It’s been a Hard Week’s Work…

…and I’ve been slaving like a dog - but should be sleeping like a log.

Not only was it another tough week to judge all of the incredible entries, but I’ve also begun to work rather intensely on a mega Open-Mic collaboration!

On Saturday, I spent the entire day and half the night tweaking my custom mash-up reference tracks and laying down some rhythm guitar parts. I ain’t no Quincy Jones, trust me, but I’m kinda happy with the genesis thus far. Next on tap is to get a drummer and bass player on board to complete the balance of the rhythm section before selecting one or two lead singers to begin leveling up.

I am quite happy with the positive response I got from the community and all of the incredibly talented people who are interested in participating. I’ve started the ball rolling and I can really use some help in moving the project along. So if you can, I going to ask everyone for a small favor before we continue.

Please help me find a Bass Player and Drummer

Those are the two key spots I need to fill right now to complete the rhythm section and keep the project moving. You can find the two songs along with individual performance references here!

Thanks, guys!

Next Up, a few words about our Sponsors

Please, VOTE for These WITNESSES...

IMPORTANT: Before we move on, please don't forget to vote for @Pfunk as witnesses! @pfunk is our biggest supporter, and plays a major role in helping to fund, the Open Mic contest each week.

In addition to @pfunk, I am also adding @curie, @ausbitbank, and @aggroed to my short list of “must-vote-for” witnesses who support the Open-Mic venue.

You can vote for each of these witnesses right now by going directly to this link: https://steemit.com/~witnesses

With all of that said, following some further insights as to how I judge entries, let’s get on with it, shall we?

Steemit Open Mic Week 91

My Process

As one of the esteemed Open Mic judges, it is my job to come up with (or “curate” as it were) a short-list of my top 5 entrants each week. With all of the great talent here, that is by no means an easy task. Sure, tossing in another 5 honorable mentions helps, but not when my weekly list starts out with 100 or more of my favorite entries... You guy's rock - I'm tellin ya!

Yes, I am a Libra – so I have an inherent drive deep within me to be fair and balanced – good qualities for a “judge” if you ask me. That being said, I’m still human – filled with emotion and subjective feelings – just like you. So, in order to mitigate my subjective tendencies to the best extent possible, I’ve come up with a method by which to narrow down my selections in a more objective vs. arbitrary manner.

Here’s how I go about my personal judging process: I first start out with a list of 100 or more of my most favorite entries for the week, and score them (yes, subjectively) in six distinct categories via a spreadsheet. The categories I’ve selected for scoring are in general harmony with those explained by @luzcypher in his post titled How We Pick The Top 3 Entries, referencing such.

To get a more in-depth perspective as to how I personally go about selecting my artists, please refer to What I go through as an Open-Mic Judge.

Even though it’s still a “subjective” process – diligently going through each scoring category to come up with a “total” score for each entrant helps to minimize any overzealous subjectivity that I may harbor with respect to any specific entrants.

Quite often, this exercise doesn’t give me the exact results I would personally prefer to see – but that only means that my system of judging is working as intended and designed. With all of that said, here are...

My Top-5 Picks in Order

FIRST PLACE: @darrenclaxton – Chapters Just Begun - (Original)

So this is what comes out when Darren tries to squeeze in some songwriting after a long day at work. I suspect such extraordinary talent must escape when given the least opportunity. “Chapters Just Begun” is a touching composition that most of us can relate to. Darren’s performance is brilliant, his song moving, and his persona ever pleasant!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@darrenclaxton/ahzbtkml

SECOND PLACE: @samidbarid – Remember Old Places - (Original-Collaboration)

Inspiration is a most beautiful thing, especially when one acts upon it and turns that inspiration into reality! Well, that’s exactly what @soundlegion did after being moved and inspired by one of Sami’s performances. Bonnie penned some beautiful lyrics and set her melodic voice to this song in a most brilliant collaborative performance here with Sami, together rendering this inspired version of “Remember Old Places.”
https://steemit.com/openmic/@samidbarid/steemit-openmic-week-91-sami-d-barid-feat-shavon-bonnie-legion-remember-old-places

