The Drive To Five: Oh Buggles it's Eustace

We finish up our look at #PlatVnyl3 with something new. The Video Awards made its debut this year, giving the Platinum Vinyl Awards Big Time Status, with Song, Album, and Video Awards, along with the General Field. As we said in the opening post, video killed the radio star according to the Buggles. We were about to see if that were true.

For the inaugural year the video awards were incorporated into the show by genre, so each genre went in order Song, Video and Album. Both the song and album awards had seven nominees, the video awards, five. Of course not all of the genres were represented. In addition to the General Field Video Awards (Video of The Year, Video by A Male Artist, Video by a Female Artist, Video by a New Artist), seven genres were represented: Alternative, Pop, Dance, Electronic, Rap, Metal and Rock. #PlatVnyl4 would add Adult Contemporary. While we would like to increase the genres to include them all, at the present the number of genre's may fluctuate from year to year.

Sometimes at Night Beat HQ we seem to have more ties than a dad on Father's Day. The inaugural video awards had one as well. Alternative Video of The Year resulted in a tie, and it all revolved around the meaning of Alternative. If you meant Alternative Music, then the award was given to For King and Country for the post-apocalyptic The Proof of Your Love.  However if you were looking for best Alternative Video, well look no further than Benjamin Dunn and The Animal Orchestra and My Name Is Eustace. You couldn't get much more alternative then people dressed as giant rabbits. Strangely for now, the video seems to have been pulled by Youtube. The link leads to dailymotion.

The electronic genres were represented by the Fringe/GRAC section of CCM. The Dance-Synthpop Video of The Year even went international, with Canadian Valerie Anne Poxleitner aka Lights kept everyone on their Toes. The Electronic-Industrial half went for Shock Value, with Industrial Music Missionaries White Collar Sideshow won with Black Heart Hearse.

The judges rewarded shock value in the inaugural award. Heavy Metal Video went to Close Your Eyes and their beyond the grave love story  Carry You. 

For video of the year, however, shock did not rule the day. Disney did. You could say that things are looking up.  Up as in Pixar's up. Satellites and Sirens did a cover video of Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars using a scene from the movie. It got the award, after the judges stopped crying.

That concludes our look back at #PlatVnyl3. We look back to last years award next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Drive To Five: Anybody Out There?

We left off our recap of #PlatVnyl2 with the GRAC, and with the revelation that there was no Fallen Awards given out that year, there being no "scandal" in the industry. The Crossover potential of CCM was very strong with Jackie Evancho and The Civil Wars getting Album of The Year nominations in the inaugural year for that category.

In a first of sorts (as it has yet to be repeated), a multiple artist compilation, Music Inspired by The Story, was both a Perfect Album and nominated for Album of The Year. Folk Music struck platinum that year as Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars took home Album of The Year. The duo would make their return to the podium for #PlatVnyl4, but that is for another time.

The Folk/Folk Rock Split would last for a second year as The Civil Wars, in addition to winning Album of The Year, also took home Traditional Folk Album of The Year. The Folk Rock Album of The Year was won by Comeback Group Burlap To Cashmere, who first burst onto the scene with their debut Anybody Out There? way back in 1998. Burning Bright caused them to burn out and they left the scene until 2011, when they took home not only Folk Rock Album of The Year but beat out fellow nominee Miss Angie for Comeback Artist of The Year. That category doubled in size as well, going from 1 to 2 nominees.

When we next return we will move on to the Class of 2011, as I call the New Artists for the Year. It was a big class with a lot of staying power. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl4: The Nominees - Song of The Year, Part Two

Last time I presented the first six nominees for Song of The Year in this years Platinum Vinyl Awards, known simply as #PlatVnyl4. The songs were listed alphabetically by title, so there is no ranking of the nominees. We come to the final six nominees for the category.

