The Greatest Story Ever Sung

"Music Inspired by..." When I see a CD with this intro I know two things immediately.

1. It isn't the official soundtrack
2. It's probably not worth buying

So you can imagine my reaction when the homepage of New Release Tuesday sported a listening party for Music Inspired by The Story. Actually my first reaction was "What's The Story?" Come to find out it's not a movie, but a Bible. Yes a Bible. The Bible as a continuous story.

The Instrumental Overture kicks things off, and I kind of hope it was a movie, because the orchestral arrangement is definitely soundtrack worthy.

I have one big complaint. NRT should have broken the stream into two parts. Using my libraries account, I get 55 minutes, and that is just about the length of the first disc. However, there is no way to fast forward, so you have to start again at the beginning. So there is no way to just get to disc two. A shame.

This is a two disc CD, and like the Bible itself, Disc one is the Old Testament and Disc Two the new. One minor Biblical nitpick. Like I said, the concept is that the Bible is arranged as a continuous narrative story, but there is a chronological error. The Old Testament is as follows: Creation, Adam & Eve, Abraham & Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Ruth & Naomi, David, Daniel, Esther, Job. The error is the last song. Despite its position in the Bible, only Genesis-Esther is arranged in rough chronological order. Most Bible Scholars place Job somewhere between Abraham and Moses in time.

The Big Guns came out for this, and I think they will be having a Christmas Tour to support the album. That should be something to catch. Leigh Nash, Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, Peter Furler, Mandisa, and Mac Powell among others. Actually, the only minor miscast here may be Mandisa. While I loved her Album, her casting as "Esther" was mistaken IMHO, considering the orchestration of the album. Overture and the filling orchestration sounds so much like Are You Ready? from Beckah Shae's album Destiny, that I think she should have been on it. Just Saying.

This is a majestic concept album, and it delivers. I'm a sucker for strings, and there are strings in spades here. I'm going to go out and give this album a full 5 Emeralds, and then figure out where I'm going to put it. Any thoughts, readers? I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Mission To Massachusetts: The Final Act

Chapter Four: Night of the Hawk

Hawk Nelson That is. In advance of this final posting on the MWAM Shrewsbury concert, we at The Night Beat express our regret if any Vancouver Canucks fans are offended by some of the Jokes that are contained within.

Perhaps as you have been reading the previous posts and looking at the photographs you have noticed in the background certain cloth covered obelisks. They have been hidden for this moment and now are ready to be revealed.



Presenting: Hawk Nelson

The second Canadian group in the lineup, and coincidentally, both are from Calgary. I mention this because, if you remember my mentioning about Kiros, you know that Flames fans also root for "whoever is playing the Canucks." Well the last one to do that was the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Bruins won. Woo-Hoo. Stanley Cup Champions has a really nice ring to it. It doesn't get old.

Anyway, instead of just saying stuff like "Any Bruins fans in here?", Lead singer Jason Dunn decided to tell Roberto Luongo jokes during the night. He told three, but I can only remember two at the moment. No for the non-hockey fans out there (probably most of my readers), Roberto Luongo was the Goalie for the Vancouver Canucks, and during the Cup Finals, when the game was in Vancouver, he was the rock of Gibraltar, stopping just about everything that came his way. When the game was in Boston, however, Bruins players found more holes in Goal than a colander. Considering that Game 7 was in Vancouver, Canucks fans were confident, but some Bruins Pranksters must have hung a TD Banknorth Garden Sign over the stadium, because Luongo acted like he was in Boston, leading to a joke like this.

It was sad to hear about Roberto Luongo. After the Game he tried to commit suicide. Yeah, he tried to get run over by a bus. But like everything else it went through his legs (drum roll)

Yeah, I know, pretty bad. We're Bruins Fans Here at The Night Beat and we ate it up.


Hawk Nelson's Jason Dunn

It was a great set, and included Songs From Letters to The President (California), Smile, It's The End of The World (Everything You Ever Wanted), Hawk Nelson is my Friend (Friend Like That, Let's Dance, Bring Em Out) and the Title Tracks of Live Life Loud and Crazy Love. And then there were the Canucks jokes.

Dunn: Knock Knock
Crowd: Who's There
Dunn: Roberto Luongo
Crowd: Roberto Luongo Who
Dunn: Exactly

Crazy love was the last song of the set, they said goodnight, and the lights went out. Then came the inevitable cheer of "One More Song", and here I think that it's not only God's Love that is crazy, but also Hawk Nelson, because for the encore, we were told:

Don't Stop Believing

As in the Journey Song. And they not only did the cover, but they did it in style. I'm not sure just any band could have pulled this off, and I've got the photos to prove it, so here we go.

Big Sound and Bigger Hair.



