Closing yet another week of amazing entries, beautiful original music and mind blowing covers. As always here I'am late on a Sunday attempting to make up my mind. When I was told the job of a judge was not easy, I knew it to be true, I just did not know how hard it would be.

I think for once I won't see the sun come up on Monday:

First Place

@pedromrmourato There is Love - Original Song

I absolutely loved everything about this entry, the energy, the lyrics the emotion conveyed in the voice. I can't find a thing I don't absolutely love about this song and performance. I don't know where @pedromrmourato came from but I'm so happy he gave us this musical gem this week. I can't wait to hear what other entries are to come from Pedro.

Second Place

@petrajordan City at Night - Original Song

I had my suspicion that @petrajordan was leaving her best for later and I was right. Her entry is absolutely stunning, even thought the lyrics swim in seas of emotional confusion and nostalgia I can't help but to find the arrangement, the vocal approach and the soulfulness sexy.

The piano playing and how it plays with the timing as the changes flow smoothly is something to admire being a musician, but if you are not one, you would not even recognize the difficulty of the arrangement. Absolutely brilliant Petra, please more of this.

Third Place

@kayclarity - March on - Original Song

It's almost not fair what her voice does to me. Almost without fail every time I hear @kayclarity I get goosebumps, but aside from having the voice of an angel, my favorite thing about @kayclarity is her sincere approach to her writing. It feels at times like she does not mind wearing her heart on the sleeve musically and that is something that requires both vulnerability and also strength.

Thank you for sharing this little musical gem.

Fourth Place

@vera.carla Naked - Original Song

Not the first time Carla makes it to my top 5 list and I suspect it wont be the last neither. She has a natural talent for finding those melodies that always leave you wanting more. I don't know what it is, it's not like anyone could write a book of how to make a song that requires you to play it at least three times to feel semi satisfied.

There is a common theme in her writings, most of the songs I've really enjoyed touch up on existentialism and discovery of the self. Something of course I relate to being a main theme on the songs I've written myself.

Fifth Place

@luisferchav - The Parting Glass - Traditional Song

I have to confess that I had never heard this song before, turns out a famous artist (Ed Sheeran)has revived this traditional Scottish/Irish Song. I heard his version and I still like @luisferchav 's take on it just a little bit better. The simplicity of the approach, the emotional performance and the fact that it was done on a ukulele bass! What is not to love?

Honorable Mentions

In no order in particular, these are performances I really enjoyed this week.

@paintingangels - Staircase - Original Song

@itinerantartist - Mundane Things - Original Song

@chaifm - Organs of Monster and Men - Cover

@ayushthedreamer - Sufi Tere Pyaar main - Saim Bhatt

@danieldyemusic - Georgia - Original Song

This closes another amazing week, are we ready for week 76? 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