Not For A Moment (After All), +Meredith Andrews 
The One That Got Away, +The Civil Wars 
Prodigal, +The Ember Days 
Skyfall feat Eshon Burgundy, Rekonciled
Unstable, +Anberlin 
Wait For Me, +SHINY TOY GUNS 
That's it for the nominees, folks. Next up the voting, and then the awards. Back to our regular scheduled business. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl4: The Nominees - Song of The Year, Part One

This is it, fans, the final #PlatVnyl4 post, at least as far as the nomination process goes. From now on it will be all #PlatVnyl5 material except for Flashback Friday, which I have resurrected. The final category is that of Song of The Year. I usually go for mega anthems in this category, but the big requirement is that it has to be a song that makes you go WOW!. All of them qualify in the second respect, but not all make the first. A bunch of non-anthems in the mix. I have also suspended a lot of judging for this category, so there are a dozen nominees. And the nominees are:

Bombs Away, +Jonathan Thulin (Feat. Charmaine)
Dust to Dust, +The Civil Wars 
Fire and Fury, +skilletband 
Hope Will Rise, +Warr Acres 
Love Restores, +ShineBrightBaby 
Need You Now (How Many Times), Plumb
Considering the number of nominees, I have made a decision to make this a two post segment in order to let people listen and judge. I am considering adding a survey portion to the awards this year and this is one of the categories I am thinking of. Stay tuned for part two. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl4: The Nominees - Artist of The Year

Next up among our nomination announcements, of which the entire list is already up at the nomination page, is that of Artist of The Year. These are the artists or duos, not bands, which stood out above the rest. The seven nominees are:

• +The Civil Wars Even though they have a band like name, the team of Joy Williams and John Paul White is merely a duo. With two nominated albums now under their belt, and a win for Barton Hollow, the hope is that this isn't a lifetime achievement nomination for a band that has passed on.
• +Caroline Cobb Big gambles can lead to bigger rewards. The gamble: Writing a song for every book of the Bible. Though the project needed to be scaled down (a 66 song collection would be unfeasible) Caroline takes us on a 12 song through the Bible journey and uses pop, folk and a bit of country in an enjoyable mix.
• +JJHellermusic If we can be accused of bias here at Night Beat HQ, JJ is one of the reasons. She is consistent in her excellence.
• Json
• +Charlie Peacock The Civil Wars producer took some time out to put out a Jazz work that just boggles the imagination. Going down to Mystic indeed.
• Plumb
• +Jonathan Thulin 

There are two more to announce. Album and Song of The Year. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl4: The Nominees - Album of The Year

We are down to the last two, and we are switching the order in order to be in line with the other awards. We will go album song instead of song album. The nominees for Album of The Year are.

• The Blood + The Breath: Songs That Tell The Story of Redemption by +Caroline Cobb Smith - When I discovered this album I was skeptical to say the least. Songs based on the Bible? This is gonna be boring. Boy was I wrong. Cobb Mixes it up and uses country, pop, folk, and whatever else comes to mind at the time and pulls it all off seamlessly.
• The Civil Wars by +The Civil Wars - The Platinum follow up to the Platinum Award Winning Barton Hollow, and quite possibly the duo's swan song. We hope that they aren't the one that got away. I mean, Joy Williams even pulls of a little ditty in French on this album
• Kings and Queens by Audio Adrenaline - If I was skeptical with Caroline Cobb, what was I here. Kevin Max was not a rocker, he would never be able to be a lead singer for Audio Adrenaline. The band members understood it, and the band was rebuilt from the ground up as an Alternative-Pop band, with stellar results. Unfortunately there seems to be a little tarnish on this nomination as the band members, in the midst of a great experiment, ditched Kevin to become a worship band, a move destined to plunge the name Audio Adrenaline into obscurity.
  
• Old Soul by Wayne Haun - Can a cover album be perfect. I think so. Knowing that Haun works with Southern Gospel made me extremely reluctant to even hear this album, but I did take a chance and was rewarded with some sweet jazz. Definitely on the Clean Secular list of things, but hey, so is The Civil Wars.
• Patterns by +Cloverton Music Now if this is what Audio
  
  Adrenaline is aiming at, they should just give it up. Cloverton makes vertical music, almost worship music, and keeps an alternative edge while doing it.
• Rise by +skilletband The band, for its long awaited follow up to Awake, decides to do a concept album about the evil of society, and pulls it off. Jen Ledger even steps into a co-lead at times on the album. About the only thing I can say about Skillet that is bad is Korey has got to go back to being a Brunette. That new look of hers is not flattering.
• Still Believe by Kim Walker Smith Live albums typically sound flat and worship albums sound polished like they're done in a studio. So a live worship album. What should have been blah became instead wow, and songs like Spirit Break out transport you to the throne of God. A rare Perfect Worship Album

Those are the Album of The Year Nominees. The Song of The Year nominees are all that is left. Of Course you can still see all the nominees on the nomination page. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

MVM Weekend Edition: On This Mountain

Housecleaning time again at Music Video Monday. As I progress through the genres sometimes a few orphans are left behind that are two few to handle without mixing. These posts mix and match those few into a post.