THIRD PLACE: @michaeldietrich– Follow The Sun - (Original)

Though it would have been awesome to see the entire band playing this, Michael’s live “play-through” was rockin’ hard - and the next best thing! “Follow The Sun” is a well-composed hard-driving metal tune replete with great guitar chops, transitions, and classic metal flavors. Rock-On, Brother!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@michaeldietrich/steemit-open-mic-week-91-follow-the-sun-original-song

FOURTH PLACE: @ilazramusic – Mia - (Original)

@ilazramusic never fails to impress me! From his comprehensive (dual language) posts to the richness of his productions, he is one of the most talented artists I’ve encountered. I sure look forward to his participation in our upcoming mega-collab! “Mia” is an engaging and entertaining song about when love/lust slips away from us and leaves us wanting. Not only must you check out his song, but you must also check out the work that he has put into the accompanying post! Bravo!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@ilazramusic/wxl0oo9x

FIFTH PLACE: @siomarasalmeron – Lento - (Original)

Intense, deep, and with great clarity, “slow” is love. This is such a wonderful theme and composition. Siomara takes us on a short journey to remind us of such wonders. Her melodies and performance are soothing, sultry, and sensational!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@siomarasalmeron/ctm7bc5u

My Top-5 Honorable Mentions in Order:

First: @pechichemena – Lejos - (Original)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@pechichemena/steemit-open-mic-week-91-lejos-original-song

Second: @thisisjordan – Strong – (Cover)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@thisisjordan/steemit-open-mic-week-91-london-grammar-strong-cover

Third: @wilins – Stand By Me - (Cover)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@wilins/cba2bj93

Fourth: @johannesburghart – Same Spell - (Original)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@johannesburghart/steemit-open-mic-week-91-or-johannes-burghart-same-spell-original

Fifth: @drewsmusic – Love Never Felt So Good - (Cover)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@drewsmusic/steemit-openmic-week-91-love-never-felt-so-good-michael-jackson

Thank you for reviewing my selections for this week’s Open-Mic contest. If you find this content I’ve curated entertaining and of value to you, then please consider up-voting and/or re-steeming it.

Peace, Love, and Justice for All

A Very Special Shout Out To:

The following 20 artists who were very much on my radar, each within a splitting hair of making it into my overall top-10, and whose performances I loved, cherish, and respect most assuredly. This special list is very much an extension of my most honorable mentions.

They are - in no particular order:

@addiesworld, @tribedownsouth, @cezanne, @edward-ong, @honeymoon-1611, @moccamonica, @carljohn, @samjgonz, @dominiqueguitars, @shaktisun, @gibber, @edenmichelle, @carlosvidal, @orlandogonzalez, @camporr, @lk666, @shookriya, @klynic, @k0wsk1, and @leomolina!

Another Special Shout Out To:

The following artists whose performances I very much enjoyed this week.

They are - in no particular order:

@juanhobos, @dustinseth, @minuetoacademy, @chrisgoans, @melodyrussell, @novumorganon, @katrina-ariel, @acousticsteveo, @mupsikotico, @dianakyv, @kantos, @carlosgu, @armoniritmia, @graceleon, @dreamrafa, @williansjmm, @lostgalaxy, @tcpolymath, @smollrecord, @salvadorhr18, @fernando.lubezki, @palmidrummer, @aidarojaswriter, @exzorltg, @juanmolina, @elisonr13, @danne10, @duocover, @thesimpson, @wethepatsies, @lozanocarmen, @nurhalima, @itslobianco, @davidcentenor, @beto14, @enriquemarval, @abrahampe3, @rodrigo98, @nadabrahmasounds, @digitalopus, @angelali, @jembee, @nestorchacin, @senzenfrenz, @steevc, @claratymusic, @drewley, @luismarcanoxd, @shephard, @valtmusic, @mariajruizb, and @coruscate!

Much love and thanks to each and every one of you who have touched a part of my heart and soul - not only this week but forever!

➥ OPEN AUDITIONS for a Very Special Passion-Ground Production