Another Week my friends, another collection of amazing entries and yet another long day for me. I could be completely wrong, but it seems to me the game was upped for lack of a better way to express myself this week. A full day of listening and I came down to 38 entries and here I'am ready to do my best to be fair to everyone. In other words, mission impossible, yet again.

First Place

@danieldyemusic Original song Jailbird

This song to me is special in ways that I may not be able to convey properly. I'm a firm believer that the most powerful thing we have to give, the most precious gift is simply love. We think sometimes that loving is a luxury, as if it's something we can do without, but the truth is very different.

Someone who has nothing, had something to give, had love to give and the inspiration of this song reminded me of such a fact. Yes the song is catchy, yes the guitar riff is cool, but the story, the message... this is what music means to me, when words by themselves fall short.

Second Place

@nathankayeOriginal song Wings

Aside from the fact that @nathankaye is a musical force to be reckoned with, I specially find his performance magical because of its intensity. Leave nothing for later, leave it all on stage. I think he knows exactly what I'm talking about, I would be extremely surprised if Nathan would finish one of his shows and then go ride a bike or something, the intensity with which he performs is that of a man determined to leave his musical footprint behind.

It's not hard for me to relate to this song. Like many of us who are here today are looking for our truth, constantly swimming against the current of the norm. Extracting from mundane life bits and pieces of inspiration, things that gives us wings as he calls them.

Third Place

@vera.carla Original song La Torcaza

Another beautiful entry from @vera.carla , am I surprised? not really, she is one talented musician with an angel's voice. I can't help but to imagine this song as part of a soundtrack, the musical exploration is just out of the norm enough to evoke different emotions in me that I was not expecting. The elements of melancholy are there, but do not overwhelm the message of hope.

After the first two listens, I dug deep into the message, into the lyrics. In one word... brilliant, the emotional exploration through clever metaphors is just beautiful. The idea of the extension of one self, the belonging to the whole. I have no clue if anyone reading my words would even make sense of what I'm feeling, when I'm trying to describe when I read/listen to this song, but then again, they are just words and without the music, without the context, the magic is not complete. You simply have to listen to it.

Fourth Place

@emilykeener - Original song I don't know anything

So this happened, a brand new face shows up in my feed and blows me away. What a beautiful song @emilykeener submitted gosh, I'm still trying to get the hairs from the back of my neck to settle down. The lyrics are so powerful It's impossible to read and not get emotional about them. Aside from great vocal control, the dynamic play of the guitar that toys with my emotions just enough... this song touches on an abstract exploration of the self with an artistic proficiency that is hard to describe for this mere mortal.

I'm looking forward to more of her entries, what a treat, what a treat...

Fifth Place

@senzenfrenz - Original Composition Spring's Melody

Man... this is one special composition, I'm sitting here listening for the fifth time this morning. Why does it make me want to cry? I can't freaking explain it, I have no idea if I may be a little too sensitive today, but this composition is way too special, and I think listening to it, is a must. It's not the first time I've enjoyed one of @senzenfrenz compositions, but it is the first time he has made me get emotional about one.

Where did this come from? What a musical gem... what a gem....

Honorable Mentions

- In no particular order

@melavie - Original Song Wastelands Curse

@roman.musica - Cover Quedandote Yendote - Spinetta

@mrbloom - Original Song Time

@wilins - Original Song Hay Amores

@marctwang - Cover Palm trees Helicopters and Gasoline - Bonamassa

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This closes another amazing week, are we ready for week 74? I sure am... But before you leave my post my musical brother, my musical sister, please know that despite the fact that we call this a competition, even though my post says first, second, third place, that is not what matters about the open mic. In the end of the day the judges are just as human, as flawed and beautiful as everyone else on this planet. The ethos of this contest, of this community, is simply for us to have special place to share our passion for music, for us to laugh together, to cry together and explore emotions that everyday life seems to neglect in one way or another.

Every single one of you is valuable to me, so thank you for being part of my musical family...

Much love