We begin with The Civil Wars, the true definition of a Folk Supergroup. This is the lyric video from From This Valley.

We go from folk to alternative, and more from Paramore. This is Now.

And we conclude with Modern Worship. This is Bethel Music who is Chasing You.

Monday we will have more housekeeping. Until then I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Heat Advisory: The 2013 Fourth Quarter - Dancing Folk

The Fourth Quarter of 2013 is complete, at least as far as The Platinum Vinyl Awards are concerned. The beginning of October closes one year and begins another, and the turning of the leaves also turns a page for those wishing to nab an Elpy. Wait til next years awards.

We begin our recap with at least one genre which didn't have enough entries to make a single post. This quarter is no exception. While one genre, Children's Music, didn't have any entries this quarter, and only two entries all year, making it either a candidate for extinction this year or the subject of the first ever PVA coin flip, Dance and Folk Music had only a handful of entries.

We begin with Folk and Folk Rock, which has, among its 3 entries this month, two Perfect 5's. The list:

Folk/Folk Rock

• The Civil Wars - The Civil Wars [+digital booklet]
• Wayne Haun - Old Soul
• Skyler & Kim Walker Smith - Home

The Civil Wars is definitely the front runner, Haun could surprise, because Jazz in CCM is rare, and got classified as folk. Who knows. 

As you know by now, Dance got split into two last year, and this year may get split into three, due to the abundance of remix albums.

Dance/Synthpop

• Andy Hunter - Glowing Collision, V2
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Metamorphosiz: The End Remixes, Vol. 2

Electronic/Industrial

• The Digital Age - Evening & Morning
• Hardie Avenue - Party At The End Of The World

The Digital Age is made of members of the former David Crowder Band and is doing worship with an electronic trance twist. Hardie Avenue has a few releases under its belt already, but is among the bands new to The Night Beat.

We're off and running as we wrap up the Fourth Quarter. Stick with me. Until next time, 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.

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.

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

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

MVM Special Edition: It's What You Want

I Was going to say Birthday Giveaway Edition, but I think that would have set +Triberr word censors all a twitter. I think that's multiple points for all those social media references.

The Great WENC Night Beat 3rd Birthday Giveaway is going on over at my Facebook page. You should enter, the prizes are terrific. 4 Winners, 4 Albums, all certified 5 Emeralds, and one Album of The Year.

We begin at the end. Possibly at the end of a legend. Joy Williams and John Paul White, collectively known as The Civil Wars. The duo are having a relationship breakup, but that didn't stop them from making a sophomore release to top Barton Hollow. This is The One That Got Away

From Folk to Rock and a good dose of Industrial. Skillet has come a long way, baby, and they took a chance with a themed album. They struck Platinum. They have done some good videos this time, and I'm going to honor that with two entries. First up we shall rock out with Sick of It.

The problem I have with lyric videos is they are pretty much static, follow the bouncing ball type videos. That is changing, and I am including two lyric videos this time around to prove it. First up is Skillet and their Chronicles of Narnia Themed Not Gonna Die.
We will close out the Lyric Video section from the only entrant to be Album of The Year. Evanescence asked fans to create lyric art on +TuneWiki. The result, while static, somehow syncs in a way that only can happen with Evanescence. Behold The Change.
Finally we close things out with our final Band, Cloud 2 Ground, er, sorry, Shiny Toy Guns. You can run, but I doubt you will find Somewhere To Hide.
That does it for this special edition of Music Video Monday. Go and enter the giveaway on my Facebook Page. Right now your odds are great. Music Video Monday returns on Monday August 26. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

When Four Times Five Equals Three

It can only mean one thing, that it's time for the big Third Birthday Giveaway here at the WENC Night Beat. (Of Course, it could always be some new math trick, but, not in this case). This blog turned three on July 8, 2013. Since then I have been trying to come up with an appropriate giveaway, and by Jove, I think I've got it.

