The Songs of The Mourning Dove, Part Two

In my last post I discussed the return of the Dove Awards after an eighteen month hiatus. In that post I gave the GMA some suggestions from the recently concluded 3rd Platinum Vinyl Awards. In this post I will make suggestions, without showing all my cards, from the upcoming 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards Pool. The eligibility year for that is now in its fourth quarter.

Because the folks at the Gospel Music Association are terrified of synthesizers (They may have accepted electric guitars, but I think they still believe Mr Moog was an agent of the devil), there are a few possibilities that I don't think they will ever consider. Especially since good Christian boys and girls don't dance.

• III - Shiny Toy Guns
• The Electro Pop: Deluxe - V. Rose
• Glowing Collision, V1 - Andy Hunter
• Har Megiddo Remixed - Har Megiddo
• New Horizons - DJ Magellan (feat Lara Landon)
• Reconstructions - David Thulin

Then there is that pesky "spirituality test" that pops up whenever an artist successfully "takes the cross over" to the mainstream. If there is even a bobble on the Christian tightrope, they join the ranks of "the fallen". Hence, in addition to Shiny Toy Guns (I love that name), I doubt we shall see any of the following among the nominees.

• Almeria - Lifehouse
• Paramore - Paramore
• Vital - Anberlin

This final list I believe should make it though the Dove Committee, though you never can tell with them.

• A Creation Liturgy - Gungor
• O God Save Us All - Disciple
• Kings and Queens - Audio Adrenaline
• Loved - JJ Heller
• Miracle - Third Day
• The Space We Create - Terra, Terra, Terra
• Still Believe - Kim Walker-Smith
• The White Room - Jonathan Thulin

 That finishes my recommendations to the Dove Award nominating committee. We shall see, when the nominees are announced on August 21, 2013. Comment on this post or the previous one about possible ones that I missed, or additions you would like to see. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Songs of The Mourning Dove

The 2012 +Dove Awards nominations will be announced on August 22. 2013. The Last time we had any contact with the Gospel Music Association was in April 2012, when they conferred awards for releases made between November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2011. That's fifteen months ago, folks. During that span of time we have seen the collapse of the "Christian Section" of the Grammy Awards to a two category joke. With the Dove's Offline, things would be really dark if it were not for the rise of independent award shows like our own Platinum Vinyl Awards, now in its fourth year of eligibility, and The +We Love Christian Music Awards of New Release Tuesday.

With three years under our belt, the Platinum Vinyl Awards are the undisputed king at the moment (how's that for self image). So, we're going to hand out some free advice to the good folks at the GMA's. Having these albums among the nominees this year will help people forget about your absence. 

The following albums won an award at the 3rd PVA's.

• A Little Heart Like You, Martha's Trouble
• Awakened, As I Lay Dying
• Burnt Offerings, Rekonciled
• Dead and Alive, +The Devil Wears Prada 
• The Fourth Wall, The Vespers
• God, Love and Romance, Fred Hammond
• Make It Right, Abel
• Overcome, +Lara Landon 
• The Quiet Life, Anchor and Braille
• Remembering You, Poema
• Rest, +Beckah Shae 
• World We View, Nine Lashes

Also, it wouldn't help if the following "perfect albums" were included.

• Current, +Sarah Macintosh
• Feel The Power, +Blessed By A Broken Heart 
• Give Us Rest, David Crowder Band
• True Defiance, Demon Hunter
• Wait For The Siren, Project 86

That concludes part one, my Dove Nominee suggestions from the 3rd Platinum Vinyl Awards, handed out back in May. In my next post I will, without showing too many cards, pass on a few nominations from the upcoming 4th pool. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Flashback Friday: Know The Code

Welcome everyone to an all new Flashback Friday. 2013 Will be in full swing before you know it. One of the signs of this is the return of both Flashback Friday and Music Video Monday.

Today's Flashback Friday post is about the Synthpop band known as Code of Ethics. Begun in the 90's and gaining their initial fame through Youth With A Mission touring, the group, which contained Barry Blaze and a rotating support staff, released five albums in its First Life, which lasted from 1990-1999

• Visual Paradox (1991)
• Code of Ethics (1993)
• Arms Around The World (1995)
• Soulbait (1997)
• Blaze (1999)

At this point the initial Europop Band broke up. This is the official music video for soulbait.

A nine year hiatus pretty much put this band on the "Where are they Now?" list. Blaze retired to Florida and became a Worship Leader. Not really surprising since Blaze was a worship album of sorts. The retirement was almost permanent, however. A near fatal motorcycle accident in 2004 resulted in almost total blindness and deafness. Almost being the operative word.

Code of Ethics returned in 2008 with Lost in Egypt. Personally, I believe it is among his best work. Initially it was offered as a Free Download and I was online at Midnight for the release, because initial rumors was that it was going to be an extremely limited release. Code of Ethics has returned one more time with Beautiful Thing (2011), which was briefly in the running for a Platinum Vinyl Award last year.

Since his health problems most likely preclude a full return to touring, Blaze has turned to the business end of music, launching his own indie label, Razzbarry Records, which contains Blaze, Code of Ethics, The Great Transparency and Temple Veil as artists. Even though it has only been a year, here's hoping that the CEO gig can be part time and COE will soon return to the "recording studio".

Next week we shall conclude our current three post cycle with A Real Alternative, and our subject will be another band almost in a permanent breakup. Two words for a hint. Kiss Me.
Until next we meet, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Happy New Year from The Night Beat

Welcome Back Everyone. I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable new year. Here at The Night Beat things are fairly quiet. Nothing on the horizon for releases until the 8th of the month. So here are the plans. I may get out a few housekeeping posts this week, but then I may not. Regular posting will begin next week.

• Music Video Monday: Monday January 7 Return
• Flashback Friday: Friday January 11 Return

That should do it for now. We will return in force next Monday. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.