A Journey into the Mind of Hawk Nelson

I have enjoyed bringing you this multi-part tale of the Music With A Mission Concert Event in Shrewsbury, and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Mission to Massachusetts: For Those Who Wait



Fireflight In Action

This Is For Those Who Wait. This is the second time I have head this screamed in concert, and it is by far one of the most dramatic openings for a band ever. The second time at the same venue in a year, Fireflight consistently puts out a top notch show. If you read my post of their visit last October as part of the For Those Who Wait Tour, you will recall that my biggest gripe was that whoever worked the sound board was falling down on the job because I couldn't hear lead singer Dawn Michele at all.


The Lovely and Talented Dawn Michele

Now the sound was improved this time. It wasn't perfect. There were a few times I couldn't pick up her words, but because I knew the song, I knew what they were. Those times were fewer and far between. Now apart from the backing of NRT, not much had changed. They did bring in a big time talent to work the sound board though -- none other than the Chick-fil-a cow. (There was a medium sized stuffed cow sitting on top of the board).

Part of "The Mission", and another excuse to post a picture of Dawn

I know some of you are thinking I've got a crush on Dawn Michele. No, I don't. I know a good looking girl when I see her though. Besides, I favor brunettes.

Even though Fireflight would be severely diminished without Dawn at lead, there is more to Fireflight than her. There has been a change in the lineup, and the job of maintaining the building shaking bass drums has been passed from Phee Shorb to Adam McMillion. The Building Still Shook, so the drumstick has been passed successfully.


A Picture is Worth a McMillion Words

And, like Skillet, Fireflight is a "Two Chick Band". See my previous post Chicks Who Rock for a video of For Those Who Wait. In addition to Dawn on Lead we have background vocalist and Bass Guitarist Wendy Drennen (wife of Lead Guitarist Glenn Drennen). Wendy is a good rock name (anybody heard of Wendy Kaiser of REZ).


Wendy Drennen Rockin the Bass Guitar

Fireflight Kept the Crowd Stomping Jumping and Screaming with a full set. Musically again we went from For Those Who Wait to Unbreakable with everything in between. The Ten song set once again made me think, "Why aren't they the final act?". It's hard to fathom how these guys could have gone five years without getting played on the radio. (Actually, when you think of the small mindedness of Christian Music Radio, maybe it's not). Could anything top this. It might take some Crazy Love. And I Do Mean CRAZY. To be continued...I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Mission To Massachusetts: Part Two

Intermission Finally ended, and we are back to the concert. NRT and newsound have arranged things so that there are a series of intro acts and then the headliner. In this case it is Intro, Into, Headline 1, Intermission, Intro, Intro, Intro, Headline 2, Headline 3. In my last post I handled everything up to and including the intermission.



The One That Got Away

 First Up was the new band from Minneapolis called Hyland. I had earlier reviewed their album Weights & Measures. I really enjoy this band, and they lived up to their albums potential in their live performance. They did A four song set of Jumping the Gun, The One That Got Away, Til Death, and Never. They are bound for good things in the future.



We are Children of The Light

 Time for a little Rap. The Featured Rapper was Benjah. Pretty much unknown to the CCM world as a rapper, he is better known as a Writer/Producer, having produced, among others, Lecrae, Tedashii, and Sho Baraka. His debut album The Breakup should be debuting soon.



Sitting In Mikeschair

 A Rock Worship Set finished the three lead in acts. Mikeschair was the final band here. It was a quick three song set of worship tunes and then we had to prepare the stage. As they say Good things come For those who wait. Stay tuned for the rest, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Mission To Massachusetts: Part One

MWAM: Shrewsbury Edition

Wow. What a Night. The Music With A Mission Tour Rolled Through Central Massachusetts Last Night. For CCM fans of all stripes, this was an event not to be missed, and I would have you know, right up until Friday afternoon, I thought I would have to miss it, but everything worked out in the end. In my Quick Post written just before I left I just used the promotional poster and listed all the bands for the tour. Chasen, Manafest, and according to my ticket at least, B. Reith wasn't at this stop. That's not to say it wasn't a rocking night. The lineup for the night (in order of appearance) was Samestate, Kiros, Superchick, Hyland, Benjah, Mikeschair, Fireflight, and Hawk Nelson. For those playing the International Game, That's USA 6 Canada 2. That would be a cool score for a hockey game. (More on the hockey reference later). If things look a little fuzzy or red, I apologize in advance. I think I got the auto-focus figured out, but concert light wreak havoc with lighting sensors.

One of the bands on this tour, Fireflight, was at this same Venue (Liberty Churches, Shrewsbury, MA) Last October as Part of the For those Who Wait Tour. That was a penny-ante production compared to MWAM. MWAM Was full of Glitz and glitter, due mostly to the fact that it was orchestrated by New Release Tuesday. Before each act there was a video speel announcing them as coming soon. The energy and anticipation was sky high.