In my first giveaway I gave one Cd. This time I will give four, each rated by The Night Beat to be a Perfect 5 Emeralds. There will be four winners of course. Here are the prizes.

Rise, Skillet (Rock)

When last we heard from the Cookware named Industrial Super group they had released the final piece of their "accidental trilogy" Awake (2009). Parts one and two were Collide (2004) and Comatose (2006). Hopes were dashed for a fourth album, however. For Rise the Cooper Union led group took on the subject of the evil and troubles in the world. From the 911 closing of the opening cut the album tells a complete story of the Christian rising up to combat the tide of evil. I've said it better in my review. While some reviewers have been less than kind. This is the perfect way to go in a new direction.


The Civil Wars, The Civil Wars (Folk/Folk Rock)

The Anatomy of a Breakup. Barton Hollow took the music world by surprise, and the folk duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White became overnight sensations. On the way to their encore however, Williams became a mom, and the duo have been rumored to broken up. While lightning was bottled twice, we may never get a chance for three. If so, this follow up to the 2011 PVA Album of the Year may strike platinum again. It is obvious that they gave all they had in the studio. Here's to hoping that they are not the one that got away.



III, Shiny Toy Guns (Electronic/Industrial)

One of the first perfect albums of the eligibility period came from the Dance arena. Formerly known as Cloud 2 Ground, the duo of Chad Petree and Jeremy Dawson, here teamed with Carah Faye Charnow also rose above the competition. Since the album came from the Dance arena, it is safe to say that the bar is among the lowest to clear. However, aside from the remix album. only two albums have made a perfect 5 from the genre this year so far, and this is one.

Each of the first three releases from this current eligibility year has the potential to become Album of The Year. Our Fourth Album has.

Evanescence, Evanescence (Rock)

"Hello, Hello, remember me. I'm everything you can't control." 2012's Album of The Year could have been called "Revenge of The Fallen". The rock group named after the rapture proved that they would not suddenly disappear. Never has lead singer Amy Lee caught the dark emotions the band is known to relate to. Fallen went 7x Platinum, and, while this has fallen far short (sorry), in some ways we have a highly superior album. Almost a themed album in some ways, the absence of rust in a group out of sight for 6 years was a testament to itself.

So here's what we're going to do. Go over to the Facebook Page for The Night Beat and sign up. Four winners will be picked. In order to make sure that the winner is happy, I am going to ask you to specify which album you would like to win if picked. If you would be happy with any choice, do say that as well.

The Contest Runs from Midnight ET Tonight until September 30. I'm going to give the long time to get as many people on board as possible. You can't win if you don't enter, so enter. Until next time I am Awaiting Your Entries. Let the Games Begin.

#PlatVnyl3 - Video of The Year

A category having its debut this year, Video of The Year honors the Music Video, once responsible for launching two cable networks (VH1 and MTV), now it is the red headed stepchild of the industry.

Judging in this category skews heavily to the visual element. The song could be simply average, yet when combined with the video it becomes unforgettable. Of course, both parts could be equally strong. A weak video and a strong song would not be considered, however.

Due to the visual element, the nominees for the video categories were reduced from the usual seven to five.

• Black Heart Hearse, White Collar Sideshow
• Carry You, Close Your Eyes
• Poison and Wine (The Civil Wars Cover), Satellites and Sirens
• The Proof Of Your Love, For King and Country
• Timing is Everything, Lights

Each of the nominated videos is a striking visual image in itself. From the Flashdance inspired Timing is Everything where Lights proves the truism that "something red always draws the eye" to the dystopian nightmare that is "The Proof of Your Love". In retrospect, perhaps Valerie (Lights) should have drenched herself with water (a la Jennifer Beals), because the judges went with the St. James Gang instead of her (For King and Country is Joel and Luke Smallbone, brothers to Rebecca St. James). Also on to the next round was a tale of Life, Love and Death that would impress even Evanescence. Carry You by Close Your Eyes.

When the smoke cleared, however, Walt Disney carried the day. Well, Pixar at least. Satellites and Sirens made an album of cover songs and then created a music video for each of them. They were all good, some silly, and a few notable. Among the latter category was a cover of The Civil Wars Poison and Wine. They used a montage of images from Pixar's UP, and it is a real tear-jerker.

