So I've been trying to space out my listening sessions this week, I've been trying to rest my "bias" if that makes any sense at all, the amount of entries that we get now a days makes this task a little more complicated than many would think. For example, if I'm too tired I can't properly listen to a performance, because me being tired would affect my perception of the song.

   Armed with this new plan I thought naively that I would be done before Sunday night, but as you can see it did not work this way. It's just not a job for those who like to do things fast and dirty. In any case I freaking loved this week, I've cried more than once awed in inspiration and I hope that you my dear reader are strapped and ready to listen to some special songs.

First Place .-

@nathankaye - Silence (waves of Silence) Original Song

   There are songs that make you feel and there are songs that stop you on your tracks. This is one of those songs that had me crying like a small child for longer than I would like to admit. I lost a friend to suicide once, I remember how confusing everything was to me back then and how I wish there was something I could have done. Every single word on this song speaks to my heart in ways that my writing skills cannot describe.

   I feel grateful to know Nathan and even more grateful to be witness to his message of love and compassion. To Nathan, I'll just say.... Thank you for raising your voice and speaking out Brother...

Second Place

@pedromrmourato - Bang Bang - Original Song

   Gosh!!! almost as soon as the vocals started I was trying to control the hairs behind my neck as they attempted a futile escape. I'm still attempting to understand how is it that I've never heard of these gems in my life. Aside from the vocals being superb in all technical aspects, the delivery was done with such emotions that it could melt the coldest of hearts.

   I demand more of this... @pedromrmourato please invite this musical angel to join Steem too. I'm still blown away, I'm trying to recover my composure here.

Third Place

@dannyhamilton - Land of Confusion - Cover

   What a great way to start an #openmic career(yes, why not?) with a bang. I freaking loved this entry, it's one of those songs that will never die no matter how old It gets. I believe Danny is just getting started, honestly I took it upon myself to dig into Danny's work and this here my friends is the tip of the iceberg.

   I've said a few times that if you are going to do a cover, you gotta make it your own, I want to hear you being channeled through someone else's song and not so much something that reminds me of the CD.... I think Danny get's it!

Fourth Place

@art-mess - I was a good man - Original Song

   Do not let the acoustic guitar fool you, this performance has more power than a V8 engine using nitro. I'm still attempting to figure out where this came from? Don't get me wrong I'm aware @art-mess is one talented Steemian, I've been following his art for a while now and I've had the pleasure to listen to a few of his original tunes before.

   What I never expected is to see him deliver a tragic powerful story while entering what I can only describe as a musical Trance. Yes, that's it... @art-mess was so deep into this performance I don't think he even knows what was happening. Absolutely brilliant...

Fifth Place

@melavie - Feeling Good - Cover

   If I had to sum it up with one word.... "magic" this is basically someone with a magical voice doing a cover of someone with a magical voice in other words, the magic powers have been enhanced. What really blows me away every time I hear @melavie sing is her vocal control regardless of volume.

Honorable Mentions

In no particular order here are some of the performances I really enjoyed this week, musical gems as I call them.

Lucy Banks - Spanish Sahara Foals Cover

Petra Jordan - The way we Dance (Original Song)

Melissa Kellie - Never Ending War (Original Song)

Jose Cabrera - Teoremas (Original Song)

@eyewritedaily - Bonnie Doone (Original Song)

@wilins Noche Verde (Original Song)

@ayushthedreamer Tera Yaar Hoon Main- Arijeet Singh

This is it for week 77!!! In case you are not aware of it, we have started 78 already and I'm super ready to do this all over again, are you jumping in to this week too?

But hey friend, before you leave my post musical brother or 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 #openmic. 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