In the Samestate, unless they're not

 Newcomers Samestate opened the evening. I had the chance to preview their EP earlier in the year and they're pretty good. Pretty much straight ahead Rock and Roll. As newcomers to the scene they did a quick three song set, and went off the stage. It was their job to get the mood going in both directions and they did a good job. They told the crowd they couldn't stay around long as the next day they were opening for Switchfoot. Now that struck me as unintentionally funny, Samestate-Different State.



Kiros Loves the Bruins

 Kiros Was Next. For those not in the know it's pronounced KEYE-ros.  They proceeded to endear themselves to the local audience by giving shoutouts to our Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. Since these guys are from Clagary they are ostensibly Calgary Flames fans, but they say they "Also root for whoever is playing the Canucks." I mmust confess that, being a Bruins Fan, I was unaware of this anti-Canuck sentiment. We usually save our emotions for the Montreal Canadiens (or Les Habs). As to the music, I would probably classify Kiros as Heavy Metal, but in a 80's metal style, not the metal-core prevalent today.

After two opening acts it was time for the first headliner. I say first because the night had Three Legitimate Headline acts. Again, hats off to Soulfest and NRT for this scheduling miracle. Samestate and Kiros both played a 3-4 song set, and then Superchick took over for headline act #1. I'm trying to recollect things here afterward, but I would say we got seven songs from Superchick.



Tricia Brock: The Original Superchick

 What can I say about Superchick? Garage Band to Super Band, I became a fan right off the bat while working for Sparrow Records at Soulfest back in 2000. That was when Tricia was still singing through a megaphone. Seven Albums later, they are one of the best know supergroups out there. Tricia can belt out rock (One Girl Revolution, Rock What You Got) as easily as a haunting ballad (We Live, Stand in the Rain), and even does a good worship set as well (You are My Shepherd, Always, from The Road).

Hey, Hey! Melissa takes the lead

Though Tricia is the lead, Lead Vocals on a few songs were either shared or done outright by Tricia's sister Melissa (who is also Guitarist). After the worship set we were set for the first intermission, but first, co-sponsors Compassion International had a presentation. Melissa talked about her mission trip to Uganda, and her experience with real poverty. She talked of 10x10 "houses" which were "made literally of garbage". When you hear of things like this you realize we have no poor in The United States.



Tricia With a Fan during Intermission

 A short intermission was next, and there were still five more acts to come.

I was running back and forth through the auditorium during the concert and have plenty more photos to share. I think they thought I was a media photographer, and in one sense I am. Since I have a lot more to share I am making a multiple post effort of it, so stay with me. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music With A Mission

Just a quick post today. Your favorite blogger is heading to Shrewsbury tonite to catch the MWAM (Music With A Mission Tour). I have camera in hand, and batteries, so I should be able to do a review with photos this time. Hawk Nelson, Superchick, Fireflight, B.Reith, Mikeschair, Hyland, Chasen, Kiros, Benjah, and Samestate.

One other thing. (OR Just One More Thing, as S.J. Likes to say). An official night beat shoutout and congrats to The Devil Wears Prada for Cracking the Top 10 (they were at number 10. You Can read the press release at Jesusfreakhideout.

That's it for today. As I always say in closing I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Great Night Beat Affiliate Search...

(Or I'm-A-Gone Amazon). Actually as the voice on my currently on the fritz iBook likes to say "It's not my fault". I don't know if being a pawn in a great war for economic freedom is comforting or not, but it's a fact.

Let me fill in the blanks here. Over the past week I have been frustrated by the fact that my once ever present Amazon Affiliate widget wasn't working. Now since I started The Night Beat partially as a money making opportunity, being cut off from a major possible source of revenue is distressing. Oh Well, I still have google AdSense.

As to it not being my fault. From what I can gather, it all started when the State of California imposed an internet tax on all internet orders in California. Now Amazon is a California Company as well, so they took it extemely poorly and shut down the Amazon Associates accounts of all bloggers in California. Well Google, also in California, in a solidarity move with Amazon, has disabled the Amazon Associate Widgets on its Blogger Platform for all Bloggers. So, for those of us who were hoping for extra cash through Amazon, we're screwed.

I am looking for an Affiliate to replace Amazon. Right Now I am thinking of Christian Book Distributors. They're a Bay State Company, and right now Massachusetts hasn't imposed an internet Tax unless a business has a brick and mortar store in Massachusetts (So CBD, which is in Peabody, and L.L. Bean, which has a store in Burlington, get charged tax on taxable items). Thing is, looking over the affiliate program requirements, they want a guarantee that I can steer $250/yr in sales their way. Since the average CD there costs $10, that would only be 25 CD's a year, that's 2 a month.

What do you think. I would appreciate your help on this. Do you have any Ideas as to possible affiliates which would be a good fit for The Night Beat? As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.