Yes, the judges wept. If you don't while watching, then perhaps you need a hearse for your black heart. Just a few more to go. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Cover Me - Eyes Open

Welcome to the 4th Quarter of 2012, at least as far as Platinum Vinyl Award eligibility is considered.

A funny thing happened on the making of the first 4th Quarter post, and that is an abundance of videos from a single artist. Satellites and Sirens to be specific. They have been making a Cover Video every Friday and just recently released an album of those cover songs.

So this is what we're going to do. For the next three days we will be doing a MVM post of these cover videos. We begin with the video that first captured my fancy. The Hunger Games inspired cover of Taylor Swift's Eyes Open.

Next up is an animated video using Pixar's Up. This is a cover of Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars. Get your hankie ready, it's a tearjerker.

We move on to Gavin Degraw's Not Over You.

And next we have a Switchfoot Classic. I Dare You To Move. This song isn't on The Covers, but I wanted to include one more Christian Song, so I put it in. You'll have to wait for covers 2 to get it though.

And we conclude this edition with Shadow Days by John Mayer.
We will be continuing our Music Video Monday posts through Wednesday so we can get through the covers. These are great twists on some songs, and I wanted to share them with you. As an added benefit, since Satellites and Sirens are Christian, not only do they come with a Sythpop Twist, these versions may in some cases be fit for public singing, if you're Karaoke minded. Until tomorrow's edition, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Siberian Frequencies

Welcome to the Patriots Day edition of Music Video Monday. If you don't know what Patriots Day is don't worry. Just say its Boston Marathon Day. Actually it's really the day that the American Revolution began, but hardly anyone knows that these days.

This week we begin sharing videos for albums which will be in the 2012 Platinum Vinyl Awards. The awarding of the 2011 Awards is just a few weeks away. Stay tuned for that.

We begin with one of my favorite new artists, Lights. This is her new video Banner, from her new release Siberia.

If you ever wondered what the life of a Techno artist was like, the video for Siberia is done as a day in the life. It looks pretty cool to me.

We move on to another electronic band. Satellites and Sirens. Every Friday they release a new video on their Youtube site. This week they did a cover of Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars, using video from the Pixar film UP. It is beautiful, and is a great Civil Wars Homage.

We'll conclude with another Cover. In honor of the much hyped novel series and movie, The Hunger Games, they did a cover of Taylor Swifts Eyes Open. Enjoy

I hope You enjoyed these videos this week. We move a few genres to Alternative next week. Not every genre is comfortable making Music Videos. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Poison and Wine

Welcome to the latest installment of Music Video Monday. We have come to the end of the first part of this column as we are approaching the end of the videos which are associated with the nominated songs, albums and artists in the 2011 Platinum Vinyl Awards. This week we are doing the Song of The Year Videos, and that will wrap it up. Next week we will move on to some newer videos.

We begin our video tour with the modern worship anthem As for Me and My House by John Waller.

We Continue with Third Day and Children of God

They say nothing in life is free, but Hyland begs to differ. They say This Love Is Free.

We return to a video that was shared earlier in the series, The City Harmonic and Manifesto.

A Rousing Gospel Song follows, Window by Canton Jones.

We move from Gospel to Dance, although this is more of a slow dance song. The next three are audio only. Sorry about that. This is Are You Ready by Beckah Shae


Another Audio only. This one is from the multi-artist masterpiece Music Inspired by The Story. This is Mark Hall and Megan Garrett from Casting Crowns as Abraham and Sarah in Who But You. .

Another orchestra laden ballad from some otherwise very Hard Rockers. This is Red and the Hymn for the Missing, one of the most haunting songs out there this year.


And we finish, as always, with the song teased in the title. This duo has grown on me since I first heard them for the first time last winter. This is The Civil Wars, and Poison and Wine..

I may have let my love for Strings overwhelm my choices, but such is the way of this blog. If you are into great ballads, then I think you will agree that all of these songs are great Song of The Year Candidates.

That completes this edition of Music Video Monday. I will return Next Monday with more great videos. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Lawdy, Lawdy, That's a fine looking Vespa

Actually its Vesper. Unlike the Italian scooter, The Vespers are a Folk/Bluegrass/Americana group from Tennessee. Now your intrepid blogger is not opposed to Folk, just country, and to some that is a very fine line, but I walk it.

