see that the departure of Jason Dunn hasn't hamstrung the band. And things bode well for newcomer Hannah Rose from the sounds of her debut. Stay with me as I wrap up the Third Quarter here on The Night Beat. And don't forget to enter the giveaway. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: August 2013

One month to go. Labour Day (I've decided to go with the Canadian spelling) marks not only the unofficial end of Summer and (formerly) the beginning of school, but it also marks the final month of eligibility in the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards.

First, though, we must put August to bed. As we always do, we begin with those entries that

Missed The Mark

• Fuzed Worship - By Your Blood EP 3.75 Emeralds
• Mercy Me - The Worship Sessions 3.75 Emeralds
• Amanda Noelle - Beautiful Name 3.75 Emeralds
• The Ongoing Concept - Saloon 3.50 Emeralds
• Soulfire Revolution - Revival 3.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Lead me to the Cross: Today's Biggest Praise Songs 3.75 Emeralds

The biggest surprise here for me is Mercy Me. I became a fan when I first heard "I can only imagine". It's tough being a trend setter, and nothing recent from them stirs me like that song. Even so, to not have it wind up in the initial pool is shock enough. Two entries struck gold, or more accurately

Pure Platinum

• Audrey Assad - Fortunate Fall 5 Emeralds
• The Civil Wars - The Civil Wars [+digital booklet] 5 Emeralds

Double A has been on my radar from her debut. On her third album she strayed a bit from her pop comfort zone and went perfect. I think this album will wind up in multiple categories, as it is either AC/Inspirational or Modern Worship. The Civil Wars? Beside the fact that they have managed to strike double platinum (Barton Hollow was a Perfect 5 as well), you can also land a copy of your own by entering the Great WENC Night Beat 3rd Birthday Giveaway. Most albums fall somewhere in the middle and are classified as 

Semi-Precious Metal

• The Ambassador - Hors D'oeuvres 4.50 Emeralds
• Bridgecity - BridgeCity 4.75 Emeralds
• Seth Condrey - Keeps on Changing 4.50 Emeralds
• Cornerstone Sanctuary Choir - Glorify 4.75 Emeralds
• Crave - Crave 4.50 Emeralds
• Decyfer Down - Scarecrow 4.75 Emeralds
• The Digital Age - Evening Morning 4.75 Emeralds
• Jars of Clay - Inland 4.75 Emeralds
• Love and Death - Between Here and Lost 4.75 Emeralds
• Love and The Outcome - Love and The Outcome 4.50 Emeralds
• Mandisa - Overcomer 4.50 Emeralds
• Nations - Nations 4.75 Emeralds
• New Life Worship - Strong God 4.50 Emeralds
• Norma Jean - Wrongdoers 4.75 Emeralds
• One: A Worship Collective - We Believe Live 4.50 Emeralds
• 1 Girl Nation - 1 Girl Nation 4.50 Emeralds
• Stellar Kart - All In 4.50 Emeralds
• Tammy Trent - Sunny Days 4.75 Emeralds
• Tye Tribbet - Greater Than 4.50 Emeralds
• Tricia - Radiate 4.75 Emeralds
• Christa Wells - Feed Your Soul 4.75 Emeralds
• Matthew West - Into the Light: Life Stories and Live Songs 4.50 Emeralds

A bit of a Caveat. Bridgecity and Love and Death seem to be re-releases of a sort. Both originally were rated in our January 2013 Rewind. It seems to be a greater release. Matthew West is a double dip. It closed out the 3rd PVA and is repackaged with a DVD. I'll keep updating the links as we go along, but I think the big ones are good enough for now. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Folk Children

Remember that running cartoon gag where someone opens a closet door, and immediately is inundated with just about all the junk in the entire universe? I've felt like I've been living that these past few months since I found all those entries from the first two quarters.

In any quarter there are a few under performing genres. This one is no different. Children's Music had a single entry, and Folk Music had four. Together they make my minimum bar of trying to have five entries in a post for a genre.

Children's Music

• North Point Kids - Shine

Like I say for Country Music, the same applies here. If the album won't trigger a gag reflex with repeat listening by adults. (And if you have kids, there WILL be repeat listening) Then it makes my list. This entry from the kids division of North Point Church seems to meet the requirements for entry to the pool. On to Folk Music.

Folk/Folk Rock

• Katie Ainge - Then Sings My Soul
• All Sons and Daughters - Live
• Caroline Cobb - The Blood + The Breath: Songs That Tell The Story of Redemption
• Yancy - Roots for the Journey

The last two entries in the list made the coveted 5 Emerald Rating. Cobb has quite a voice, and the theme of moving through Genesis to Revelation in song in one album kept you hooked. Not much can be said about Yancy that hasn't already been said. She never does two albums with the same genre, but these two in the same year, and both Platinum Perfect. Quite a feat. That, or I'm getting to be a softy.

The Third Quarter announcements are begun. It's all single genre from here on in. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. And don't forget to enter the giveaway.

Music Video Monday: Death Trap

Welcome back to Music Video Monday. There are plenty of videos now, and we will be progressing by genre each week. Last week was Children's Music, and the next two weeks will be Folk.

We begin with a music legend. Charlie Peacock is an accomplished artist, producer, and just about everything else. His latest release is entitled No Man's Land and is a bit of Folk, Jazz, Alternative. It's a showcase album. This is Death Trap.

Next up is Folk/Worship Act All Sons and Daughters and Great Are You Lord

And Finally we go to Yancy (not Nancy). Two albums in two genres from one artist in the same year of eligibility. Last week we had Jesus Music Box, in the Children's genre. This is from the Folk/Worship album Roots for the Journey. Oh The Joy

We will continue with Folk next week with genre fave JJ Heller and more of Yancy. While you're here, scroll down just a bit more and enter the giveaway. None of the music featured this week is on the list, but they are all Five Emerald albums, and you can't get any better than that. a Rafflecopter giveaway