Now some would say that I have already stumbled into country with my appreciation for The Civil Wars, but they call themselves folk and I accept it. On the other hand, the girls of Point of Grace now trigger my gag reflex, as they are full on y'all country (Christmas Music excepted for some reason). Of Course Folk Rock is always a staple of mine (Thank You J Knapp). Talent can always overcome my bias, of course. A case in point would be Dennis Agajanian. Technically he could be Country, but you've got to admire a person who can pick a guitar as fast as he can. That kind of talent transcends genre.

The Fourth Wall is the second album by the Brother-Sister Folk act. Actually two brothers Bruno and Taylor Jones, and two sisters, Callie and Phoebe Cryar (I wonder if they are related to Morgan Cryar). Oh, they write all their own songs (only Grinnin In Your Face isn't written by them).

They first single released was Better Now, which was based on the Man Born Blind. I knew right then that this was something special. Last year I locked on to The Civil Wars as a genre defining release in the Folk Category. This time I think it definitely is The Vespers. If you like Banjo Pickin, try Will You Love Me, Rock out to Got No Friends and Close My Eyes. There is something for everyone here. Even a simple piano tune like Winter. Don't take my word for it. I would like to thank Soundcloud for the opportunity to provide the music to listen to before you buy. This marks a new Era in Night Beat History.


If you have decided that you enjoy the music of The Vespers as much as I do, I would ask that you click on the links and help support The Night Beat while you do. I am giving The Fourth Wall an excellent 4.75 Emerald rating, making it the one to beat this year in Folk. Lawdy what an album. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

PVA 2011 Nominees: Song of The Year

My final post on the 2011 Platinum Vinyl Award Nominees. Once again I wish to remind all of you to check out the full list of nominees by clicking on the link.


For the sake of brevity we will only cover Song of The Year, Modern Worship Song, Gospel Song, and Alternative Song.

Modern Worship Song of The Year

• Adore, Emergency, The Ember Days
• As For Me and My House, As For Me and My House, John Waller
• Great I Am, You Hold It All, New Life Worship
• Higher, Love Riot, Worth Dying For
• How Great Thou Art, Emergency, The Ember Days
• Saving Power, Saving Power, Generation Unleashed
• Yahweh, Yahweh (Live), Hillsong Chapel

Gospel/R&B Song of The Year

• Forgiven, Church on The Moon, Deitrick Haddon
• Heaven Hear My Heart, Angel & Chanelle, Trinitee 5:7
• Jesus, The Awakening of Le'Andria Johnson, Le'Andria Johnson
• Sitting With Me, Something Big, Mary Mary
• Stronger, What if We Were Real, Mandisa
• Window, Dominionaire, Canton Jones
• YRM: (Your Righteous Mind), YRM: Your Righteous Mind, Donald Lawrence & Company feat. Dorinda Clark-Cole

Alternative Song of The Year

• Ambulance, The Valley, Eisley
• Black Cloud, de-plumed, The Choir
• Church Bells, Ghosts Upon The Earth, Gungor
• Dwell, Dwell, Aaron Keyes
• Jumping The Gun, Weights and Measures, Hyland
• Offering, The Sounds of Daniel Bashta, Daniel Bashta
• The War Inside, Vice Verses, Switchfoot
• You're Like A Taxi, Who Can Know It?, Showbread

Song of The Year

• Are You Ready?, Destiny, Beckah Shae
• As For Me and My House, As For Me and My House, John Waller
• Children of God, Move, Third Day
• Hymn For The Missing, Until We Have Faces, Red
• Manifesto, Introducing The City Harmonic, The City Harmonic
• This Love is Free, Weights and Measures, Hyland
• Poison and Wine, Barton Hollow, The Civil Wars
• Who But You, Music Inspired by The Story, Mark Hall & Megan Garrett
• Window, Dominionaire, Canton Jones

Maybe one final note is in order. I picked Song of the Year based on its Epic Anthem sound, or its sheer beauty. These should all be fan favorites to sing.

That does it for my edited announcements of the 2011 Platinum Vinyl Awards Nominees. I encourage all my readers to Check out The Full List of Nominees and to also see the the 2010 Winners. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.